looking at porsches

jeepguy · 10-30-2006, 03:34 PM

hi guys, i'm totally new to this whole sports car thing, as you might guess from my user name, but i really like my friend's dad's 81 sc, and have been looking into getting a porsche of my own. what i'm looking for here is guidance as far as what a good starter car would be for occasional autocrossing and such while still being a daily driver. budget is around 10-15k

thanks in advance

Zef · Zef's Garage

If you want to do a search on that subject, there is a lot of info on the BBS...The SC or the Carrera 3.2 are good choice for what you intend to do. And welcome aboard...!

thinkfloyd14 · 10-30-2006, 03:46 PM

Look at 78 to 83 SC's, they are relatively inexpensive and defintely in your price range. You're in Torrance, so it wont be hard for you to go to different shops as there are quite a few in So Cal. I picked up a 1978 and love it as my first Porsche. I couldnt have asked for more. I found mine at West Side motorsports in Venice on Lincoln Avenue. The owner is really nice and straightforward. Before he showed me any positive things for my car he showed me the bad. But be sure to get a pre purchase inspection at a Porsche mechanic before you sign anything. I bought mine for 13,500. If you havent drive an SC before or any Porsche for that matter you may be hesitant about the gearbox, because I sure was coming from owning an acura with a more modern shifting feel. It just takes time getting used to the g box. Mine's a coupe whcih are more expensive than targas. So you can even get a nice targa sc for even cheaper. Can't think of anything else right now but here's the link to west side with an inventory you can check out. http://www.westsidemotorsports.com/west1.htm I was there the other day and I guess he hasnt updated his inventory online for a while because I saw a lot more of SC's than he has posted so go check his place out.

Good Luck

Dantilla · 10-30-2006, 03:48 PM

I've got a 911, and a 944.

And a '98 TJ.

Welcome.

Quicksilver · 10-30-2006, 04:35 PM

A good place to start in your search for a 911 is the "911 FAQ". It has a great variety of information that can educate you to the point where you know what questions you want to ask.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

Another thing you will want to make sure you do when you are looking to buy a 911 is a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI). Here is a PPI check list so you can get an idea of what things you should look for.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_prepurchase/911_prepurchase.htm

Living in Southern California puts you in one of the largest markets for 911s so you will have plenty of choices but be patient. I looked for a year and a half to find my car. It is a process with a reward at the end!

jeepguy · 10-30-2006, 04:53 PM

thanks for all the responses guys, the faq is exactly what i was looking for. good to know all you porsche guys are out there to help, thanks again, i hope to join the ranks soon!

randywebb · 10-30-2006, 05:24 PM

anybody remember the URL for that big thread on what car to get for less than xx$ ?? It was a week or two ago & is right up his alley

if nobody posts it for you you'll have to do a search or browse thread titles backwards in time on the bbs -- not a bad idea to start out anyway...

masraum · 10-30-2006, 05:50 PM

For 10-15k, I'd go with the best SC that you can find. It's frustrating (if, like me, you don't want to be patient), but make sure that you take your time and get a PPI and try to get a car with records. It pays in the long run to get the best car that you can which means looking at lots of cars and probably means looking for several months.

the · 10-30-2006, 05:55 PM

$10-$15K seems to be a pretty common price point for 911 seekers, and for years the conventional wisdom has been to find the best SC you can find in that price range.

Which I agree with, except now I think you can also add early (84/85, maybe even 86) Carreras into the mix. $10K would generally get you a dog of a Carrera, which you would want to avoid, but I think you can find a pretty decent 84/85 for $14-$15K if you look long and hard enough.

masraum · 10-30-2006, 06:00 PM

Randy, this isn't what you were talking about is it?

What's the cheapest 911 to own?

spiff · 10-30-2006, 06:05 PM

I've been trying to keep an eye on the 911 market as it's nice to know what my car would be worth if I ever wanted to upgrade. One comment made earlier was that coupes are generally more expensive than comparable condition/year targas. Is this true? When I look in my local autotrader, there are many targas for sale at the bottom end, but no coupes. Or is it more the time of year thing where more people want to sell their targa at the end of the season? Just curious.

lateapex911 · 10-30-2006, 08:06 PM

Bruce Anderson rates the early long hood targa S's and E's as more expensive. Odd, I would have thought otherwise. To my eye, the early targas lack the grace of line the coupes have, and chassis flex is a problem.

