Danglerb, you are a wealth of knowledge! I don't know if I have the money to spend on an 87 and newer car, if I choose the 928 route. Are the US spec early cars worth it? I'm probably limited to 10k. I found a 5-speed black on black '84 with about 70k miles for $9,000 close to home. I'd certainly haggle but is that a good start for a clean car-assuming it's clean. I am a good wrench and decent body guy. I'm artistic, so things like design and painting are easy to me. I can MIG weld and have a decent collection of tools for a youngster
. Electrical is my weak point and while I have access to my dad's enormous shop (a huge closed down antique Ford dealership), he's an hour away; my shop consists of a 25x11 one-car garage.
I'm okay with a little work but whatever I get has to have no major rust issues, strong mechanically on the bottom end, and no or little mods to the electrical system.
If I can pick up a car for 7-9K, I can budget another 4k for repairs and mods. I'd rather go that route than spend the 11-13k on a more sorted car, because I'll want to implement my own design modifications.