Newb looking at buying 82 SC, just got PPI. looking for advice

[Kerschbaumer]

My first post, been thinking/looking for an SC for a while and may have found one worth buying. Its an 82 coupe with 108k on the odo (which is broken now but past service records and current owner indicate it is currently around 113k) Car appears in nice shape and current owner (who has been very good, patient and forth coming) has set it up for light track use (torsion bars, roll bar etc) but yet to race it. The car was not running so was towed to the local Porsche dealer that replaced the CDI unit and battery (fired up instantly) and also did a PPI for me while there. PPI came back with not much exciting (needs new tires, 40k service, brake flush, windshield washer leak, ac recharge), Compression came back 135-140 Psi all cylinders and leak down 2-4% all cylinders.

I live in Canada and the car is a looong way away and for various reasons need to buy it sight unseen and have it shipped. The ask is $16k which seems fair to me but I also have shipping, exchange and taxes so will be around $20 all in. This is a big move for me so any thoughts on condition and value are greatly appreciated. Also been researching the posts for best way to conduct the transaction so any thoughts on that area also welcome.

Thanks Eh!

[theclaw]

Welcome to the board. Hard to judge value and price with a short description like that but doesn't seem out of whack. Are there ARE some out of whack asking prices out there these days. Where is the car located? You might find a willing Pelican to check it out for you.

Jeff

[Eli W]

What about the transmission? Did he drive the car?

[McLovin]

I'd have them check the lower head studs. If a bunch of them are broken, you have a fairly significant upcoming expense on your hands. I wouldn't pay $16K for an SC with broken head studs.

But if the studs are ok, the car runs and drives well, is complete and in solid shape, and there's no weird accident damage/rust, etc. I'd say that's a pretty good deal these days.

(Although why is it that EVERY car for sale with a broken odometer somehow had the odo break only in the last few thousand miles???)

[Kerschbaumer]

Thanks, Car is in Jacksonville Fla. Mechanic apparently did drive the car and had nothing bad to say about tranny. I hope to speak directly with technician tomorrow. Service records indicate 1st and 2nd syncros were replaced in 2009.

[McLovin]

My only issue is I'd rather spend a little more and get an 84/85 Carrera. IMO it's a better car, the injection system is much better.

But I don't know the current pricing of 84/85 Carreras. It wasn't long ago you could easily find them in the $16K range, but these days prices seem to be up.

[pc100porsche]

The last pcar I bought sight unseen/long distance I had the shop doing the PPI act as middleman regarding the payment of funds. That worked really well. How does the seller want you to pay him ?

[Kerschbaumer]

I am not sure about the studs, but tensioner, pop valve and valve cover have all been done. I have been searching for several months and any SC under 15k looks trashed in some form. Seems most are 18+20 ish and carreras ususally 5k higher. Kind of feel like I am scrambling to get on the boat.

[McLovin]

Yeah, I can see that. If you are on a budget in that range, my guess is it would be hard to find a decent 84/85.

Having tensioners, pop off valve and valve covers done is ok, but those are relatively low cost, minor items.

If you have a few blown out head studs, and you don't have the ability/desire to do the work yourself (which is removing the engine and doing at a minimum a top end job), you are realistically looking at thousands of dollars to get it fixed. So, your $16K SC can easily become a $20K+ SC if you have broken head studs. And these days, given the age of the cars, they seem to be more and more broken.

[Reiver]

Sounds good so far but do ask about the head stud inspection.

[Kerschbaumer]

Will do, thanks again

[IXjamesXI]

Just here to give an opposing viewpoint.. but I would not buy one of these cars sight unseen unless I had enough money to not really be angry if I got less than I was promised. You seem to be in a pretty remote location, but Washington and Oregon must be thick with 911's... and there's probably plenty in Vancouver too. I took a year to find a car, and that after many years of looking at listings. There are just too many little things to leave to chance, especially if it is your first car and you want it to be nice! I ended up buying a car off a craigslist ad.. with NO picture of all things. In fact it was all the red flags of a bad car and a bad seller, but it worked out great for me in the end and I got a nice car at a fair price. But I inspected it in person and sussed out the seller and really took time to look everything over. On the other hand I see plenty of ads with good photos and I know a lot of those cars turn out to be total dogs. These cars attract a lot of nice, earnest, honest enthusiasts, but they attract even more schemers and others willing to abuse the good will and trust of others.. So unless this PPI etc is being done by a shop that is universally recognized by upright members of the Pelican brigade, I would be suspect of the shop and suspect of the seller. He knows you're far away too, which can influence things. At least if you buy a car in Vancouver or Seattle it's not inconceivable that you could take a drive down there with a bat and a few of your burliest friends in case you were truly wronged by someone.. I vote for keep waiting, something will turn up even if it takes months. The risk just seems too high otherwise. That said, others have had good experiences buying sight unseen and shipping the car to them. Just wanted to give you another point of view because I too was often tempted by ebay cars that looked better than I am sure they actually were, and I am glad I waited for one I could see first... GOOD LUCK!

