Advice wanted on '75 911S purchase

[Jeff Winter]

I ran across a nice clean 75 911s today for sale.... $16K OBO. What are your opinions on this car for investment purposes? Clock shows 65K miles. Underside is spotless. I havn`t driven it yet but seem to remember a few years that had Magnesium cases with studs that where pulling out. Anything I should pay particular attention to? I know the earlier cars pretty well but after `72 I`m a bit out in left field. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[Hesse James]

Hello Jeff,

16K is a tough word. You could expect a very good car in and out, best case not repainted with all the updates necessary done to the engine. In this price range you should be able to get each and every document related to the car. The engine is good for 200K+ if maintained properly and all updates (oil fed chain tensioners, pop-off valve, turbo valve cover) and deletes (if there were those thermal reactors - but I think they came later). Rust should be no point of concern in that price range, but be sure to inspect the car in all critical areas - 75 cars were not galvanized - it came partly in 76 and on the whole chassis in the 80ies. So there could be hidden rust spots. Run a PPI with lekdown/compression test. This will cost you 2-4 % of the price you pay for the car but could save you thousands. I think 911 from those years are simply great looking cars and worth to be preserved. I personally do not like the SC's over the mid years because of the flares and so much electric equipment packed on the car. The 75 is a simple straight car.

best regards

Heiko

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by Jeff Winter

I ran across a nice clean 75 911s today for sale.... $16K OBO. What are your opinions on this car for investment purposes? Clock shows 65K miles.

I think $16 is over what it's worth and probably will not appreciate above that. After 1974, the 'S' designation really didn't carry a lot of weight (read $$$).
While the middies have many great qualities, they are not considered highly collectable years, which is what will determine eventual appreciation. In this market, that $16K will get you a lot more car.

[roadrelic]

I myself have a '74 911 sunroof coupe, and I would also have to agree with the others.... $16K is top money for the middle year cars currently (of course unless it's a Carrera). For that kind of money I would expect the best, with the paperwork to prove it. Even for $16K I would consider the car to be a "driver" which should be used and enjoyed to the fullest. You probably won't see values on these cars increase anytime soon.

[4flyboy]

I'm sorry but I think that the prior posts are being delicate. I really believe that with the few specs. you've provided that 16K (respectfully) is stupid money. As an investment lousy.

Have you been shopping for very long? While this car may seem rare there are tons of collectible cars trading at distressed prices that we may not see again for quite some time. As tonythetarga said the "S" designation after '74 doesn't carry the same panache.

I strongly suggest that you cast a wide net and spend mucho time looking. It is really one of the best parts of the process. Finding the "right" car to drive, enjoy and spend your money on is key.

By the way if you'd qualified by telling us you wanted a car to drive the snot out of and not said "investment" I'd still think it overpriced but to each his own. Boys and toys!

I've had a '74 Carrera, '77 S and currently an '85 Carrera and all had their own personality, strengths and weaknesses. As much as I loved them all I would have spent far more time researching and looking than falling in love and spending money!

Have fun and good luck,

S.

P.S. PPI, PPI, PPI, PPI, PPI

[Walter_Middie]

I'm sorry but I think that the prior posts are being delicate.

I agree 100% with this statement. Top money for a mid-year is closer to $12 to maybe $14. And when the above posts say the car should have all updates, this includes having the engine rebuilt with all the important stud threads in the block strengthened. A mid-year with low miles could be a red flag in that it has not had the proper engine upgrades. $16 is ridiculous money for a mid-year, and you will loose a lot of money buying this in depreciation alone. Not a good investment at all. What's really sad, is that mid-years are great buys - because they sell for such low money. Don't pay a high price for a mid-year. If you want a mid-year, find a reasonably priced one with all the upgrades, and drive the snot out it.

[roadrelic]

Well high nada retail books out at $17,600. Though I haven't seen any middle year sell for that lately. Unless you're talking "barrett-jackson" type prices..... A better car could be had for far less money, that is unless the seller has about $5K of haggling built-in to the asking price???

[jhynesrockmtn]

I would also spend plenty of time on the board educating yourself as to the potential issues the mid year cars have with the 2.7. Plenty of fans and those that wouldn't touch one on the board. Definately not an investment grade vehicle if that's what you're really looking for. I'm not sure any of of them are after 1973 unless they are a special issue car like a Speedster, RSA, 74 or 75 Carrera, etc.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by roadrelic

Well high nada retail books out at $17,600.

NADA is living in a dream world.

[roadrelic]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

NADA is living in a dream world.

I agree but that "dream world" just so happens to run financing/insurance in the automotive world, whether it be KBB or NADA...

[afterburn 549]

But , they are all getting scarcer every day......and the mid ones once they are sorted out have some advantages..
They are lighter
The Eng have a bad name so there are some cheap 2.7 parts around

[4flyboy]

16 Grand?

NOW?

It had better not need any parts for quite some time........

[Rmally]

Just for refrence I just purchased a 1975 911s Silver Anniversary edition three weeks ago in very good condition. The original asking price was $16k but after months of not selling the owner finally took my offer........$10,500.

My car really needs nothing except to be driven, all the prior mentioned engine upgrades had already been done. It still has original paint with a few scratches and minor surface rust but looks and drives GREAT.

I was specifically looking for a mid year, and having the Silver Anniversary was a plus. Being a new 911 owner I don't have the knowledge yet to advise on pricing but I would make an offer several thousand dollars less.

Good luck with your search and purchase.

[Winter]

I have to agree. $10,000 could get you something super sweet when it comes to a middie. I knew very little about these cars until I bought my '75 for next to nothing ($3k), and started lurking on Pelican. The fact that middies are the lost children of the P-car world means that initial cost of ownership is downright cheap compared to earlier years. If you want to spend $16k, start looking for an earlier 911 or a later one. For '74 and '75 models, you can get a lot of car for $10k, probably even less. And don't buy a general production middie as an investment. unless your idea of "investment" is investing in driving enjoyment and tinkering with your toy.

my $0.02.

Good luck.

---

Tom '75 Targa ("stinky")

[Jeff Winter]

Thanks for your candid and unbiased opinions. As I suspected, the price was a bit `optimistic`. I just happened to run across this car and on a whim I thought I`d see just how motivated the seller might be. Price came down to 10K but even at that I decided to look for a better investment. I was tempted.......

I just wish I still owned my `69 911E targa.......... great car. sigh..........

bottom line............. Thanks so much for your opinions !

[Rmally]

I feel your pain......I sold my 68 softwindow Targa in 2004........(Still makes me sick)

[911st]

If you like the narrow body impact bumper cars and are the type that likes to make your car as clean as you can and maybe do the "wash & shine" shows this could be a great car.

It costs so much to fix up or work on an old Porsche that I would rather pay a top price for a well preserved example.

Having said that, there a some very nice SC and 3.2 drivers in that price range.

Also, this is a Buyer's market for a car like that I would think. Do not be afraid to tell them how much you applicate there car and ask if they would consider a lower price.

[Jeff Winter]

Rmally..............

I just peed in my pants.............. my targa was that color green too!!!

SCHWEEEETTT !!!!

I`m bet`n it`s worth a buck or two today, sorry it`s not in YOUR garage .

[topgub]

$16K, WAY TOO MUCH! It better be immaculate with a 3.0 engine. Don't buy car with a 2.7 unless you can steal it. I sold a complete 2.7 engine for $500 two years ago and was glad to get that. Unless they've been completely rebuilt (and correctly) a 2.7 is good for a boat anchor.

[Joe Bob]

A 75 "S" weren't nutin special......does ya gets a reach around and a squeal?