Should I get it?
 

Hi guys/gals,
I am faced with an extremely difficult situation. There is a '72 911T on the newspaper for sale. It's gray, got some rust on body and door, driver tail light smashed in a bit but still works. It's a non sunroof coupe, the driver seat "leather"(seller wasn't sure if it was leather or vinyl). Now, I really would like to get this 911, even if it means that my '76 sitting on jackstands has to wait just a bit longer for its restoration. My mom does not want me to get another Porsche when I haven't even finished the first one. Oh yeah, get this, car has 71K miles. Its a daily driver so it still runs. I already contacted the seller and is planning to take a look at it today. Once again, my mom is strongly against it (Let's just say she said no). Oh yeah, also get this, he's asking $1,000. Hopefully it's not a typo, I have yet to confirm with him, but that's why I want to get this 911. It works, it'll help with the PWS(Porsche Withdrawl Syndrome), and it's a grand. What should I do? Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S

BUY IT! if it turns into a nightmare, part the sucker? What a great deal.

You can just drive the beater while you work on your 76. I have a 76 912E that's on jackstands also!

I just bought a 928S as a beater. It's a great idea. And it does have a calming effect on your Porsche withdrawal.

Also, when you see another Porsche owner on the street and you wave, he won't look at you like a wacko because you're driving the Jeep (like I used to get)

Thanks Dave. Yeah, I really want to get it, just because it's a running 911 for only a grand. Forgot to finish my sentence in the original post, the leather seat has a few cracks. But what's a few cracks? And you're right, now other Porsche owners won't look at me like a wacko when I wave at them in my mom's minivan.

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Jeff
1976 911S

Jeff,

I wouldn't want to be the cause of disharmony in the family, but it sounds like you already have that taken care of! If it has MFI (six individual throttles and plastic injection stacks, cylindrical air filter element) ... drive it, then buy it! I think you will find a slight difference in the exhaust note and engine responsiveness that you will find enchanting! It just might even make you an early-911 convert!!!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Thanks Warren. Heck there was family disharmony when I got the first Porsche! I'm almost sure it has MFI (and it's a 2.4!) but when I go look at it I will look to make sure it's a 2.4 MFI! Who knows, yes I may become an early 911 convert. Thanks! Hmm..now I just gotta find somewhere to put it without my mom knowing if she still doesn't approve!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Jeff,
I think your mom has words of wisdom. Once you get this other car the chances of your 76' ever being completed go way down. There's only so much time in a day. Unless you are thinking about going into the parts business this is a risky proposition. Granted $1000 is very cheap. So you need to find out why. If its because the motor and tranny need rebuilds then that's all the car is worth and it won't make a good daily driver. It's no fun driving a car that grinds gears as you shift. If the motor is on its' way out you'll have to find another daily driver before long. The money runs out before the good deals do. If the motor and tranny check out then by all means snatch it up.
Bobby 72TE

Thanks Bobby. I do have to say I doubt my '76 won't get completed. If I get the '72 I will use it as the "beater" and work strictly on the '76, unless the '72 breaks down. I will find out why he's selling for so low, yes the engine and tranny may need rebuilds(but 71K miles?) but then again he may be one of those people who doesn't know the value of Porsches. Who knows? I will check up on the status of the engine and tranny. Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Dude if he wants 1k for the car and it runs don't even think twice. Buy IT!

Thats an absolute steal! But speaking of stealing you might wanna make sure it's not stolen http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/smile.gif

Thats awfully cheap!

But if everything shows up good don't thihnk twice!

Later,
Dustin

Thanks Dustin. I've seen the car before at the shopping center where he works, so I have a feeling it isn't stolen. Nonetheless, if it runs and doesn't look like it's in need of a rebuild, I hope I'll be able to "steal" it before anyone else does! Thanks!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Damned cheap -- even if the car is a total POS you could get more than your money back out from a weekend's worth of ebay parts auctions. Hell, I'm profoundly broke right now but I'd even buy it at that price!

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 10-22-2000).]

Jeff,

There are a couple more considerations for getting the '72 regardless of whether it is running badly, or even totally rusted out ... here are some of the parts that would be nice to have in your garage, for ultimate utilization on your '76 restoration project:

1. 915 transaxle with 4.429 ring & pinion ... much better acceleration than your '76's 3.875 R & P, even if rebuild or other 'attention' is needed!

