Considering 1982 SC Targa purchase and have a few questions

Kaiser0929 · 08-04-2008, 07:38 AM

Hello all,

It's my first time posting here, but I've been reading old posts like mad thanks to my latest obsession: a 1982 SC Targa that's been for sale for (apparently) a few months in the next town over from me (see pics below). I'm trying to prep myself as completely as possible for when I speak to the current owner, and I'm slowly building my checklist of questions based on the info I've read here.

I'll be asking the usual maintenance and updates questions (has the chain tensioner been updated, etc), but I'd still like to clear up a few things assuming my initial look at the car and discussion with the owner goes well. First and foremost, would it really be best if I brought it to a local Porsche dealer to inspect, or would my own (trusted) mechanic be sufficient? Would a modern Porsche-trained mechanic really know what to look for on a 26 year old car any better than a generalist?

Also, based on the '82 SCs I've seen on here, it would appear that the seats in this one are not the original factory ones (unless Targas came with different sears, which seems odd). Should that tip me off to look for/ask about other non-factory parts thay may have been used?

Re: the Targa top, a friend of mine (who owned an 82 SC Targa himself a while back) said it's a more or less a given that they will leak in the rain...at least somewhat. Is that accurate? I don't plan on driving it in rain, and the car would be kept in my garage when not being driven.

I'm sure I'll have more questions later, but thanks very much for any info or tips.
- Kai

zbph10 · 08-04-2008, 07:45 AM

Take the car for a PPI with a PORSCHE mechanic/specialist. WIth these cars the purchase price is the least of your worries and $300 is a small price to pay if they find some issues. THe PPI is also a great way to negotiate with the buyer for smaller things found.

Lots of information out there on what the common issues are with these cars

Just my 2 cents worth
Good luck

vash · vash's Garage

i wonder what he means by "new wires"? maybe spark plug wires.

i think you should take it to a porsche mechanic for the PPI. the price is ok. you have wiggle room. my past targa leaked.

Kaiser0929 · 08-04-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zbph10

Take WIth these cars the purchase price is the least of your worries and $300 is a small price to pay if they find some issues.

Good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

i wonder what he means by "new wires"? maybe spark plug wires.

That's my assumption, too. I'll confirm.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

Rot 911 · 08-04-2008, 08:09 AM

Those seats look like they are out of a 928.

MOMO3.2 · 08-04-2008, 08:17 AM

Kai:

The first step I would take is to find a Porsche mechanic in your area that has a solid reputation. Maybe post here on Pelican to get some referrals in your area. Porsche dealerships generally do not see many air-cooled 911's.

Next, you need to be sure you want a Targa and not a Coupe. If this car will not be a daily driver and you are willing to put up with a few leaks and squeaks, the Targa may be a plus for you. I own an 87 Targa and cannot imagine giving up the open air driving experience. The lines of a Coupe are beautiful as they flow and pinch down on the rear, but, it is what happens inside the car that really counts for me.

As for the seats, they look like they may be from a Porsche 928. The middle portion of the seats is different from what you would expect in a 911. They also look like the newer style seat that followed the SC style seats.

Finally, Don't get emotionally attached to the car. Be very picky. Ask: is there any evidence of crash damage, rust, mechanical issues, head studs, does everything function properly, how does the top fit (it looks a little long in the tooth and a rebuilt Targa top is PRICEY), ect...

Good luck Kai!

Mike

mike monde · 08:25 AM

I would take it to a mechanic who is familiar with older Porsche's. A dealership may have someone who is familiar with a SC, but it is getting harder to find one that has mechanics that know these older cars inside and out.
You want someone who knows this vintage 911 and can sniff out issues.

Targa? I have owned all three, coupe, cab and now a targa. My car is a weekend warrior that rarely has the top on it. My targa does rattle and leaks in heavy rain, but it rarely, if ever sees rain. To me, you cant beat the open air driving in a Porsche.

Price....I was once told that these cars are all 20K to 24K cars when it is all said and done. The price probable reflects its condition and you should be prepared to drop some $$ into it.

This example looks like it is going to need some TLC, IMO.

MOMO3.2 · 08-04-2008, 08:30 AM

Double Post--oops.

Mike

dlague · 08-04-2008, 08:31 AM

be sure you want a targa. Well my opinion....I like 911 coupes.

Kaiser0929 · 08-04-2008, 08:51 AM

Good call on the 928 seats; a quick GIS indicates you're likely right.

Thanks for the tips and info, guys. I'll search the forums to see if anyone in CT can recommend a mechanic. And as for the Targa thing...well, I'm 35 and my love of 911s goes back to early childhood, as does yours, I'm sure. Targa, coupe, convertible...plaid...I love them all equally. I agree with Mike and Momo...I'd really enjoy the openness of the targa top (in sunny weather, of course).

jh225 · 08-04-2008, 09:01 AM

Window seal needs replacement (hich means they all probably do), Targa top does not fit flush in the front or the rear, so it will probably leak and have wind noise, non-original seats (the color doesn't even match the door panels. fairly high miles (engine rebuilt? Trans? Clucth?).

Can't speak as to the panel gaps because you don't show side views.

Looks to be a car that was driven and only fixed things when they broke.

Where in CT?

