Looking @ 1982 Targa Need Advice

[Kevin Taylor]

Has 103 on the clock. This guy is third owner.
What should I be checking for?
No major work has been done to the engine or trans.
Has all options.
What's it worth?

Thanks K.T.
1973 911E 2.4 MFI
1965 Devin "D" - 1967 912 Power Plant

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Clock and owner are not issues.
What region? are the roads salted in winter?
What is defined as major work? Are there records and do they show oil changes, tyre changes, etc?
What does "all options" mean? There were many possible additions to these cars.

Get a PPI from a reputable location and ensure the head studs are checked, leakdown is done.

Please read: http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

And don't fall in love with the very first one.

[epbrown]

For an SC, you're going to want to see if it's got any broken head studs. Check condition of the hoses for the fuel injection system and see how it starts cold - make sure it idles well; CIS issues can take a while to sort. Also check if warm starting is good, if possible - bad accumulators are another common problem.

A bit of engine smoke at start-up is all right but if it persists or you notice it on deceleration, could be trouble.

The odometer for that year should max at 85 mph, so see if it's changed and if that's been documented accurately re. mileage.

Check the exhaust system for rust and leaks - if it's rusted out you can get exhaust into the cabin when you open the heater flaps. Make sure the heater flaps are operable - a hassle to replace.

For a targa, you want to check for evidence of leaks into the interior (damp or moldy carpets) and make sure the top and seals are good - having a targa top rebuilt can be price.

Check around the windshield for evidence of rust at the front corners - the rear glass develops rust behind the roll bar along the seam to the body. Also look for rust around the front suspension pan and battery tray.

Check the 915 tranny - it's got a bit of a balky shift, but you should be able to get into all gears without trouble. Don't confuse poorly adjusted linkages or worn bushings for a bad transmission. Check pedal return - the cluster usually needs rebuilding about now, especially in a car as damp as a targa. Ask if it's been rebuilt.

For upgrades, check if the exhaust has been upgraded to stainless steel - nice to have. Carrera tensioners are good to prevent loss of timing chain tension, and a pop-off valve to prevent destroying the airbox during a backfire is common.

Pay attention to the cosmetics - there are well-maintained scruffy cars, but you almost never see a poorly maintained car with a polished fan, refinished Fuchs, perfect paint and spotless interior. How the car looks says a lot about the owner's care of it.

Price range for a good condition SC is arguable, but I'd say somewhere between $11k and $15k is common.

Good luck, and get a PPI!

Emanuel

[Nathans_Dad]

Check out my thread "Just bought my first porsche, how did I do?" for full details but I bought a 1984 911 Targa on Saturday with 62.5k miles on it in great shape for $13k. Now I think the consensus is that I got a great deal on that car, but it might give you a ballpark figure to start with on your targa...good luck man, driving targas is just too much fun!!

[Steve87-911]

A professional PPI is a must.
You can do part of that yourself if you have the right info, such as this downloadable book:
http://www.performance2and4.co.uk/guide32_n.htm

I also agree with what epbrown said:
"but you almost never see a poorly maintained car with a polished fan, refinished Fuchs, perfect paint and spotless interior. How the car looks says a lot about the owner's care of it."

Mine turned out that way...looked great and turned out to be mechanically sound too.

And test drive it fast on the highway. If the roof seals are bad or the roof is not adjusted right, it'll be wind-noise city.

And like Nathans_Dad said, "driving targas is just too much fun!!"

[Kevin Taylor]

Going to look at it this Saturday. Found it over a year ago at a garage sale. He's never advertised it. Say's no oil leaks. Has all service records. Happen to be going that way last weekend and decided to see if it was still in the garage. He says he drives it very little and hates to see it sit. Son and daughter are starting to drive and are eyeballing it.
He wants neither in it. Targa guys I've done some reading and just wanted to know if there is anything else I should look for or know. Thanks to all who have advised and I have read your links.
Thanks K.T.
1973 911E 2.4 MFI
1965 Devin "D" - 1967 912 Power Plant

[1973911s]

The past owner on my car had the top rebuilt, with new seals had over 1.4K into it. Doesn't leak a drop of water, but that is a lot of money.

Michael

[SC-targa]

SC's all had a full stainless exhaust already.

Late 82 models were legal with regular, not 85 mph speedos. I beleive some were delivered with the better speedos. Mine has the 83 model speedo and the date code rubber stamped on the back matchs all of the other instruments.

Regards,

Jerry Kroeger

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by SC-targa
SC's all had a full stainless exhaust already.

Late 82 models were legal with regular, not 85 mph speedos. I beleive some were delivered with the better speedos. Mine has the 83 model speedo and the date code rubber stamped on the back matchs all of the other instruments.

Regards,

Jerry Kroeger

What do you consider a late 82? Mine also have a regular speedo instead of the pin the speedo at 90 mph.

[epbrown]

Originally posted by SC-targa
SC's all had a full stainless exhaust already.

No, they didn't. My exhaust was original and mild steel - I replaced it with stainless. A buddy with an '82 had his rust out this year as well. I don't think Porsche uses stainless steel exhaust even now, much less back in the 80s.

Emanuel

[84porsche]

Originally posted by Groesbeck Hurricane
And don't fall in love with the very first one.

Damn, why didn't I know this before but I am an owner that went with a buy now ask questions later attitude. I got pretty lucky though. The minute the previous owner opened the garage and showed me the car especially the guards red, I was in heaven. I waited about 3 days, got a loan and it was all history from then on out.

[SC-targa]

Originally posted by epbrown
No, they didn't. My exhaust was original and mild steel - I replaced it with stainless. A buddy with an '82 had his rust out this year as well. I don't think Porsche uses stainless steel exhaust even now, much less back in the 80s.

Emanuel

Porsche's been using a stainless exhaust since 1972. Just because it's not shiny, doesn't mean it's not stainless.

Everyone uses stainless exhaust now or they couldn't meet the EPA 100k miles emissions certification.

Regards,

Jerry Kroeger

[ruf-porsche]

The CAT might be stainless steel, but the heat exhanger and muffler were mild steel my 74 HE rusted out at the point where they connects to the muffler.