I'm new here, Point me in the right direction.

nitram · nitram's Garage

I sold my '72 911T about 12 years ago and have been porscheless ever since. After the 12 year absence, I can wait no longer. I have a empty spot in my garage and I would like to fill it with a clean late '80's 911 coupe. Anyone know of any online Porshe classifieds. I have found a few sites, like the one here. But, I haven't found the right car yet. Thanks, Byron

PS, Any advice on porsche shopping would be appreciated.

Jeff · 12-19-2002, 06:55 AM

Welcome to the board.

Traderonline.com is a good resource for cars. You can also try PCA.org and go to regional directory and look each sub regions classifieds. You don't have to be a PCA member to view these, you do if you try to view the national classifieds.

Get a pre-purchase inspection by a good Porsche wrench before buying. If you can find a car with service records that is very helpful. Buy a well kept car not a fixer upper. You will pay more to fix it up than if you just bought a good car to begin with.

Hope this helps.

JEB · 12-19-2002, 08:03 AM

PCA is good. May want to shoot an E-mail to the president of your local club and ask if he knows of any for sale not listed on their web.

Rennelist classifieds are also good.

Jeb
'79 930

Joeaksa · 12-19-2002, 08:09 AM

Found my car on the internet. Did a PPI myself and have loved it the last 5 years! If you are not experienced with them, as the others above said, get a good PPI and I would also check with CarFax and make sure its not been in an accident and that the mileage is correct.

Jeb above is correct that looking in your local area through the PCA will often find some good buys and cars that everyone knows to be in good condition. Update your profile with your location and we might be able to help you.

The later cars, 85 to 89 are really nice. If you want to get the best of the best, look to the 87-89 models as they have the newer transmissions and improved venting and A/C systems.

Last 911 (other than the wife's 81SC) was also a 72T!

Joe

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Reminds me of my last job interview. The HR guy looks at my resume, asks me a few questions, and says "We have an opening that would be perfect for you! It's called 'The Door'"

(of course I included this story just for the meager humor value, and not to suggest you should apply for that opening...)

KFC911 · 12-19-2002, 08:20 AM

First of all, be patient...I looked for approximately 6 months before finding the 'right' one for me. A lot of these have been mentioned before, but I used this site, Rennlist, traderonline.com, cars.com and also searched many regional PCA websites for their classifieds (and several other sites that I don't recall right now). Remember that the journey is part of the prize, and you'll know it when you find "her". Don't forget a PPI! I didn't get one myself ('cause I bought such a nice/low mileage example), but in hindsight, I guess I 'rolled the dice & won'. Good Luck!

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

Where are you located?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Autotrader, eBay, and local newspaper classifieds too.

My experience buying my '89 3.2 in early 2002 was there were quite a number of cars if you didn't care about color, only a handful if you wanted a specific color that wasn't red / black / white, and they weren't selling fast so I could afford to be picky, take my time, and get a really good car at a fair price (preferable, IMO, to getting a so-so car for a great price).

I would think that last would be even more so now - used car market is falling and 993s are pressuring 964s which are pressuring late 3.2s. Around the SF Bay Area I'd guess $18-22K would be the rough range for a good-condition, clean '87-89 3.2 coupe w/ avg miles. Admittedly our local economy sucks.

KFC911 · 12-19-2002, 09:35 AM

I don't know if it's changed, but cars.com seemed to have many/most of the local (and non-local...depending on your 'distance criteria') newspaper ads in one central location. I didn't find the p-car that way, but did find a Lexus there (I know, I know....) which originated from a newspaper ad.

nitram · nitram's Garage

I am located in S/W Louisiana. Not a big selection of 911's around here. But, I am only 2 hours from Houston, 4 hours from New Orleans, and 5 hours from Dallas. Thanks for the PCA.org tip, I will check it out.
Buy the way, my perfect find would be a silver or red 87-89 coupe. Good service history and mechanically sound. I would like one with a nice straight body. But, being that I own a Paint & Body shop, a few dents and ding wouldn't scare me away. Thanks, For all the replies.

Sunroof · 12-19-2002, 04:42 PM

Get a hold of a Sunday Atlanta Constitution. Ususally, two columns of just SC's and Carrera's for sale. The greater Atlanta area comes in second behind California for the most number of Porsches. Atlanta is only 10 hours from you or less and their are plenty of great shops that can do a PPI before making the purchase. No salted roads, year round drivers here. Take a look.

Regaerds
Bob
73.5T

Joeaksa · 12-19-2002, 05:08 PM

Get ahold of the PCA Houston and Dallas people. Usually lots of cars there. Look at www.pca.org and you can find the classifieds for each region and go from there.

JOe

cary · 08:05 PM

I'll tenth the PCA direction. Generally you'll get a good car and a little more history on the car.
Then come back here and ask one of us goof balls to give it a once over. From what I've read you'll get a pretty detailed inspection.

I bought my 914 with help from Jim Chambers on the 914 board. Jim came and helped me go over the car on my first visit.
Helps take the emotion out of it.
Plus, JP giving me pointers by e-mail.

KFC911 · 12-20-2002, 04:57 AM

I have no affiliation whatsoever, and don't know what your budget is, but if you're interested in a Carrera w/ the G-50 tranny, there appears to be a nice one (an '89 w/ 69K miles) just listed on the Rennlist classifieds...(and coincidently, that's the site where I originally saw my car listed.) Good luck!