First time 911 buyer, dumb questions, part 3

Looked at a few more 911's today, and have 2 possible contenders.

The first is a 83 targa with 140K that needs a paint job and some interior work. He is asking $10.5K.

Thge second is a clean 81 Euro Targa with 100K, that the seller wants $16K

I know it will vary by region, but how much does a proper bare metal paint job cost? Anyone had this done lately? I will call Parts Heaven this week and price replacement seats.

Is there anything to be concerned about with gray market cars (particularly in California)? The sales guy said it passed smog with no problem, and it had current tags on it. I must say I like the 24 extra HP.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Tom Aiken
Fremont, California

I purchsed my 78SC Targa for 10K. It had 20 K on a full rebuilt motor and tranny. I also had it paintied one 1 1/2 years ago- 4K. But I put the car back together myself. This was a take to the metal paint job and the car needed no body work. Sport seats will run you beween 800 - 1200, depending on materials and condition. Mine also needed no seats.

I'm happy you are still looking and that you are still posting for advice. You need to be so patient as to notice that if neither of these two cars is just right, you will just look more. $10.5K plus a paint job and you'd be paying top dollar for that car. $16K is a lot.

Gray market cars can be trouble to license, and to insure. You'd need to check out both.

And no purchases without a professional inspection. I still think you can get a late SC, $14K or under, under 16k miles and not needing paint or anything else. Maybe I'm dreamin', but I think deals like this happen. Join PCA.

------------------
'83 SC

Keep looking , you'll be able to find a clean lo-mile SC for $15,especially in So.CA.
Look in the O.C. Auto Trader there are a hundred P-Cars in there each week.
Grey Market cars are a shot in the dark in CA.Even if it has current tags I'd sure get a ppi.including a smog ck from someone other than a used car dealer.
Take your time ,it's part of the fun, and the more you know the more money and heartache you'll save.
You'll know when you come across the right car, there won't be any question if you follow the guidelines that everyone outlines for you on this BB. If you feel like you're getting impulsive do some more research.
Anticipation is a part of the realization.
Mrdi

Neil Peart said: The fantasy ends when realization begins.
It took me almost a full year before I found the "perfect" car. I am so glad I took my time. Ever since buying the car, I have been able to concentrate on driving her without distractions in the back of my mind.

I have been looking at Auto Trader's web page, and searching all California. I have also been checking the Porsche-classified network web page, and a couple other internet resources, seeing what is available, and for what price. Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be a bit of a price difference between the Bay Area and Southern California. The cars up here seem to sell for more than down there. There also seems to be fewer available. I guess that would be that old supply and demand thing making the prices higher.

I would much rather wait for something good in my area to come available, where I can look at the car before comitting cash to get it checked by a Porsche mechanic/dealer.

I forgot to ask in my earlier post, every car I looked at, the seller said that the air conditioner didn't work very well, and that was normal for 911's. Is this an accurate statement?

Prices from the "Bay Area' will be typically higher than anywhere else. Not because the cars are any better just because of the cost of living there. The Bay Area was once noted as having the most overpriced real estate in the U.S. so it would follow reason that the cars there are also priced higher.

------------------
Howie
79SC

emcon3:
I know the air conditioning in my 78SC leaves soething to be desired. It works great as long as its not hot. Pelican has a tech article you may want to check out. Good tips on the probelems and remedies of aircondition on P cars. I believe P cars were never intended to have great air condition. I mean, who needs air conditioning in Germany?

if you are looking in the bay area then check out californiaclassics.com. there inventory is constantly changing.

Originally posted by bob tilton:
if you are looking in the bay area then check out californiaclassics.com. their inventory is constantly changing.

check out californiacars.com.

Dale

IMHO California Cars has nice cars but they bend ya over on the prices. Go look at www.recycler.com it is the biggest SoCal advertiser for cars. Calif. Cars places ads there as well.

Make a couple of appointments and drive down with a friend or take the train....drive home...8^)

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 12-09-2000).]

From personal experience,
I can definately reccomend spending a little more if necessary to get a more genuine car, otherwise you will end up spending more in the long run!.
This will be the case, unless you are a great mechanic and don't mind spending alot of time doing the major stuff yourself.
I paid $16,000 for an 86 cabrio, 100k miles, Florida car, but have just spent about $8,000 in a year, mainly on improvements, which would probably bring it up to +/- market value.
Given a 'Crystal Ball' I would have rather spent $25,000 on a lower milage perfect car (if there is one).
Even though this is an east coast car,hope this is a usefull guide/viewpoint.
rgds Ben


[This message has been edited by 86ragtop (edited 12-10-2000).]

Man, I can hardly imagine the patience it takes to NOT buy a 911 when you want one and have the money. So I admire your restraint. But this is restraint you need, and will continue to need. Most of us show restraint daily on our drive home. Any 911 driver going 60 mph on a highway is demostrating restraint.

Keep trusting us. It is really true that if you find a cared-for SC with under 100k for $14k, you will be far better off than if you find a fancy 3.2 or ROW-SC with upgraded everything, higher miles, more questionably history, for $10k. The cared-for SC is the better deal almost certainly.

Keep looking. You'll find it, when the time is right. the world has a rhythm. "Your" car has not taken the stage yet. It will be a low-miles SC, one owner, always garaged, stock everything except tensioners. The car will appear to be PERFECT. MINT. You'll be suspicious. The profesional inspection will conclude the car is a GEM. You and the car will live happily every after.

------------------
'83 SC

I just took delivery of a 78 SC I found at Road Sport in Campbell Ca. Go to http://www.roadsportsales.com and take a look. Good clean cars at a fair price. I know 4 other people that have bought cars from them and all including me are happy with the cars and them.

------------------
TMK
73 914S 2.1L (the racing toy)
78 911SC (the daily driver)

[This message has been edited by tmk (edited 12-12-2000).]