2. Early, equal-length tuned headers inside the heat exchangers & accompanying early OEM muffler!

3. Complete 2.4T MFI engine (assuming it isn't one of the 2.4 TV engines with Zenith carbs) which COULD BE the basis for a RS 2.7 engine project ... for the future!!

4. Spare instruments & CDI-unit that is exact same version as your '76 has ...

Need I go on? Getting any ideas for modifications to your '76 ... clearly worth several times the $1K price, even if it does turn out to be 'POS' as others have mentioned!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

If its really only $1000 you should stop reading this and buy it NOW!!!

Provided it has the lights, a few items of interior trim and the motor this car is CERTAINLY worth more than $1000 in parts.

This is a win win situation for you - believe me, if its half as good as the seller says, then this is the bargin of a lifetime - I've never seen a $1000 911 that wasn't completely stripped and had a silver-birch growing through the roof!

- roGER

I would buy it. Any 911 with an engine and tranny is worth that. If you don't want it, you can sell it part by part and make some extra dough for your other restoration project.

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

I would definitely buy this car. And if you don't, can I have this guy's number? http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/smile.gif

Sounds like he probably doesn't know the car's value. I wouldn't waste a lot of time thinking this over if you know the car isn't stolen. If you part the car out, be sure and buy your Mom a nice gift with a portion of your hefty profit.

point of comparison...

a while back i was looking at a mid-1970s 911 that was in similar shape and they wanted no less than $3500 for it.

$1000!?!, if you don't get it then i will! worst case scenario... buy it and drive the hell out of it and then when you kill it... part it out and you will still make a hefty profit. if you want to replace a rusty panel, then there are a LOT of replacement panels available.. or get a fibreglass racing one and it will never rust again.

Obin

Oh god I don't know how to say this. I really really want this car but first of all my mom is super against this and second of all I don't have the money for it. I feel so bad right now. As far as I know the car had it's valves done 2 years ago, and probably no service since. The owner doesn't know what synchros are for the tranny. Engine is leaking a bit, shifting between 1st and 2nd is a little hard. What gives? Should I still get it and just hide the car somewhere, assuming it's still for sale? Thanks everyone for replying!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Twenty years ago I too got a real steal on an old one (69 912), towed it to California and found it later it was rusted through all over. Beware if you want to use it as a regular driver car. RUST ?!! The guy I bought it from in New Jersey had "fixed" it with about 200lbs of BONDO and an Earl Scheib paint job. It looked great but I was a neophyte then. Within a month the suspension a-arm bolts had pulled out and the whole suspension went thump-thump as I drove along, I put my foot through both the floor and the running boards, pieces snapped off in my hand and paint started flaking off everywhere! I believe Porsche didn't start galvanizing body panels until about 1974 so RUST would eat everything if you lived in snow country. The other guys are right though... even if it has rust the other parts may be worth selling off but use the magnet test for rust if you want to drive it.

Hey if your still living with "Mommy" listen to her! Secondly why buy a car in Hawaii, most car over there are rust buckets. Get one shipped in from the Southwest. Show your Mom some respect and finish the first project. If you do buy the new car part it out or fix it quick and dump it, then finish the first project!

Randy Jones
1971 911

Randy,
I'm still 19, that's why I still live with "Mommy." If I lived by myself I wouldn't have asked whether or not I should buy this 911, I'd just go ahead and buy it. Yes I know I should finish the project but I do need a "beater" car to get around in. AFTER my '76 gets done I will start with the '72. At least that's what I was planning to do. Hopefully something works out.

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Jeff
1976 911S

Jeff,

I suggest a serious talk with your father, quiet and discrete, with a copy of this thread printed out, and at hand. If you can convince your father it is a valid, and important project, or second car, then you may have a chance ... otherwise, you have about the same chance as you do for a white Christmas! If your father can see the value and potential, just as spare and upgrade parts, regardless of the running condition, and if he decides to help you, so much the better fot the both of you ... father/son automotive projects can be great things when you are 19, something you will cherish forever!

If your father goes along with the idea, then I suggest a joint meeting/discussion with your mother ... she probably already knows you don't really have to have her permission to buy a car at 19. And, logic rather than emotion should be the order of business for the meeting. After all, you are of voting age, now! I would not recommend hiding the car from your mother.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa