how many miles is too much????
 

How much is an 86 carrera with a recently rebuilt motor but 244k on the chassis be worth. What can I expect to be repairing in the near future. What should I have the mechanic focus on in the PPI. CAr has shiney paint and drives nice but so many miles. I just don't know. Thanks
Robert

opinions please
bump

How much are they asking? Is it a re-paint? Who did the re-build? Do they have receipts for the previous 240K on the car?

no previous history. he has reepits for the rebuild parts. Did the labor himself. he is a mechanical engineer who claims to have rebuilt 5 911 motors.

help bump

Robert. Be patient, it's Friday night. Lots of guys are out driving or wrenching...no need for a bump every 1/2 hour.

Provide some more details, if you have them. 244K is probably the top limit of what *I* have seen guys here post, but not unrealistic. I would imagine suspension might need help, transmission. The experts here will certainly ring in. :) What part of the country are you looking in, some say the newer cars can rust as well...or in the desert the seal dry out.

If you're in a hurry, like pressure from the seller (hence the rapid bumps) you probably don't want the car ;)

BTW: A Maaco paint job sure is shiny for a couple weeks anyhow. :D

Patience, and don't buy the first one you drive.

EDIT: Sadly this is of little help, but I have asked the same myself (and not too long ago). :) http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/133994-how-many-miles-too-many-miles.html

Robert,

Like VaSteve says, be patient on a Friday night.

An '86 can go from $10K - $30K depending on a lot of things. Miles are important, but so is condition and maintenance. Brake lines, calipers, fuel lines, oil lines, electrical, interiors and leather, etc... all make a difference.

What color is the car? Do you have pics you can post? What city is the car in? How much are they asking.

Frankly, the best thing is to measure it against a PPI.

With a DIY rebuild I'd be double sure to check everything over by bringing all the reciepts to a wrench with the car and go from there. You have a right to be a bit sticky about his work - he's not a pro.
Concerning the mileage on the chassis? No worries. Spend the extra $$$ for the mechanic and get their opinion. If it's as it seems it'll be just fine..
You will soon find mileage with these cars isn't really too much an issue. Maintenance is. Mine's over 220K without the engine apart and no problems. It's pretty common to see good cars that high.

rjp

Thanks everyone,. Sorry about the bumps but I was was bored at work. The car can be bought for around $10,000. Good ideas on the brake lines etc. I hadn't even thought of stuff like that. Any more help is appreciated

$10K with rebuilt engine and it's pretty too sounds like a great deal. If in fact the engine is sound I'd even be OK with spending a few dollars on upgrades - maybe a suspension rebuild if it hasn't been done. Has to be clean, and of course tight. - Definitely check the tranny over to see if it's proper.

Make sure the wrench gets his $.02 in. If it checks out at that price you're not gonna get hurt IMHO.

Last year I turned down an 86 Targa with high mileage at $10K because:

1. Second rate paint that needs a new repaint
2. ratty interior that needs a new interior
3. mushy clutch and mushy stick shift
4. it felt sluggish

That car would have cost $10K to begin, and another $10K to finish. Let's hope yours is not the same one.

The tech will know what to look for on the PPI. Like Emission said, buy on condition and don't worry too much about the miles, check all rubber parts and fuel lines. For $10,000 if it checks out, drive the piss out of it and take it to 300,000 miles.

Is is a coupe, targa or cabriolet? This makes a difference in price. For some reason everybody forgets about the Targas. I have heard that Targas are the least desirable but on the other hand I bought one and I absolutely love it.

"Least desireable" sounds a bit harsh. :D

If most men perfer blondes that doesn't mean redheads are ugly... it just means there is a smaller group of men looking for the redheads.

There is a smaller group of people looking for the targa and cab, so you can find them at a lower price on the secondary market. It works to your benefit if that is what you are looking for.

I agree with the other posters that condition is more important than miles.

I recommend buying a 911 from a fellow porsche fanatic. You'll know'm when you see'um.

A bargain $10K 911 can easily turn into something else if it needs everything so a pre-purchase inspection will help you know what you are getting into.

Going back to the miles. While high miles are unimportant to some, I think that vast majority of people look for a low mileage car. Which means the higher mile cars are a harder sell and will fetch a lower price. I guess my point is if you get into a high mileage car that needs work and you do the work it will still be worth the same amount. The question is what needs to be done....everything on these cars is expensive.

But the good news is that they are great fun to drive.

Chuck