'88 Carrera - too good to be true?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I've got a possible lead on an '88 Carrera with 63k miles on her, no accidents, midnight blue in and out for $15,900.

I haven't spoken with the seller yet. But his brother just called me and said the car is perfect EXCEPT for one cyliner having low compression. Yeah, the devil is in the details.

Assuming that is all that is wrong with this car, would it need a top end job soon? And if so, wouldn't that still be a great investment? $15,900 for the car $3500 or so for the top end and I'd have a pristine, low mile '88 Carrera for under $20k.

I have a lot of other questions for the seller, and since I already have an '87, which I think was one of the lucky ones to not have premature valve guide wear, I'm in no desperate quest for another 911. But this may be a great deal. Comments?

yelcab1 · 03-07-2002, 06:04 AM

It is somewhat presumtuous to assume that the top end is the only thing needed. I would at least take off $5K for the low-compression. But ... a leak down test will tell much more.

Jdub · 03-07-2002, 06:07 AM

My experience with a low cylinder was lucky: Techron runs loosened up the rings on the car, which had been sitting for some time (about 1/2 a year). Compression returned and I went from about 15% leakdown to under 7% (worst cylinder).

This car has low miles, sat a lot? Might take the test ride nice and hot and then PPI it. Sound pretty good to me though.

John

Decolliber · 03-07-2002, 06:41 AM

I am no mechanic, but I don't think good compression results mean that you would not have worn valve guides. I bought my 88 Carrera in 2000 for $17.5K. It had some cosmetic issues, but the compression was 160-170 on all cylinders. Yet after nearly two years of ownership I am using about 1 qt of oil per 500 miles, sometimes as low as 300 miles. Since I have found no oil leaks, I am assuming that worn valve guides are most likely the culprit, though I have found no oil on the plugs, yet.
The price you are being offered is unusually low, and I would be suspicious. A Carfax check may be of some help.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I just called the seller and we had a long chat. He’s a mechanic and has a 944 and a 993, so he knows what he’s talking about. But strangely, he could not tell me a few things that anyone selling a 911 should know. He said the car uses Mobil 1 and does not leak at all, but consumes oil. He couldn’t tell me how many miles he gets per quart. Sounds like his seals are excellent, but he's having premature valve guide wear. He said he priced out the work at Porsche of Arlington ($1200-$2000 – very low for a dealership top-end rebuild) and at Rockville Porsche ($3000). Looks like I should stick with my car. For $3000 I can make it look perfect and it already runs perfect – and I feel very confident about my car. I’ll keep her.

schulr · schulr's Garage

I agree with you Richard, while 63k is nice, its what happened during the first 63k that matters, obviously something or someone did not look after details and there may be more beyond that. Still could be a good buy for someone if a ppi turns up good.

Bob

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

Give Nostatic a call. He obviously can't find anything on the left coast.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Anyone who can't find a good Carrera on the left coast, doesn't deserve a P-car - and certainly would have a hard time on the east coast.

Decolliber · 03-07-2002, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by schulr
obviously something or someone did not look after details
Bob

My recollection from reading Anderson's book is that worn valve guides are not necessarily a sign of abuse by the owner. He suggests that it may be a result of faulty fuel injection that sets the mixture too rich and washes the oil out of the valve guides, leading to premature wear.

JDaniel · JDaniel's Garage

I am assuming that worn valve guides are most likely the culprit, though I have found no oil on the plugs,

As I understand it, your exhaust valve guides can be very worn and show no residue on the plugs.
Oil is pulled past, and out the valve through the exhaust... never reaching the combustion chamber. I'd be careful. One dropped valve can be a whole $$ headache.
I got paranoid about my cars oil consumption (and fouled plug) last fall. I'm getting the top-end done as soon as I can get it into the shop.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Well it's looking like it would be a great deal for someone who has about $20k to throw at it. I don't. I'm pretty sure nothing this car needs will cost as much (plus sales price) as it would be worth when it's all fixed.

Jim T · 03-07-2002, 11:21 AM

Would a worn valve guide give low compression?

Esp. in only one cylinder.

Anyways, I think that price is about right. Certainly not in the "too good to be true" category. A 911 with a bum cylinder is hard to sell, your pool of potential buyers is pretty small. Most "normal" buyers of a car like that just want a nice car, not a project.

But the price is probably pretty good for someone who has the ability to work on the car themself, and wants a project. Drop the engine out, do the heads and all the valve guides, and its probably a nice, 300,000 mile car.