I already have a LHD version and would not hesitate to do it again. Import laws allow cars pre 1990 as long as there are no "modifications". If the car is over 30 years old no requirement to convert from LHD. of course there are compliancing costs but overall it's a good deal if you can source a good one.
Getting locals to accept LHD is no big deal is another issue.

Around $3000

Prices have stabilized but not at "$8,500-$10,00"...will you sell me your 3.0 that doesn't need any work, has good compression and leakdown, for $10k? Think about it.

I just spent 5 MONTHS looking and paid $13k for a solid, high mileage 3.2.

John

I'm sure there's a good 1965 XKE for $10k somewhere.

My daughter paid $7800.00 for this strong running 82 sc . ANY MORE QUESTIONS?? Lets remember these are cool cars thats it. A stock mitsy eclipse will beat your stock 82 sc off the line. Sad but true guys.
Like I said before...Buy the dam thing! They are so much fun!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303185256.jpg

Ok the SC didn't work out so I went and looked at a 77s yesterday. It had 161k on it no engine work ever performed besides regular maintenance. The car ran good but the syncros in 1st,2nd and 3rd were toast had to granny shift every gear and it would still grind. The body had rust although minor every panel had some sort of bubbling. Appears the car has seen 3 paint colors!!! The owner wanted $9k and offered $7k cash given the codition. Do you think I offered to low? The car did have ssi heat exchangers but that was about it.

I don't know much about the pre SC models. But that sounds like a rough car. Anything with tons of rust I would definitely stay away from. I think you offered too high!

Yes I think I offered on the high side too.

Holy crap dude, NO! If you can see bubbling in each panel there is a LOOOTTT more under those 3 shades of paint. You offered too high!

Can't remember if '77 was still pre-galvanized but that one's on the road to death when so many are in better shape and the cost to repair is much more than it's worth.

Edit: I'm a middie fan myself (74-77) but they are the least loved at the moment, prices for them are worse tanked than the SC's and Carreras. Although I don't think they should be avoided assuming certain conditions are met.

Sorry

I believe it's the first year of the galv. Yes it's a bummer I wanted the car, but I knew spending more than $7k wasn't worth it so I walked. I couldn't believe the guy wanted $9k. Again it goes back to what I said earlier about people thinking these cars are worth so much more either because of the name Porsche or because it's a classic.

Or hoping they can stumble on a person smitten w/ the Badge, Status, Classic, etc that doesn't bother to look around or check the interweb :)

Conventional wisdom is to stay away from 74-77 year cars as a first time Porsche purchase. There's a reason they are so much cheaper than the SCs and Carreras!

Personally I would recommend you find an excellent SC or Carrera and get that. Spending a few thousand more up front will likely reduce the amount you have to put into it as well as exponentially increasing your enjoyment of the car up front. Buy a running, driving car that needs very little to nothing and drive it for a year! Get to know the car, its quirks, rattles and squeaks. Once you develop a relationship with the car you will be much more likely to do repairs the right way and follow them to completion. Buying a rough car you will have to immediately tear into might save you a few thousand up front but you will likely end up selling a basket case car in a few years once you run out of cash and motivation.

For a reference point, I bought my 1984 Carrera coupe in guards red with an excellent interior and no major mechanical issues about 6 months ago. Had a repaint in original color about 10 years back and still looks shiny. 104k miles on the odo, engine will leak a drop or three of oil a week but nothing major, likely needs new return tubes. Pulls strong to redline and had gearbox rebuilt 6k miles ago by a professional. Came with factory sport seats which are in good to excellent condition.

I bought this car out of Topeka, Kansas for $14k and drove it home. Now, I think I got a heck of a deal, likely I could turn around and sell it right now for $15-16k but the point is, the market is very soft right now and there are a TON of SCs and Carreras out there to be looked at. Don't jump into the first one you see, you might regret it.

Just MHO.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303657479.jpg

I bought an 80 SC with 118k miles for $8000 2 yrs ago. Didn't know about PPI at the time. Found rust in front Pam. Just finished the repaid with new pans. Love the car. Bit I like working on cars.

I could not have said this better than Rick. Been there, done just that.

Also for reference: I paid just over $9k last year for my SC, have put about $1,200 into it so far (plus lots of my own labor)... but I just drive it. I recently returned from an 800 mile round trip and it ran flawlessly... and half the trip was in rain!