Help With Buying a 911!

[banjomike]

Nice gift!!!!

You should ask at least these questions:

does it have a pop-off valve installed (no big deal if not but you would want it done asap $50 DIY, $100-150 not DIY)
does it have carrera tensioners? more $$
does it burn oil, how much?
how does it shift?
any signs of rust? (less likely on a galvanized car like this one but rust is evil cancer on 911s and very $$$$)
since it is a gray-market car, there should be some paperwork proving it is legal to have here (though I know very little about this)
Probably the best thing is to arrange the PPI before you fly there. If there are problems, then you save the trip $.

also the known problems listed in the first reply are true but you should know that the 3.0L 911 motor, when properly maintained is a VERY reliable motor. With the low milage the rubber centered clutch might still be in there, the synchros are probably good. budget for things that need to be done. Even though the milage is low, if the bushing are original they won't be great, all new bushings will make it ride like new.

last thought. A local mechanic that knows 911s will be a huge asset in owning this car and the lack thereof will be a huge liability.

[TerryH]

hey someone stole your right side mirror!

Mine is lacking the r/s mirror too. Mine also didn't have the H4 headlights that yours doesn't have, but mine has sidemarkers yours is lacking. Many folks here have told me H4 lights are stock on the euro edition SC's, but your potential car is about the 4th euro I've seen without them. Mine came with Km speedo, I just changed it out to MPH. Antenna is also on same side as fuel door. So other than the marker lights they are similar in the Euro style.

I too was tempted by long distance shopping. Ebay and autotrader had me thinking airline ticket shopping a few times. In the end, the car was garaged 9 miles from my house. One of those "can see the forest through the trees" things.

Good luck and always get a PPI.

[Jack Olsen]

You're getting lots of great advice here. I'll reiterate the part you should not ignore, though. Get a thorough PPI from a good indpendent Porsche shop that is familiar with pre-89 cars. The most likely cause of $5,000 worth of post-purchase surprises will be snapped head studs and a worn out transaxle. Spring for the PPI that involves pulling the valve covers and checking the studs, and also find out when (if ever) the transaxle has been rebuilt, and whether any of the suspension components (bushings, shocks) have been updated. And like Jim says, verify that it's got the updated chain tensioners, and -- if AC is important to you -- what's been done in the last 20 years to make the AC work.

Keep in mind, it's a 24-year-old semi-exotic car. There's a lot that can go wrong, and it can cost a fair amount to keep it in good health.

That said, the SC is one of the most bulletproof models of the 911 line.

[Boneman]

Wife has only driven a 911 once - friend owns a 911 Targa (84 I think). She enjoyed the way it drove - commented that it was very responsive.

[Boneman]

Thanks for all the great advice! Thought I had done some investigation on 911 --- not! feel like I'm on a 911 crash course of doos and don'ts. Lots to learn. I appreciate all the great advice and experience. Want to do this right - provided this car checks out in PPI - is this something that you would put your wife in?? Here is another Pic of "missing" right side mirror. Thanks to all again. WOW!

[scottb]

Is it an optical illusion, or does the paint on the passenger door look to be a different shade?

[nostatic]

just remember: pictures can lie. big time.

repeat to yourself: pictures can lie. There is no substitute for laying your hands on the car, and having one (or two) experienced people look it over closely.

Like Chris said, be prepared to kiss a lot of frogs. Also, you should check out a few cars and drive a few as they will each feel different depending on their state of repair.

[Boneman]

Owner sent 20+ Pics inside and out - engine, enterior etc. All "looked" good from 1100 miles away. Trying to decide which car to go and "invest" in. Not a big Posrche market in South Dakota - almost a given I will have to travel to see a car. Don't want to blow lots of coin on lost lemons. This car (provided I can get candid answers to forum questions) looks like might be worth a closer look/drive - what do you think?

[MJHanna]

Looks like the car has been repainted. Where are the front fenders side markers? No sunroof? After market seats? Need more pictures of engine and interior.

[ChrisBennet]

Did SC's ever come with headlight washers? I've only seen them in Carrera's. If I had to guess I'd saw that the front fenders and bumper are not original. I would give a pass.
There are easily a 1000 people on this list that would be happy to check out a car for you if it was close to them. Don't be afraid to ask.
What do you think of Zimmerman's book?
-Chris

[Jadams1]

I think cars destined for Sweeden had headlight washers.

[Panzer909]

Hmm. There's something about that car that looks repainted. (not necessarily a bad thing). Also, do those Fuchs look like repros to anyone else? The tulips are awfully narrow near the centercap. That's a real schister move if they are, IMHO.

[MJHanna]

look at the black around the windows repainted?

[1982911sc]

My 1982 SC has factory headlight washers, must have been an opiton. I have never used them but they exist!