Advice on 87-89 911s: High mileage vs...

[dtsol]

Hi All, I’m looking to buy my first air-cooled 911 (exciting!). I’ve found a car I’m interested in, and need a little wisdom. The car in question is a 1987 Cab, 3 owner, good history, It has 201,000 miles on it, with a complete engine rebuild at 138,162 miles which also included replacing the head studs. The transmission was rebuilt and a new clutch installed at 189,641 miles. They’re asking $35,000 for it. My next steps are to get a copy of the service records and inspection (to be provided by the indy Porsche shop that’s been servicing this car since 2008) and to go see it, but in the meantime was wondering about the merits of buying a car with this high mileage and the rebuilds vs. a lower mileage but un-rebuilt car. Would love to know what you think.

[rollandburn]

Late G with 60k engine and a new tranny for $35k sounds good on paper. Make sure it’s not rusted out.

[rnln]

To me, either car you indicated above, if it runs solid, I consider. Of course you have to check it out carefully. On pricing, I might be wrong but I think $35k is on the low side for a good running car.

[QueWhy]

If you look at my signature you'll know what side of the fence I'm on. No matter how few miles these cars are still pushing 40 years old. A car that has been continually driven, upgraded, maintained, and repaired seems like a better bet than one who spent its whole life in a garage and only gets driven to church on Sunday.

If you gave me the option of driving across the country in a 1985 911 with 300,000mi or one with 30,000mi I would take the one with 300k.

[freeform911]

Be careful getting an inspection by the indy shop thats been servicing the car. You should really use an independent shop for an unbiased opinion.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by freeform911

Be careful getting an inspection by the indy shop thats been servicing the car. You should really use an independent shop for an unbiased opinion.

One that's unfamiliar with the car and owner. If they were the ones maintaining it, they might be less than eager to point out any deficiencies in it and, thus, their own shortcomings as technicians.

I wouldn't be afraid of a high miles car with good maintenance and the records to show it. In fact, I think I would prefer it.

[dtsol]

Thanks everyone for your input. In terms of leak down test and compression check, what kinds of numbers should I be looking for?

[nixtfy]

Sounds like a good car....your sure you want a cab?

[Bill Douglas]

An independent will look after your interests.

Good luck, it sounds fun!!! keep us up to date.

[da Vinci Dan]

Seems about right to me. Agree with others to get an outside opinion. Hopefully the work done was done right. Keep an extra $5k handy for bits and pieces - suspension, interior, heat/AC, shifting, valve adjustment, exhaust, tires, brakes... Once you start driving it, you will find what it needs... and needs... and needs...

If I were in your shoes, I’d buy the silver ‘89 in the classifieds, no affiliation. The real money out of your pocket the first few years will be about the same, and it’s a coupe.

[Flojo]

At an average 911-car-age of 40 years, I don't trust low-mileage cars much. they are not shielded against failure

[Jesse16]

I think you can drive it all you want and if you keep on maintaining it and even improving it, you'll never lose a dime. What other car anywhere can you do that with!
Store it out of the sun and don't let it get salty. Don't sweat it getting rained on occasionally.
And that "maintaining it" comment to me means being pro-active and getting things done to stay ahead of wear and stuff getting old. Not free but I've not found my DIY experience to be very expensive.

[proporsche]

dtsol..if this make you fell better..i bought mine back in 1996 with 380 000 miles and actually was looking for this one for over 5 years so now it has 120 000 miles more and runs perfect...

Ivan

[911tracker85]

drive it all you want and if you keep on maintaining it and even improving it, you'll never lose a dime.

sometimes I think we should call some of these 'forever cars'. just keep fixing them forever......

[NYNick]

Tops are expensive. Be sure you want a Cab (they're harder to sell) and that the top is in good shape!

[mike sampsel]

For me in AZ, I prefer a Targa to a hardtop. Cabs are nice too.
Not so sure about the harder to sell a Cab part but maybe. I've seen no firm data on it.
However, speedsters sell pretty well and they are not hardtops!

I love the top off and top down affect of my cars. It's personal preference.

On the mileage, really low miles indicate a car not driven which may be more problems than one driven and kept up. My uneducated 3 Euro worth

PS: Suspect just because Ivan's (proporsche) car runs perfect, does not mean he never had to maintain it.

[megerian]

Is the cab top a power top or a manual? If its a power operated top, be extra vigilant about trying the operation and making sure that it opens and closes smoothly. You also want to make sure that the two sides are in perfect alignment.

[nixtfy]

Originally Posted by mike sampsel

For me in AZ, I prefer a Targa to a hardtop. Cabs are nice too.
Not so sure about the harder to sell a Cab part but maybe. I've seen no firm data on it.
However, speedsters sell pretty well and they are not hardtops!

I love the top off and top down affect of my cars. It's personal preference.

On the mileage, really low miles indicate a car not driven which may be more problems than one driven and kept up. My uneducated 3 Euro worth

PS: Suspect just because Ivan's (proporsche) car runs perfect, does not mean he never had to maintain it.

I have had 2 coupes and a targa.
The first 78 Sc coupe with 130,000 miles was tired especially the suspension. 8 months later it needed a transmission.
The second 81 Sc coupe had 168,00 miles and gosh what a step up. The Owner was driving it 80 miles everyday on the highway and refreshed about everything.
Maintenance means everything on these cars.

My 88 Targa 135,000 ended up being the keeper. Good maintenance and most useable for me.

[pampadori]

what cars have you owned in the past? interesting ones i mean. i don't care about the Camry you have now or the accord you drove in college.
a lot of people dont know what they are getting into with a 40 yr old sports car, which is why I ask.

btw, my car has ~300k on it. (TMU) and has had at least two rebuilds.

[996AE]

I wanted a G50 3.2 911 as a DD.

After 40 years plus of owning Porsche cars I decided on targeting a high mile car that would need work.

My idea was two fold.

1. Lower initial price
2. All the work done would be mine so I would know it was done right and the way I desired

I am 25k in post purchase. Rebuilt bottom up engine is most of it. Suspension, seats, lots of new rubber, all adds up. But I now have a fully refreshed 1988 911 that will out last me without further major work.

Car needed new top end (155k mi) when I bought her. I went all in and did bottom end also. Its just who I am. Shop said it wasnt needed but... its only money right.

My new to my 911 is also a Cab. I like top up and down down action. The other cool factor is you just dont see many Cabs out and about. Love pulling up to a P car aircooled gathering and being the only Cab in a sea of coupe's.

Good luck.

Half the fun is the hunt.