Should I buy it?

Hey Guys,

I'm looking at a 1986 911. I noticed some oil on the left heat exchanger and around the left valve cover. The PO just had the valves adjusted. Is this a big deal? It's not dripping. It's also the first 911 I've driven.
I punched it in first on an onramp right next to a concrete wall. Seeing those fenders rise up in the air and hearing the rasp of the exhaust echoing off the wall was incredible!! I can't wait to own one.

Only buy it if you get a good Pre Purchase Inspection done on it! Take the price you are willing to pay and subtract the expense to fix every item that the PPI finds in need of repair. A small leak can be either a small leak or a $6000 mistake.

Paul
81 911SC

Hi Chad, if this is the first one you have driven, I would recommend that you go drive a few more before you commit yourself to this one; just to get a sense of the Porsche manners. Good luck on your new purchase

Chad all 911's leak oil (or at least they should), so don't worry about that. But as mentioned above, do get a pre purchase check done and don't be afraid of spending a bit of money travelling to look at cars and for a number of pre purchase checks. 911's can be a nightmare if you get a bad one, so pay good money up front to get a nice one that will reguire regular maintance only. Have fun, Bill.

Originally posted by Bill Douglas:
all 911's leak oil (or at least they should)

I guess I better take my 1988 3.2 in to see my mechanic. Something must be wrong as my car doesn't leak a drop of oil.



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1988 black on black Coupe
http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=339

When I read what Bill said, I went right out to the garage and asked the Blue Bomber why she doesn't leak any oil.
No response, so I said: "Come on Baby...just leak a few drops for Daddy, like all good 911's should."
Last time I looked, she's still dry as a bone.
What's a frustrated owner gonna do?


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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

I've got to admit. My car doesn't drip oil either. The oil tank must be empty :-)

I cannot stress the PPI enough. Take the car to a reputable, qualified shop that has no connection with the seller. $200--$300 now can save you thousands in the future.

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Dan Tolley
1987 911 Coupe
http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=294

PPI is a good idea. Before I bought my 83 cab, I was looking at a 77' Carrera 3.0, 100K miles, recent paint, new seals, looked great ...was on sale for 16,900

took it down to Heb Chambers in Somerville to get a PPI....$6,000 worth of repairs needed to be done....I paid 250 for the inspection and it was worth it.

I think repair shop PPI's may be over-rated. Unless, you are very sure of the abilities of the shop to actually recognize a problem when they put their hands on it. There is some evidence of shops who like to take good money for only a superficial look around the car.

Another tack I would suggest, is asking a knowlegible friend or club member to inspect the car with you. I did this for my own car, and was lucky enough that he owned the same model I was interested in buying, so he was very familiar with the problem areas.

We armed ourselves with shop manual, a few chosen wrenches, multimeter, compression tester etc. 25 bucks and a case of beer got us 2 hours lift time at a local muffler shop after business hours.
I was impressed at my friends knowledge of the car. He headed to every potential troublespot like a hound after a rabbit.

If you are lucky enough to be able to go this route, I think you'll find it a good alternative to a PPI done by a shop.


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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

Chad...NEXT to a concrete wall for the sounds is okay. INTO a concrete wall can ruin your entire afternoon. Try to avoid the INTO part, okay? Oil leaks? Go to the early 911s registry home page...click on the article "What we do for love"...you'll gain an understanding. You'll also get a few laughs.

Thanks for all the input. I'll definitly get a ppi done on it. The car looks like It has been well maintained. The owner says he bought it for his wife in 1990 and she wanted a sport ute and quit driving it a few years ago. It's an '86 with 94,000 miles on it. The car has the owners manual and the tool kit and appears to be unmolested. The owner says he had all the service records and the original invoice but can't find them.(He looked for five minutes to find the title and finally had his secretary get it)
He's asking 19k I've got him down to 17,750. I really want to rescue this car from its gloomy life in a garage but I don't want to get burnt.This bulliten board is awsome!

For $20k I'd certainly be looking a little beyond an 86 w/ 90k.That much cash could get you an 87 with a G50. Certainly a thought to ponder.
One thing that I think everyone on this BB will agree upon is that the more informed about the various anomalies of the different models of 911, the better your decision. Take your time .There is no shortage of 911 that are in very respectable condition. Many are capable of meeting your expectations if you "do your homework". Books and posts are cheap, rebuilds are not.

I agree that he's asking plenty, but where you are is probably on the high side of fair. I also agree that you can probably get a 1987 or later car with a G50 tranny for that kind of money. Do a search on the board here on the 915 and you'll see why I think it is worth a thought, anyway. Look up used car prices at carpoint.com and you'll get a feel for the incredible range of prices these cars go for. Same car can go for $15,000 or $25,000, depending on whose buying and selling it. Good luck and let us know what you get.

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MRM 1984 Carrera Cab Eurospec

MRM, I checked out carpoint. They only go back to '88 but it said 14k for trade in and 23k retail. I have read a lot about the 915 tranny. The car I drove seemed to shift well but if you shove it in to first right after pushing in the clutch there's a slight grind. If I took my time it didn't. I also did the 5 seconds on the clutch and put it into reverse and it went in with minimal effort and no grind. I thought it shifted easily but it was kinda vague compared to my Honda. I love to double clutch and do matched rev shifts so I probably wouldn't mind the 915 too much. A G-50 car for the same money though would definitly be better. I'm looking at 17k tops for this car Which I also think is on the high side of fair.

Kinda funny, my 911 has never leaked a drop as well. As a matter of fact, it does not even burn oil until about 3000 miles after oil change at which time it is just below the half spot. Go for the 87-89 if you can afford to do so, I did and so far so good. Anyway good luck with whatever you get.

All 911's do not leak oil, and should not leak oil. In fact if they do there is an issue with it. Hell my '69 912 didn't leak. Get it checked out before you buy.

Don't worry lads, your 911's that you are so proud of for not leaking oil, are probably just saving themselves up for something really big to happen.

"I love to double clutch and do matched rev shifts, so I probably wouldn't mind the 915 too much."

Those sound like famous last words to me. If it grinds going into first, you're probably looking at transaxle work. Don't tell the seller about your love for double-clutching. Instead, get an estimate from the mechanic who does the PPI, and deduct that amount from the seller's asking price.

With regard to leaking oil, mine is dry as a bone, but I think it's safest to say: There are two kinds of Porsches, those that leak oil, and those that are going to leak it.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net