But back to the threads core....

Two things. Leave some cash available for a PPI, and a post purchase tweak or two, AND, get the best car in the available budget.

In other words, don't get a shaggy but newer car over one a few years older, but in good condition with good service. These cars can consume money if not bought right.

That said, there are lots of good SCs in that price range. Patience can yeild firesales as well, but thats a case of right place at the right time.

Interestingly, I considered getting an SC in about '89 or so, and the budget for a clean one at that time was about 11K -14K.

randywebb · 10-30-2006, 08:09 PM

Bingo, Steve - that'll help him out.

Yes, be sure to reserve some cash.

jeepguy · 10-30-2006, 08:18 PM

i've been searching like a good newbie should, and it sounds like the g50 is the way to go as far as trannies. it also sounds like they have a 5 speed and a 6 speed version. when did they change over? also, i really like the mid 80's styling, but i also like the 270 horse 3.6, how bad of a swap is that?

lateapex911 · 10-30-2006, 08:48 PM

LOL, now you're getting greedy.

911 engine swaps are rarely cheap. Rarely.

One last thing...don't buy the first car you drive...drive a bunch to get the "feel" for them. Which means it's a good idea to look at cars you aren't in total love with, if only for a little seat time. But don't drive any and everything, wasting the sellers time, LOL.

hatpix · hatpix's Garage

I have to disgree with thinkfloyd14. A rule of thumb is to never buy a car off Lincold Blvd. Most of the dealers there buy junk, salvage, repo or auction cars, slap some paint and the bare minimum repairs that will pass the untrained eye and try to get market rate for them.

I stopped by the lot when I was looking, just to see what their prices were, what kind of stock they had. I spoke with one of the sallesmen and it left me underhelmed. I asked what they did mechanically to a SC, and he replied "We fixed everything" when I pressed him for specifics, he added "You know, transmission and engine, everything". Hardly how a respectable mechanic describes a rebuild.

IMO the only dealer on Lincoln not entirely like that is Chequered flag, but then you won't find a Porsche on his lot for under $25,000 there.

Still there are gems here and there, but the only way to go is PPI. Try to find a car with records, see if you can find something with around 100k, as few owners as possible.

Also be aware that in California, it is the SELLERS responsibility that the car passes smog, not the buyers.

defcon65 · 10-31-2006, 06:37 AM

Get the freshest one you can find, a low mileage garage queen OR an enthusiast's car that has already been upgraded. Well-maintained 3.0 and 3.2s can last in excess of 200K miles if not beat upon. A $10K lowball will probably need some nece$$ary replacements. Lots of good ones out there in the $15K range. Motronic engine management system on 84-89 Carreras is pretty trouble-free.
SoCal is the epicenter of the 911 population, so take your time looking through the hundreds that are for sale. My 911 purchase was a six-month process, although the desire to own one stretched back 25 years.
Buy one and drive it. You will not regret it.

Regards,

cubby911T · cubby911T's Garage

Jeepguy: Well, you're shopping at the right time of year - especially if you're willing to look at midwest cars. Not sure if winter is as big of a motivator when shopping in CA or other warm climates.

Anyway, I think a well-sorted SC or early Carrera can be had within your price range pretty much anywhere across the US. No matter how well-sorted a car you buy though, these are still 20+ year old cars, so if I were you I would try to find as good of a car as possible for 12K and bank 3K for "eventualities"

.

Good hunting!!

petrolblue83911 · 10-31-2006, 08:13 AM

Jeep Guy,

-6 speeds didn't start till later on, all the SC's and 3.2's (78-89) are 5 speeds. the G50 carerra's (87-89) were also 5 speeds.

-3.6L engine swaps will necessitate doubling your budget...at least.

In that same range also look at early boxters-unless you are dead set on a 911 of couse. I just saw 3 early boxters (97-99) priced in the 12-13k range in the latest Pano monthly. (Porsche Club of America monthly mag) for the $ that's a pretty sweet deal.

jeepguy · 10-31-2006, 08:25 AM

wow you guys are really a wealth of knowledge! i read the link posted a while back about the PPI checklist. it seems like it would be really hard to find someone who would be as thorough as i would want. are there any shops around that come with your guys' recommendation/condemnation? thanks again for all your input!