10k to 14k what buys in this range?

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 06:15 PM

Ok my porsche sale didnt take, i know now its was better that i didnt take that car. Just wondering what kinda of car can i expect to get for this price range, looking for a targa or a cab. I know i want a SC model and I know what updates to look for such as newer type studs, pop off valve, carrera tensioners. I know the Sc is the best model for around the price i am looking for. I would also like to know what the yearly cost of owning a 911. This car will be owned in the Arizona state so heat is major concern i have as these cars are air cooled. Any thing i should look, any fellow Sc owners share your likes experiences. Thanks all...Frank

Bruce Huling · 01-04-2004, 06:27 PM

Frank- there are plenty of clean well taken care of cars in that price range. I recommend that you network and find a car that you know has been taken care of and that has the records, Look here on this board, the azpca, and on the board at p-car independent shops that are respected. Dont be in a rush, be choosy, and make sure they can show you the records, reciepts, etc. Since these cars can easily overwhelm the buyer into an uninformed "Ill take it!" position, write on your forhead that you WILL have a pre purchase inspection for the car irregardless of who is selling you the car period. Happy hunting.
ps: I bought mine from a friend at the low end of your scale, and it has brought me nothing but pleasure and fun. Good luck!

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 06:32 PM

Thanks Bruce for the respond, yes i was at that point when i almost got that car, the members basically told me not to buy, and now i am glad i didnt. Damn take a ride in a 911 cab and you forgot to have it checked out lol. yeah I know now to be patient and take my time.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

if you want a cab, you'll have to go 83 or newer. You should be able to find a good SC targa in that price range though. Finding one with new head studs will be tough unless the engine has been rebuilt. Pop off is usually done (but a cheap fix), tensioners are about $1K to have a shop do them.

As for cost of ownership, it totally depends on the details of the car. If everything has been replaced (shocks, brakes, etc) then you're in better shape. I think you should keep $2K or so in reserve to fix things that will crop up sooner rather than later. If you have a shop do the work and want to keep the car in a good state of repair, figure about $2K/year. That can be less if you DIY or let some things go, more if some major stuff goes wrong.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-04-2004, 07:16 PM

Fender, you were looking at the cab conversion with the Chevy V6, correct? If that's the case, good call on not buying, the sound of a flat six alone is reason enough for me. 10- 14 should buy you a great SC. You're lucky because you're near Cali, there seem to be a large quantity of 911s there. Try finding one in KS! I'm sure the SC guys will chime in with more specific info, but SCs have the reputation of being bulletproof if well kept, so just so you PPI, you should be fine. Consider a targa, most of the benefits of a convertible with less headaches, they seem to go for less as well. Do plenty of reading, and enjoy the hunt, it's half the fun. I'm sure you can find someone in Cali to look at any SC you may find, Pelicans are very helpful folks. Buy some books and DIY, you'll save alot on maintenance.

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 07:27 PM

Matt no!! great start the flames again lol yeah i made a sane choice now, i think the ride in that cab was not giving me clear choice, lol. Yeah i think i have read enough and know what to look for in car. I just wanted some Sc advice from the SC owners. I would prefer a cab over a targa but doesnt mean i wouldnt take a targa if the car was a winner. I think before I was put off but the costs of maintaining a 911, but after reading the posts in here and how everybody is so helpful I feel i can do some of the work myself. I know i can expect some costs but I think it wont be as bad as i thought .

scedmonds · scedmonds's Garage

SC is definitely in that price range and they're solid Porsches -- great value for the money.

I do ZERO work on the car -- I have talented mechanics to do maintenance. I spend about $1K per year for annual tune up, oil changes, and any small projects that come up (up next this year: a 930 steering wheel).

I've had mine for four years and spent a lot of money ($4K) in the first 12 months to get it in dependable daily driver condition. Find a good, trustworthy local mechanic (AZ PCA is a great source for info on recommended shops) and have a standard PPI done . . . before you get emotionally tied to the feel, the handling, the SOUND.

Cheers!

C.

on-ramp · 07:48 PM

i drive a 83 sc cab up here in New England so the hot temp is not too much of a concern.

If you want an SC for a driver in the hot Arizona sun, be prepared to spend some cash (1-2K) on bringing the a/c up to speed, if it hasn't been done already.
Also, without a good front oil cooler, your engine temp will run in the middle of the range, ~200/220 F, in 80+ temps.

