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Por_sha911 Por_sha911 is online now
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: TN
Posts: 21,241
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by HardDrive View Post
What you should look for is a SL560.
or a 450

I owned an `85 380SL so here are my suggestions.
-Don't buy a 380: they are heavy and sluggish in acceleration. Mine got 16 mpg on a good day with highway driving and city mixed. The transmissions are horrible. The are solid like a tank but accelerate like a slug. Handling is designed for highway cruising only.

Things to look for are:
-leaking or dried out canvas top (several grand to replace). The plastic back window is a disaster.
-working AC: Rube Goldberg would be proud of the design. It was R12 - has it been updated to 134A?
-any flaws in interior including dash and seats - uber expensive.
-the valve cover gaskets leak and they are a pain to replace.

Other info:
-the radios stink
-the hardtop weighs 110 pounds! You'll need two very strong friends or a hoist system if you want to take it on or off.
-parts are expensive and unless you do the work yourself be prepared to pay a premium labor rate (the dealer won't have a clue what to do).
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See Porsche run. Run, Porsche, Run: `87 911 Carrera
Old 07-27-2020, 07:27 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #42 (permalink)