what problem areas should i look for - '86 cab.

[mike944]

Guys,

I am going to look at an '86 Cabriolet tommorow, what are typical problem areas to keep an eye on? I already know the part about getting a PPI, and everything, it's the same for 944's. I will probably be selling my 944, not because i want to, but due to lack of space. I am going to be selling my house soon, and probably going to rent somewhere for a few years, so keeping even 2 cars at an apartment is sometimes a problem, no room for a third.

Thanks,

Mike

[mike944]

Nobody has any ideas?????

[Doug Zielke]

Mike,
Cabriolets and Targas are not my bag, but I have looked at a few for friends. One thing you *must* do is check under the carpeting for signs of rust. Water ingress is a fact of life for these cars.
Good hunting!

[Eric Coffey]

Yeah, what Doug said! I would check EVERYWHERE for rust, especially if it has been a New England/East Coast car all it's life. Also, check the entire cabriolet top assembly (fabric, headliner, latches, seals, etc.) for damage, wear, stains, rips, burns, etc. Preferably, the car will have had the top replaced sometime in the (recent) past. The only other cab-specific thing I can think of to check is possible interior surface fading/cracking from the increased sunlight exposure. Good luck, and keep us posted!

[GSpreeman]

Some things that may help the negotiations include:
- New fork in the tranny
- Turbo valve covers
- Turbo tie rods
- Does the airconditioning work at all settings? (not important but tends to fail)
- If possible, look for replaced panels and do a paint density test if questionable

[dickster]

ditto the above and:

check operation, up and down of the top.

it would be a good idea to put the top up, close the windows, and then hose down all around the hood. check for water ingress after.

i once bought a bmw cab. in glorious sunshine, i didn't check the hood for leaks, and in the first down pour i got soaked. water came straight through the material!!

not particular to cabs:

look for rust and body damage everywhere. door jams and kick panels (under trim), around jacking points, lift up trunk carpet right at front around battery, inside fuel filler area. if you look right underneath the rear bumper at the mounting points, you can check for rear end shunts (mine were later found to be slightly damaged).

engine bay should be nice and clean.

learn from my mistakes

good luck

[Wayne 962]

What's the price range on this one?

-Wayne

[Bobboloo]

Check the lower headstuds.

[expat]

If I had my time over again buying a cab. I would try operating the electric roof several times over watching for

- effective electrical locking of the roof to the top of the windscreen frame
- whether the top is getting caught on the locating pins when it retracts (can force holes or wearing in the top.
- ensure the metal bar that falls inwards when the roof is retracted actually falls in early enough to fold the roof neatly
- condition of rear window (clear or hazy, scratched)
- a cover for the roof when retracted (boot or tonneau cover)
- signs of leaks (carpet smells musty up close)
- excessive wind noise at speed with roof up - roof may be loose causing it to flap even!)
- moisture around gauges
- manual spanner for (un)locking the roof if power fails for some reason

Other than that, I think its all pretty much the same for any 911.

Good luck...I love my cab. so will you!

Cheers
Mark

[vesnyder]

Having purchased an '83 Cab last year (manual roof) here are things to take note of:
- Head liner - mine had a line of rattiness that I assume was due to driving with top down and no boot. Easy to replace, about $75.
- WIndow alignment
- Rubber seals on back side of window
- Rear window scratches (some can be buffed out)

[yelcab1]

I had an 84 Carrera. If you do not have a garage space for this car, FORGET it. It leaks (show me an old convertible that does not leak and I'll call you a liar). It gets broken into with anything that slices.

[BGCarrera32]

On any older P-car, one thing I would look at is the hood seal. You'll notice there really aren't nice channels in the sheet metal around the hood to funnel water away, so this seal is pretty important. Not that they typically rip or go bad, but after some work from the previous owner of my car, the hood seal ripped and leaked water in around the fuel tank and blower motors forward of the instrument cluster. Nice mess indeed. Now I am repairing surface rust to my fuel tank flange, wiping up grime, etc.etc.etc....

[87turbolook911]

Do you have instructions on how to replace the headliner? I'd be interested in learning from you .

[vesnyder]

87TurboLook - Here is a thread... Cabriolet head lining replacement

It is straightforward. Any questions after looking at the info let me know.