Timeframe....

[Bash]

Everyone,
there seems to be lots of valuable & heated debates over many of the topics posted. That being said, what time frame should a newbie have in mind to purchase his first 80's 911. Especially given location - I am in South Carolina & I am being very careful given that for me-& I maybe in the minority here but it is a huge outlay of $. ( I am budgeting $20K.) There seems to be so many west coast cars.......
I have just started my search-like many posters here & know that even though I have been "educating" my self have much to learn. ( & I get in saying that I have now opened myself up to all the haters). Would love to have something in 6 months?
I am also scouring local owners clubs as well on a national level. Staying away from dealers & ebay. Should I be looking else where?
Optimal automobile- G50 targa, 120K/12K on rebuild, three owner car, any color but red.....
b

[hbueno]

I bought my 928 from an ad here on Pelican, so I'd say keep on looking at the classifieds and be prepared to pounce. Also check Rennlist classifieds. Don't be afraid to buy long distance, but of course be prepared to pay for transport. Also, I think it would be useful to contact your local Porsche specialist shops. Often times, they help their customers sell or at least are aware of available cars. I've never bought a car on eBay, but if the car is local and you can see it in person, it might be worth checking out before bidding.

In terms of 911's, if you keep waiting, you may price yourself out (agreed that $20 isn't chump change). So, either wait for the bubble to burst (if it ever does) or jump in without overthinking it once you find the right car.

Hugo

[dienstuhr]

If that's you in the picture, maybe wait until you're old enough to test-drive one...?

Seriously, keep reading (esp. the "How to Buy a Used 911" books) and like the man says, be ready...

I've known people that looked for over a year, and people that bought one in a week. My own search took a couple months in 2010.

Cheers,

d.

ps Nice GTI!

[X JBM X]

Not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but with a $20k budget, especially with the way pricing has been going over the past couple years, you should try and focus on a '78-'83 911SC. You may even be able to get into the 3.2, but G50 cars have been selling like hotcakes. At $20k, expect a G50 to have approx. 200k miles, and possibly need a little work.

When I was searching last year, I stuck to a variety of sources: Pelican, Rennlist, Craigslist, PCA ($40 to join the QUEST program and gain the ability to search the classifieds) and lastly, Fleabay.

I'd also say that you may want to reconsider red. I'm bias toward red (my favorite color for almost any car) but there tend to be more of them, and the right car with the right options/maintenance/condition may just be red.

Good luck in your search!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

My 951 recently burnt, causing a frantic search to get back to a 911. Fortunately, I LUCKED out. Within several weeks mine came up on craigslist. I was looking for a 3.2 liter g50 and all that stuff, but ended up with a 78 sc that drove nicer, was in better shape, had lighter steering, and reminded me of an earlier 911 I drove. It brought an instant smile to my face, while the others (3.2's-some costing much more) that I drove did not. Could I have gotten a better deal? Maybe. Did I want a car this old? No. Perhaps I could have "pushed my luck", and kept fishing, but I would be still searching over six months later. I have kept an eye on the market and little has shown up locally since then. I needed my fix and I needed it quick.

Many people say 6mo- year or longer. Some people enjoy that. For me (with a small kid), it was stressful. Particularily the thought of travelling regionally just to make test drives, so I jumped on my car, and I'm smiling every day!

I also suggest learning as much as you possibly can about all these cars
while searching, keeping an open mind, and being open to possibilities. All of these cars will need maintenance. All will have quirks. It is a journey. Good luck!

[Matt Monson]

Buy a copy of Bruce Anderson's High Performance Handbook. A must own for air cooled 911 people. Will teach you about inspecting a car and all the major differences from year to year.
As suggested, consider getting a decent driver SC for your $20k versus a rough and tired 3.2 Carrera. Yes, the Carrera is a nice step forward but an SC is archetypal 911 through and through.
Ps. Nobody is going to bash you for being new and asking questions. We are more respectful than that.

[Bash]

Everyone
First of all, thanks,great points all well taken.
I have actually read both 32 secrets as well as the 911how to buy.Have also joined the quest.
Not opposed to the sc at all.I am already enjoying the journey. As you can see by the photograph,the hardest part was to get my wife to sign off on a "fast car".
Very fortunate to be afforded the luxury of time & education I guess.
B
Ps. Matt, cheers mate- it is about the people

[COLB]

G50 targa, 120K/12K on rebuild, three owner car, any color but red…..

