First time Porsche owner (86' Targa)

[rideshotgun]

Guys,

Posted this in the wrong forum, so reposting here at the recommendation of a user.

Just wanted to say hey, and tell everyone I'm rarely I forums guy, even though I'm a geek.

But, I'm super excited about my car, it's probably one of the few things in life I really care about.

I just bought it off of ebay, cash for 9k- It's been driving for 2 weeks really well. I'm keeping it in a garage, and I've been obsessing over improving it (on top of its amazing condition)

A couple of quick questions:

1. I don't have the time or space to fix the car myself, but I'm super passionate about keeping this baby in fit condition. Is this the place for me?

2. How do I go about choosing a garage, a home base for this car to be maintained?

3. I feel like I'm one in a million by owning this car. Does everyone else feel this way?

And here she is....







Thanks for reading!

- Ben from New Orleans

[Hugh R]

Nice looking Targa, are you storing it in NOLA or NYC? If you want to do major or minor tinkering this is definitely the place for you. The phone dial wheels are different, but not bad. Really nice looking paint job. Don't fold your Targa top and put it in the trunk, over time it will crack. You can slip it, open, behind the front seats. Welcome!!

[rideshotgun]

Hugh,

Storing it in NOLA- didn't know the wheels were non standard.

Thanks for the top advice! I have made the mistake already, so thanks for correcting me! I'll make sure to put it in the back seat instead of the boot.

- Ben

[Hugh R]

If it doesn't have one, consider buying a Steve Wong chip, the improvements are well worth the couple of hundred bucks. 911chips.com, or from our sponsor.

[80-911SC]

nice car .... phone dials are a different look but if you like them ... if you don't then just sell them and buy what you like ..... at 9k you appear to have done well ....

Did you get a PPI ?????

[rideshotgun]

No, I didn't get a PPI. Is that common?- I bought it on ebay, cash- didn't really know very much about the porsche world, or car enthusiast world in general.

About to take it to: nolasport.net

I kind of like the phone dial wheels. What are the common alternatives? Very curious.

[rideshotgun]

Hugh,


Definitely like the idea of the Steve Wong chip, as the current config hunts for Idle RPM most of the time....just not very sexy/smooth.

Looks very complicated to replace (for me), so I hope the shop will make the mod for me (after I buy).

- Ben

[porschenut]

The phone dials were standard equipment on that car. Fuchs alloys were optional. I think the phone dials look great.

[rideshotgun]

Yea, I just googled the Fuchs alloys- phone dials are my speed.

[silver69]

Great looking 911, love the color and the wheels.

[rideshotgun]

Thanks!

Question. The carpet is all worn down, and is probably the worst part of the car's condition. How much would it cost to replace, and how hard is it typically?

[rideshotgun]

Also, that metal roll bar....

What should I polish/restore that with? If I simply clean it, its too dull....if I use vinylex on it, it looks great, but greats streaks when it rains.

Any tips?

[rideshotgun]

So sorry, one final question:

I purchased it straight from a very knowledgeable dealer who said "all old porsches slowly leak oil, so add oil every xxxx miles."

I've driven it 900 so far.

I can't remember what they said, and I'm about to drive it back home about another 100 miles and I just wanted to see if I should add a bit of oil to be on the safe side until I take it to the Porsche shop in New Orleans where they can orient me to checking the oil and give it a once over.

Thanks again!

[BIGW]

Welcome, and congrats on a very nice looking Targa. You have a lot to learn, and have come to the right place for assistance in getting to know your car. Checking the oil level in these cars is very different from anything you have dealt with before. The car needs to be run to warm the oil to operating temp and then parked on a level area. Then leave it running and open the engine cover. On the passenger side is the oil fill tube. Open it and there is a dip stick in the fill tube. The oil level should be between the marks. Add oil slowly till it is near full mark. Do not over fill. Now get in and check your oil level on the dash instrument. It is next to the fuel. While the engine is idling and warm it should indicate in the middle. This is not always accurate, and the dipstick gives the reliable reading. When the engine is operating above idle speed the dash gauge will read low. Don't let that concern you. Watch you oil level closely, as running low can be a costly mistake. Good luck!

[rideshotgun]

I do have much to learn. I'm starting now, so thanks!

I'm going to call the dealership I bought it from to find out what type of oil they used.

As for the pressure readings, is this the druck press gauge, or the oil gauge all the way to the left to the right of the fuel gauge?

If so, this level is all the way at the bottom on the red unless the car REALLY gets going.

Even when I test drove it a thousand miles ago it was like this. Could be a bad reading, etc- so like you said the dip stick is the most reliable. But, I am curious what the difference is. I probably just need to google it.

Also, with the dip stick, I assume I need to pull it out, wipe it, and dip it all the way back in like a traditional water cooled vehicle.

Thanks again!

- Ben

[rideshotgun]

I'm quickly realizing most of the questions I've asked here are googleable very easily! But thanks for all the welcomes into the board!

[Doug&Julie]

Welcome and beautiful car! It's been a while since we've seen a true newbie with 911s. Jumping in with both feet like you did is dangerous, but you most likely will be fine as you've bought one of the best (most reliable) models of old 911 that you can find.

Lots of great info here on the boards, so spend some time with the search button just to get familiar. I would also recommend some books like Wayne's "101 Projects for your Porsche 911". Wayne is the owner of Pelican and he's written some great books. There are also some great tech articles to help familiarize yourself on the main Pelican site. Bottom line is you've found the best source of info for Porsches right here!

Enjoy that car!

[jkarolyi]

Few people know that phone dials were standard on 911s from '84-87, so your car does have original wheels. Most buyers upgraded to the Fuchs, but I think they look good on your red car and set it apart.

Definitely get the Steve Wong chip...it's the easiest/cheapest/bang for buck mod to do.

Carpet set is another easy/cheap/bang for buck project...I've had good luck with the carpet sets at appbiz dot com...they run about $319 for a basic carpet set and $700 for genuine German silverknit. The look of the basic stuff is great IMHO. They don't have Targa sets on their website...give them a call and they will hook you up.

Enjoy your new ride!

[Hugh R]

Check the oil with the dipstick when warmed up, level and the engine running. Don't drop the dipstick down the fill hole!! Compared the reading to the oil level gauge on the dash and let the gauge earn your trust. The level of the gauge when driving means little. Chip isn't hard to change, just make sure you put in in the right orientation, there is a small circle on one end that goes adjacent to a similar mark on the socket.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by rideshotgun

Hugh,


Definitely like the idea of the Steve Wong chip, as the current config hunts for Idle RPM most of the time....just not very sexy/smooth.

Looks very complicated to replace (for me), so I hope the shop will make the mod for me (after I buy).

- Ben

Ben -- replacing the chip will likely have no effect on the hunting for idle issue. That's indicative of either an air/fuel ratio in need of adjustment, an air leak in the intake manifold, or a dirty/failing idle control valve.

I'd recommend finding a good (pelican group recommended/approved) mechanic that specializes in our vintage of 911s and having the mechanic give your car a thorough once-over and comprehensive servicing (oil & filter change, valve adjustment, brake fluid flush, fuel filter change, etc., etc., etc.) -- if you don't have records from the seller as to what was done to the car, better to assume that all maintenance is now overdue or was not properly performed (the hunting idle should be the first thing a reputable/knowledgeable shop addresses).