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 08:35 PM

i use to drive a 914, driving around in the summers was not fun but bearable when you drive only at dawn and at midnight. thanks for all the advice

makaio · 01-04-2004, 08:51 PM

A ride in a CAB 911 can fog your judgement

I remeber the first test drive I took in mine, I was hooked instantly. Of course it's totally unpractical 75% of the time where I live becasue it's either too hot, raining, or just to friggin cold. But I don't give a $hit, because when I'm driving it, it's pure nirvana.

As for your price range, be patient, there's plenty out there. I'm sure something will pop up.

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 08:57 PM

Yeah makaio you know the feeling, here in arizona the winters are not that bad , spring is diff cab weather here. The word patient doesnt ring in my ears, whats ringing is the ride. But I will settle down and look and be patient.

makaio · 01-04-2004, 09:01 PM

Just keep scouring the ads on the internet and in print, you'll find your car. I think it was Jeremy that posted quite a comprehensive list of online classified places a week or so ago. If you don't have that, you might search for it.

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 09:09 PM

thanks makaio for the lead

onewhippedpuppy · 01-04-2004, 09:19 PM

Yeah, Jeremy has an incredible list of links to classified sites, but here's a few of my faves, I just got done shopping for mine. BTW, the flames would come if you had actually bought that car.

http://www.carbuyer.com/
http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp?aff=national
http://www.hemmings.com/
http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/
http://www.roadfly.org/porsche/
http://www.autotrader.com/
http://www.porsche-classified.com/

And of course, there's always PCA, ebay, Pelican and Rennlist classifieds. Happy Hunting!

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 09:23 PM

Yes matt i faced the force of the members, hey i can say i deserved it though for thinking such a stupid thought. damn that ride screwed up my head more then i thought lol. Now i know better must hear the scream of the air cooled engine with the top down!

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 09:40 PM

Yes matt i faced the force of the members, hey i can say i deserved it though for thinking such a stupid thought. damn that ride screwed up my head more then i thought lol. Now i know better must hear the scream of the air cooled engine with the top down!

FenderGuy · 01-04-2004, 09:41 PM

Ebay is scary theres a lot of Porsches on there after my deal, I am leary of Ebay now

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

I don't mean to be the bad guy. But I did this a year ago and I think 10 to 14 buys you 10 to 6 worth of work to get the car right. If I was going to buy now, I wouldn't spend less than 20, You'll spend it anyway unless your a 500 or a 1000 miles a year guy. Like they always say, buy the best newest you can afford. No later than 89 of course. Pay now or pay later.
Then again, I look for problems. I just wish I would stop finding them! Let me rephrase that becuase I could certainly stop looking and then I'd stop finding. I will be a happy man when I finally get this car sorted out and can start worrying about things that don't really matter like duck tails and ceramic coated heat exchangers and maybe a nice sterio and an antenna that works.

fogcity · 01-04-2004, 10:53 PM

Ten months ago I bought my '84. I paid 12k. I immediately paid $4k more for a rebuilt tranny, tune-up, oil return tubes and a couple other little things. I didn't have to worry about the usual SC upgrades 'cause it's a Carrera.

So far and since then, I've had to pay for nothing except an oil change. Of course, I chose to spend money on little things like hood shocks, light relays, and a bunch of other things that I look at as "hobby" expenses - certainly nothing to maintain it as a daily driver. It does seem like these cars are built like tanks.

Oh, and this is a car with 180k on the odometer. (I'll admit that I'm nervous for when I have to rebuild the engine and the $ involved with that, but it seems strong and only eats a little oil).

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
Pop off is usually done (but a cheap fix), tensioners are about $1K to have a shop do them.

And don't forget the rubber clutch!

Believe it or not I just drove one with a rubber clutch last week. The car was cosmetically increadible but the motor seemed weak and I couldn't downshift into first without grinding. 50,000 miles on an 83 coupe. he wanted 14,500. The guy I looked at it for told the owner he wanted it, was willing to pay full price, asked him to get a PPI and the guy never called him back.
He told me while I was with him he didn't have time for PPI's He had too much interest in the car to bother. I'm glad he didn't buy it. I have a feeling there were some expensive problems lurking...