Something to think about with almost any 911 -- particularly at the price range you are looking -- is that there is no such thing as a "needs nothing" car.

Even a G50 is 25 years old. I would advise you to look for a car that is actually a couple of grand below your budget, and come into the deal with a ready bit of money to spend on parts to fix the things that you find wrong.

Because there will be a few. Especially if you stretch for a G50 at the $20k range. At that price point, your odds of getting a car that has serious needs will be much greater with a G50 or earlier Carrera.

You are more likely to find a solid SC at $18k, and then have some room to get after the things you find wrong. If you are not interested in wrenching on it yourself, and money is an issue, you probably need to re-evaluate your car choice.

Good Luck!

[alfadoc]

Kind of on a whim I posted a "911 wanted" ad on my local craigslist this past fall. It produced what I consider to be a pretty sweet deal on an SC an hour and a half from home. For details on the specific car, see my post "Weissach value" earlier this week in this sub-forum. You may want to give that a try and see what it shakes loose. Here's the ad I posted:

Porsche 911 wanted, 1978-89 (Lynchburg)
Interested in purchasing 911 SC or 911 3.2 Carrera. Prefer coupes, Targas not out of the question, no interest in convertibles. Cars needing suspension, electrical or interior work are welcome, rust or major body damage is a deal killer. Serious buyer with cash. Please use reply link. Thank you!

[Halm]

Where in SC are you? If Kershaw is a reasonable drive, come over next weekend (March 8 & 9) to Carolinas Motorsports Park for our DE. No guarantees, but it is not unusual for guys to have a car or 2 for sale. The roster looks like a good number of air cooled cars and 944's so you can talk with them about their cars and maybe get a lead on one for yourself.

[jwasbury]

Welcome to Pelican. You're in the right place here for sure.

As others have already said, there is no correct "timeframe" to complete an acquisition of your 911.

Originally Posted by Bash

the hardest part was to get my wife to sign off on a "fast car".

^ when I read this...I say get yours as soon as possible, before the wife has a chance to change her mind (which you KNOW she can do suddenly, right?)

That was my story...the first time I declared an intent to buy an old Porsche my wife was decidedly against it. She saw me constantly looking at 911s on internet classifieds. A year or so later (after we had recently bought a new daily driver...hers), I went to look at a '78 911 turbo for sale at a local used car lot. It was a real roach. My wife asked me "did you even test drive it" - "no" I said "it's a piece of crap...not interested". Then she responded "well I guess the search continues". That was all I needed to hear...my '79 930 was in my garage a month or so later.

[MrBonus]

It took me roughly 8 months to find the right car. I started looking casually in January of 2012 and bought at the end of August 2012. I spent a lot of time wading through dealer owned G50 coupes and I refused to pay some of the obscene premiums they were asking. I purchased from a Pelicanite who I still chat with from time-to-time (who is now a 993 owner now himself).

I wanted a 3.2 Coupe that wasn't red or black that was mostly stock with fewer than 100,000 miles for under $30,000.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

It took me roughly 8 months to find the right car. I started looking casually in January of 2012 and bought at the end of August 2012. I spent a lot of time wading through dealer owned G50 coupes and I refused to pay some of the obscene premiums they were asking. I purchased from a Pelicanite who I still chat with from time-to-time (who is now a 993 owner now himself).

I wanted a 3.2 Coupe that wasn't red or black that was mostly stock with fewer than 100,000 miles for under $30,000.

I was looking in that time-frame as well. Bought in November of 2012 after looking seriously for six months, but casually for three years.

I also had to overcome the wife's objections. She still isn't 100% on-board. She does recognize how much I like to drive the car, so at least she's not p!ssy about her lack of enthusiasm. For the n0-0b looking to buy, read anything and everything you can. There will be contradictory information and advice. That's where you have to use your best judgement. If you feel comfortable swinging a wrench, then the possibilities open up a bit. If you are more of a checkbook mechanic, then you might want to think carefully about increasing your budget. $20k isn't much these days, and that was my hard limit back in mid-2012. I got lucky finding a decent driver-quality car for considerably less than that.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

I was looking in that time-frame as well. Bought in November of 2012 after looking seriously for six months, but casually for three years.

