I would not buy an SC without having the PPI include pulling the lower valve covers to check for broken head studs. A leak down and compression checks may not uncover this common SC problem. Search the multitude of broken head stud threads. It may be an additional cost for the PPI but money well spent to assure yourself that there is not a problem with the dilivar lower head studs.

Thor

Will the seller put you in touch with the last owner? Who might put you in touch with the prior owner?

Way too much was way too vague about this '81 SC (above) to leave me comfortable; the only thing for sure was the asking price and that was way too high.

I feel lucky I found the Pelican Forums and, happily, bought better in every possible respect from a member here. I ended up with a black/linen '87 Targa (below) in very good trim - car of my dreams way back when and now. Wife even likes the wind noise. She sees the targa experience as safer and equal to or better than the GoldWing. I'm losing the bike and my beloved Mercedes 350SD (300,000 miles over the last 16-years, 570,000 on the odometer) but a daily-driver targa is a fair swap. :D

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B...0/P1010349.JPG

Good for you! :)

I hate to say this, but I bought my '86 911 based on a GREAT PPI (leak down, comp., the works). I've had it for 9 years and it now has over 100k miles. It's the most reliable car I've owned!

No records is an indicator, not a rule (IMHO).

Al

So the poll (OP) and your valued advice indicates. It just didn't work that way for me on this car, on that day.

one word...leakdown

I bought mine .. no PPI .. almost no paper work ... but paid a lot less ...

3 years later .. about 15 K miles ... did a tune up three oil changes and have had very good luck ... I always have done my own work and have had an issue or two but (KNOCK KNOCK) nothing to bad .... I do have a long history with aircools etc ... the other air cooled

but my opinion 25k no papers I would not do it ..

I could literally buy a few of mine for that price and have money for a tune up at the dealer left ...