How not to buy a 911: my intro....(long)
 

Hi Everyone,
Although this isn't my first post, it is my introductory one. I don't have pics yet, but will soon. Similar to most of you, I've dreamed about getting a 911 since I was young and finally decided to take the plunge.

I've read all the recommendations about what to look out for, and upgrades to keep in mind and most of all, doing a PPI from a reputable shop. So I through all of that out the window and ended up buying a car sight-unseen from Ebay. The ad said "great condition, new engine, may need heater or a/c upgrades". It is a 1980 911SC non-sunroof coupe in silver on black with a whale tail and everthing else totally stock. Happens to be the exact car I was looking for.

So I tried to ask a whole bunch of questions none of which were responded to before the auction ended. I thought I'd bid anyways and ask questions afterwards to see confirm the state of the car.

I ended up winning the auction, but the car had no records, had been sitting for "sometime" and the owner didn't really have much of an idea of what was done to the car. It was originally owned by her husband who passed away last year and now she's selling. She said that the engine was replaced last year, and there was no rust, but the heating and a/c weren't working that well. The shop that did the engine re/re is no longer in business.

The car was 800 miles away. Taking a HUGE risk, I decided to go for it. What was I thinking???

When I got down to the car, I was very nervous. Unfortunately it had some rust spots (beneath the headlights, by the doorjambs, by the windshield), but the underbody was clean. There was no facilities to get the car on a hoist, so I did what I could with a flashlight in the garage. The car was clean underneath, all the panels seemed pretty straight, and everthing seemed more or less tight. The engine looked like it had new carrera chain tensioners and other pieces that looked somewhat new, so I thought the engine was actually replaced.

I put my money down and started on my 800 mile trip home.

I'm happy to say that the trip home was uneventful. I measured the oil before and after and it didn't burn any oil AT ALL (Bonus!).

I just got it back from my Porsche mechanic after a full checkout and he confirmed the engine had been out and many parts (pistons, valve covers, other pieces) look brand new. Engine runs strong and chassis is tight. Even has a pop-off valve in the air box. Boy was I happy and LUCKY!

Only things wrong with it are the rear sway bar and mounts are missing (looks like it was torn off), and the rear shocks are leaking. All the other major stuff was in good shape!

In the future, I'll be looking at rust repair and paint, fixing all the small jobs, possibly Ruf front and rear bumpers, and several other mods.

So, sorry for the long post, but just thought I'd say Hi. Thanks for all great info. Looking forward to being a part of the community.

Welcome to the forum. Now be a good boy and post some pics....;)

Here's some pics from the original ebay auction. Forgot to mention that everything I hoped the car would be was confirmed on the 800 mile trip back. What a rush.....
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Congrats on the new purchase...It sounds like a great trip.

I personally would not want to do rust repair, but that silver coupe looks hard to resist (I passed up on one that looks just like it).

More pics please!

Sounds like you dodged a bullet. SCs are galvanized, so the rust should be fairly isolated, but you will need to be very thorough cleaning around the rusted areas when you fix them, and get familiar with POR-15.

It looks nice in the photos. Take more!

And welcome to The Addiction.

Very nice looking. Again more pics please ...

AAgh!! I was gonna bid on that:mad:
Seriously, I'm glad it turned out well for you. Let the adventure begin!SmileWavy

I have to ask, how much did you pay?

I think you did well. Lucky, but well. Thinking of lowering it a bit? If so, don't do a hack job, read up and do it right, or have it done right. Either way, read up because you want to know what's going on.

I like your car.

Funny how we lose all sense of rationality when we find the right car...looks like you did just fine, though. Enjoy! And more pictures needed!

Cool story and great looking car, glad it worked out well. Have fun with it.

Grand looking car looks like you did just fine. Welcome to the forums :)

Welcome and congrats to a very nice looking car !

I did the exact same maneuver. Reading up for months - full research and PPI mandatory. Found my car one day in a Toyota center. Payed for it and drove it home, no PPI no nothing. Well, I got lucky - like you.

non sunroof cars make great track cars.

you have been warned...

Be prepared to get beat by a 914.....mmmmuuuuuuhhhhhhahahahahahahahahahahahaha

If it's any consolation, I did precisely the same thing you and livi did, and also dodging the bullet. So much for my 15 page PPI. However, if I didn't throw all caution and rationality to the wind, I still would be looking and have would have missed being a p-car owner for the last six months.

Looks great spiff. Looks like you rolled the dice & won.

Enjoy it! We're neighbours btw. Upper Scarberia here . . .

Ian

Great looking car, I'm glad that even though it wasn't quite perfect that it seems the little issues are just that, little.

Awwright, another Toronto area guy! Welcome to the party. Glad you dodged any potential bullets. I'll add my name to the list of 'broke all the rules" when I bought mine, but I've also got pretty lucky - no major problems. Will we see you at Mosport next summer?

Silver is my favorite 911 color, very nice. The non-sunroof cars are becoming more and more sought after. The rear sway bar shouldn't be a problem. There are some good aftermarket swaybar mounts to weld on and a used stock bar should be easy to come by.

