My new 911

[Waynec]

So, I spent the last year and half learning about air cooled 911's and shopping around. This started out as a desire to have a inexpensive convertible as a third car. It was going to be a Miata for about a day. Then it was going to be a '69 Camaro convertible. The Camaro is an impossible car to buy. The Porsche 911 is just cool. Also since there were so many made for so many years it makes maintaining it doable.

I have never really worked on cars but with some encouragement from a friend and a load of reading about everything on this site, I figured I could get away with buying a 911 and maintaining it myself. This site is terrific. I have already gotten good advice from the few posts I have made and would not have bought a 911 if it was not for this Pelican Parts.

Shopping. Looks like California and Florida are where these cars hang out. If I lived in SoCal, I figure I could have bought one much sooner. I really thoght I would need to buy one long distance but this is a difficult decision since you can't go and look at it very easily (I live in Illinois). When it came down to it, I finally decided I wanted an '87 - '94 911 either cab or targa. I know a lot of you are partial o coups but part of my deal was getting a convertible. This was also a sellling point for the wife. I was leaning more toward the '87 - '89 because they are simplier and likely easier to work on myself.

I read all of the advice on this site and I agree with it. Learn about the car, decide how you plan to use it, get a PPI, don't be afraid to spend a little money to get the right car and don't be afraid to walk away from one if it has problems. This last point is difficult as the cars are not easy to find in good condition at a good price. Plus, you get sucked in by the "I really want that cool car bad" factor. That said, I found a car on Autotrader, went to look at it the next day after calling the seller. Drove it about 15mi, looked at it in the dark with a small flashlight and put a deposit on it. I got a good feeling from the seller and I figured at this point (after a year of looking and driving several different cars) that I had a pretty good feel for what a good car should be. Went back the next morning and bought it. No PPI. I still have to recommend the PPI but if you know what you are looking at and get to see it in person, you have a better chance of getting a good 911. The good ones seem to sell very quickly!

My 1987 Guards Red 911 Cab had a bunch of service records but I really did not look at them much until after the purchase. It drove strong and straight. Looked good for the money. So I bought it.

After getting it home, I had a chance to look at it a little closer. I checked through the records and most everything the seller told me was documented pretty well.

150mi drive home and checking the oil the next day, it needed a quart and a half. Since then the car has not leaked any oil. It is a little wet underneath but after several drives out to get it warm and 2 months sitting in the garage, no oil has it the floor. I bought the car in Feb in IL so the weather has been crappy and I have not had much chance to drive it until recently.

I rebuilt the odometer. The little gear (documented in Pelican) was broken. Still the mileage matched up well with the records so I figure it broke on my way home. May have happened when I reset the odometer while driving. I called the seller and he did not know of the odometer being broken. Based on the records, I figure the mileage is not too far off.

The car is stock with a few options. I was a little bummed on the cloth seats but after sitting in them, they are very comfortable and won't be as hot in the summer with the top down. Thought about recovering them leather but that will wait until this winter at least, and may not happen at all since the cloth will be cooler.

I have cleaned it up pretty well. Replaced the front hood struts, some rubber bits around the car. Interior lights. Rebuilt the third brake light (it was a mess since it had been broken several times). A new one was $300 so a bunch of epoxy, dremel and some paint and it looks great. Put in a few upolstery screws that were missing or rusted. I took off the arm rests. Bent those back into shape. They have metal inside so even though they were bowed, just a little force and now they are straight again. Fixed the map pockets by taking them off and epoxying them back together. A little paint and they look great now. Got a couple new Tenax snaps for the boot cover for the top.

Since I have read enought on the site, I know everyone wants to see pictures so I have attached some as well.

[pete3799]

Nice.
Looks like a good one.

PS. lose the Napa filter

[jsveb]

Looks like a nice and clean example.

Congrats.

[futurefun]

How cool! Guards Red is such an excellent color. I hope that you have a non-stop smile every time you drive it.

[kyalami]

For the money it looks like a great buy! Good luck and enjoy!

After looking down through the pictures, even before I read your description, I thought, "I love those seats!" You are exactly right about cloth--cooler in summer, especially in a cab, and warmer in winter. And so much easier to maintain. I had an Alcantera interior and all I did to it was vacuum it. It looked brand new for a long time, including no wear on the bolster. I wish I'd never have to buy leather again; only good thing to me is the smell. Plus Porsche cloth is just cool anyway. Enjoy the G50.

[wolds]

Very nice looking cab. I bought my 83 cab last summer and like you my wife thought a convertible would be nice. I was leaning toward a coupe, but wasn't against a cab either. What is the significance of your license plate? I work at the OSU medical center. Did you go to school here? Warren

Originally Posted by Waynec

So, I spent the last year and half learning about air cooled 911's and shopping around. This started out as a desire to have a inexpensive convertible as a third car. It was going to be a Miata for about a day. Then it was going to be a '69 Camaro convertible. The Camaro is an impossible car to buy. The Porsche 911 is just cool. Also since there were so many made for so many years it makes maintaining it doable.

I have never really worked on cars but with some encouragement from a friend and a load of reading about everything on this site, I figured I could get away with buying a 911 and maintaining it myself. This site is terrific. I have already gotten good advice from the few posts I have made and would not have bought a 911 if it was not for this Pelican Parts.

