Opinions on this car for sale?

Eric Coffey · 01-10-2005, 04:41 PM

I am entertaining the thought of picking this car up as a driver/possible future project, and wanted some outside opinions. The car is a 1989 coupe, 133k miles, 1 owner, being sold by the dealership it was originally sold at. As far as options go, it has a LSD, Bilsteins, and raised-hub steering wheel. It also has all of the maintenance receipts. The bad news is that it was originally a beige color, and the PO had it painted "Crystal Green" the same year of purchase because he "got tired of the color". It was a fairly decent repaint, but is now starting to show it's age. There are two rust areas on both of the A-pillars, along with chipping on the hood, front bumper, and rear quarters. So, what would you pay? Or would you run away?

sprbxr · 01-10-2005, 05:30 PM

Ye olde tip o' the iceberg. Imagine what rust you can't see.

Eric Coffey · 01-10-2005, 05:39 PM

So is that one vote for run away?

What figure would make it worth the risk?
Remember 89/G50/LSD...

Ronbo · 01-10-2005, 05:46 PM

An '89 shouldn't be rusting like that. Along with the story regarding the repaint, which to me isn't believable (possible I suppose), I wouldn't even consider this car.

sprbxr · 01-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Let me get this story straight.

Bought in AZ

Repainted soon after purchase

Years later car is rusting from the inside out

Last time I checked it was super dry in AZ

Seems like a little too much rust for AZ

Most rusty AZ cars I have seen have just had the paint burned off. This looks like some possible cancer.

Elombard · 01-10-2005, 06:07 PM

NO way an 89 wont rust. Its some weird isolated thing in that area. (sun roof leaked and it was parked on a hill or something). Its a driver, as long as you dont over pay it will be a great car. Can you get it for like $13K or $14K??? Problem is if those valve seals get real bad its so expensive to fix.

LeeH · 01-10-2005, 06:17 PM

Have you run a carfax yet? That does seem like a lot of rust for a relatively young Arizona car.

don911 · don911's Garage

I don't think the car is in AZ.

The rust area in the A pillars seems like an odd place. If the rust is in the same place on both sides, any chance the top was spliced? The drip rail line looks straight but I don't why it would rust there and not in the bottom corners.
For a good price, go for it....and swap me the LSD tranny.

Where are the 6s and 8s? Discount $1K for not having the correct wheels.

lateapex911 · 01-10-2005, 06:28 PM

the color change is disturbing...but people do weird things sometimes.

The rust issue is minor...or is it? Why is it rusting? Well, 15 years is plenty of time for some rust especialy on a repaint that might have had issues. Interesting location...maybe there were some scratches on a windsheild repair? I would look VEY carefully at that area and pay particular attention to the interior for signs of leake around the windsheild. Also look for rust under the seal at e base of the windsheild where water will collect if the seal leaks a little. That will be a little tricky to repair.

As far as value, I imagine that you need to be preprared for some engine items, and that can be pricey, and certainly some respray issues. Bushings will be gtting soft as well. The value will be lower than other comps due to the less desirable color.

If it seems sound, get a good independant PPI.

Eric Coffey · 01-10-2005, 08:20 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah, definitely not an AZ car. It was bought new in PA, then traded in (by the original owner) at the dealership he bought it at. The story is that the guy was an attorney that bought it, but got sick of the yellow-ish beige original color, and saw another Crystal Green 911 and loved it, thus the repaint. As far as the rust spots on the A-pillars, they are not in the same place, and the one in the above pic is by far the worst one. My guess would be improper prep when repainting, and the rust procees began. Oddly enough, I have seen a couple other 911's with rust bubbles in the same spots as well.

jrdavid68 · 01-10-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric Coffey
Thanks guys. Yeah, definitely not an AZ car. It was bought new in PA, then traded in (by the original owner) at the dealership he bought it at. The story is that the guy was an attorney that bought it, but got sick of the yellow-ish beige original color, and saw another Crystal Green 911 and loved it, thus the repaint. As far as the rust spots on the A-pillars, they are not in the same place, and the one in the above pic is by far the worst one. My guess would be improper prep when repainting, and the rust procees began. Oddly enough, I have seen a couple other 911's with rust bubbles in the same spots as well.

Even my wife says it sounds like you are rationalizing.

Run!!

Gene-o · 01-11-2005, 08:24 AM

My 1989 Pontiac was stored outside for all of it's life, had peeling paint and what paint was left by 2001( when I got rid of it) was faded badly. But it never rusted. Oh on salted roads of Maryland too! I would expect a garage kept 1989 911 to be in better shape.

I haven't bought my 911 yet but I'd stay away from this one!

ErikT · ErikT's Garage

I wouldnt sweat that rust. My 86 was a beach car, having grown up in Hawaii.... it had a bit smaller spot than that on one post. I ground it out, repainted and its a done issue.

Definiately have the car PPId though...

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

So the car is in PA? I was wondering about the windshield stickers. Looks like DMV and AZ does not have those.

As others have mentioned, I would be wary of the repaint/rust.

Eric Coffey · 01-11-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrdavid68
Even my wife says it sounds like you are rationalizing.

Run!!

HA, thanks jr.

After thinking it over, I am going to pass on it, even though I could have had it for $11.5k (sigh).

greglepore · 01-11-2005, 11:55 AM

Eric-I bought an '85 with 130k on it that needed a top recovering (Targa) and seats, along with a complete repaint. Paid 10k. I suspect you could buy that coupe for that, and interior is much nicer. If you were counting on a repaint anyway, its likely priced right.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-11-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric Coffey
HA, thanks jr.

After thinking it over, I am going to pass on it, even though I could have had it for $11.5k (sigh).

That sounds like a fantastic price for an 89, but then you've got to get it to AZ. But heck, you could part it for a lot more than $11.5K.

Was the car always a PA car? If not, you may have really done the right thing by staying away. PA is one of those states where "problem" cars go to. Cars that were in floods, thefts and other insurance claims go there to be cleaned up and moved out.

Eric Coffey · 01-11-2005, 01:30 PM

Shaun-

Yeah, that's why I was on the fence for a while. And yes, it has been in PA it's whole life, and only had one owner, sold and serviced at the same dealership it's for sale at. Figure $1k +/- to get it here so I would already be into it $12.5k when it got to my door (or shipping terminal). I definitely wouldn't buy it to part out. Been there, done that and it's not worth the hassle.

Noel · 01-11-2005, 01:47 PM

The booklet on the seat says Sewickley. This is one of the local Pittsburgh Porsche dealerships (Sewickley Car Store). Those inspection stickers are also for PA inspection and emissions testing.

I wouldn't touch it with that rust. If it is rusting in such an open area, I would hate to see what is going on in the headlight buckets. Hell, even the windshield wipers are rusting!!!

In the words of Monty Python "RUN AWAY!!!"

Eric Coffey · 01-11-2005, 02:09 PM

Thanks Noel. And yes, it's at the Sewickley dealership.
If you are close by, care to go take a closer look?