Checked out a 79' SC....Getting a PPI this week. Opinions....

[hoff944]

I looked at a 79' SC Targa yesterday with 117K on the clock. I drove the car and it drove nicely. It pulled hard up to redline and the 915 shifted nicely. This was the first 911 I've driven and I have to say that judging by what you guys have said about 915's, this one shifts very nice. No grinding and smooth shifts. I was expecting a lot worse with reguards to the shifting. The clutch was recently replaced with a spring centered clutch. Also installed are the Carrera chain tensioners. The interior has been recovered recently and is very nice. The only negative issue is a cosmetic one. The paint is original and very nice with the exception of the front portion of the hood. The owner said the previous owner repainted it because of rock chips. The repaint was poorly done. It is not that noticable from 10 feet and a bra would probably cover it. I am going to have a PPI done on it this wednesday or thursday. If it checks out okay I'm seriously thinking about purchasing this car because it is silver and I really like silver. The owner is asking $12,900, but I think that is a little much considering the paint work that needs to be done on the hood. I'm guessing that if I took it to a nice paint shop, it would be about $400-$700. Any opinions and/or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Thomas Owen]

My opinion is that if the only issue turns out to be a cosmetic one, you may have found your car. I just bought a '92 and my approach is always "what will it take to make it the car I want". If that is a respray on the hood (not unusual) then I would find that minor compared to shifting issues with a 915 or head studs.
Who knows about the price? What seems fair in one part of the country may be robbery in another.... If it is within your budget, and the seller is willing to understand your concerns and adjust the price, go for it! Start with 10,500 and see what he says...
Good luck -

[KNS]

This sounds like a car you can get in and drive right away although you will end up making a little list of things you will want to address (never fails). If it checks out okay I wouldn't let some cosmetic work stop you. Make sure that the repainted areas are not hiding crash damage.

[cellison]

Hoff, I'm in atlanta and have been looking at 78-79 SC Coupes. Here's my take:

1.) More targa's than coupes for sale = lower price for targa ~$500 or so.
2.) decent coupe in the condition/miles you report $12,900 is a fair asking price.
3.) A guy in town is getting his hood repainted on his turbo for around $400.
4.) I would drive several others to at least compare, even if they are coupes, targas, even something you don't want to purchase, it is a comparison.
5.) If you feel this car is something you want really want offer $10,500 contingent on a PPI (head studs).
6.) In my opinion, if there are no major issues, (studs) to me it would be worth around $11K.

Good luck

Charles
88 Cab

[smstcoach]

This sounds like a promising car. You are most likely not going to find one that is absolutely perfect in that price range, so a respray on the hood is not a deal breaker in my opinion. The four most important things that need to check out are:
1. engine
2. transmission
3. engine
4. transmission
Agree upon a price contingent upon no suprises from the PPI, subtract for any such suprises and then take it for a 1000 mile roadtrip!
Good luck.

[RANDY P]

If you didn't notice the 915 the 1st time you drove it must be a good one....

[anthony]

Personally, I think people on Pelican tend to undervalue cars. Maybe that's because once you're into the Porsche scene you'd only buy one if it was a screaming deal. I have a buddy who's been looking for a clean silver coupe for a while now and he hasn't been able to find one. There's lots of targa for sale. Lots of guards red cars and lots of others in funky colors.

Personally, I'd pay a little extra for a right car, the right conditon, the right color and in the right configuration. I get a lot of pleasure from the visual presentation of my car. If I had to cringe at a purple targa every time I took the cover off I wouldn't want to own the car even though it would drive mostly the same as my black coupe.

[hoff944]

Thanks for the help and info guys. This forum has a vast amount of information that I've been reading up on for a while. We agreed on a price pending the PPI. He seems very confident that it is mechanically top notch and I have to agree from what I have seen. No strange sounds thru the RPM range, no appearent oil leaks, and a nice shifting 915.

[donstevens]

Sounds like the car is priced correctly and a good deal to me.

Don

[wilke3169]

My first thought was the same as Randy's, if you didnt notice the shifting the first time out things are great. Sounds like the car for you. The first thing I would do is get that hood painted, no bra, no showing it to friends and feeling you have to explain. Go get it painted and the car will be 100% to your expectations. A Targa in the spring in TN sounds like a wonderful thing.

Kevin

[Ray B]

Like Charles said- Head studs! The way I see it , you're going to have your valves adjusted anyway( or should) so why not make it part of the PPI. If the studs look OK,great-if not, button it back up and then move on. If you're going to pay someone to pull the valve covers, they might as well do some work while they are in there. $11k ball park if studs and compression are OK.

[Elombard]

Make sure the PPI includes removing valve covers (head studs) and a Compression and leak down. They usually do not.

[hoff944]

The shop I have my work that I can't do (timing belt) at told me PPI's run about $225 and that includes a compression check and head stud check. My mechanic said it also covers a road test and suspension, breaking, and electrical systems test. $225 sounds like a decent figure having read the PPI thread about a month ago.

[KobaltBlau]

another tidbit - the first time you drive a 911 it might not feel natural because it's so different (even coming from a 944), but with time it feels like a well broken-in glove.

[crashmy911]

make sure you put the car on lift and look at its under side. I made the mistake of not doing this what a mistake!

[hoff944]

KobaltBlaue: I loved the raw feel that it had. The whole car seems to feed you info on how it is reacting to everything. I felt more in contact with the road than I do with my 944 and that is an achievement. The 911 seems less civilized. I like that!

[donstevens]

I had several 944s before my firsy 911. Like you, I really liked the difference. I still like 944s, but there is something magic about a 911.

I am telling you, that 911 driving sensation is an additive drug. If your first drives are satisfying just wait until you learn to master the beast on the track. That experience is even more satisfying.

Best of luck. I hope your PPI works out well and you are able to buy that car.

Don

[K. Roman]

12,000-12,500

That would be a good deal. 11,000 could be a steal. I see cars that are selling for 8000-9500 all the time. Are they good cars?
No.

[hoff944]

Well the results are in from the PPI. All of the head studs held torque and were not broken. The compression was 150, 150, 145, 150, 140, 145. The only fault was that even though there is a pop off valve in the airbox, the mechanic said it has a small crack in it, but couldn't find the crack again to show it to me. It still passed the emissions test and it runs fine. I've read that the airbox can be removed on a 79' without having to drop the engine. Either way the mech thought it was still a good car. I agreed especially for the price we settled on, so I'm bringing it home friday. Thanks for all the help guys!

[wilke3169]

Congrats, you will love it.