Purchasing tips

Ok I am thinking about buying a car from my Mechanic...its an 84' 911 carrera Targa (Gold)....I told you guys about this car a while ago. He wants $12,000 for it...it has 117,000 on the odometer....and the engine is in the process of being rebuilt after he let someone use it and they blew it by shifting in to the worng gear..... Anyways what should I look for when buying this car to try to lower the price? The interior is in ok condition and the exterior is in good condition.... It has Whale tail,Fuchs (I dont know what size) the front splitter is messed up so I htink i can get him for that... It a pretty damn good price for the 911 so i think i might just have to jump on it...but I will still try to talk him down

Actually do you guys want me to take some pics later this week and just post them and you can tell me what you think... thanks

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85.5 Porsche 944

[This message has been edited by RaF944 (edited 03-19-2001).]

Post some picks.

It never pays to talk down a mechanic who knows more than you do. He knows the price, and sets it accordingly. However, if you never plan on using him as a mechanic again, then you should feel free to browbeat him however you can. Chances are he will not like your attitude and simply not sell the car to you.

On the other hand, you might say "you know best" and pay him (close to) what he wants without outright insulting him. In doing this, you might mention parts you want with/on the car (this is called a "due bill") Once you agree on additional items you may or may not pay for and he might install gratis, then you know that both of you felt OK about the purchase and you can return to him to query him on the usual set of distractions these fine cars cause (SSIs, short-shift kit, etc.).

Question: how is the transmission? If dodgy, should you request a rebuild and pony up the price for parts? Maybe buy the parts at retail and get labor for free? Ask him.

Jw

Well when I bought the 944 from him i talked him down $600 So i figured I could to the same with the 911 I dont think anything is wrong with the tranny but i am not positive cause i can test drive it since the motor is being rebuilt

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85.5 Porsche 944

Where are you, Siberia? I haven't seen an 84+ Carrera for under 16k ever. 12k is what you pay for a bombed out SC.

Someone show me any ad for a Carrera under 16k!

Okay, I just browsed recycler.com for 84-89 carreras and found the lowest asking is for an 86 in a 17,500--and even that might be a goof because he's got it listed twice: once at 19.5 and once at 17.5.


There IS NO SUCH THING AS AN 84-89 CARRERA FOR 12K





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Kurt B
'84 Carrera Cab.
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

The price is certainly right. And you say the engine is getting a top end job? I wouldnt worry much about the tranny. Jump on it.

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Robert Stoll
83 SC
83 944

An 84 Carrera for 12k is a damn good deal. I would definately jump on it. I wouldnt let my 81 SC go for 12K. Buy it and dont look back...

Just so long as he isn't doing a "Just to Sell" rebuild it sounds like a good deal..."just to sell (defined as an Earl Schieb paint job etc.) After all he is a mechanic. After the rebuild is complete I'd take it to someone else for a pre purchase...Sort of like a doctor's second opinion. (just my .02)

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Howie
79SC

I have to agree with Howie...get a PPI done FOR SURE.

Several years ago I was looking at 2nd gen Rx7s as a daily beater. I came across a mechanic who was selling one at a fairly low price. In this instance, the car had high mileage, it was owned by a woman with no knowledge about cars, and she let the coolant run out. The engine siezed, and this guy told her she needed a rebuild. Instead of going with a rebuild she sold it to this guy for a few grand. He unsiezed the rotary engine by forcing it, drove it for a while, and then put it up for sale. It sounds weazly, but when I talked to the guy he was honest about it...he told me all the stuff above. Since I'd owned and Rx7 before, I KNEW that the engine siezing really amounts to a full rebuild for one of them. His price was low, but the upcoming rebuild wasn't.

Get the car checked out. You only get what you pay for, unless you're very, very lucky.

Bill Wagner

OK thanks guys...I will post a topic with pics when i get some

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85.5 Porsche 944

guys,

I paid 14,500 for a clean 84 with a two year warranty in August 99, from a local dealer who sells old Porsches often. Forged 16 inchers, H4 upgrade, sunroof, full leather, local car, no dents/dings, etc. I drove it daily until I sold it and it was dead reliable.

The dealer had four 911's at the time and winter was coming. Anyway, it was clean, with 99k, didn't need anything at all except for rebuilds of the front calipers and that damned turn signal stalk-both of which the dealer agreed to do for free. The warranty was originally a ton of money, but I got him to toss it in. So, don't tell me that you can't touch a Carrera for 12- 14 b/c I did it.