On the hunt for my first 911... What do I need to know?

[Ccporsche]

I'm going to be buying my first 911 hopefully in the next couple months if I find the right car. I've searched through the forum and spent time absorbing the wealth of information all of you have contributed to the forum.

What do I need to know? What should I look for? What questions should I ask?

A few things to note:

-This will be mostly a daily driver.
-I'm looking mostly at SC's, 912s and early 911s (if I can find one I can afford).
-I'm looking for a car that hasn't really been modified. I want it to be a mostly honest example of how it came from the factory.
-I live in AZ, so I don't need to worry about winters, but summers are a major concern.
-I'm a total newbie, so any information will help

The search will start with a 74 targa this weekend. I normally wouldn't look at the 70s middies but this one has an SC engine transplant. Not necessarily excited about it, but thought it wouldn't hurt to look.

[Drisump]

The cars you're looking at are 30+ years old. Even if your budget is pretty generous, as a DD a car will most probably have constant little challenges. Are you prepared for that? You being in AZ I'm told that A/C on these cars are almost useless even when they are working at 100% (I never use mine anyway) and I can attest to the "weakness " of their ventilation system (One reason I like the Targa). They're quite a few cars on this forum that are used daily but I would honestly say that most owners have another option at their disposal if they're working on the old 911. I love these cars and it must be said that my 911 has never let me down, but there is always a "to-do"list that seems to grow faster than than I can manage to complete jobs (and that is a 5000 mile per year non DD). Cheers

[Craig_D]

A great resource is 101 Projects for your Porsche 911 which will show you the things you can ask about, or look for in a 911 you're interested in. It also gets you familiar with the estimated costs and time to do some of the projects.

For me, I found a 1978 SC with 97300 miles that already had: Carrera cam chain tensioners, Carrera oil cooler, turbo valve covers, turbo tie rods, and a pop off valve in the airbox. Those are great upgrades and can add up to a couple of thousand dollars.

My car cost under $10,000, but since I've owned it, I've put another $10k into her: wider wheels, ducktail, custom exhaust, carrera sways, tires, headlight relay, new stereo & speakers, Momo steering wheel, WEVO shifter, WEVO coupler, WEVO engine/tranny mounts, sport seat, lightweight starter (the only time she let me down), light weight battery w/Rennline mount, etc, and I'm doing a complete suspension/brake upgrade/refresh currently.

It is a great car to drive, and a great car to upgrade and tinker with. Make sure you get the best car you can, to start with. Become familiar with 101 projects, and you'll know a lot more about what to look for.

[tazzieman]

Worth considering Porsche 911 Buyers Guide Learn how to Inspect a Porsche 911911 Secrets

[Joe Bob]

Get in touch with the local PCA, talk to the membership chair and ask for a volunteer to school you and or help on local pickings. There are more than a few Pelicans in Phoenix.....I'm sure one or two would be willing to spend some time with you...beer and lunch would be on you of course.

[Smoove1010]

Get the book "A Used 911 Story" by Peter Zimmerman and read it cover to cover twice.

Read this forum a lot - you'll get an idea of what to look for on a prospect before you spend $ and time on a PPI. Get familiar with where these cars rust, common wear items, bits that are expensive to replace, likely to break.

Get a PPI. I didn't. I found a few surprises, none that would've been deal-breakers, but I'd have had some better negotiation leverage had I known, presuming that the PPI would've uncovered what I eventually found.

Do you have mechanical skills and tools? Having a shop perform fixes and maintenance will cost you at least twice what it will to DIY. Half the fun for me is wrenching on my car.

You've come to the right place - good luck!

GK

[r-mm]

I'm maybe a few months ahead of you. Looking at slightly later cars (78-89) but still looking for a DD with working AC. From my scant experience my only advice is to go drive everything you even think you might want. Don't be a tire kicker, but you might be surprised that later cars, different colors, body styles etc are actually acceptable. Also, most porsche people like talking about their cars. I've learned a lot. Found out that my only real hard criteria is that I'm not into cabs & targas (on account of the other cars I own) but all sorts of color combos worked a lot better in person than in pictures - white being a perfect example. Have fun. And search this board - there are infinite discussion on daily driving SCs & 3.2s (take away: both are great, buy the most honest car you find).

I am personally budgeting 2-2.5k to get no nonsense 100% heat & humidity capable A/C. That number would be lower for a later car that maybe just needs a new compressor and lines, higher for an early SC. I have no idea how it works for 2.7s.

[hcoles]

you're getting good advice, see above. I'll throw in my 2 cents as a stream of consciousness.

A few things:
- "find one that I can afford" this is not a good sign, as a DD the repair costs should have some bank behind them, if you are an excellent mechanic and have the energy for repairs, the costs can be kept within reason, all the info. you need is somewhere here, some parts are becoming NLA or price is going up. The entry cost is a consideration but the ongoing costs can rival that. It has been said "they are all $25k cars", or is it $20k, I don't remember, if $5k +/- is of huge consequence you then you could be looking at the wrong type of car for now.
- "looking at a 74 with SC motor + want original" this is not consistent
- many here like the SCs, I had one and now have an 89 3.2, IMO it is a good model to consider, has the G50, basis for good AC, I think if you read you see that the late 3.2s are mentioned as possibly the best bet all things considered. Later, power steering and other features/functions are added. It seems every year the cars get better in terms of performance and comfort. That is why it is commonly mentioned to buy the latest model you can afford. There are countless threads here and outside on this subject.
Good luck, you will have excellent help here when the time comes, and it will.

