Used 911 advice/"buyer's guide"

brian_cummings · 01-01-2003, 12:01 AM

To start off, since this is my very first posting, I should probably give some sort of introduction. (and let it be known that I have duplicated this posting, I have put the same message in the general forum, I know that this is the TECHNICAL FORUM, but I think that I may get more responses here)..My name is Brian, I am 25 years old, I am American, though I have been living in Japan for the last year and a half or so...I teach english, and I also teach political science at a junior college. I have loved the porsche marque ever since I could remember, though I have never owned one (I have come close several times) My current cars are a VW Corrado, and Rover Mini Cooper...
Now, to my question: I know there are a number of books about this subject (and I intend to order them) but I wanted to get as many opinions as I possibly could... I would like to buy a used porsche 911 when I get back to the U.S. (this April or May)...but I don't think that it is possible, I am probably dreaming...I have checked a number of car price guides (blue book, edmund's, and the like) and their quoted values do not match what I see when I look on websites like autotrader.com....IS IT POSSIBLE to buy a nice aircooled 911 (most likely a 78-83 911SC, maybe an 84-89) for $10-12K (US)??? (not interested in a targa) Would one of these cars be something that could be driven daily? are parts and repairs going to strangle me? how about reliability? I know the old sayings to buy as much as you can afford, let someone else do the restoration work, etc etc...who out there has a 78-83 911SC? do you drive it everyday? (or almost) I am hoping that I will get lots and lots of responses for this, because like I said earlier, I want lots of different opinions. If someone out there thinks that this is an impractical idea, speak out. I should probably mention that my mechanical ability is OK, but not great; bigger projects I would need help...I think I covered everything...now let the answers and opinions roll on in....

dickster · 01-01-2003, 02:51 AM

hi and welcome!

my opinion is not totally relevant as i am in the uk.

rom what i've seen here you're not far off with the values - appears it is a buyers market over there.

you should be ok using as a daily driver - mine is our only car, but its second to a m/bike.

maintenance wise it depends what you are able to do yourself - you have to be prepared for a big bill or two even if you are lucky and avoid them.

most if not all maintenance is covered here, so help is at hand - only limited by your ability

you should buy carefully and buy as late as possible (imho)and go for a late model -84-89, avoid sc's!!! (just kidding)

good luck

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

Welcome aboard, Brian.

As to price; $12K should buy a pretty nice early SC, prices are down on these cars but, the nicer examples still bring a premium. For example, I paid $15K for a very nice '78 SC two years ago when the "average" SC in my area was bringing $11K-$13K. It is a truism that it "pays" to take the time to find the best condition car you can afford and, personally, I would always buy a better condition older car than a poorer condition newer car.

Reliability; my '78 is my summer daily driver, the only problem I've had was a failed alternator, which I removed and had rebuilt locally for about 70 bucks. Over-all, the reliability of a 911 (as with any vehicle) is very much a factor of it's condition and level of maintenance. You must realize, however, that the maintenance needs of a 911 are more expensive and extensive than the average Oldsmobile or Toyota. Properly maintaining one of these demands some mechanical skills (basic mechanical skills are a must, but you can "learn as you go", most of us do) or a very deep checkbook. Repairing (at least the more basic repairs) them is also within the capabilities of most, reasonably able, home mechanics, but if you're more familiar with American iron be prepared for a bit of a "learning curve".

The bottom line is, all of the cars you'll be looking at are "old" so find the best one you can; they demand more maintenance than an average sedan (and did even when new, these are, after all, high performance cars) so find the best maintained one you can.

Finally; they're a blast to own, which makes it all worthwhile; the more you drive (and work on) one of these, the more you'll appreciate (and occasionally be frustrated by) the design, the precision, the over-all "feel" of a Porsche. Even now, in the winter, when I get home from work, I occasionally pull the cover off of it just to admire it sitting there ... in MY garage. "There is no substitute".

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

greenmonster · 01-01-2003, 06:02 AM

There are a couple of Pelican Articles that I think are must reads when anyone is considering buying a cheap... ah... affordable porsche. As always, remember to get a PPI on the car, before you buy it. You don't want to find out about "hidden" cost later on.

check out these articles:

911 FAQ Version 2.2

Affordable Porsches - Can You Really Buy a Porsche for $10,000?

Moses · 01-01-2003, 06:27 AM

The good news is that people tend to take good care of a Porsche. You will have plenty of well maintained SC's to choose from in your price range.

You will love the SC. Just remember to let the motor spool up past 5,000 RPM before you shift. Yahoo!!!!!

McDaniel · 01-01-2003, 06:48 AM

I am also fairly new at this place, but welcome.
Only note I would pass on...remember...(I didn't) All before
1976 were not galvinized/rust proofed at factory.
Have fun, enjoy.

Zeke · 01-01-2003, 08:02 AM

How many 911s in Japan? I sold a couple of cars at Pomona ('67 VW convert and "77 Porsche Targe) to Japanese nationals and they were exported. I drove them to the docks for the buyers. These were nice cars, but I got about 75% of the "going prices."

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Read as much as you can about 911's BEFORE you buy. Be prepared that the maintenance is more expensive than other cars. Learn about the upgrades on these 911's that you want to see. Befriend a Porsche nut to help you look for a clean one and do a PP exame. Check the records and bills from the owners and be careful if there is no record. I started from scratch with a nice '80 SC and worked on the suspension, brakes, engine, etc. to have a base line. I only drive in the spring, summer, and fall and use a beater in the winter. City driving is not the greatest for these dream machines, but, when everything is aligned and adjusted for max. performance, there is nothing like it. I could go on and on about trips on country roads.....................Good luck.