OldTee · 08-04-2008, 10:08 AM

Car has been repainted. Note lic bracket. It should be black. Check for bondo using a magnet and a quarter. Unlikely this car will ever be a $24K car. Check trunk carefully. Have whoever does the PPI to check head studs. Could be a fair buy at $11k.

robert walsh · 08-04-2008, 01:54 PM

I think you have a good car there at a fair price, get a compression/leakdown test on the engine, at 135K it will give you very accurate info on the engine, look for rust in all known areas of concern, the seat issue is of no concern to me but it is to others i think they look great, door panels look good, hows the carpet, replacements are pricey. Any known clutch replacement, again pricey. Paint appears in the pic's to be pretty nice, check brakes and tires and your good to go. You can overlook concerns over bad a/c as it rarely works well anyway. The targa top will leak and be noisey, but as with my'83 cab i just can't imagine ever going back to a coupe, years ago i thought i would never want a cab, so things change, i found the car i liked 2 towns over and against everyone advice i did my own PPI, and bought the car and have been addicted to it ever since. If you drive it and enjoy and most of all can affoed it, with money available to fix a few things, get the compression / leakdown test, if it's positive, buy it. Someone else will always be wiating to take your place and buy it from you. Good luck

jh225 · 08-04-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert walsh

I think you have a good car there at a fair price, get a compression/leakdown test on the engine, at 135K it will give you very accurate info on the engine, look for rust in all known areas of concern, the seat issue is of no concern to me but it is to others i think they look great, door panels look good, hows the carpet, replacements are pricey. Any known clutch replacement, again pricey. Paint appears in the pic's to be pretty nice, check brakes and tires and your good to go. You can overlook concerns over bad a/c as it rarely works well anyway. The targa top will leak and be noisey, but as with my'83 cab i just can't imagine ever going back to a coupe, years ago i thought i would never want a cab, so things change, i found the car i liked 2 towns over and against everyone advice i did my own PPI, and bought the car and have been addicted to it ever since. If you drive it and enjoy and most of all can affoed it, with money available to fix a few things, get the compression / leakdown test, if it's positive, buy it. Someone else will always be wiating to take your place and buy it from you. Good luck

Sorry, but only half your advice is good advice.

A leakdown test, any rebuilds/replacements are fine.

The OP sounds like he knows very little about cars or at least this type of car, so a PPI wold surely benefit him.

A Targa will not always leak or have wind noise. Mine does neither. It fits very flush. The one on that car will leak.

That car also obviously needs some weatherstrip replacement and its a good bet that all the rest of the rubber around the doors and Targa roof are shot as well.

Paint is in no way something you can tell from a far away photo. You can easily hide rust in a photo, nevermind paint defects.

The seats are an issue. Whether or not they bother the buyer is a different story, but there has to be a reason the original were replaced.

You may have lucked out by not having a PPI, but not everyone does. I myself did not have a PPI, but I have been building, buying, selling, trading, restoring cars for 30 years and I knew what to look for.

If all things check out, the car has no bodywork, issues, etc., then yes that may in fact be a decent price, but none of us can tell from a couple of photos.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Re: 'Book 12k-18k.' I'm thinking probably less than 10k. FWIW, a complete targa top rebuild is close to $1k. Get a PPI and drive a couple of cars before you buy so you're sure.

Good luck with it!

Paul.

P.S. Targas rock!

holtjv · 08-04-2008, 05:37 PM

All this advice is excellent. My only add is to make double-dog sure the PPI mechanic takes off the valve covers to check the headstuds--a very costly fix and incredibly easy to check for--but some mechanics will balk at being asked to do it (mine was) even when paid, strangely.

Good luck--I think the car looks great. Is it the original color repainted?

holtjv · 08-04-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtjv

All this advice is excellent. My only add is to make double-dog sure the PPI mechanic takes off the valve covers to check the headstuds--a very costly fix and incredibly easy to check for--but some mechanics will balk at being asked to do it (mine was) even when paid, strangely.

Good luck--I think the car looks great. Is it the original color repainted?

Oh..the color code is on the plate on the driver's door jamb--usually 3 digits, I think, and lots of threads with the code translations.

j

GBG1000 · 08-04-2008, 05:53 PM

That car LOOKS great. I may be biased. I have an 84 Carrera same color.

My personal opinion- If the mechanicals check out and you are not looking for a concourse quality garage queen it will be worth every penny.

If you are going to keep it and drive it and enjoy it then I would go for it. No disrespect to some of these other guys posting but it seems like a lot of these guys expect concourse for $11K.

krusttilicious · 08-04-2008, 06:02 PM

Where in CT is the car located?

robert walsh · 08-04-2008, 06:15 PM

I agree 100% to check out the headtuds, platinum metalic is my favorite color, hwich means next to nothing. In your openning post i got the feeling that you have seen the car in person, follow up on all pre purchase details that will make you comfortable in "your" purchase. I personally have owned several differnt porsches over the years from '59 356, '72 911s and now a '83 cab, i have truely loved them all, in all honesty i could and perhaps should bought an '89 3.2 g50 cab but i found this low milage '83 cab 3.0, i brushed up on what to look for and went for a little less performance and sophistication to get what a felt and still feel was a little more of a pure porsche to me at least, i know the 915 tranny, cable clutch and headstud issues were all potential problems, as i mentioned i was not investing all my money in this car, it was a car i really wanted that combined my wants and needs, without leaving me broke, i got the platinum metalic, with cork interior (no cracks or splits) black top and carpet and no stud problems excellent compression and the leakdown results were fantstic. Do your homework, get a PPI, and if you like it and can afford it buy. I hope you anjoying working on these cars and learn alot it is a great hobby and passion to follow. Maybe my '83 cab being the last 911SC and only year of the cab 911SC may become a collectible year maybe not, i just know i get a real thrill every time i take it out, Best of luck with whatever porsche you end up with, you'll be happy you did.