Considering buying a 911...

[Crisis1]

Hello everyone. So I am thinking about buying a 1977 911s with 100,000 miles and 1000 since engine and tranny rebuild. I would be using this as a daily driver and make a 600 mile trip about 3 times a year. Would this be a wise decision? Thanks.

Heres the link to the car...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=417812

[Blk95993]

you can get a nice SC for that price. An SC may be a better buy and more durable. CB

[Jack Olsen]

I'd approach it very carefully. The price is high for that model, and I always have to wonder why someone would sell their car right after an expensive rebuild. I'd insist on two things: a complete list (with receipts) of everything that was done as part of the 'rebuild,' and throrough verification as part of an independent shop's pre-purchase inspection.

[tonythetarga]

A MUCH better deal posted right here for the same money. A 3.2 is better all day long than a 2.7. No offense intended to the mid-year crew.

1985 Carrera FS in NE Mississippi

[Dirty Marty]

Crisis1

All the previous messages are correct and should be considered. To address your specific question of a good daily driver, you need to consider the type of drive you'll make every day: is it stop and go traffic all the time, country roads, open freeway? I would think that Virginia Beach is a little crowded during the commuting hours so its not going to be easy on the clutch foot and brake pedal. An aircooled P-car needs to be moving so summer traffic should also be considered.......does the car have AC.

I've got a 70 911 that hates stop and go and loads up in commute traffic, but it justifies my blowing it out after the traffic jam...wink, wink.

Dirty Marty

Fallbrookl, CA

[bigchillcar]

price is probably negotiable, but jack olsen already wrote what i was thinking as i read the ad. it appears to have air, but mid-year air isn't the greatest. generally, a/c improves with newer models if that's a strong consideration in your planning. otherwise, a well done mid-year rebuild would be a helluva nice car, if all checks out well.

[widgeon13]

whatever you do, get a PPI on any anticipated purchase

[austin552]

Good advice guys. 264 does get busy but not stop and go. The Lynhaven area is another story. I would be more confident on 600 mile trips with a 80's model. Good luck Crisis. Hope to see you at va beach as I am up there allot.

[mambodave]

Originally posted by Blk95993
you can get a nice SC for that price. An SC may be a better buy and more durable. CB

Yeah.. and the 3.0 is nearly bulli proof if maintained.

[RichF]

Have you checked the cars out in our area? Theres alot of nice ones for around that price within 500 miles of us.

[sjf911]

Great looking car. No A/C though.
As I recall, these cars did not have galvanized tubs and are very prone to rust which could be a major issue on the East Coast with the rain and salt water exposure. You might try to find out who did the re-spray and check with them to see if major rust repairs were required (it is a CA car and may not have any).
Also, I think they had the dreaded "thermal reactor" emission system and magnesium engine cases with pulled head stud issues.
Many good '78-'89 cars are available for around this price (although some would say that they are all >20K cars eventually).

[tonythetarga]

I'll throw another wrench into your thought process. An early Boxster can be had in the 15 to 16 range and you'll have great a/c and more modern everything. Top down fun, top up with a/c, cruise control to boot.

[Dirty Marty]

But a Boxster is a girls car........

Dirty Marty

Fallbrook,CA

[Zef]

Originally posted by Dirty Marty
But a Boxster is a girls car........

Dirty Marty

Fallbrook,CA

Yea...I have to agree on that one...!

[petrolblue83911]

77's were galvanized.

[rnln]

I would feel shakky driving such an old car that far.

[mambodave]

Originally posted by rnln
I would feel shakky driving such an old car that far.

why if its sorted and maintained? My 78 was/is almost MORE reliable than our BMW 740.. The old cars are simple. Not all the electronics to mess with= less that can go wrong. 90% of what goes wrong with newer cars is electronic.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by Dirty Marty
But a Boxster is a girls car........

+1

[Porsche]

I had a 77 2.7 targa prior to my current 911 and I did use it as a daily driver. I had my engine rebuilt and drove it daily for 2 years, and it had no issues. Mind you, I upgraded my aircon to a 993 system. And 911s were galvanised from mid-76 onwards.

[cygtoad]

Originally posted by Dirty Marty
But a Boxster is a girls car........

Dirty Marty

Fallbrook,CA

Elle drives a Boxster...



I am sorta feeling bad for the Boxster. It has become the VW Cabrio of Porsches.   Not sure that it really deserves that wrap.