Advice on a '78 SC

Augustus · 08:51 PM

I'm going to look at this SC tomorrow and make an offer. From what I see in the ad it looks pretty good, wouldn't you say?
If all checks out, PPI etc. I was going to offer $15,000.00 ....seem fair?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1978-PORSCHE-911-SC-ORIG-PAINT-RUST-FREE-CALIFORNIA-CAR_W0QQitemZ280192260020QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 80192260020
eBay Motors: Porsche : 911 (item 280192260020 end time Jan-20-08 21:47:58 PST)

I'm not too hot on the colour but nice SC's are hard to find.....for sale that is....

Oh Haha · 01-19-2008, 04:18 AM

IMO, given the upgrades and the condition, I think would go $ 15,000 tops. I'm not an expert but looking at the pictures it seems to be a nice car.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Engine is stock besides tensioners, pop-off. If the head studs haven't been done you can almost bet some are broken. I see the motor was out at 114K, why? Maybe they did the top end.. Looks like a solid car and if all was well $15K isn't crazy, but if it needs a top end it's a $10K car at best.

Mysterytrain · 01-19-2008, 05:45 AM

My early 78SC had over 150K on it before the rebuild. There were no broken head studs.

Greek55 · 05:57 AM

There is no probability the head studs are broken. They could be. $15,000 is the price of a 911SC that you will buy and not do anything to, to get it where you want it. The wear and tear on the interior and the few paint spot problems should discount the car from the $15,000. If you keep the car and continue to frequent this forum, you will be putting even more money into it.

elpresidente · 01-19-2008, 06:18 AM

I bought a '78 SC in November for $11,100. It has 87K miles on it. It was in very good condition with a top end done 20K miles ago. Mine is a Targa so I would discount the value of mine from a coupe like the one you are looking at. Judging from the pictures, the car seems to be in very good condition and well maintained. You are doing the right thing by going to look at it first. Mine had a few small paint chips but no rust.

I wouldn't hesitate to bid $15k on that car if a PPI turns out positive. The interior looks to be in excellent shape. I would categorize my interior as "good" shape. Overall, it looks like a beautiful example of an SC and I love the color. Good luck!

jmshepard · 01-19-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

Engine is stock besides tensioners, pop-off. If the head studs haven't been done you can almost bet some are broken. I see the motor was out at 114K, why? Maybe they did the top end.. Looks like a solid car and if all was well $15K isn't crazy, but if it needs a top end it's a $10K car at best.

I rebuilt my 1980 at 325,000 for no reason other than insurance against a catastrophic failure. Many, many track miles all up and down the east coast. No broken head studs on that engine.

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

You could get an equal condition Carrera for that price if you looked....

mca · 01-19-2008, 10:11 AM

Regarding the head studs, I have 126,000 miles and no broken studs. However I do need a rebuild based on my oil use and compression/leakdown tests.

The ad makes no mention of the tranny which is interesting. Most ads make an effort to describe the shifting condition. A PPI will tell more.

Nickatnyt · 01-19-2008, 11:07 AM

It looks like a nicely cared for 78. $15K is a tad on the high end especially with missing maintenance records.

There are lots of 911s for sale out there by owners who cared for them so if you dont like the color I would move on.

Dueller · 12:02 PM

Let me be the skeptic. First its only been driven 6,000 miles in over 10 years? second, the lister starts out by talking about all that he has done and implies its his car. Then later mentions its on consignment? Engine dropped at 114K and they decide to leave the original clutch in? Please...a new clutch "while you're in there" would have only added $500-600 to whatever work was being done...was the PO trying to cut corners on maintenance? The suspension upgrades done 10K ago but only 6K miles in the past 10 years? Hmmmmmmm

I'd be careful...something dowesn't quite pass the smell test. True it appears to be a nice car, BUT I don't think I'd go much above the $13,5K asking price.

Augustus · 01-19-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dueller

Let me be the skeptic. First its only been driven 6,000 miles in over 10 years? second, the lister starts out by talking about all that he has done and implies its his car. Then later mentions its on consignment? Engine dropped at 114K and they decide to leave the original clutch in? Please...a new clutch "while you're in there" would have only added $500-600 to whatever work was being done...was the PO trying to cut corners on maintenance? The suspension upgrades done 10K ago but only 6K miles in the past 10 years? Hmmmmmmm

I'd be careful...something dowesn't quite pass the smell test. True it appears to be a nice car, BUT I don't think I'd go much above the $13,5K asking price.

You're right Dueller, it doesn't pass the smell test.

Thanks for your input and everyone else's.