Purchase advice - First 911

[MrScott]

Dear Sirs,

I've been following the forum for some time now preparing to purchase my first 911. First let me thank you all for a great site and great community; the support and wealth of knowledge here was a large factor in my decision-making.

Only a few years ago I discovered the joys of DIY and as a recovering Italian car fan my starter car (and current "fun car") was a Maserati Biturbo. There has been some discussion of this car in "Off Topic" and I know pictures are appreciated so here are some shots of the car in it's natural environment (the repair shop):




As I said I only recently started working on the car myself but immediately I understood the pain on my mechanic's face and the emptiness in my wallet when I brought the car in for service. Suffice it to say, despite their track record the factory assumed this car would never need servicing and put little thought into the ease with which it could be accomplished. It doesn't help that some of the only available information is the factory manual, poorly translated from Italian with instructions like "Step 1: Remove Engine" and no further detail. Lest this become of a discussion of the Maserati (which I could keep up for days but would certainly be off-topic) allow me to explain my situation and the remedy to my current Italian car problem.

I've found a 911 in Boston that seems to meet my requirements. Again, as pictures are de rigueur I won't resist:





1981 sunroof delete coupe. It has 140,000 miles on the original engine and transmission with the same owner for the last 20 years and 80,000 miles. No history of accidents. The paint is a 10 year old re-spray in the original color that's holding up well less two small spots of bubbling: one at the bottom of the headlight bucket, the other at the wiper mounting point. Reported oil-usage is surprisingly low (1qt/1000miles) and aside from some difficulty into 1st when rolling, which I understand is common, the transmission reportedly shifts smoothly. The price is just under $11,000.

I'd be buying this car long-distance so firstly I'm looking for shop recommendations near the South Shore of Boston. Here's the list I've compiled thus far:

Rensport in Framingham
Little Foreign Car Garage in Waltham
Herb Chambers in Somerville
Autosport Engineering in Stow MA
German Motors on North Main Street
Randolph Racing in Stoughton

Secondly, what would be your advice to a relatively new DIY'er on the soundness of purchasing a car with such high mileage provided the PPI checks out. I realize no matter how well-engineered or well-maintained, any old car with that much use will have worn parts that need replacement in the near future.

I thank you in advance for any advice and again for such an excellent community.

Sincerely,
MrScott

[livi]

Welcome aboard!

Canīt help you with shop recommendations (obviously!). Just high lighting your plans on having a thourough PPI done.

Personally I might be a little cautious with an original engine with 140k miles that allegedly consume 1 qt/1000 miles. That is actually not very little even if the factory strangely enough quoted as high as 1 liter/ 1500 km. Many of us have engines that drink a lot less. My 85 uses about 1 liter/ 6000 miles for example.

Anyway, you will get better answers than this in good time. Good luck!

Sorry Spell Check kaput again.

[AvonGil]

Where are you located? In Easton PA by any chance?

[MrScott]

Why, do you know a Mr Scott in PA?
I am located in New York, I've updated my profile to be more specific.

[FastCarFan]

Good luck with your purchase. My advice is take your time -- there are lots of cars out there, so make sure you are getting the best one for you. Don't buy this car if you have doubts.

I found you comments about the Maser hilarious ("...in it's natural environment...." & "Step 1: Remove Engine"). While a 911 is not maintenance free, it should be much better than a Maserati. I have had my Carrera for about 20,000 miles & I have had virtually no problems. Granted, mine was a low-mileage car (only 34,000 miles when I bought it in 2001), but I think the cars are pretty reliable, especially the SCs & Carreras.

Good luck.

[gtc]

I'd say 140,000 really isn't that high, especially for SCs. I bought my car in May with 179k, and 12,000 miles later I have no regrets whatsoever.

[MrScott]

Thanks for the welcome!

FastCarFan,

I'm glad you liked that. Admittedly I was too hard on the car. My two biggest complaints have been ease of service and lack of documentation and, as I'm relatively new to car repair, these are more my deficiencies than the car's.

Like the 911 and and any ahem, high performance, ahem, car they require regular and precise maintenance. Sadly most examples have been neglected. I will say for me it was an welcome introduction to raw driving feel - no power steering, dangerously sudden (post-lag) boost which makes for delicate handling. It was quite a departure from my first car, a wimpy FWD Audi 5 cylinder. I can comfortably tame the beast now which I hope is good preparation for my first real sports car.


gtc,

Congratulations on your purchase. In searching I've read many similar posts. Maybe it's my past experience but I find it almost unbelievable that all parts were engineered to last so long: fans, seals, hoses even? I plan to take some serious road trips once I get the car and I do have high (hopefully not unreasonable) expectations for Porsche reliability. I dont see selling this car any time soon and I hope to have it working and looking good as new in time.

I follow the "For Sale" section pretty regularly but if anyone has outside leads on a charcoal (black metallic) or brown (I'm partial to the period look) 911s I'd welcome them. This has to be my favorite factory SC look. Sadly at the time (and still) it's above my budget.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Don't ask a shop to do the PPI. Use a professional inspector who has no axes to grind and no conflicts of interest (i.e. a pro inspector does only inspections; they don't sell, repair, trade or otherwise deal in the cars they inspect).

[holtjv]

Don't be put off by 140k or the 1 qt per 1000 miles--about what my Super Carrera has and uses.

The starting price seems right, I say go for the PPI and insist the valve covers some off to check the head studs (along with all the other good PPI things to check).

Good luck and welcome. Not that it matters that much, but love the color of that SC. Jack

[MrScott]

Mr Wilkinson,

I appreciate your advice. Despite searching the forums and the internets I've found little reference to "professional inspectors" - how would you suggest I find a reputable porsche inspector in the area? Might they be affiliated with PCA?

ps Your book is on the shelf next to me - sincerely I enjoyed it.


holtjv,

Your advice is also appreciated. I do give more weight to "what's on the inside" but the color won me over as well. Not only is the color rare but this car has the sunroof delete option which appealed to me.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

There's an organization called the IAAA--International Automobile Appraisers Association--that certifies appraisers, and appraisers also do inspections, and there's guy name Jeff Webster, in Hartford, who operates a national network of inspectors, www.automobileinspections.com.

Actually, you in a sense want to steer somewhat clear of anybody affiliated with the PCA or Porsches specifically, "your buddy who has a 911" or "somebody you found on Pelican," because sometimes they have too much emotionally invested in the marque to have a clear-eyed view. If you get a pro inspector, he'll have seen hundred of Porsches, but he holds no brief for them. Does he know where to look for battery-tray corrosion or motor-mount warpage? Yes. Does he think Porsches are the neatest cars in the world? No. He (or she) doesn't care, and that's what makes them useful. They are dispassionate third parties.