buying my first porsche 1974

[Jaz]

porsche 911 1974

Hi i'm embarking upon buying my first porsche and looking for some reaction with regards to a 1974 911 I'm very keen (my wife and daughter more so), though I have few reservations which i'm hoping you guys may be able to pass advise on, which will aid me to buy or drop the purchase.

Here are the details and my concerns let me know if the problems are mute , fixeable or damn expensive and finally should I buy or walk away.

Details:

1974 911, imported to uk in 1982,

Good points & Modifications:
101,000 miles
body parts are rebuilt with all 1986 turbo body parts. 5 years ago.
full leather interior,
18" split rim cups,
3.0 recently rebuilt engine.
big red calipers,
cross drill discs.
very good gleaming rust free external body and internal panels.
good clean first ignition start-up.
Max engine pressure upon start-up and through cold drive.



concerns:

1- heater controls has no blower fan. In britian its alsway codl so I need this.
2- 915 box , (i'm not familar with the type ) I cannot use first gear in
motion, quick shift to 2,3,4,5 amounts to grinds.
3- clutch pedal bite point is really low, almost at carpet level.
4-passenger window motor/regulator not working.
5-oil trace (more than a mist, going onto a drip) on the engine's lower spine , where two parts of the engine block meets. no other traces seen. ...big concern as I don;t like the idea of a rebuild. i suppose rebuild have upgreded heabolts.
6- i'm paying £14,800 for it.
7- Would the chassis (1974) be galvanised from factory?

ongoing costs:

I plan to use the car as my everyday drive, to do 12,000 miles per annum.

what mpg would I expect for mostly motorway drive?

VERDICT:?

[Porsche_monkey]

2 - sounds normal
3 - easy to fix (likely)
4 - new regulator, one days work
5 - live with it
6 - that would be considered a high price in N.A.
7 - don't think so

This is not a car I would want to rely on for everyday use to work and back. It's old. It can be fun to drive, but I wouldn't want it for my everyday commute.

Other opinions may vary. But you need to have the car inspected by a real Porsche car mechanic before you put that kind of money down.

Do search on "PPI".

[Rot 911]

Grinding going into gear on quick shifts in 2-5 is not normal. The 915 is balky going from 1-2 if you don't pause for a half second, but you should be able to quickly shift into the other gears. Might be nothing more than a clutch adjustment or it could be a bad tranny. Get it checked out.

[Porsche_monkey]

Notice he said "quick shifts" cause grinding. He probably doesn't know that 915's and quick shifts don't mix.

A methodical and precise shift shouldn't grind, if it does, Kurt is correct. It could also be a linkage adjustment issue.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Welcome to Pelican Parts!

From what you describe, I pass this one up.

1. Heater is easy enough to fix. £140 per motor x2
2. 915 is a solid transmission, but this one sounds like it is ready for a rebuild.
3. You are probably going to need a new clutch with your transmission rebuild.
4. Window regulator fix is another easy one. Window motor £100.
5. A recently rebuilt motor should not be leaking oil. That makes me think whoever did the work was not very thorough. Who knows what corners were cut? How many miles were on the engine before it was rebuilt? Does the previous owner have receipts for the rebuild? Did it get new pistons and cylindars? Did they do the top and bottom or just seal some leaks with new gaskets? Did they put new studs in? Can you live with a car that is leaking oil? Rebuilding motor top and bottom £6,000 (conservative estimate).
6. The price is very high when you factor in £3,500 for the transmission and clutch. Do you think you could sell the car for £18,300?

Galvanised chasis came in the mid 1980s.

It should get about 20 ish mpg if you are not running hard and fast. 16 mpg if you are always in a big hurry or sport driving.

Before you buy any Porsche, find a good Porsche mechanic who can do a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI). It might cost you £200, but could save you thousands and much heart ache.

Lastly, try to find a 3.2 liter Carrera 1984-89 for about £15,000. You could buy a very nice one for that kind of money. You could post a "wanted to buy" message here in the cars for sale section. Some of the other UK Pelicans can help you find a nice car.

Good luck and keep us posted on your search.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Check out this car for £14,000.

1983 911SC with only 23K MILES!!!!!

[azasadny]

I've had my '74 for almost 5 years and I would question the practicality of selecting any 34 year old car as a "daily driver". Get a PPI and look carefully for rust! Take the advice given here and consider the car a "weekend" car and save some $ for deferred maintenance and repair costs. Replace the fluid in the tranny as well as the bushings and your tranny problems may be over. Replacing a clutch is not hard, but requires an engine drop and we all know what that leads to (while I'm in there....). Good luck!

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hey Art,

The price the owner is asking is equivalent to $22,500. You can buy a lot of car for that kind of money.

[Nostril Cheese]

another vote for a 3.2 Carrera.

The 74 sounds like a basket case and way too much money

[azasadny]

Yep, I paid $6500 for mine but it needed some work. I have about $14k in mine now. I don't know the market in the UK, but $22,500 sounds very high unless the car is perfect and it doesn't sound like it is...

[Jaz]

THANK YOU guys,


As experienced owners your feedback has proven very valuable, and on that note I shall not be buying this car.

I thank you for time and feedback.

Regards,


Jaz

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hi Jaz,

I hope we didn't talk you out of buying "a" Porsche, just not this one for this price. Did you look at the for sale section here on Pelican? I know we have some Pelican members in the UK who can help you find the right car for the right price.

[azasadny]

Originally posted by JeffreyNMemphis
Hi Jaz,

I hope we didn't talk you out of buying "a" Porsche, just not this one for this price. Did you look at the for sale section here on Pelican? I know we have some Pelican members in the UK who can help you find the right car for the right price.

+1, there are many people who could help you find an excellent 911 on this board. Start researching and be methodical and buy the right car the first time!! Good luck!

[rs dreamer]

£14,800 is around $29,500 at current rates. Gary

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Wow, I didn't realize the dollar had slipped that far... Thanks Gary.

[azasadny]

Jaz,
Here's my '74 this spring, all cleaned up and running great. These cars can be frustrating, but they can also be as much fun as a ferret in your pants!!

[Paulporsche]

BTW a 74 would have the lower parts of the body galvanised, ie those areas most prone to rust, like rocker panels and floor pan.