Shopping. Looks like California and Florida are where these cars hang out. If I lived in SoCal, I figure I could have bought one much sooner. I really thoght I would need to buy one long distance but this is a difficult decision since you can't go and look at it very easily (I live in Illinois). When it came down to it, I finally decided I wanted an '87 - '94 911 either cab or targa. I know a lot of you are partial o coups but part of my deal was getting a convertible. This was also a sellling point for the wife. I was leaning more toward the '87 - '89 because they are simplier and likely easier to work on myself.

I read all of the advice on this site and I agree with it. Learn about the car, decide how you plan to use it, get a PPI, don't be afraid to spend a little money to get the right car and don't be afraid to walk away from one if it has problems. This last point is difficult as the cars are not easy to find in good condition at a good price. Plus, you get sucked in by the "I really want that cool car bad" factor. That said, I found a car on Autotrader, went to look at it the next day after calling the seller. Drove it about 15mi, looked at it in the dark with a small flashlight and put a deposit on it. I got a good feeling from the seller and I figured at this point (after a year of looking and driving several different cars) that I had a pretty good feel for what a good car should be. Went back the next morning and bought it. No PPI. I still have to recommend the PPI but if you know what you are looking at and get to see it in person, you have a better chance of getting a good 911. The good ones seem to sell very quickly!

My 1987 Guards Red 911 Cab had a bunch of service records but I really did not look at them much until after the purchase. It drove strong and straight. Looked good for the money. So I bought it.

After getting it home, I had a chance to look at it a little closer. I checked through the records and most everything the seller told me was documented pretty well.

150mi drive home and checking the oil the next day, it needed a quart and a half. Since then the car has not leaked any oil. It is a little wet underneath but after several drives out to get it warm and 2 months sitting in the garage, no oil has it the floor. I bought the car in Feb in IL so the weather has been crappy and I have not had much chance to drive it until recently.

I rebuilt the odometer. The little gear (documented in Pelican) was broken. Still the mileage matched up well with the records so I figure it broke on my way home. May have happened when I reset the odometer while driving. I called the seller and he did not know of the odometer being broken. Based on the records, I figure the mileage is not too far off.

The car is stock with a few options. I was a little bummed on the cloth seats but after sitting in them, they are very comfortable and won't be as hot in the summer with the top down. Thought about recovering them leather but that will wait until this winter at least, and may not happen at all since the cloth will be cooler.

I have cleaned it up pretty well. Replaced the front hood struts, some rubber bits around the car. Interior lights. Rebuilt the third brake light (it was a mess since it had been broken several times). A new one was $300 so a bunch of epoxy, dremel and some paint and it looks great. Put in a few upolstery screws that were missing or rusted. I took off the arm rests. Bent those back into shape. They have metal inside so even though they were bowed, just a little force and now they are straight again. Fixed the map pockets by taking them off and epoxying them back together. A little paint and they look great now. Got a couple new Tenax snaps for the boot cover for the top.

Since I have read enought on the site, I know everyone wants to see pictures so I have attached some as well.

[Helios59]

Nice car! Those cloth seats are pretty rare. It would actually be a positive selling point for me.

Enjoy it!

[hcoles]

great - you have an important advantage - refrigerator in the garage for quick beer access when friends are over to help wrench

[kidrock]

very nice example. From another g50 owner to another, I really wish I had your seats...they are really sweet looking. Good luck.

[Jcslocum]

Originally Posted by pete3799

PS. lose the Napa filter

Hey, NAPA is made by Wix, a decent oil filter. At least it isn't a Fram or Kmart!! Oil Filter Jihad?!? Mahle Ahkbar!!!

[1982911SCTarga]

Congratulations and enjoy your cabriolet!

Brian

[BE911SC]

Nice '87 Cab! I bought my '84 Cab just before Christmas. I was also looking for a coupe but a year ago in the spring I got top-down fever, looked at what was available, then saw my Cab for sale and had a EUREKA! moment and went for it. Dealership PPI missed several items that have since been fixed. Best part was driving it with the top down for the first time. 55 degrees, jacket and hat, pure joy. With the top down the engine sound comes up over the rear deck in a wonderful cacophony of mechanical music. The car has a very nice aftermarket Blau stereo CD player that I never use. Latest mini-project was Ed's (ivangene) coupler bushings and it's even more enjoyable to drive. 1,200 miles since December. I like the look of a Cab without Sport Equipment (F/R spoilers).

Focus on mechanical items first and drive the wheels off of it! And never zero the trip odometer while moving, as you have learned.

[Jdub]

Love the Cabs! Did you mention the asking/selling price? OK if you do not want to share but always a nice datapoint for all of us.

Yes, this 'Board is probably one of the top three car culture forums in the USA. Wayne and the gang have done so very much to keep the 911 on the road there ought to be a place in the hall of fame for them.

[BE911SC]

the ultimate cabriolet thread!

Post #134 is a good read.

[Storage Man]

Great color!
Welcome to the obsession!!

[WideRide 86]

Nice find and welcome to the club from another newbie. Enjoy the ride!

[Smoove1010]

Congrats - that's a great looking cab! You're making me think twice about recovering my seats in leather...

Best of luck!
GK

And always remember--You can drive any car any time with the top up. Enjoy the cab, "the automotive equivalent of a smile."

[weseeeee]

Congrats on your new ride. A red Cab....it don't get much better than that