1980 SC, too good to pass up?

[Nathans_Dad]

I have a line on a 1980 SC sunroof coupe, red with black interior. 63k miles. Owner says no leaks, runs fine, new tires on it. He is asking $12,900.

I sold my targa about 2 years ago and am starting to miss having a Porsche in the garage. My original plan was to be in the market in about another year. I have the cash in the bank, was planning on paying off one of our daily drivers with it.

The low miles have me intrigued.

My goal is a mild RS type conversion with ducktail and maybe backdated bumpers. Probably would change the color from red eventually too.

Anyhow, too good to pass up or a dime a dozen?

[racer]

Pay off your debts.. and don't go into debt for your "toys" when its time .. there will be others.

[G450X]

I'd be skeptical unless proper documentation was produced. It's easy to swap a speedo, and/or disconnect one.

Besides the somewhat culled '74-'77's, SC's are probably the most reasonably priced air cooled 911's out there. I don't see crazy prices on them in the near future.

I think they're kinda like 356 B's were around 10-15 years ago, somewhat unappreciated and viewed as "common." I think in the same approximate future time frame (10-15 years), 911 SC's will be viewed in a similar fashion as those 356 B's - that is, if fossil fuels are still available!

Oh, I agree with Racer, pay off the debts and look for a 911 at that time - I don't think the market is going through the roof anytime soon.

[Halm]

Rick, you know the drill: PPI, PPI and PPI. Even if it passes, be ready for head studs within 12 months. That may or may not happen, but that would be my primary concern for a SC with low miles.

Otherwise, that is a pretty fair price. Red, especially Guards Red, is not my cup of tea, but go with the best car you can find. After driving it and a PPI you will know how good or bad it really is.

[bwall]

I agree with Racer; pay off your daily driver and put your monthly payment that you don't now have to make into a savings account. Pay yourself interest instead of the bank

Spend the next 12 months studying the market closely. You will be able to make a much better informed (read: smart) decision about your new toy. The day your 'new' 911 arrives will be all that much more sweeter.

[bifrost]

Thats a pretty low price considering the age and mileage, so definately get a PPI.
Financially, I'd pay off the daily driver unless you have a super low interest rate on the loan...

[berettafan]

The man is a doctor. I'm sure he could pick up a few shifts and in the course of a year pay off the DD.

Go buy the car if it's special...if not i'd be weary of backdating as it's likely a bad investment vs. buying the real deal.

[techweenie]

Hal makes an excellent point. With the 3.0, it's not the miles, its the heat cycles. If the P.O. drove 5 miles to work & back to put on those 63K miles, you have more likelihood of a snapped head stud than if it were 150K miles of long weekend trips.

The rest of the car would benefit from the low miles, however. IMO, worth a premium, but likely less than $12.9K.