...and SC or Carrera you will be happy, they are both fantastic in their own ways, I prefer the SC myself because I think the engine architecture is "better" but others have great reasons for preferring Carreras..

[john walker's workshop]

florida= rust. moist, humid, salt air. what's the report on that? ex system and it's fasteners, front suspension, anything not undercoated, as well as the usual areas on the body. and do have the head studs checked, which requires oil out and lower valve covers off. why is it $14K when others are much more? hmmmm.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Kerschbaumer

My first post, been thinking/looking for an SC for a while and may have found one worth buying. Its an 82 coupe with 108k on the odo (which is broken now but past service records and current owner indicate it is currently around 113k) Car appears in nice shape and current owner (who has been very good, patient and forth coming) has set it up for light track use (torsion bars, roll bar etc) but yet to race it. The car was not running so was towed to the local Porsche dealer that replaced the CDI unit and battery (fired up instantly) and also did a PPI for me while there. PPI came back with not much exciting (needs new tires, 40k service, brake flush, windshield washer leak, ac recharge), Compression came back 135-140 Psi all cylinders and leak down 2-4% all cylinders.

I live in Canada and the car is a looong way away and for various reasons need to buy it sight unseen and have it shipped. The ask is $16k which seems fair to me but I also have shipping, exchange and taxes so will be around $20 all in. This is a big move for me so any thoughts on condition and value are greatly appreciated. Also been researching the posts for best way to conduct the transaction so any thoughts on that area also welcome.

Thanks Eh!

While the prices of used 911 are going up the past years, you should be able to find a 911 SC in great condition for $20K. I had rebuilt and restore 911 before and I would not buy a 911 unseen unless recommended by someone I know and trust. A good paint job alone would set you back $5K-$7K and broken head stud another $5K. Why buy a car from Florida while you could find more cars in the West Coast unless the price is so good not to buy it.

Take your time and have the money available for a quick withdrawal. This was the car I bought from a fellow Pelican parts member last summer (2013) for $15K.





This is an '89 Cabriolet with 100K+ miles with a good engine, paint, interior, etc. and 2 years ago, I bought an '87 Carrera coupe with 115K miles for $13K and drove the car to California. You got to see and feel the car before you hand over your hard earned money unless you want to gamble and take the risk. Good luck.


That's the '87 Carrera coupe on the left and my old '78 SC Targa on the background.

Tony

[Kerschbaumer]

Again, thanks for the sobering info. The car was inspected at Brumos so I feel pretty ok there. I did specify they pay particular attention to rust, and hope to get more clarity from the tech when I speak with him tomorrow. The car did spend some time in the UK with an owner that went there then came back. In 2001 the exhaust was replaced which I presume the Florida air had something to do with. All very helpful feedback, I will insist on head stud confirmation and better photos.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by McLovin

My only issue is I'd rather spend a little more and get an 84/85 Carrera. IMO it's a better car, the injection system is much better.

But I don't know the current pricing of 84/85 Carreras. It wasn't long ago you could easily find them in the $16K range, but these days prices seem to be up.

If you can find an 84-85, you will like it.....a lot. The CIS is more work, and if you are in Canada, and will only drive part of the year, CIS tends to need some lovin' to get it woken up. Remember buy the best car you can, because you will spend the difference on the not quite there car. CIS requires understanding and patience, remember it's either your time if you can do the work or someone else's time and your money.
P.S. Do not buy a car you haven't had your eyes on it personally. Also there lots of PCars on the left coast.

[71scgc]

I would never buy a car that I didn't look at/drive myself.
I flew to LA to look at a 1969 Corvette roadster. Nice car, just not quite the one for me.
Expensive trip for nothing? Yeah.
Getting your ass handed to you on a POS is more expensive, every time.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I still enjoyed the trip to LA. I'll go anywhere in the world I've never been before.
Kinda felt like Wayne Carini jr.

Carter

[wolds]

Hey Tony,

Are you going to put a front airdam on you cab? Nice looking car BTW, you taking it to Hershey this year?

Warren

[wildthing]

Wouldn't the PPI include some detailed pictures at least? There's another thread about a guy who bought from UK and sent to Australia, and that's a bad one, but some folks have chimed in to say they've done the same with better results. YMMV.

If it was in SF I'd check it out for you. Maybe one of the pelicans close by can? Hopefully they don't do a "There's SOmething About Mary" detective trick.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by wolds

Hey Tony,

Are you going to put a front airdam on you cab? Nice looking car BTW, you taking it to Hershey this year?

Warren

hey warren, i'll be leaving from westlake sometime early friday afternoon for hershey if you want to caravan.