Need help with 1986 911 Coupe

[SimonSmit]

Ladies and Gents,

First post here.

I am currently looking at trading in my MY07 Subaru WRX for something different, more usable. I was thinking about trading it in for a 1986 Black Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe at the local dealership. They are asking $14,800 for the car they have on the lot. The paint is in okay condition, a lot of swirls, scratches, some fading, but overall okay. It has about 100k miles on the odometers, the wipers work, the headlights work, everything is good. The synchros on the tranny need a little love for 1 & 3 gears. The interior is in good condition with no wear on the seats, deterioration of the door sill splash guard with minor rust. There is no rust that I could feel or see on the undercarriage. Everything but the AC works as it should.

They offered 11.5K for my WRX which isn't a lot for what I have in it (as wrenching on cars goes...). I just recently talked to the pre-owned sales man and he just told me that the car was totaled when it had 30 miles on it... I have yet to figure out what happened to it, but the body seemed fine, it rode like a cloud, and seemed alright to me.

I am not sure what a car like this is worth now with 100k on the odometer and a salvaged title? Anyone know?

I would like just to get rid of my Subaru for the Carrera and my sport bike for a cheap truck for the winters but I am not sure. Thoughts?

[DG624]

door sill splash guard with minor rust.

I had the same thing when I bought my 86 in 1998. I recently spent about $2000 per side to have this rust fixed. Beware! If you don't mind a rebuild then buy, but it can be time and money. Also look for rust at the windshield cowl lower edge and around the front suspension below the gas tank...mine rusted there also. This rust is hard to see unless you pull out the carpet and look under the car. Leaks at the windshield can be seen as water marks on the inner weatherstripping and under the dash.

Expect to replace parts since this is an older car but you can have the compression checked. The valve guides are not easy to check but if the car shows blue smoke after hard acceleration and deceleration (accelerate hard and let off gas) then they are suspect.

My transmission was having problems with a bad 1st gear and later the clutch. A new clutch is around $1500 and 1st 2nd gear is around $2000 more. See how easily it shifts and engages...there should not be any slipping.

It is easiest to have a mechanic look at it first. One thing is true...there are plenty of 911s so don't buy the first one.

[1986911]

Totaled? All the Porsche buyers guides have read have said to steer clear of wrecked 911's Its due to the fact that they have no frames so they are difficult to get right again. $14.8 is a little ambitious on their part. Especially on a salvage car. If the car lasted this long after being fixed they must have done a good job so I would go with an even exchange (not a dollar more) or just walk away.

There are tons of 911's (121 to be exact) that may work better for you:

Find Your Car: Porsche 911 Listings Near Lithia, FL 33547 - AutoTrader.com

I have an 86 and love it so I know its tempting. I spent 2 years searching for my 89 Factory Slant and its perfect. Take your time, its part of the fun

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by 1986911

Totaled? All the Porsche buyers guides have read have said to steer clear of wrecked 911's Its due to the fact that they have no frames so they are difficult to get right again.

I think OP meant his WRX had been totaled then fixed before he bought it; and didn't find out about it until the dealer checked out the WRX as part of the trade-in valuation process . . .

[warner53]

Just want to suggest having compression and leak down done by someone that knows 911's. Along with a good PPI inspection.

Rebuilding the motor is a expensive proposition.

If everything looks good trade the sdealer straight across....LOL

Warner

[SimonSmit]

Originally Posted by Flat Six

I think OP meant his WRX had been totaled then fixed before he bought it; and didn't find out about it until the dealer checked out the WRX as part of the trade-in valuation process . . .

Nah, my subie has a clean title.


Thanks again guys for the help. I pretty much figured if they don't go down in price or if they don't want a straight trade, I am willing to walk and sell it online (which I am guaranteed to get more thank that). One thing I love about the Porsche is that it has BBS RS wheels, looks really good on it.


Yeah, when I was a kid my mom's good friend spent a lot of time with me and he had a porsche in NY and I fell in love. Good point about the search being a fun part.