"High mileage" and 911SCs

fowlercraig · 07-31-2012, 10:23 PM

I'm looking to purchase my first 911. I'm 99% sure that I've settled on getting an SC. My budget is around $15k, which doesn't really put me in a prime position to pick up an SC with decent mileage. Everything I've seen is above 150k.. even getting up to around 200k, which seems pretty high to me.

Porsche : 911 SC Coupe 2-Door in Porsche | eBay Motors
For example, this one looks great, but has 193k miles. Is that too high?

Being new to the Porsche world, I'm trying to avoid setting myself up for something that I'm going to regret, while, at the same time, not spending an arm and a leg.

Thanks for the insight.

biosurfer1 · 08-01-2012, 08:19 AM

The 3.0 the SC's had are known for being pretty bulletproof. I saw "pretty" because they do have their issues which have been mostly identified and can be fixed now. Its all about paperwork on these cars now...ones that have been taken care of seem to have much less risk than ones dont.

I think your $15k budget should be able to get you a decent example, but you might want to expand your search past ebay.

Here is on that had higher miles but does have a rebuilt engine and lots of work done. If the seller has all the paperwork, could be a good deal: 1978 Porsche 911 SC

good luck

fowlercraig · 08-01-2012, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the info.

I've been scouring all the usual places, craigslist, pelican, etc. The one thing that I've been pretty picky about is original paint. Small retouches have been fine, but I've been trying to avoid full color changes or any other work that start pushing the needle to the "custom" side of things.

911dean · 911dean's Garage

I'd try to increase your budget and buy a car in the low 100k mileage range. Look for cars with top ends done and or transmission work. I personally bought a car with 74k with no major overhaul work done and now will be paying the freight to get the car well sorted out. You can avoid this by buying a car like stated above. I'd also would try and find a carrera but don't pass up a good sc. Another thing don't pay any attention to the g50 vs 915 debate. A well sorted 915 trans is fine.
Dean

geshaghi · geshaghi's Garage

I am befuddled a bit by the obsession with mileage. I have seen 80,000 mile cars priced at a premium that have no service history and look like they have led a rough life, but sell quickly compared to a well-maintained 150,000 mile car. An SC is now at least 30 years old, so I think condition is everything. Unless you're buying a well-documented single-owner car, I wouldn't pay a premium just because of the odometer. I've seen SC's go 300,000 miles on the original engine with proper maintenance. While this may be the exception, these are well built cars and last a long time if they are properly maintained.

Quinlan · 08-02-2012, 05:32 AM

One of the main questions you have to answer is: how many miles are you planning on putting on your new acquisition? If you are buying it as a daily driver and would be putting 150k on it over the next 5-10 years, go for lower mileage. If it will be more of a "sunny day" type of car, where you put less than 5k on per year, I would agree that 150k on the car you buy would not concern me. The SC's are bulletproof IF MAINTAINED PROPERLY, but they are not indestrucible.
Regardless, it is crucial that you have a decent ppi done, including leakdown numbers, whether you buy a low mileage or high mileage example.

Matt Monson · 08-02-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geshaghi

I am befuddled a bit by the obsession with mileage. I have seen 80,000 mile cars priced at a premium that have no service history and look like they have led a rough life, but sell quickly compared to a well-maintained 150,000 mile car. An SC is now at least 30 years old, so I think condition is everything. Unless you're buying a well-documented single-owner car, I wouldn't pay a premium just because of the odometer. I've seen SC's go 300,000 miles on the original engine with proper maintenance. While this may be the exception, these are well built cars and last a long time if they are properly maintained.

I'm with you. My '86 Carrera has 105k mi on it. My '85 Carrera supposedly has 125k on it, but I'm not 100% sure because the 85mph speedo was removed and replaced. Both cars have had their gearboxes rebuilt in the last 10K mi. One smokes a little on start up when it has been sitting like the valve guides are little tired. The other doesn't. Leak down and compression is good on both vehicles.

I think anything in the 100-150k mi range should be open to consideration as long as you can get some decent history on the car and know it was tended to. That's really the key. 915s last around 80-100k mi between rebuilds. 3.0 and 3.2l engines generally get twice that before they need a top end rebuild. Then it's another 100-150k mi until they generally need the bottom end done.

TwoSeatsOrLess · 08-02-2012, 09:48 AM

Not sure where you're located but if it were me and I was planning to drive the heck out of the car, I'd buy the white 911 Targa with the 3.2SS motor in the FS forum!

KNS · 08-02-2012, 01:23 PM

Matt,

Your speedo in the 85 shouldn't have been changed, the 85 mph speedo was used from 1979 thru 1983. My 1984 also has its original speedo (not the 85mph version). It has a date stamp on the back and has never been opened up.

dienstuhr · dienstuhr's Garage

PLEASE think twice (or more) before buying a car off eBay. You NEED to have a PPI done when buying one of these cars and this is generally impossible given eBay's timelines, the reluctance of a seller to allow it after the auction closes, and the fact that you might do a PPI and not end up high bidder!

Try CL, Autotrader and PP classifieds. They are out there, good luck!

fowlercraig · 04:41 PM

Yeah, it's something I've definitely been considering. I'd much rather purchase locally, so that I can have all that handled, but I've been really picky on color (silver or white, please!) and it's not that often that something pops up on Craigslist.

Maybe it's just going to be a lesson in patience

Matt Monson · 08-03-2012, 07:24 AM

Watch the classifieds on Rennlist in addition to here. Not everyone here posts there and vice versa.

KNS, I did not know that. I thought the 85mph speedo went all the way through to '85. I guess it was an erroneous assumption based on the fact that my 1985 Accord had an 85mph speedo. I thought it was a federal thing where they all changed back to something reasonable at the same time. Learned something new.

mpetry · mpetry's Garage

Craig, lots of good advice above but by far the most important is that you must evaluate the individual car and if possible it's provenance including ongoing maintenance, damage history, etc.

A car with low mileage may have been sitting for a long time - this is never a good thing, as seals dry up, bushings sag, etc.

A car that has been driven regularly with a big folder full of receipts is generally a good candidate. Avoid cars that are highly modified, or have been "stored for years".

911s are well made and the basic car will go 200K miles easily if properly cared for. My SC has 190K on it but just about everything is new and it drives really well. Also ask yourself how much maintenance / repair you can do yourself. Little things are easy to fix and you'll find lots of help on the PP boards. If you are not paying "a mechanic" to do simple things like oil changes a mid-year 911 can be fairly economical to own.

Matt Monson · 08-06-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpetry

Also ask yourself how much maintenance / repair you can do yourself. Little things are easy to fix and you'll find lots of help on the PP boards. If you are not paying "a mechanic" to do simple things like oil changes a mid-year 911 can be fairly economical to own.

Sage advice. My '85 is due for tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, engine mounts, etc. Basically it needs the usual items that dry up and or get beat up over the years. I can and will do it all myself and in the process will save something like $500-600 in labor by giving up a few Saturday mornings.

OsoMoore · OsoMoore's Garage

I bought a high mileage (240K) 79 SC last April. It was well cared for, and has been amazing. It had a rebuild at 200K miles. $12K.

It is very important to get a good PPI, and knowing the car's history is crucial with a high mileage car. Take your time, don't jump at the first good one you see, and you'll find the right car.