New Member- Many Questions

[wxman]

Good afternoon group. I am a new member today after lurking on the list for awhile.
I live in Fresno the Central Valley of California. I bought my first sports car in 1967 while in college. A 1964 Jaguar E-type. I have been driving jaguars ever since. My current daily driver is a 2000 XJ8; a great car, drives well, handles well, zero problems and is no fun to drive. This is the newest car I have owned and I put many miles on it as it depreciates fast. I am ready to change marquee. I use the car only to drive to work. We have a van for the family. I drive the Jaguar my wife loves the van. A good arrangement, she would never want to drive a Porsche.

I enjoy the tinkering with cars. If you ever owned a Jaguar liking to tinker is a must. The 911 with a 5 speed seems to be a good fit even though I am past the mid life crisis. I have seen and driven a few over the past months. Most leave a lot to be desired. E-Bay has been a good source of entertainment with quality and price a big variable.

Here is where I am today. I believe the nicest, well maintained cars I have found are coming from dealers. I am looking for a well maintained, documented 911 from 1978 to 1984. ’75 and under would have no smog in California but with the rust problems looming. I have found most of these dealers on E-Bay. My last 2 Jaguars have been bought this way. A dealership in Houston, Victory Motor Cars seems to have a huge selection and may warrant a trip to Texas. I would prefer to have a car that has lived in California, Texas or Arizona; warm and dry. A good combination for an older car.

You have all been around for awhile and I am asking for assistance.
Could 78-84 be a daily driver?
Would a dealer be the way to go?
How much should I spend?

Many questions, thanks in advance for your help.

Doug

[bigrubberjeep]

Pictures = Answers

No pics, no help! (even if it's not a Porsche)

[Grady Clay]

Doug,

Welcome to the Forum.

Absolutely, a ’78-’84 SC is a wonderful street 911. If you do your research and buy the right one, there will be minimal tinkering. As you have discovered lurking here much of the “repairs” are actually “improvements.” Porsche is one where any given 911 can make a progression from 1965 to current. That is the art and the fun.

Do some searching on Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI.) That and this forum are your safety net when buying a 911.

Best,
Grady

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by wxman
Could 78-84 be a daily driver?

I drive my SC in all sorts of weather and it is my daily driver. Works great for me and it starts every time. I drive it in the snow with Blizzack snow tires without any issues. Most porsche guys think im nuts but I have no problems with the snow, infact with the snow tires on it the 911 is easier to drive then my brothers saturn.

Originally posted by wxman
Would a dealer be the way to go?

You can, if you find a reputable dealer. You will most likely over pay but if they are an honest dealer they will have fixed most of the small problems with the car. Its not a guarntee but
I bought mine through a dealer and it was an excellent experience but I did play a lot more than I should if you ask some of these guys. But I got the car of my dreams that has no major flaws and doesnt leak oil and has a strong freashly rebuild motor. I think it was worth every dime.

Originally posted by wxman
How much should I spend?

It seems SC prices, 78-83, are in the 10-13k range but prices will vary depending on mileage, condition, and special factors of the car. I would consult with pelicanites about secific cars when it gets close. No matter what you do it is a must to get a PPI, having a private mechanic look over the car to make sure everything is in working order. Ask around to find good local P-car mechanics to do that.

Goodluck and Good hunting

[JSDSKI]

Welcome Doug, you have finally chosen the ultimate sports car and the right place for assistance with it !

You will probably get a better car / deal by buying private party with a pre-purchase inspection from an independant shop. But if you can find a great dealer - it's always nice to have one on your side. There are plenty of pelicanites in your area to help with that. The SC is a great car and some will say the 84-89 Carrera is even better. Either makes a great daily driver. The cost of the car will be based on the results of the PPI, miles, condition and maintanence records, and desireability.

There will be more people bidding on a very low mileage 89 than on a average 79. Keep looking at the cars for sale here and post pictures or ask questions after you've found one - believe me you'll get more "help" than you'll know what to do with!!

[darkbeer]

from one newbie to another...welcome!!!!

I've been a Porscheholic (in denial) since 1970. I've had, over the years, 2 SC's, a '78 (smog pump & plumbing)& '81(Lamda/oxygen sensor & computers)....both Targa's...loved 'um both, & left 'um. Great cars BUT slaves to the Smog Nazi's....check my "calif smog exempt cars" post for my opinion on this...

from Jag's to Porsche's...one small step for you, one giant leap for automotive engineering...

Greg;
over by the coast

[imcarthur]

Welcome Doug & Greg

The best advice above is the Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI). Mandatory with a 911. I would agree that a privately sourced car is usually the best bet. Classifieds here & Rennlist, Auto Trader, PCA & PCA regions are all fertile hunting ground.

Good luck with your search. Be patient.

Ian

BTW Doug - Victory buys & sells on eBay. You can buy the same cars at the same price without their markup. Do a search here on Victory. Also see the database on my site below for more examples.

[speedracer]

See gldnedge's post regarding Victory motors here:


Really clever ebay scam......

[wholberg]

When you pare down potentials to a couple of definites, post pics and location, carfax info, etc., on this board as ask if anyone knows the car.

I recently purchased a '87 TL Targa from a private owner (via Ebay) in GA. I posted pics of the car on this, and one other board specific to TL 911's, and when I picked up the car in GA I knew more about the history of the car than the current owner, solely due to board participants who knew that car at some point in its past.

This board is a tremendous resource, so use it.

Incidentally, don't limit yourself just to 78-84. I started looking for a 78, mainly because I used to have one in CA years ago, and ended up with an 87. It's a little more refined than my 78 was, but just at exotic, exhilarating and addicting as the '78. Daily drivers both.

As far as EBay goes, Victory motors has some really bad feedback on EBay, and I would stay away from them.

Here in Raleigh, there is a dealer called Motorcar Investments. Sometimes they post on EBay, and sometimes they will have a really nice Porsche or two (out of about 20) on their lot. They seem pretty honest (at least as far as car dealers go). I was going to buy a car off their lot, but the TL came up on ebay.

Good Luck.

[Evans, Marv]

Doug:
Welcome to the board. I graduated from Fresno High, myself. The advise above about waiting to find a car from a private seller and doing a PPI is very solid advice. I myself like the "73-'69 cars, but if I were going to consider an '80s car, I think the year I would look hardest at would be the '87. Some of the professionals I've talked to have considered them highly.
Best of luck on the board. It's a great bunch.

[LakeCleElum]

Doug: From a fellow former Jag owner (62 XKE Roadster w/ 64 4.2 running gear): Buy from a private seller....You can see his/her home and how they maintain their property.....Can see the paperwork 1st hand. Dealers will tell you anything you want to hear. I've had bad experiences buying vehicles off e-bay (great for buying parts though).....Do the PPI and another + to P-car owership is: NO LUCAS PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!