My New 1984 Carrera

[ApexNC]

After mulling over which 911 to buy for the last two months I finally purchased the following yesterday, a slate-blue 1984 Carrera with Targa top:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=2&paId=187419596

Another picture:



Seller listed car in "fair condition" because it leaks oil and his mechanic (Scott Finlay of Miami) says it needs a top-end rebuild.
On the drive home to Raleigh NC yesterday, it only used a quart of oil, so I know the leak can't be that bad. It also has plenty of power and oil pressure.

Some other odds and ends that need attending:

Hood shocks shot, both front and rear
Tachometer works intermittently
Odometer doesn't work, shows 87XXX, seller estimates 125XXX
Not much tire tread left
Lots of stone chips on front bumper and lower hood
Leather seam is split on drivers seat
Leather worn from top of steering wheel

I'd only budgeted $15K, and considering the repairs needed I could only offer $10K, which the seller accepted.

All in all I think I got a pretty good deal. There were a few other close contenders, but all had over 100000 miles, had no known rebuild history and were already priced too close to my $15K limit to have enough leftover in case one was needed. In the end I decided on a cheaper car with a known rebuild need over a more expensive one with the possibility of needing it.

So, now I just have to decide how best to spend the remaining $5K getting her fixed up. Any recommendations on where to get the best service for the best price in the Raleigh NC area?

[dtw]

European Performance, 851.5084

[speedracer]

Congratulations!!!! Slate blue / venitian blue is one the nicest colors in my opinion.

[Hugh R]

From an 84 Targa owner, very nice car. Hows the wind noise on the Targa top? Check the oil return tubes and the chain tensioners piping mine needed changes and now no leaks. Point of reference, I paid 13.5K for mine with 95,000 miles, and mines a ROW which is good or bad depending on whom you talk to. Needed another thousand or so for missing tool bag, jack, owners manual, tire air compressor, etc. Absolutley no rust however.

[bigchillcar]

congrats! car looks very nice in the pic..very nice color combo. sounds like you did good on the price, too. have fun with it!
ryan

[yelcab1]

good price! And people still think SC/Carrera are close to $20K. Dreammmmmmmm Onnnnnnnnnnnnn!

[livi]

Classy color combo !

[ChemMan]

Looks good. 10K good deal
Mike

[Carl_Boehme]

A very nice looking car. Congradulations, It should provide you with lots of enjoyment. North Hollywood Speedometer repair will solve the speedo problem for you;
http://www.nhspeedometer.com/

[dorschman]

Performance Porsche- 919-... just kidding.

Try Brad Moyer in Durham- really nice honest guy. The Digital Chassis is his place- 384-7070. Very knowledgeable.

You can tell him the veterinarian with the little yellow carrera sent you.
I know a couple of others in Chapel Hill but that is kind of a hike.

And as far as the hood shocks go I bought some Weltmeyers (sp?) from Performance that had a life time guarantee for what it's worth. I actually had a pretty easy time installing them if you get frustrated. Never tried the engine bay though.

erik

[ApexNC]

> .... hood shocks - I bought some Weltmeisters that had a life
> time guarantee for what it's worth. I actually had a pretty easy > time installing them...

Thanks.

Weltmeister says a full replacement set (HS-911S) consists of two front and one rear. I think I'll go ahead and get a full set.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_MISCLL_pg6.htm#item31 - Looks like I can get a full set of Weltmeisters on Pelican for just under $100.

Hood shock replacement shock! - This 2003 thread says the driver's side bottom is hard to get to.

[bigchillcar]

i had the most difficulty installing the lower portion lid shock on the passenger side of the engine compartment if i recall correctly from 4-5 years ago..

[Dueller]

Nice ride, Apex...Just in time for the great spring weather up your way.

Although he hasn't opened his new shop yet, my P Tech is moving to Asheville in the summer. Scott Spence will be openining up German Motor Werks there...truly talented guy, very meticulous...tons of hi-performance experience...worked for a number of race shops including Andial, I believe.

OOOOPS...JUST REALIZED THAT'S 250 miles from you

[jkarolyi]

I wouldn't discount that oil consumption or the mechanic saying the car needs a top-end rebuild. Do a compression test (or better yet a leakdown test) to see how healthy your engine is.

Though not exciting (and not what you want to hear), that $5K might best be saved for the impending top end rebuild. Even spending this, you did well to buy the car for that price.

[Dueller]

A quart of oil over 900-1,000 miles? That's on the high side but not horribly excessive. Does it blow blue smoke on start up after sitting for a day or two...if so expect valve guides to be replaced. Smoke constantly while running? Hello ring job. Have you noticed leaking puddles under the cylinders? Valve cover gaskets or oil return tubes leaking or broken head studs (in order of expense)? They are rare to leak where the engine cases join....stay out of the bottom end if at all possible.

You'd be amazed at what can be done for split stitching at a good upholstery shop very cheap.

I'd go get the valves adjusted and have a post-PPI done on it so you can start budgeting

Looks to me it may just need a little TLC

[raceman]

Drive it. Don`t put it in the shop before driving it for a while,sure get it looked at but you won`t REALLY know what it needs until you get behind the wheel.As for the top end job,that may be somebody trying to make some money.l`ve seen cars that "needed" a top end job or even "complete rebuild" and the engines were fine except for minor repairs.l`ve got an 84 also,best investment l ever made.The Blue Book is the same now as when l bought it ten years ago

[overman]

ApexNC... Very Nice Targa... I've had my 83 Targa for 8 fun years. There's a shop in Thomasville, NC... SpeedWerks. I highly recommend them for any engine work you may be considering. Look them up on the web. There's a shop in Greensboro that does excellent instrument work... I'm sure they can fix your speedo and tach. I'll have to post there name tomorrow, my file is in my office in Greensboro for good reason...

Edit:

Nichols Speedometer & Insturment Co.
1336 Oakland Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27403
(336) 273-2881

SpeedWerks
6 Robbins Street
Thomasville, NC 27360
(336) 475-6570

Both of these companies are on top of there game... very fare, reasonable, lot's of experience... when your ready give them a call.


I live in Asheboro... we need to organize a breakfast run somewhere between Raleigh and here... who's interested??

Wayne.
(336) 908-9907 (cell)

[dorschman]

I'm in from Chapel Hill for breakfast

[84porsche]

Congrats from one 84 Targa owner to another. And $10k is a fantastic price, I paid the same and so far have put about $3-4k in maintenance and other upgrades over the past 3 years.

[RFR]

Alright! Another Targa owner!!

I love mine, and in LA it has been warm enough to drive it like a targa was meant to be driven!

Congrats on a wise decision!!

Roman
78 Targa