Would this 911 be a good buy?

[black_falcon]

84 3.2 Targa, 149k, original owner, white with red interior, whale tail, asking $11k.

The good:

- Turbo Tie Rods
- No rust, original bodywork, accident free
- Owner serviced the car annually no expenses spared
- No dash cracks
- Motor runs out very strong
- Best shifting 915 I've ever driven
- No smoke, that I could see.

The bad:


- Targa top in okay shape, will need to to be recovered down the line
- A/C needs recharge
- Drivers side seat and interior carpet were a bit tired
- Some of the exterior rubber seals around the door are tired
- Motor has never been opened, unknown when the last valve job was done.
- Seller stated it leaks several quarters of oil out when stored over winter, but hardly leaks when driven in the summer.
- Noticed a little "chattering" from the motor once it was warm, but I don't know if that's normal.


It feels like a well maintained 911 that needs a little TLC in the interior. I've wanted to take the 911 plunge from 944's for a while and for the money, this seems like a good candidate. I would perform a PPI, of course, but the the 911 has so many expensive "gotchas" that I'm scared I'll end up rebuilding the top end or with pulled studs.

Looking for opinions on this one!

[bkreigsr]

go for it. the 'goods' far outweigh the 'bads'
If you been checking pricing on the 84-85's on the Pelican Cars FS forum - this car is way underpriced.
the chattering could be as simple as the heat shield under the cat.
Bill K

[oh snap]

11k for a strong running 3.2 sounds good(maybe even great) to me, even with the issues mentioned. I would still have compression/leak down checked though, as part of a PPI from a reputable specialist.

[boba]

If you address all you mentioned including motor you will be 20K+. You can do that over time. If you have the time, money, and interest; yes it will be a good buy. Be sure to get a complete PPI. Start with the mechanical issues and fix the cosmetics with a solid driver under you.

[nettles503]

Sounds pretty good to me. The leaks clearing up due to being used is consistent with my experience with my '86. Mine was pretty drippy when I got it, primarily from the lower valve covers. But that's gone away with regular use.

What's the "chattering" from the motor all about? Maybe a valve adjustment would clear that up?

[Dave Colangelo]

Sounds good to me, 11K is on the lower end of what the 3.2's have been going for lately I have seen them fetching closer to 15K. But look at it this way. With 149K on the clock the car has been driven, I would expect the targa top to be worn simply form the time its spent out of the garage on the road, same goes for the weather seals. The AC is and always will be an uphill battle but its a targa who cares if the AC works. I have a 78SC targa with no AC and I have never wanted it. I say if you get the car ditch the AC compressor, save the weight and roll with the top down. The seats and carpets will wear over time, I have iggy seat covers in my 944 and you can almost not tell they are covers from 2ft and I would never know from more than 5ft.

There is a thread here I remember reading where someone had that oil leak in the winter problem but I dont remember what the solution was, try to find it, but if it does not leak when in use it sounds like its in decent shape.

The engine clatter does alarm me a bit but I would agree that a valve job will most likely take care of that.

Just curiously if its the original owner, what kind of paperwork does he have on the car?

Regards
Dave

[996 esquire]

Originally Posted by boba

If you address all you mentioned including motor you will be 20K+.

huh?
where's that number coming from?

[black_falcon]

Originally Posted by nettles503

What's the "chattering" from the motor all about? Maybe a valve adjustment would clear that up?

I first noticed it after about 15 minutes of driving when I blipped the throttle at a traffic light... best I can describe it would be a metallic ticking or sewing machine that would increase/decrease with revs. Not overly loud but present. If that isn't normal for a 3.2, then valves would be my guess..

Just curiously if its the original owner, what kind of paperwork does he have on the car?

He has most of his service receipts but thinks some might have gotten thrown away. Nothing else that he mentioned.

[rwilner]

I have been shopping for carreras for a few months. Based on what you posted I think 11k is a great deal for that car. As a reference point: I am negotiating now for a 2-owner 85 with 77k and the asking price is $20k.

If you drove it and it seemed sorted, jump on it! I think that if you changed your mind, you could easily get back what you paid.

(It's so easy to spend someone else's money...)

Good luck!
Rich

[CCM911]

A steal. $!!K for a 3.2 is a great deal. And as long as it checks out in the PPI, you should be fine.

Plus, I am biased towards RED interiors.

As for the chattering, could it just be ticking valves? If it is, no problem, as you will be going in and adjusting the valves as part of your initial baselining anyway.

I do wonder about the "several quarts" leaking out over the winter. That is a lot of oil. In the best case, it will be an obvious bad gasket that can be easily replaced.

Please let us know what you do. This sounds like a fun "mini-project".

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

84 3.2 Targa, 149k, original owner, white with red interior, whale tail, asking $11k.

The good:

- Turbo Tie Rods
- No rust, original bodywork, accident free
- Owner serviced the car annually no expenses spared
- No dash cracks
- Motor runs out very strong
- Best shifting 915 I've ever driven
- No smoke, that I could see.

A complete, running, no rust, accident free Carrera is a "can't miss" at $11K.

[SiberianDVM]

Absolutely, buy it! Quick! But after a PPI. I didn't get one, and lucked out.