Sounds like you made out OK.
I bought mine sight unseen as well and drove almost as far as you did.
Although I lucked out too-
I've never bought a car this way before and most likely never will again.

"When I got down to the car, I was very nervous."

I know exactly how this feels- It sucks:D

Congrats , your car looks hot

Thanks everyone for the kind words. It's a little frustrating having to think about putting the car away for the winter after just gettting it, but it'll definitely give me somethings to do for basic maintenance. To the GTA members, I hope to become part of the community and will be joining the pcaucr shortly. My first order of business is to get the car mechanically reliable, with my only initial indulgence being the momo corse wheel I bought in suede. Can't wait to put it on (need a hub, though so if anyone has one, let me know)! The only other money I'll be spending in the next while will be on DE events so I will definite be at Mosport and Shannonville as I've learned on previous cars that that's where I'll get the biggest bang for the buck.

Famous last words on no mods for the next while.....

Congrats on the car.

Out of curiosity did you buy the car in Canada or had to venture across the border?

800miles from Markham...could put you in a number of places thats for sure.

(Richmond Hill used to be my former home!)

Yasin

I ended up getting the car just outside of NYC. For those of you interested, getting a US car into Canada if over 15 years old, is very easy. In fact, if it's 25 years or older, there's no customs/duties. You only pay GST at the border. You need to fax a copy of the title to the US border side 3 days in advance and ensure the mfgr's label is on the car, but that's it. It took about 15 minutes to cross the border with the title and bill of sale. There's no requirements for inspections, letters of conformance, conversions for daytime running lights or anything else like that. With the premium that Porsches up here commaned, it just doesn't make sense to buy local. The $1.18 exchange rate didn't hurt either....

I bought my Porsche like this: I saw it on Trader-Online and realized it was in my city. It was sitting on the corner of a used car lot downtown and I bought it. I'm learning all kinds of things about Porsches now - but I'm not complaining :)

Very encouraging... my understanding was that you had to leave the car at the border for 24 hrs. Apparently that's not the case. Good to know about the 25 yr /no duty thing. That'll change my search criteria.

I find the price difference across the border amazing... it seems a $10k (US) SC in the US is at least $14K (US) over here.

Same thing with boats... I helped a friend sail a nice old 30 ft sailboat from Newport RI to Nova Scotia this summer. He paid about $9k (US) for the boat, and could eassily flip it for 13-14k in NS.

OK,OK, I did the same, no PPI on my black/black 79 Sc Coupe , but I knew the local owner and the Proverbial "deal that is too good to pass up " was just that!!!..........Nevertheless ,in 3-4 mos.I have dropped 4k in upgrades/preventative maintainence stuff (all my own labor) on the noire-noire coupe,just to ensure it is a correct and tight operating P-car.

The list... ss lines,cap/rotor,all fluids,including swepco 201, ssi exhaust in the garage waiting ,Carrera tensioners waiting, new smile and lip spoiler ,Blaupaunt upgrade,Momo wheel/hub with a 1.25 " spacer, Dunlop 8000's,Koni sports front and rear, Turbo tie rods/ b-steer bushings ready to install,backdated exhaust,turbo valve covers (lack/silver hammertone epoxy for the bling quotient),delete a/c and FINALLY planing on lowering it and then have the corner bal. done . Phew !!

The scary /fun thing about what I have just written / learned from the list is the word FINALLY is a figment of our immaginations. There is no FINALLY when it comes to the p-car,and that is a (good?) thing.Ah yes The Silver Plated Porsche "an obsession.
Now I am looking forward to my second A-X (first was embarrasing...too damn many turns/pylons,jessuuus,but the second will be better-no excuses.

Welcome, Spiff. Looks great!

Notfarnow,
I got my car in FL back in '89, before Free Trade. Even then, the procedure was quick and easy, and w/ the exchange and taxes, because of the condition of the market, the car was still a bargain compared w/ prices here. BTW, I bought the car intending to sell it here, but I've wound up keeping it for almost 17 years!

Paulporsche,

Did you drive the car back? My plan is to buy a car around this time next year... I'd like to fly down and drive back, making it a roadtrip for my wife and I. I had originally planned on taking my father, but my wife was actually very interested in the trip. I'd like 3 days driving max.

If I was in TO or Montreal, I'd consider buying the odd car just to flip them... not much of a market here in NB, even though I'm only an hour from the border.

Oops.. sorry for the hijack. Great car! Good luck spiff.

crazy fool :)

that car looks sweet! i like the tail, and hope to get the same tail on my SC soon. (gotta get it back from my bro). glad the PPI didnt come back..."err, you sitting down?" have fun with that car, and get the sways back on. shocks are easy.

crazy fool :)

that car looks sweet! i like the tail, and hope to get the same tail on my SC soon. (gotta get it back from my bro). glad the PPI didnt come back..."err, you sitting down?" have fun with that car, and get the sways back on. shocks are easy.

one of my favorite editorials was how peter egan (?) bought a caddy sight unseen on ebay. road and track.