911 Newbie.... Intro w/ A Few Questions.

[Car-Crazed]

Hi I'm 45 years young, I say that because I have never really grown up.

I Have A Few Cars, Mostly American, Except My Daily Drivers (Japanese).

I Am Looking Into Exploring My German Heritage, By Looking For A 911.

Porsches Are In My Bloodlines,
My Father Had A '64 356, He Bought New While Living In Germany.
He Took Delivery Of His 356 At The Factory, And Has Many Picture From The Factory.

As A Child I Vacationed In Germany For The Summers Of '78 & '81,
I Was Also Stationed In Mannheim From '88-91.

I Was Always In Love With The 911 & 930 Porsches, &
Now A '77 911 Cabrio Conversion (3.0 Carrera Motor) Has Come Available.

I Am Very Seriously Considering Buying This 911. I Joined This Forum To Learn As Much As Possible Before I Pull The Trigger On This Particular 911.

I'm an All Around Car Nut, Who Might Become A 911 Nut In The Very Near Future.....

Any 911 Buyers Advice For Me Since They Are New To Me?

This Particular 911 Has A 3.0 Carrera Motor w/ Dual Plugs, & Webber Carbs. &
Also Has A 5 Spd.

Is This Motor Going To Be Nightmare To Keep Tuned & To Maintain?

Should I Be Worried Since Car Is A Targa Converted To A Cabrio?

Any Places that '77 911's Are Known To Rust?

Thanks In Advance For Any Help You Guys Might Have For Me

[tdw28210]

Welcome aboard. The motor you describe sounds like it has been heavily modified. Could be great, but based on the description my guess is that it was built for the track, not the street, so.....probably way more "fiddly" than a stock motor.

I own a Targa and yes they can rust, especially in the areas where water would likely pool on the exterior - like the lower corners of the windshield for example.

Targa to Cabrio? Pass...I would keep looking.

Here is one 200 or so miles from you.

1984 Porsche 911 carrera

[kach22i]

Check the serial number with your insurance company, I recall reading the ROW (Rest of World - Gray Market - Euro) cars may be difficult to insure (if that's what you are looking at).

I'm not familiar with any Targa to convertible issues, depends on the quality of the job I guess.

The title on my Targa says convertible.

EDIT: looks like insurance may not be a problem.
Any downsides to Euro version of 911SC?

Do a search on PPI's (Pre Purchase Inspection) which is highly recommended.

[SanDiegoMike]

I looked at a very similar car and passed out here in Cali. Insurance, Farmers, didn't want to insure it. Another guy in the club bought it and low and behold the frame was not properly reinforced after the chop. Big problems. I am glad I waited for my Targa. With the top off it feels like a convertible.
Note: Farmers is very hard to deal with. Could just be them.

[GaryR]

Absolutely NOT the car for your first Porsche experience! Hacked and modified, find a nice stock example that is in good shape..

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Car-Crazed

............

Should I Be Worried Since Car Is A Targa Converted To A Cabrio?

Here is a link to a Targa-Cabrio conversion, maybe it helps:

New here - '78 SC Cab Staying in the family

You can also do "search" operation on the Pelican Technical forum with "targa conversion"

[Car-Crazed]

Thanks For The Advice So Far...

The '77 911 Is Definitely Not A ROW Car.
Motor Is Supposedly From A 3.0 Carrera.
Is There Any Way For Me To Be Sure It From A Carrera?
Been Told The Conversion Was Done By Werks 1 Inc. (Sea Cliff, NY),
Hopefully It Was Done Right. Current Owner Has Owned It For A Little
Over 13 yrs. Previous Owner Had Conversion Done In The 90's.

[Car-Crazed]

[tdw28210]

Is it cheaper than this one?

1986 Porsche 911 targa

[Nico911]

Is This Motor Going To Be Nightmare To Keep Tuned & To Maintain? > yes

Should I Be Worried Since Car Is A Targa Converted To A Cabrio? > absolutely

I'll make it short : DO NOT BUY THIS CAR. IT HAS NO VALUE, IT WILL BE A PAIN TO MAINTAIN AND YOU DON'T NEED A BOX, YOU WANT A PROPER 911.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Car-Crazed

Thanks For The Advice So Far...........Motor Is Supposedly From A 3.0 Carrera.
Is There Any Way For Me To Be Sure It From A Carrera?
.................

FYI: Here is a link that discusses engine IDs:

911 engine codes

[Car-Crazed]

Nice Targa There For Sale.....

This One Is Less Than Half That Price, But Will Need The Hood Painted.
Owner Is In A Bind & Needs To Sell For A Work Truck ASAP.

[Rich Gas]

Good looking car... I guess it's the best looking cheap one you could find? I put $4 grand in just parts on my great looking 84. These were all the recommended, brakes,pads, brake lines, fuel lines, rebuild calipers, rotor, cap, wires, filters, injectors, belts, sound pad, hood shocks, headlight relay, instrument cluster fuse, front condensor fuse, smuggler box fuse, shifter bushings, wevo coupler, tires, led conversion, new Swepco, Brad Penn, oil filter, new O2, CHT, new cat etc.. Etc.

I didn't have to do any of that, but Porsche guys will do it.

[tdw28210]

Ok, so you have a heavily modded 911 that has been owned by a guy who is now in a financial bind. That likely means that this thing has not been meticulously cared for or maintained (I could be wrong though). You need to buy this thing cheap and be prepared for plenty of surprises (and by "surprises" I mean unforeseen expense).

If you are trying to help a friend out, then that is something else. Anyway, good luck.

[nickyclyde]

Man , I wouldn't touch that car for any money. I would bet it all you'll be really really disappointed.

[Rich Gas]

Buy it. It's kinda sexy... Just don't tell people it's cobbled together. Can't tell with the photos. Sounds like the price is right. The motor is worth $8-$12 grand.

[porwolf]

If you really like the car, the price is right, you think the seller is honest with his reasons to sell, drives really well, and it looks like it has been well taken care of by another Porsche lover, buy it. Life is full of risks.

[Car-Crazed]

At The Asking Price, I Don't Think I Can Get Hurt..... At Least I Don't Think So.
Ruf 17"Rims & New Yoko S Drive Tires Alone Are Worth, I'm Guessing 3k.
Motor & Trans 8K?
So..... Worse Case I Could Always Part Her Out.
Though I Doubt I Would Ever Have The Heart To.

You Guys Bring Up Some Good Points, But It's Hard To Walk Away From What I Hope Is A GREAT Deal, Due To Owners Bind.

[Nico911]

Originally Posted by Car-Crazed

At The Asking Price, I Don't Think I Can Get Hurt..... At Least I Don't Think So.
Ruf 17"Rims & New Yoko S Drive Tires Alone Are Worth, I'm Guessing 3k.
Motor & Trans 8K?
So..... Worse Case I Could Always Part Her Out.
Though I Doubt I Would Ever Have The Heart To.

You Guys Bring Up Some Good Points, But It's Hard To Walk Away From What I Hope Is A GREAT Deal, Due To Owners Bind.

Do yourself a favor : walk away, period.

[Roswell]

Don't walk, run. This car will break your heart.......