choice btw 2 Carreras

[Hnichols]

Fellow Pelicans,
Am interested in your advice. I have had PPI's done on two G50 Carreras, last week an '87, this week an '88. Identical mileage (112K), same color even.

Car A, the '87
1. Clean carfax, but the car has changed hands quite a bit. Present owner has had the car for less than a year. No service records.
2. PPI noted a worn clutch based on high pedal release point.
3. Otherwise positive; some relatively minor issues: tie rod boots torn, right rear CV joint losing grease.
4. Compression #'s good, ranging from 155 to 165.
5. AC hooked up, kind of works.
6. Has two decklids, one with spoiler, one without. Prefer no spoiler.
7. 7"/8" Fuchs
8. Asking price 18K, took off 1K for clutch.

Car B, '88:
1. Second owner; complete records
2 PPI noted high clutch release point, diagnosed worn clutch. Owner disputes that; has records for clutch replacement at 90K.
3. PPI otherwise very positive. Has newer shocks, tie rod ends.
4. Compression excellent: 180 across the board.
5. AC disconnected
6. Has whale tail, which i'd have to replace with a used decklid.
7. 7"/9" fuchs. Would have to get a set of 6" rims to go to the preferred 6"/7" combo.
8. Asking 19K.

So, car A, the '87 will need a clutch fairly soon. Good car otherwise. 18K (if he hasn't sold it yet)
Car B, the '88, might have to address the clutch issue, maybe not. Generally a bit more tip top than the other, complete records. 19K, will have to deal with the cosmetic issues, wheels and decklid.

What do you guys think? Have to make a decision soon.

TIA!

[pegasus9]

A good Porsche tech can sometimes tell just by looking at the bolts how much life a clutch has left. If the owner of "car B" Porsche disputes it and has documents for a clutch replacement at 90k, then it might just be a simple adjustment.

I'd go for "B" since it has all the records. Even if you got "car A" for 18k, a clutch will put you over the "B car".

[plumb4u2]

car B for sure

deck lid issue is minor they come for sale here often

Why in the world would you prefer 6 and 7 Fuchs???
7 and 9 look the best by far

[Hnichols]

Thanks, guys. That's kind of where I was leaning, as well. But let's see what some others say ...

Justin: I will be doing alot of city driving (unfortunately!), including parallel parking, so narrower tires I think will be more practical. The fat tires and the tail have a badass look that 's not really my style -- to each his own, I guess!

[westcoast911]

Go for car "A",then send me the contact info for car "B"?

Seriously though,if it were me I would be leaning towards "B" because I prefer the 7" & 9" wheels,and the whale tail. Sounds like you like the first one better for more cosmetics than anything.

Whatever one you choose,I am interested in the one left over.

Thanks!

[Arne2]

If you buy car B, I'd happily trade you my 6" for those 9 inchers!

[Dantilla]

Deck lids are easy to find.

Chalk up another vote for car "B".

6" Fuchs are also easy to find, as most want to put their 7" in front and find a pair of the hard-to-find 9".

[JAR0023]

I'm in the market and I'd chose car B but I'd want to know more about the disconnected A/C. Not charged up and missing components are two different things. A/C is important down here.

Feel free to send me info on the one you don't choose.

J

[Arne2]

But then again, the only things that I'd be bothered about on car A is the lack of history and the clutch, and if the clutch on car B is truly mis-diagnosed based solely on pedal height, that could be the case for car A as well. Lots of owners isn't always bad, by my count I'm the 8th owner of my '84.

I'd trade you my 6's for the 8's on car A, too.

[Canada Kev]

Plus another for car B.

It is also quite difficult to get good tires for 9 inch wheels (245/45-16). I think I'd look for 8 inchers for the rear and keep the 7s up front. The steering effort at low speeds is negligible between the two wheel widths, especially seeing that the tire size between the two wheel combos (6/7 vs. 7/8) are the same at 205 and 225.

When you said that car A had 7 and 8 inch wheels, are they 15" diameter? I don't think that the 7 and 8 inch combo was available that year in 16 inch. They may have been changed, but it would be good to know, as tires for those wheels don't grow on trees, either.

[SilberUrS6]

Car B.

If the car has 16x9 wheels, folks will pay A LOT to get ahold of those. Enough to offset buying a decklid and wheels and tires. And have the decklid painted properly.

[Hnichols]

Thanks for your input, everybody.

The seller of car B made it easy: just offered the car for 17K. I think he's motivated to sell (a month ago he was asking 20K). Or else the car really does need a new clutch. Either way, it's an easy decision now.

Westcoast911: PM me if you're serious about your interest in Car A. I can put you in contact with the seller; can also email you the PPI to save you the trouble. There's an element of self-interest in this: if you like the whale tail, he might be persuaded to sell me the spare decklid.

[full_garage]

In my experience there are so many factors other than compression numbers, leakdowns and clutch life to what makes an old car like this a joy to own or a pig to own.

Believe me- a car that the mechanic loves that has one or two unsolvable rattles will make you wish for an early death. You can drive to nearly identical spec cars and have completely different driving experiences. I now own an 88 coupe and an 89 cab, similar mileage and each car has strong and weak points.

Have you been able to drive each of these are or they long distance deals? I think you should buy an old car with your heart, even though most of the advice is to only use your head. Guess I'm a romantic.

[Ray-1]

I liked it that the car B owner disputed the possible clutch problem. That tells me he probably has pride in ownership of that vehicle and took good care of it.(Maybe not), but it is likely he did care for and made sure the care was maintained.

[rnln]

B for sure, compression

[Hodgey]

Car B........records do it for me, plus the G50 Carrera has a high bite point any way- had my clutch disc replaced 10k and 2years ago (weekend driver) at 185k. I have every record except 6 months and these cars are uber reliable whenthey are driven...HARD!

[NewfieMZ3]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

Car B.

If the car has 16x9 wheels, folks will pay A LOT to get ahold of those. Enough to offset buying a decklid and wheels and tires. And have the decklid painted properly.

This is by far your best bet.........those 9's are worth good $$$$, I got real lucky on a set last year.....

[ivangene]

get B for $18 and sell the 9's for "good money" find a set of 6's for next to nothing

what color are the cars (both same?)
interior/exterior (color)


well, i like a nice color