I also had to overcome the wife's objections. She still isn't 100% on-board. She does recognize how much I like to drive the car, so at least she's not p!ssy about her lack of enthusiasm. For the n0-0b looking to buy, read anything and everything you can. There will be contradictory information and advice. That's where you have to use your best judgement. If you feel comfortable swinging a wrench, then the possibilities open up a bit. If you are more of a checkbook mechanic, then you might want to think carefully about increasing your budget. $20k isn't much these days, and that was my hard limit back in mid-2012. I got lucky finding a decent driver-quality car for considerably less than that.

Have you used the "appreciating asset" angle with her? While I have never viewed cars as an investment, it's easy to justify it when you can sell the car for more than you have into it.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Have you used the "appreciating asset" angle with her? While I have never viewed cars as an investment, it's easy to justify it when you can sell the car for more than you have into it.

Yeah. "It's just a car."

[COLB]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Have you used the "appreciating asset" angle with her? While I have never viewed cars as an investment, it's easy to justify it when you can sell the car for more than you have into it.

I keep trying that on the old lady, and she isn't biting - even though it is true, to an extent.

The car I paid $17.5k for in 2012 is probably worth closer to $25k now, though I have invested…err…spent around $2500 on it in the interim. All she sees is the $2500 -- not the unrealized capital gain -- which is at best uncertain.

Perhaps a better option is pricing Honda Accords…or late model BMWs…and she will realize what a bargain the cars really are.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by COLB

The car I paid $17.5k for in 2012 is probably worth closer to $25k now, though I have invested…err…spent around $2500 on it in the interim. All she sees is the $2500 -- not the unrealized capital gain -- which is at best uncertain.

This is another problem. The purchase money was real money. The repair/maintenance money was real money. The appreciation is NOT real money. Therefore, it does not exist.

Only the expenses exist. But I don't treat the car as an investment. It's not, in my eyes. It's a machine to be used and loved for its qualities as a machine. Any increase in potential sale value is a happy circumstance.

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by Bash

Optimal automobile- G50 targa, 120K/12K on rebuild, three owner car, any color but red.....

G50 with a rebuild?
You will need to be very patient to find that for $20k.
You are describing a $25k car.

For $20k, it will need to be from a Pennysaver seller who has not noticed prices have risen in the last 1-2 years.
Or a cabriolet.

But, not a G50.
G50's seem to bottom out in the low 20s.
A decent one 120k miles is mid 20s.
A "nice" sorted one under 100k is $30k.

For 20k, more realistically, you'll find an SC or a 3.2 with higher miles.
But....if you buy a 20k car, you should also have $5k set aside to sort out an older performance car.
Also, look into the odds of a $6k top end, $15k rebuild, or $6k gearbox rebuild. What if more than one goes?
Personally, I wouldn't go into this without $10k, ideally $20k, set aside in emergency cash.
But, that just my comfort zone. The last thing you want it top drop $20k and have to park the car when you can't afford a repair.

I think this needs to be said, and is just my opinion.
If you only have $20k, it is my opinion that you can not afford an 80s 911.
You're much better off with a BMW or S2000 or WRX for $10k-15k and having a cash buffer.

Buy the 911 when you can comfortably afford it.
Patience is a virtue!

[Matt Monson]

Show me a $6,000 915 or G50 rebuild. You just continue to talk out your arse with no practical basis in reality.
Bash, don't mind PML. He wants a car and can't afford one. So he hangs around, having no direct experience, regurgitating, often incorrectly,things he has gleaned off the web in the last month since his arrival.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Show me a $6,000 915 or G50 rebuild. You just continue to talk out your arse with no practical basis in reality.
Bash, don't mind PML. He wants a car and can't afford one. So he hangs around, having no direct experience, regurgitating, often incorrectly,things he has gleaned off the web in the last month since his arrival.

Or just outright lying about them. Like his rebuild numbers. He's been told by more than one person, on more than one occasion, that his rebuild numbers are wrong. Yet he keeps using them.

Why? Because trolling.