repaint

I'm currently shopping for my first Porsche. I've done a fair amount of reading up on the different years of the 911 and while I'd like to buy a 993, my budget points to a 964. I've found a 1991 within my price range, very clean, and ten years of maintainence records. Only problem is the color. It's like a magenta color. The seller claims it was a special custom factory paint job. I can't find the color listed in any of my books. So, here's the question: if I decide to buy the car and change the color, what am I getting myself into? One shop told me changing the color is a problem because the paint doesn't stick very well to the door jams. Also, without removing the engine, you still have the original color showing inside the engine compartment, rght? Is it worth the trouble? The price is about $2000 below private party price in the edmunds guide.

I'd say keep looking. A good paint job is going to cost you a lot more than $2000.

Also, do a search for 964 trouble spots on this site (distributor vent, dual-mass flywheel, head gasket seals, power steering pump, etc.) so that you know what to look for when you're looking at 964s.

Finally, do get a pre-purchased inspection done by a reputable Porsche mechanic. Used Porsches you see for sale are generally for sale for a reason. A lot of them aren't worth owning at almost any price. Do your best to control your emotional desire to be driving a Porsche this weekend, and try to take a methodical approach to finding the right car. You'll thank yourself months from now.

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

Unless you are planning to show the car heavily and seriously for originality (ie Pebble beach--professional show car AKA Garage Queen!), I wouldn't worry about it. If the paint is factory and in great condition, then learn to live with the color. A full repaint done without stripping everything off the car (ie removing everything but the chassis) runs a high risk of being a constant source of stress and headache for you as far as the appearance of the paint in inconspicuous areas such as engine bay and door jams.

But..hell if you've got several grand laying around and/or some time to diassemble/reassemble the car...go for it. This board will get you thru it.

Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region

It's great to have cooler heads available for advice when shopping for a Porsche on a spectacular, warm, sports car driving Sunday in California. BTW, is the factory color indicated in the VIN number? If not, where do I find it?

Thanks
Chuck

Well if it is the same as the classic 69-89 911, the paint code and name should be on a sticker that is on the sill (between the Porsche reflector badge and the engine compartment if the lid is open) under the engine lid where the other decals are for valve clearance, firing order, etc. This sticker is on the driver's side of this sill.

It would not surprise me if this was a "factory custom" color as I have read that many more colors were offered in Europe for the 911, and not all were brought to the US as standard.

Good Luck.
Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region

Hi Chuck - I went through the same issues when I was looking for my first carrera. I found a beautiful '88, low miles, clean, CLEAN! garage queen. Fell in love with the car, hated the color...Turquois....I'm talkin' the greenish-blue you have ever seen. I checked the books..it was a stock...and desirable color in '88. Well, due to a great price, great car, and being slightly colored blind, I bought it. Now, a year later...I wouldn't trade it for any other color....I have yet to see another like it, everybody tells me how unique it is, and life is great.

Just $1.50....

mh

If you don't like the color of this car I would advise you keep looking. You can get a paint job for $2k but it won't be that great.

I don't know what you are paying for this car, but let me guess it's around $30k. $2k is splitting hairs. BFD. You will spend that on maintenance / upgrades in no time.

There a plenty of sweet looking 964s out there. Buy a car with the (orginial) paint you want, even if it means $2k more.

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'86 Cab, '77 Targa, Family Truckster

Clark, you're right on, $28,000 to be exact. I've pretty much decided changing the color is too much trouble. I just have to decide if I can live with the color or not. One the plus side, it's cool to have a unique factory color. One the minus side, this purple/pink is sort of a chick color.

Chuck

I personnaly like unusual colors on a 911. Black, white, red, silver is a bit tired. No offense guys, I have a red one.

Odd colors can be sharp. I like orange, light blue, green and others too.

But you have to be the judge, you have to like it.

Whatever you decide, good luck

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'86 Cab, '77 Targa, Family Truckster

Buy the car for the mechanicals and other stuff, not for the color, or despite it.

My '78sc is a metallic blue that I wasn't very fond of at first (the price was killer). I now love it.

I would never fight a factory paint job. Unless I was doing a ground-up, I can't see the point in trying to create a two-tone car.

Jw

I can't believe you didn't like your metallic light blue at first! If your car was an 80 or so, I'd have swapped you even for it. The guards red on mine is entirely too common. I thought about doing a silver repaint a while back, but I've now settled on metallic blue (aka Light Blue Metallic) or metallic gold (Casablance Beige Metallic). My other car is black and gold, so the Porsche would match. I'm also fond of the Platinum and Pewter. Anyone ever seen Zinc (956)?

Emanuel

Emanuel

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Emanuel Brown
1983 911 SC Targa
http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/91183.jpg