What are some of the most overhyped "issues" (ie: Forum myths and hype)

[PushingMyLuck]

In many car forums, the following occurs:

1. One guy (or a few) has an costly issue, sometimes catastrophic.
   (Subframe separation, bolt gets sucked into intake, cracked heads, early blown head gasket, etc)
2. He posts photos as proof.
3. 1000's of owners, on dozens of forums see this.
4. Link goes viral. Rumors spread. One anecdote becomes "truth"
5. Prospective buyers are told to avoid that certain model like the plague.
   Or to assume they will have the exact same costly outcome, and to budget for it.

No one one exposed to the forum wants to buy that year/model b/c of the viral thread and 100's of people recycling this story.
In reality, let's say only a tiny percentage of the models end up afflicted with this issue.

Do you feel this happens in the 911 world?
Head bolts of the SC?
Valve guides of the 3.2?

[Reifle]

A lot of "experts" say stay away from mid-year Porsches (74 - 77) because of the dreaded 2.7 motors. I have one - yes rebuilt - all issues addressed and it runs just fine! 170,000 miles and going just fine.

[Jfporco]

+1 on the dreaded mid-year cars. All issues addressed on my '75 911 Targa by previous owner. I am mostly a happy camper.....

another issue is the dreaded Zenith carbs.....I have these too. And except for sync issues which I am.still struggling with...when dialed in I can see how these will make the car scream ( I'm getting there.....still more tweaking.

Cheers!

[juanbenae]

ive just acquired a new truck, my 1st diesel, an 07 chevy and have been scouring forums looking to find the best one... I will always compare all forum sites to pelican because I kinda "grew up here" as it pertains to forums. a member in not so high standing here since early 02 I am disappointed with every other automotive, or other topic type of forum I run across. ive been spoiled with information, inspiration, admiration with these cars here & the mark has been set high. the trick is to sort thru the shat to find the nugget you need with out a douche bag fly by....

another thing, if there is a ton of HUGE avatar photos, an admin named, 'house of pain', over zealous build spec sheets in signature with various colors & fonts chances are it's a all show, no go board. found this on the GM truck forums, and the suby wrx forums ive attempted to use. thanx pelican!

OH!, and use plenty of smiley faces or people don't know when yir leg pullin....

t

[Bob Kontak]

I am thinking more over the last two years of the CD box and AC threads that have gone to hell from the biased opinions of a few members. That would have to mess with a "noobs" perception of things quickly.

[RWebb]

myth & hype often involve someone posting a single anecdote contrary to a large number of statistically valid findings, and/or to design specifications arrived at by teams of engineers or chemists

example 1 - my motor did not blow up and I have used oil without ZDDP in it for 3 years

example 2 - no need to use brake paste when disassembling brake calipers (saw that one this week on another bbs)

example 3 - there is one just above in this thread

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by RWebb

example 3 - there is one just above in this thread

You talking about my post?

The content I hope because I am very sensitive today. :-)

[yelcab1]

head bolts on the SC is not an overhyped issue. It happens more than 1% for sure.
The magnesium mid-year is not an overhyped issue. You owners are now happy because the previous persons have fixed all the issues.

What is overhype is the necessity to do a Carrera Tensioner Update, which is now almost $1500 for the kit.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

You talking about my post?

The content I hope because I am very sensitive today. :-)

nope - not yours

[Elombard]

I dont think this will be that valid an issue here because the cars are so old and they were substantially the same for 2+ decades before that. Not much new coming out about the air cooled 911s. newer stuff is going to be much more susceptible to internet rumor. I agree the 74-77 motor issues and broken head studs issues are not really in that same league IMHO.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by RWebb

nope - not yours

Cool

Working on a 77 Jaguar XJ12L right now and feeling very small...........

Edit - Twin adjustable EGR valves that cost $850 each and they kick on any old time. I am fashioning block off plates right now.

Regarding this post, if you read that old XJ Jags are overly complex, believe it.

[Nick Triesch]

There would never be any hype if everyone just used Brad Penn oil, Kendall for the tranny, Steve Wong Chip, Original paper air filter, Lowered their car to Europe standards, Kept the original radio, and never use a dang cup holder. I forgot about up date, forward date side date and back date. ....just having fun.....

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by RWebb

myth & hype often involve someone posting a single anecdote contrary to a large number of statistically valid findings, and/or to design specifications arrived at by teams of engineers or chemists

mr. webb may have just cut & pasted that from his wiki bio... he's done each n every job he alludes to, & well above average. just ask him

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Elombard

the 74-77 motor issues and broken head studs issues are not really in that same league IMHO.

And valve guides. Discussed at length - myriad threads.

All three motors are fine if tended to. Extra money for fixing the case flexing issues on the 2.7.

Hype? Cat bypass delivering 15hp on a stock SC.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by car 311

mr. webb may have just cut & pasted that from his wiki bio...

You are simply out of control tonight.

I thought for sure he cut and pasted it from this guys bio

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

head bolts on the SC is not an overhyped issue. It happens more than 1% for sure.
The magnesium mid-year is not an overhyped issue. You owners are now happy because the previous persons have fixed all the issues.

What is overhype is the necessity to do a Carrera Tensioner Update, which is now almost $1500 for the kit.

The magnesium mid-year story really is old. I heard it first time from my Porsche mechanic in the mid-seventies. He, and supposedly, a lot of his colleges had very low opinion of those models. The consensus then seemed to have been that Porsche overdid it with the the mid-seventies models. The power was increased with an engine designed for much more modest output. Overheating and case-pulling-apart stories abound. When when the SCs appeared The Porsche mechanics changed their mind and were highly complementary of the new, redesigned from the ground up, "bomb proof" new engine.

[rouxroux]

cool collar?

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by car 311

another thing, if there is a ton of HUGE avatar photos, t

You can try using adblock to systematically block the most common offending avatars.
Right click avatar. Block. Try it.

[lateapex911]

it's not a overhyped myth, but the overused Carrera script on the side on any and every 911 (or 912!) kind of annoys me. To each his own, and all that, but, yea, Carrera has become a term that means: "I own a 911/912 body that has any engine or suspension combination"

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by car 311

mr. webb may have just cut & pasted that from his wiki bio... he's done each n every job he alludes to, & well above average. just ask him

no reason for personal attacks, kid