[notfarnow]

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that first and foremost, you are buying an engine and transmission, the rest if the car is free (ish).

With all the "while you're in there" considerations, rebuilding engine & transmission can easily cost more than a complete, well-bought midyear, SC or even 3.2 carrera. You need to be able to look past shiny paint and nice upgrades, and be very focused on how good that engine & tranny are.

[quattrorunner]

Vey good point^^^^^

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that first and foremost, you are buying an engine and transmission, the rest if the car is free (ish).

With all the "while you're in there" considerations, rebuilding engine & transmission can easily cost more than a complete, well-bought midyear, SC or even 3.2 carrera. You need to be able to look past shiny paint and nice upgrades, and be very focused on how good that engine & tranny are.

I don't recall it being put this way - excellent thx

[fanaudical]

I was looking for a "project" (or thought I was) and went down the road of purchasing a non-running shell and starting a rebuild. That was 4 years ago. It's still in pieces, but the pieces are getting bigger. Here are the lessons I learned the hard way:

#1 - TAKE YOUR TIME. Research all you can. Keep your eyes open for opportunities. Maintain emotional detachment and be ready to walk away from every deal you see. Don't be in a hurry to buy something just because you want it.

#2 - BE REALISTIC. You can easily set yourself up for false expectations just by looking at all the fine examples of 911's here on the forum. You might see somebody's "daily driver" flaunted here, but you may not see their huge shop, the massive toolbox, the years in rebuild time getting there, and the $$$ that is still being invested to keep the thing running.

#3 - BUY THE MOST SOUND CAR YOU CAN AFFORD AND ONLY SPEND 1/2 OF WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN. Jake's statement above is 100% correct. Purchase the most-sorted, best running engine & trans with the newest body on it you can if you really are looking for a daily driver. You'll want that other 1/2 to fix stuff.

Best of luck in your search.

[80-911SC]

the thought of buying the ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION and the rest comes with it ...

Great way to look at it ... if you search around here there are a lot of I bought this threads that are quickly followed by "strange noise in the engine" or the "wrench says head studs are pulled" ...

In the economy now it is possible to buy in at 10g when looking at a midyear or the bottom of the SC barrel ... but the fact does need to be recognized it will run you 8grand plus to build the engine if it needs it ...

Grassroots Motorsports last issue is on the rebuild on their 911 .. that had a PPI and is owned by "car people" so it can happen .. they did a great write up on it and did most of the work themselves .. and it still was not cheap (the while your in there's get ya) .....

Good luck to new buyers ... Hope to see you on the road or on the track ....

[OttoB]

If you are not mechanically inclined like me, your wallet is going to take a beating... Mine is "only" 22 years old and its not a matter of if it needs something done, but when. When I went shopping for a 911, I really wanted a 70's RSR replica, but A/C being supremely important for me, made my choices more limited.

You are looking at cars that range from 30-40 years old and to use it daily. For a runner with good A/C, forget any longhood for less than $20K. For a well sorted SC, $16K and again, you need a good chunk set aside for maintenance. I am not saying this to scare you, but others have chimed in that your search is challenging. Good luck!

[daepp]

I could not drive my 72 every day, but maybe I'm just getting old (49). I miss the modern creature comforts. But YMMV! Good luck.

BTW - you came to the right place for info. I can't imagine a topic that hasn't been discussed herein.

[p-cardriver]

For a DD in AZ pick up a 996 C2. Those can be pretty cheap and will have good AC. Then after you save a few more coins grab that older 911 for use whenever it can and you want.

[sm70911]

... That life will be awesome from the moment you get it.
Seriously though. Why not look at a Carrera. 84 -89. Don't be scared of the 915. You can find a good one 84 -86 car for a lot less than a G50 car. Look for one that has had the top end done and has 'working' AC. Set aside anywhere from 1500 (DIY) to $3000 (shop) to upgrade the AC. Look at the Keuhl or Griffiths (desert duty condenser) and its a dirty job but swap the hoses for barrier hoses. Maybe a new receiver / dryer and you should be comfortable.
Pretty much everything else in terms of DIY is in Wayne's books, and those are a huge help.

[RWebb]

put aside $20,000 for the car

you will spend somewhere north of $5,000 to buy a rust-free example that runs; the rest will be spent to keep it running and make it safe

do the reading above and do not buy any of the first 10 cars you look at, no matter how much you want them

[Jdub]

If you can, make a point of walking into independent Porsche shops to 1) meet your potential new mechanic and 2) ask if they know of any nice 911s for sale. I have known several great transactions where an honest shop sold a nicely-sorted shop car (default; auction) and retained the buyer's business. Just a thought.

[tazzieman]

Put all chocolate money and 1/2 beer money in a big tin where no-one can find it It will come in handy when you most need it.

Like the OP , I went the "purchase engine/tranny and get the rest for free" route as those two will give you the biggest teardrops if not sorted (that's presuming tinworm hasn't taken hold...)