WTB 911 SC...Crazy?

[mcholar]

Here's the situation, I had a 86 euro cab, loved it, except for the cab part. Had to sell it to raise money when I moved from northern california. I've been in withdrawal for about 8 years now for another one, this time a coupe. No kids, and my wife is totally supportive, it's just a question of dollars.
I had a great year, and ended up with a performance bonus of ten grand.. Wife says, quit whining about a porsche and buy one. We look at 951's and it's just not right...doesnt have the same feel, can't really explain it. I've looked at a couple 911 cars, they have been either real high miles, or been beat up pretty bad.

Could sell one of my old race bikes , hate to do that, i still like to do that on the weekends.

And, not least, I need to get a semi daily driver. I have toyota truck for the winters and weekend hauling, so I can switch back and forth.
Am I just deluding myself? Nut's? Are there cars out there that a guy can get into for this range? I have some mechanical ability, and don't mind cosmetic issues, but still don't want to pop a chunk (to me) of dollars for a headache.
How does every one else with a lmited budget deal with this?

[asphaltgambler]

ONE WORD ...................SACRIFICE. In order to obtain what you want you'll have to sacrifice what you need. Very simple.

[NY65912]

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
ONE WORD ...................SACRIFICE. In order to obtain what you want you'll have to sacrifice what you need. Very simple.

Amen!

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Take your time. Put together the funds to buy a great SC.
And then keep it for years and years of enjoyment.

[Paulporsche]

See if you can get your wife's comments about stopping whining and buy one in writing or on video.

Have fun and get the best one you can afford.

[nostatic]

be sure and realize that the purchase price is only the beginning. If you only hve $10K, you likely should hold $2K or so in reserve to fix the problems that pop up sooner rather than later.

And the 951 will likely be more expensive to keep running than a well sorted 911.

[mcholar]

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate the info. I'm not sure how long my wife will stay agreeable... You never know, she may want that new dinette set and poof, there it goes..
Mike
still looking for a SC in IL

[DustinTarditi]

... as in the Harley ad:

Guy pulls up in a clean SC at the gas station... other guy (toyota truck, to keep with the thread!) "I almost got one of them... the wife liked this killer dinette set... we got the dinette set."

:-)

Perform due diligence... do your homework, drive as many as you can to see what you like.
A poorly chosen 911 can be a VERY expensive mistake.
Read all the threads you can find in this forum about model year differences, what to look out for, issues, "gotchas", etc.

Good luck!

-Dustin

[Steve87-911]

No you're not crazy. An SC is a wonderful car. I've always been partial to SCs and Carreras. I'm *always* looking forward to the next opportunity to drive her.
Anyway, there is a saying around here that goes, "They're all $20k cars". Which means you will likely be happier/do better if you made a sacrifice now and spend a bit more up front - getting a well sorted primo 911 that you can drive - instead of getting a fixer upper and the resulting nickle and dime = $20k anyway.

p.s. wrt:"I'm not sure how long my wife will stay agreeable... "

I had this same fear, so as soon as she caved in I was off to the races, looked at some nice cars lickity split, and bought one before she changed her mind.

[mcholar]

How true, procrastination kills! I hate to make a quick decision for the same reason as Dustins response above...it can get expensive real quick buying the wrong car. One of the reasons I stay away from evilbay for vehicles, it's very difficult to check everything out it the 7 days, then you get zapped in the last 5 seconds of the auction. I've read the $20,000 threads, I have to agree, I'd hate to start adding up what I've put into various house and bike projects...

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by mcholar

How does every one else with a lmited budget deal with this?

Necessity. I need to have a Porsche.

I own a 79SC, im 20, I drive it everyday in Chicago weather while washing once a week and I cannot afford to have my car worked on. So thats where the necessity comes in. Sure if you have the money and arnt in school you can pay some wrench to rip you off, or if you are smart you find a local guy (which we have a great variety in IL) to fix it for you for a fraction of the above listed. Or cant afford either and you end up learning how to fix Porsches because you cant afford not to. You will find that Porsche are fairly easy machines to work on and the tech help you will get from local P-car guys and this forum is excellent and is one route you could take. If you have any questions feel free to Email me (porscheguy79 at yahoo.com) as I am local and can help you out or just point you in the right direction. Porsche are great cars, find one that has been takin care of and is in excellent condition, wait it out if you have to, buy it from the coast if you have to. The more money and energy you spend on PPIs and just plain looking around for one will save you thousands down the line. Goodluck and let me know if you need help.

[limble]

Hurry up and get one then meet us at Road America around Aug 20th for the ALMS race.
SC prices are down a bit but sub 10k I'm not sure I'd go there.
I bought mine for 14k two years ago on the advice of a mechanic that I trust. The PO spent 18k on the engine.
I'm like you I do all of my own mechanical work but if an engine gives up the ghost then just spread the rebuild over a long period of time.
I'm doing that with my T although right now it's more time than money.
I figure I have about 4k in the engine and have another 2k left. I hope my wife doesn't read this thread she thinks I'm done spending money on it, silly girl.
I've done everything that I should and kept it stock. Adding HP gets very expensive.

I live in Minnesota and do the 6 months on 6 months off thing and drive the SC every summer day, rain or shine. The SC just rocks!!! It is a very fun car. I met a guy last week who is the original owner of an 80 SC and is thinking of selling it. Hmmm!
A friend said you have to have at least three of any one thing to call it a collection.
Now stop that.

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by limble
Hurry up and get one then meet us at Road America around Aug 20th for the ALMS race.

Yup, Ill be there camping it up.

[Supergranule]

hey mcholar, I'm from springfield, il as well! maybe we can become local 911 buddies, lol

[Sunroof]

Definitely go for it. Your not shelling out megabucks here for a chance to drive one of the greatest cars ever made! Besides, you will make your money back many years down the road if you take care of it. I bought a 1979 911SC back in 1985 for 15K. I put 58,000 miles on it, sold in 1989 for 15K. Such is the success of the 911.

I will let you know that Atlanta, Georgia has the second largest 911 population around next to California. Being a native Chicagoan, I rarely see 911's advertised in the paper when I go up for a visit. Down here though we drive them year round, no salt or bad corrosion to worry about, big P-car family and great shops.

Get hold of an Auto Trader for Atlanta (European Car Edition), or a sunday Atlanta Journal Constitution and you will be surprised at the number of 911's, especially SC's that show up. Springfield, IL is only an 8-9 hour drive away. The rule for 911's is; it pays to spend a few more bucks for the best 911 you can find. The SC is a great car and you will be glad you made a wise choice.

If you find one, I can steer you to an excellent shop for a PPI.

Regards
Bob
1973.5T

[mcholar]

Thanks! Great advice, I appreciate the input. This board is an amazing resource. I hadnt considered the 2.7 as I'd heard that they have a lot of problems with that engine? For a 2.7 to be "well sorted" what needs to have been done?
Bob, thanks for the info on the atlanta area. It's not too far, a good weekend round trip, and I'd do it for a decent car.
Regards,
Mike

[PorscheGuy79]

its not that the 2.7 was a bad motor, it did have its fair share of problems. Its just compared to the 3.0l which is about as solid as they come.

[limble]

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79
Yup, Ill be there camping it up.

Look for the campsite with the collection of flamingos. They are friends of my brother-in-law and are regulars at most races in the area. But don't go there after dark they are scary people. Not really they just love to party.
We might stay there if my wife can find an inflatable mattress and if I can find an inflatable doll.
Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal.