What can you get for $7,000

randywebb · 12-01-2006, 11:49 AM

I have friends who can spare $7,000. They would like an SC. They've been trying or thinking for 6 years (!)

The husband is a machinist so he can surely do the mechanical work to fix up a car. I suggested (to the wife) that maybe a 2.7L car would be more in the price range. They are in Eugene, Oregon so might well escape the problems of the 2.7s in hot climates.

Any positive thoughts for them?

Do you think they could find an SC for 7 that was halfway decent?

Scooter · 12-01-2006, 11:56 AM

I've heard of people who have purchased a 911 in that price range and have been happy. I also know people who had to put a ton of $$$ into the car. I am a firm believer of the $20K rule. It can be done, but the stars have to be aligned just right. Tell your friend, good luck.

Jim Richards · 12-01-2006, 11:56 AM

Go to Pomona. You'll even have $1000 left over for maintenence items.

RichMink76 · 12-01-2006, 11:58 AM

I've seen SC's going for as low as $5000.00. Usually that low they will need engine work and stuff. I think for $7000.00 you could find a nice fixer upper.

Rich

tonythetarga · 12-01-2006, 12:27 PM

I don't know this guy, but this sure seems like a very good deal to me. (note price drop to $6900)

1974 911 2.7 cis White/ Black $8K

1982911SCTarga · 12-01-2006, 12:37 PM

My 2 cents (and your friend will only have $6,999.98 to go): Seven grand will buy you one of the many tired SCs that are out there. I periodically ponder buying another SC as a "project" car and I always have a real hard time making the numbers work (even considering that I would do most, if not all, of the work). I think Bruce Anderson has it pretty much right when he advises prospective Porsche owners to buy the best example that they can. It's easy to get upside-down on a 911.

Randy, you know your friend's mechanical abilities. However, I have engineer buddies who haven't a clue about automotive maintenance nor a willingness to learn. That's not a problem if you can afford to be a checkbook owner. On the flip side, if you're going to be your own crew chief, you need to have a passion for the breed and a willingness to deeply delve into obscure things (like 25-year-old fuel injection technology).

Brian

WPOZZZ · 12-01-2006, 12:40 PM

I got this for $7k, but it was a sort of barn find.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

I'm going to offer a dissenting opinion.

In the greater L.A. area you can find anything for almost any price....but don't count on it. I found a '69 coupe roller yesterday that could be gotten for $2000-2500; I passed - too much rust. There are always exceptions and I had a shot at a dark-brown SC with one big non-structural dent, lots of miles but otherwise all there for $6500 about a year ago.

My experience is that truly "good" SC's, however you define that - are NOT available for $10,000. Maybe in other parts of the country, but here? Better have more like $12,000-$14,000 possibly even more and it will STILL need some work...they ALL do.

The answer to how much does it take to make a 911 "right"? is ALWAYS, "JUST a little bit more" - for as long as you own it.

Tell your friend to get a kickass 944 for maybe $4,000-5,000 and save the extra $2,000 for repairs. He'll absolutely have his pick and it's great starter Porsche.

klaucke · 12-01-2006, 01:34 PM

For a person who likes to tinker, doesn't mind a DIY detailed tune-up, and wants a weekend toy, I think a 7k 911 can be a reality.

The 2.7 midyear cars are going to be the least expensive, and IMO '74 the best out of them b/c of the simpler injection system and early style exhaust.

SC's are out there too for that price, but they will be tired. Not that there's anything wrong w/ that!

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

With the cost of 911s, I would think 7K wouldn't buy much unless they are very patient and watch the deals for awhile.

On the other hand, a really nice rust-free 914 can be found for 7K. Then if they want to get radical, drop a modified 6 in it down the road.

One of the most exciting rides I have had was in a 914 with a 2.7 RS spec and custom suspension.

randywebb · 12-01-2006, 02:15 PM

Thanks - I'm esp. interested in hearing from folks in the PNW.

Here are some more details:
He is a machinist & is experienced at fixing (or maybe restoring) old Landcruisers & has all the metric tools needed for that.
She is a coffee roaster/barrista at our top coffee house here
Neither has experience at body work or painting.
I have no idea of their salaries, debt or if they have kids or other giant money sinks...

She really like my car and would like an early longhood car.
I told her that would cost too much these days but they could convert an SC into one that looked exactly like mine.

No idea re garage space they might have.
I may talk to both Sat or Sun. -

Sounds to me like they need a rust free SC or 2.7L car with good panels & paint but can give considerably on nuts & bolts stuff. (Anyone who has messed with or esp. modified these cars knows the dream is to be a machinist with a shop available).

What do people think? Should that be their strategy?

88 Club Sport · 88 Club Sport's Garage

They can be had.... I picked up a 78sc with a 85 3.2 in it for $5700. The 3.2 checked out with good compression and leakdown.

Questions about a 3.2 in a SC

Now I admit that I have more into it now but that's becasue I went through it preparing it for the track....new suspension, t-bars, bushings, cooler, bar, harneses, seat etc

I've used is as a track car since the purchase....it's taken many hard weekends and all it's asked for is a valve adjust and new oil every other weekend.

kucharskimb · 12-01-2006, 02:47 PM

FOR SALE: two 1976 Targas 2 for the price of 1!

seems timely...

RideShoot&Drink · 12-01-2006, 02:57 PM

No affiliation, just saw this add browsing through local craigslist:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/242685103.html

911quest · 12-01-2006, 03:04 PM

One other problem is selling a car for under 7 grand I tried selling my 77 for a month its a great car not a looker but no rust etc. But every one wants to tear it apart I mean its a cheap 911 who cares if it has real fuchs (it does) some guy wanted me to take the wheel off and take a picture of the part number I mean for between 5-7 G's you not going to get a 15,000 3.0 sc

Iam done ranting thanks car is still for sale

dd74 · 12-01-2006, 03:05 PM

If you're going to steer your friends toward a 2.7, I suggest 1974 as the year of choice, and not a car from PNW, but a CA. car, Southern CA. at that, as rust is more an issue than heat for that car.

Really, if your friends can at all do so, tell them to save up a couple more $Ks and buy an SC. It is a much better car for the money than early mid-years. Who knows, but by the time they get the extra dinero in order, maybe prices will have gone down, and they could get a late Carrera; which is better still.

artisticent · 12-01-2006, 03:05 PM

Also keep in mind smog issues. That 74 listed for 7K in my opinion is a steal. Im in CA and the chances of smog laws going beyond 75 are slim. Get an early car and you could drive it with the exhaust in bad shape, and all sorts of problems and not worry about smog.
Good luck
Nathan

dd74 · 12-01-2006, 03:24 PM

A '74 comes down to a real personal choice when compared to an SC or Carrera. When I say the SC or Carrera are better cars, I say so with the idea of refinement. On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you want raw speed and handling in a loud lightweight car, hands down the '74 will give your sensory perception a much bigger bang for the buck than the SC or Carrera.

Nathan - I thought '75 cars were already exempt in CA. I can't remember how many years it takes to gain that status, but something tells me it's 24 years. Unless, of course, Arnold back pedaled it to appease environmental pundits.

HarryD · 12-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Randy,

A PNW early 2.7 may be a good choise. From what I gather, they may not be yet showing the problems of those from warmer climates due to the lower temperatures here and lack of salt use in those early years. If They get one in good shape, they should add a front cooler. With any lluck, they may have many years of happy motoring. If not, the fixes are known and they "merely" need to apply money and time to solve.

They will need to look carefully in their price range but they may find what they want.

Zeke · 12-01-2006, 03:31 PM

A dealer (flipper) just called me a few minutes ago to politely tease me and tell me he picked off a G0 Carrera for 8K. He says 184K on the clock, but well taken care off. I think the market has not seen the end of a fast decline in 911 values, exceptional cars of all nature notwithstanding. Even then, the soft market may pull some value down on the rare and aged classics, the special editions and limited production cars.

With some judicious shopping, 7K should produce a nice, solid 911.