One thing that I will say about the ppi process is that, depending on the inspector, is very detailed. Sometimes even surprising the seller. On both occasions, for different reasons I walked away. One was due to the estimated cost of repairs & the seller not wanting to come down on his asking. The other seller was offended by the results of the ppi.
B

You do often have to kiss some frogs. Sellers don't like when their car isn't as perfect as they believe. It's emotional. They are attached and have idealized the car. Often just the act of selling is hard to let go. Finding out your old girl is a little rough can make that harder.

Just keep shopping. You will find yours.

I had been looking for a 911 3.2 for 7 or 8 years, learning as I went along, never finding quite the perfect one at the perfect price locally. I had all but given up hope of ever finding one that met my criteria, tho I still enjoyed the chase. The $ were just getting higher than I felt comfortable with.
Then a week ago yesterday a friend just mentioned that a friend of ours knew someone locally that was looking to sell his 85 3.2. I immediately called our friend who gave me the owners #. 3 days later I had my 3.2 Carrera Targa in my garage at a very reasonable price with only 47K miles on it and in excellent condition. Moral of the story, at least for me anyway - Persistence pays off .

Matt
Agreed, actually I think the hardest part for the seller is coming to the decision to sell. They are the cars that I get most excited about. I am in conversations with a few people now who are "thinking about it or not sure". These seem to be the loved cars I am seeking. It is hard for both parties when the results off the ppi are too honest.
B

If there are more cars for sale in the Spring -- and there usually are -- there are also more buyers. And there is no guarantee the supply of cars is going to outpace the supply of buyers wanting to enter the market, and I would assume the opposite.

So by all means, take your time to buy what you want -- the chase is half the fun.

But I would just discard out of hand PML's assertion that prices are going to decline in the Spring/Summer -- because that defies both history and the current Porsche market dynamic.

The quality of car that $20-25k can buy is not going to improve between now and August -- and will likely decline. Of course, there is always the possibility to cherry pick an underpriced car -- but with dealers and curbstoners circling like sharks, those opportunities are getting scarce. And given your interest in "due diligence" in the buying process (i.e., a PPI), you are very unlikely to happen upon one of those deals, unless it is word of mouth, or "friend" prices from someone you know.

That doesn't mean get desperate -- it just means that in a bull market you should expect to pay a premium for finding exactly what you want. Trying to simultaneously get a "bargain" that fills precise specifications is a recipe for frustration in buying a used or classic car.

For months PML has posted ads trying to prove that there a lot of quality 3.2 cars -- with low to moderate mileage, and no significant needs or condition issues -- that can be had under $20k. What he has demonstrated is that he takes ebay ads too much at face value, and doesn't have the experience to understand the difference between a $30k car and an $18k 911.

So long as you are not looking for that kind of easter egg, and understand a good car is likely to cost more like $25-30k, you have a chance to get what you are looking for.

And again -- I am not bashing PML personally -- I just think there is more than ample evidence on this board and Rennlist that he doesn't know enough to be giving advice about buying air-cooled 911s, and should stop pretending that he does.

Totally wrong. What I was proving is that cars in the low 20s can be found. In this echo chamber, people were insisting that a '84 Targa SC with 130k miles is worth $29k. Sorry, I don't think so.

I told him to up his budget to $25k to get the clean car he wants.

No one ever disputed there are plenty of cars for sale in the low twenties. What is disputed are how many are good buys at that price.

Since the last SC was an '83, that would be a rare and valuable car indeed.

Regardless, year and mileage is a starting point -- it is not difficult at all to imagine a 84 3.2 with 130k selling well north of $30k if the condition warrants it.

But I agree that $25k can still buy a good driver.

Imagine is the key word here. SmileWavy

I will defer to your expertise on figments of the imagination. :)

Since you can't comprehend what I am describing, here is an example:

An original, 1-2 owner '84 Targa with 130k (verified with records) -- fully stock -- with service records from new, never wrecked, with excellent paint (original or high quality repaint) and interior, and working A/C. With complete tool kit, pump, spare. Refurbished Targa top, 915 with no linkage or synchro issues, a motor that has had a top end rebuild, and a re-bushed suspension.

That is a $30k car all day long. Probably $35k+ at a high end dealer -- even in Guards Red, Black, or White. Those cars are out there, but few are selling them on ebay.

If it is a desirable and unique color, it would go for even more -- or the same price with a few more needs.

Since you have less than a novice understanding of what maintenance actually costs and what is required, your basis for valuation is flawed. Oddly, you overestimate the costs, but under-appreciate the value that "done" maintenance provides.

That leaves you unable to comprehend that a car like that is well worth the $5-7k premium over a needier car with 90k miles.

No, his weird math is in no way strange. He's doing it on purpose to get a reaction out of you.

Cost of color
 

I have learnt already that a guards red car, the color is growing me, is not as much of a deal breaker as I originally thought. You are seriously thinning the heard if you don't learn to love the red.
The way I look at it is this: that god the wolf of wall street yuppies who drove the market then were so fickle that they moved onto something else. When they ordered this car excess was the rage. Bring on the whale tail, give me the bright red one.
These are now 25 years old & reflect the time in which they were built. The yuppie is dead but the guards red porsche lives on!

No doubt -- if you like red, your options are significantly greater -- increasing the chances of finding a good car that is local, and not so rare & desirable that it will be sold in a day if bargain priced.

Just glancing at ebay this morning there were about 45 84-89 cars for sale (including turbos, speedsters, slant noses), and 15 of them were Guards red.

There are so many good Guards Red cars out there that if your primary concern is finding a mechanically solid driver, your odds are simply much better if you are willing to purchase red.

exactly Mr. Bonus

There are actually some of us for whom GR is a favorite color for an 80s 911! Red is high maintenance as it tends to oxidize, but keep it waxed and it glows in the sun like nothing else! If you're open to it, you will have a lot more cars to choose from. And chicks dig it! 💋

Any update on the red car you were considering, Bash?

Yes,
incredible car with great history. Priced right. PPI scheduled. Fingers crossed.
Do not foresee any challenges. The car ( & no I will not even give a ball park of agreed upon price)
86 red coupe, Very original, great driver quality, 118K
top end rebuild at 88, just had 915 tranny rebuild-now I know how good they can be, who needs a G50?, Front seat re upholstered, car pulls like a train, on mods-not even a SS muffler, had a little rust cut out by PO.
These are the "mid year" car to get whilst you can, once again, you drive a 915 gearbox rebuilt by a craftsman & you are driving a winner. Let the "crowd" pay the extra for a G50.
b

Where was the rust? Why was it rusting?

That would be my only concern.

I'm not a fan of red cars in general but I have a friend with an '86 911 in Guards Red and it is beautiful. They look fantastic in person. I also feel that 1986 is the best year of the 3.2s, I'd take an '86 long before a G50 car.

Good luck.

Ian,
the car has lived in Miami since new. Rust was contained to windscreen & rear quarter panel near rear window-behind driver. Both spots smaller than a dime. I have been over this car with a fine tooth comb, even removed the sound deadener to look for evidence. Asking the mechanic to pay close attention on the PPI as well. This car has been loved & driven. This is the 8th car I have driven & I can not believe it. What a driving experience. Given that I would want to put both a wife & a 3yr old in it, the fact that it has not been moded in a HUGE plus.
b