1978 SC Pricing and Precautions?

[MassGuy]

I am looking at a 78 SC with 105,000 miles on the clock. The car has a recent respray and cold starts fine. The price is $8000 but I have made a feeler offer of $7000.

What are todays prices like on older high mile SC's?
What are the negative for this year?

All in all its a decent car for the money but I would like to open a thread an the year and see what turns up. When I get it up on a lift I will know what to look for.

Thanks,

Brian

[the]

105K miles isn't "high miles" for a 30 year old car.

There are no major negatives for that year, other than the stuff that goes along with any 30 year old car (i.e., worn out parts). One of the biggest things to check for is broken head studs. That can turn your $7500 SC into a $12K+ SC very quickly.

The smog equipment is a little more complicated on the 78 and 79 than it is on the 80-83 SC. The 78/79 uses a smog pump and air injection, which clutters up the engine. That stuff was gone in 80.

I'd be a little concerned about a recent repaint on an $8K car. It probably was repainted in order to be able to sell it, so they probably didn't spend $8K on the job. Hard to know what is under that new paint, or what will resurface in a year or two.

Today's market is soft, but even with that softness, IMO a solid, complete, true 105K mile SC is underpriced at $7-$8K, assuming that the compression/leakdown is good, there aren't any broken head studs, and it isn't a former wreck.

[jasonlee]

7-8K is great value for a SC if it all checks out

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by jasonlee

7-8K is great value for a SC if it all checks out

especially if it is only 100K miles.

[Rich76_911s]

Hey Brian,

You have to check for rust on any east coast car you look at. I know they are fully galvanized in 1978 but trust me the east coast can get the best of these cars. I have owned an 80 as well as a 78 and both had rust issues the '80 from New Hampshire had SERIOUS rust issues.

I think your best bet is to have a pre purchase inspection done on the car. I know there are quite a few good shops in Boston and the surrounding areas. It is worth the added cost to know exactly what you are getting into when you are buying a 7000 Porsche.

If it all checks out 7 or 8000 is a very good price for a 1978 SC.

You have larger intake ports in the 1978 3.0L engine which is nice.

[Aurel]

Of course, some pictures would help us tell you if it reallly is a good deal. Especially paint, interior and engine bay. Is the engine original, or was it updated with hydraulic tensionners, pop-off valve and steel exhaust headstuds?

[MassGuy]

It is at a local service station. The owner of the garage is also the owner of the car. I am going to bring my camera. I must tell you right up front that I have owned 7 911's so I am no rookie. On the other hand I am not familiar with the 78 SC's. I will take the advice brought forward and proceed with caution.

I should have some pictures fro you tomorrow!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Brian, can you tell us more about the car? Any idea if it's the car was on CL in Brookline that sold for $3500 instantly? Looking forward to the pics.

[MassGuy]

No this car is no where near the city. I am keeping it under my hat because I do not want anyone getting involved in this deal. Its should turn out to be a good one for me.

I will gladly keep posting as things develop though.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

I love my 78 SC. I paid $15K for it, but mine was a garage queen. Never had a second thought, I love the car.

[MindtrapX]

Is it true that the the late 70's were notorius for electrical issues?? When I was looking for my car, someone had mentioned it to me... Just currious if this is the case.

[81turboporsche]

def check the gaskets check for water leaks and aftermarket wiring or anything fishy in regards to the electrical the last thing you want is a gremlin popping up after you have taken possession of youre car especially due to water or a circiut city audio system job

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by MindtrapX

Is it true that the the late 70's were notorius for electrical issues?? When I was looking for my car, someone had mentioned it to me... Just currious if this is the case.

The "Ungo" alarms and dealer installed options were the main causes for electrical issues, as well as owner installed mobile phones and aftermarket stereo systems. Most of the cars still around have been corrected or should I say, their electrical issues have been cleverly disguised or mitigated.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by MassGuy

I am looking at a 78 SC with 105,000 miles on the clock. The car has a recent respray and cold starts fine. The price is $8000 but I have made a feeler offer of $7000.

Is it a Coupe?

If it is a non-sunroof coupe with no issues then you know you should buy it!

The price seems low, you should pay the money and have it really checked out.

How good is the paint was the rubber replaced? See any over-spray? Original color? Upgrades?

Make sure its a 3.0 or better in there I have seen cars that have an older 2.7L CIS in that the owner thinks is a 3.0, check the numbers.

Even if it was a wreck if it has been repaired correctly then it is a great price for a great year car.

Negatives: East coast car

Positives: Big Port Intake Runners

[N11Porsche]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Is it a Coupe?

If it is a non-sunroof coupe with no issues then you know you should buy it!

The price seems low, you should pay the money and have it really checked out.

How good is the paint was the rubber replaced? See any over-spray? Original color? Upgrades?

Make sure its a 3.0 or better in there I have seen cars that have an older 2.7L CIS in that the owner thinks is a 3.0, check the numbers.

Even if it was a wreck if it has been repaired correctly then it is a great price for a great year car.

Negatives: East coast car

Positives: Big Port Intake Runners

Why would a non-sunroof coupe be more desirable that a sun-roofed coupe? I had an SC and the sunroof was a great feature! I wouldn't buy one without a sunroof. For a track car there is a slight advantage to not having a sunroof but 95% of the P-Car owners on this board don't track their P-Cars on a regular basis, anyway.

7k-8k is a great price on a low-mileage 78 SC.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by N11Porsche

Why would a non-sunroof coupe be more desirable that a sun-roofed coupe? I had an SC and the sunroof was a great feature! I wouldn't buy one without a sunroof. For a track car there is a slight advantage to not having a sunroof but 95% of the P-Car owners on this board don't track their P-Cars on a regular basis, anyway.

7k-8k is a great price on a low-mileage 78 SC.

Um..you answered your own question...

I am in Hawaii and I own a Targa and I love it here but if I was in the tropical northeast US then I would prefer a Coupe. If I was in Sunny Kali then I would probably opt for a sunroof as well.

It has been my observation from being a member of this board and through talking to other Porsche enthusiast that a non-sunroof 911 is more desirable than a Sunroof 911, and a coupe is generally more desirable than a Targa, am I mistaken, have I misread the signs...possibly. Perhaps a poll should be initiated.

[TibetanT]

Make sure its a 3.0 or better in there I have seen cars that have an older 2.7L CIS in that the owner thinks is a 3.0, check the numbers


+1 on this issue...like snbush67 says, check this out.

I saw a 1978 911SC Targa being sold this past year with a rebuilt 2.7L engine in it and original VIN painted over.

However, if it checks out okay after a PPI and has a good 3.0L in it...well, then you just scored BIG TIME!!

Good luck.

[super_dave0069]

IMO if you've got the cash buy it. If it runs, great. If it dies, it would be worth more to part it out. As long as the title is good,I don't see how you could lose either way.

[jeffrey2]

If I were in the market for another 911 I'd most likely buy it, it's a pretty good deal IMO. It's not a SMOKIN deal, but a pretty good deal in this soft economy we're in.

[Deschodt]

Ditto, that is actually "low-miles" borderline garage queen for an SC ;-) The motor is barely broken in ! ;-)

My 5 years younger 83 has almost 200K now... That is also a heck of a good price if the car looks good and runs well... But like every old 911, only a PPI will tell you the whole story.

On the + side, at $7000 or even asking price, you have a lot of room for repairs without being upside down !