HELP .....need to make decision

911paige · 911paige's Garage

Hi guys i need your opinion on selecting a 911 the car in question is a 1984 911 coupe 200,000 miles re-sprayed green original color is green the interior is shot well not completely but seat need to be redone new clutch feels strong except for it sounding like a clock oil cooler hoses leaking but not bad this guy owned this car from new and dosen't have records anyhow has fuchs needs a bunch of work but it runs and it shows well at idle oil pressure is 1 to two at higher rpms it does move to 3 and 4 i just need to know if i should buy it it looks to need about 4 to 7 grand worth of work i chopped the guy down to 6000 what do you think it is either this car or i will save some more and buy a 944 turbo ...please let me know if its a good deal ...thanks

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Paige,

I think it depends on how hands on your are, I'd have a leak down test done on the engine, if the tranny is good I don't think you could get hurt. But then I love a project, I paid a lot more for my "84" and have put a lot of money into it making it right or the way I want it.

Some guys love projects, others want a drive away car, which are you?

911paige · 911paige's Garage

thanks........i'm pretty much both, but of course i like to drive more....also i don't have time to bring it in to have it checked. i did drive it and she feels strong... i'm competing with another person for the car its almost like i need to make up my mind by friday or i might lose it. my instincts tell me to buy it....i hope i'm right.

jwernquist · 04-30-2008, 10:26 PM

my instincts say no. 6000 g is a good deal, but 200k on the clock no records sounds to me like it could be a a nightmare. even at 6k get a ppi. Clutch job 1000$ then while your in there caulk on another 1000$ and on and on pretty soon you are at the price range where you could've bought another one with lower miles that was better cared for for the same price. 200k alot is worn.

Get the PPI if you dont have time for that then I dont know why you would take on a project!

I love a good deal would I buy the 3.2 probably because I can do the clutch + most of the interior and mechanical work. But if you dont have the time your going to be writing some pretty large checks. When it's all said and done you could've bought a nice example. Just my 2 cents .

So wheres the car

hehe just kidding, I already have a project!

JW

Zef · Zef's Garage

PPI is your friend.

javadog · 05-01-2008, 04:04 AM

I wouldn't buy it without a PPI. I've always found that a cheap car that needs some work always ends up costing more than a more expensive, nicer one, once the problems are all fixed.

If you really feel a need to buy this car, tell the seller you'll buy it, contingent upon it passing a PPI. Then, get it done.

JR

911paige · 911paige's Garage

thanks guys for all your help .....i lost the car anyhow he who hesitates is lost but i'm going to take all of the advice given and save my money and buy a car that is in better shape with lower miles and a have a ppi on it...thanks again...

dzls rok · dzls rok's Garage

it was not ment to be. if you dont have time for a ppi, then how will you have time to fix all of the possible problems? i was once in your situation, looking to buy my first 911. as you look at more cars, you will have a better idea of what you can get for a certain price. then you can make a better decesion on if the car is worth persuing and getting a ppi.

Laneco · 05-02-2008, 05:43 AM

I realize it's a moot point right now, but had it been me, I would have bought the car.

A running driving intact 84 can be parted out for more than 6K. Obviously if you wanted a beautiful driver, this was not the car. At 6K, I wouldn't have wasted my money on a PPI. I would have assumed everything was plumb wore out and that it was still worth more than 6K in pieces.

Sorry to be the dissenting opinion, but I'd have pulled the trigger and driven the car home without a PPI.

angela (buys beater 911's...)

Paulporsche · 05-02-2008, 06:37 AM

I think this show there there are different cars for different folks.

Buying one that is worn out cheaply gives you the opportunity and the "fun" of redoing things the way you like, and knowing when and how well they were done, but it may cost more in the overall.

Buying a more expensive "better" car gives you a car you can drive right away, but, unless everything is documented, you won't know what and when things were done, and how well. You may find, even w/ a PPI, things could turn up @ any time that have to be addre$$ed.