Going with the hooker theme that silver car is Pretty Woman. I'd hit that and bring it home to mom.

At the risk of adding fuel to the fire, I just bought an 87, specifically to avoid the 915. I've owned a 72 and an 86 911, bookends of the 915 era, so I've experienced it in-depth at its beginning and at its end. I think it's a lousy transmission for a performance car. No doubt the 86 is tighter and smoother than the 72, but it's still not what a car like that should shift like. In the 72, I don't mind it so much, because it's an older car with lots of character, and the transmission goes along with that. With the 86, it just didn't seem right.

And for the record, neither of those gearboxes are in bad shape. I rebuilt the 72 transmission maybe 6 years ago and the 86 915 had been recently opened up to replace 4th gear. Both were/are properly adjusted and in good condition (the 72 in like-new condition).

Talked to the wife tonight. I'm going to expand the year range, but I also got approval to at least consider more expensive cars. But, for example, that silver coupe on eBay is at a dealer. With tax and fees in CA, I would be almost $49k out of pocket I think. Still probably fair for what it is, but a long way from my current maximum.

Don't ever pay full price at a dealer.

But more importantly you solved the wife issue in advance. You have no idea how many deals go south when a buyer utters the words,"I'm ready to buy your car but I need to talk it over with my wife".

The little paint issues wouldn't bother me but two things that concern me with that car is that the option sticker looks moldy and the trunk carpet has been replaced.

Have you posted WTB ads here, Rennlist and PCA / Pano? Like this...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-wanted-wtb-wtt/871040-wtb-g50-m491-911-a.html

..I'm still looking for 1 in ~100 M491 G50 coupes and will regret missing (I got a hold of the seller as he was dropping the car off to a PPI for the new owner) that '89 coupe for the rest of my life. Or... at least until i can afford a 1989 930. :(

Also, save an eBay search and opt for the daily email update. I get '87 - '89 911 results emailed daily. Damn, there are a lot of Speedsters for sale!

I'm looking forward to connecting with you Friday morning. Admittedly, it's a cab, but it's a smoooth shifting G50 with 57k miles on it and new OE bushings 5k ago. Mmmmmm... butter.

Here's my tip o' the hat to the 901 transmission and a picture I re-staged yesterday, ~25 years after I took the original...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1456326766.jpg

You'll notice that the car does have a few issues. At $40k, G50 cars aren't going to be perfect.

You ever met a hooker that didn't have a few issues?

I will not answer this question in a public forum. ;)

YES, SO many people have said this to me and i never see them again. when someone says that, i don't hold my breath.

That mold scares me! Plus the Carrera badge is way off. Looks like that vehicle sat outside for sometime.

1988 911 silver coupe

I was in the OP's position since last summer and had effectively shelved the idea until I received a call from one of the indy's here in town who know I was looking. Ended up with an 02/89 slate grey on black 911 Carrera that was originally sold here in Vancouver which I snapped up. Point being, and as many others have said, the gems are not typically found at dealers. Get to know your friendly mechanics, ply them will beer and I bet they will think of you when they hear of cars that their clients are interested in selling.

Will there be any complaints if I turn this into a, "What do you think of this car?" thread? If not, this one just came up:

1986 Porsche 911 Coupe G50 COA 2nd Owner Original Paint CA car

Other than the fact that they randomly throw in the word "G50" which a) it probably isn't and b) they don't even explain what that is, it also doesn't mention the mileage. Was the Carrera script on the side an option in 86? I thought that was only a feature of certain 70s models, but I have seen it twice now on later ones.

Also notice not one, not two, but three different center caps on the wheels...

If it's an '86, it's not a G50.

I like the color combo, but not the wheels. The price is right if a PPI suggests the mechanicals are in good shape.

This one looks nice. I'm sure you can get him down on price a little.

1986 Porsche 911 Carrera: fresh valve job and syncros! for Sale in Redwood City, California

That looks like a decent car. They didn't do a great detail job on it (see dust in sunrof photo) but on the whole it looks solid. I would want to see the undercarriage and engine of course.

Yes, the Carrera script was optional. I have it on my 86. It was also something sold in the aftermarket so anyone could put it on even if it wasn't original to the car. I don't see it on the COA. And if you look the COA says it was a rear script delete car. 2nd owner added that and the side script most likely.

I would go test drive it even though it requires a journey out to the desert. If it was kept indoors if could be in really nice shape. That is my favorite 3.2 color.

That looks great and is close to me. Does seem like the price is pretty optimistic for an '86, but I'll definitely see if I can arrange a drive.

I'm in San Francisco so it's too far for me to just go down for a drive. I may give them a call though...

Oh, sorry. I thought you said you were in SoCal. Be sure to look out in Stockton and Sacramento. I've seen a number of cars in the Central Valley over the years and there's a couple good shops for PPI in Sacto. Ron Kain at IPB comes to mind.

I grew up in Foster City and Oakland/Berkeley. Lived there until 2001.