WTB 911 But need alot of advice

[WizPorsche944]

Hello I am 22 yrs old and have owned a 1987 944 since I was 16. On the side I want to buy a 911 project car to fix up and work on. I have $5,000 cash to play with and Need alot of advice on what yrs and moedls to look for. I know 5k isnt alot but its growing.

[ianc]

Let it grow for awhile. Every $ you save now to buy a better 911 will be worth 2$ to you when you're fixing it up. Guaranteed,

ianc

[mambodave]

Let me out it into perspective.. Im droppin about $5k on my new 78SC to get it right....thats not counting the price of the car. At that point Ill have $15k in it..and have a fairly sweet set up for a 78.

Let that cash grow, and find a car that not so much a project. These cars are freakin money pits as project cars. All the "While were in there" crap will eat you alive.

[limble]

Originally posted by ianc
Let it grow for awhile. Every $ you save now to buy a better 911 will be worth 2$ to you when you're fixing it up. Guaranteed,

ianc

Some of the best advice I've read addressing this topic.
Someone else wrote "all Porsches are at least $20,000 cars"

But hell if I was 22 and only had 5k I would do it. But then it wasn't until I got married that I finally bought a practical car.

[aigel]

You need another 5k to be able to buy something that's worth your while. A 5k 911 will need a lot of work. Even if your time is free, the parts are not. Go to our sponsor's web site and check on some of the basic stuff. Go and virtually rebuild a suspension or do some basic engine work, say an oil fed chain tensioner upgrade. Or go rebuild the top end ... Besides mechanical work, body and paint are very pricey too. In the parts department, the euro exchange rate has not helped with this either.

If you have the 944 now, keep saving and wait until you have enough to buy a clean and maintained SC.

George

[69911e]

I will give you the opposite advise others give you. If you can find one in your price range you like buy it. You only go through life once and if you can add a few more years of driving a 911 by buying one while you are younger all the better. you can always sell it to a nicer one in the future if you desire. Yes, it would be cheaper to buy a perfect as opposed to fix one up to be perfect, but then you need the 20K.
You can probably buy a 74-77 911 with a 2.7cis engine for 5K. The interior and paint probably won't be perfect but they can be found in decent running condition.

[356six]

Buy a decent 912 and drive the hell out of it for a few years. Save some money, sell the 912 & buy a nice 911.

[Nine9six]

Originally posted by 69911e
I will give you the opposite advise others give you. If you can find one in your price range you like buy it. You only go through life once and if you can add a few more years of driving a 911 by buying one while you are younger all the better. you can always sell it to a nicer one in the future if you desire. Yes, it would be cheaper to buy a perfect as opposed to fix one up to be perfect, but then you need the 20K.
You can probably buy a 74-77 911 with a 2.7cis engine for 5K. The interior and paint probably won't be perfect but they can be found in decent running condition.

I'm sorry, this logic escapes me...
So, are you saying that you are willing to spend $5K just to say you have a Poorish? Perhaps you could charge your friends to take a look at it while it sits in your garage. That way, you may be able to raise the $15K needed to make it a good running reliable, presentable car.

[mambodave]

Originally posted by 356six
Buy a decent 912 and drive the hell out of it for a few years. Save some money, sell the 912 & buy a nice 911.

probably the best advice anyone has given.

[911quest]

If a project is what your looking for buy a 5000.00 car if you have to pay someone else to do the work keep saving If is going to be a learning experience I say go for it there is no better way to learn then having to fix the car yourself. The only real advise I would give is make sure the engine is healthy every thing else mechanically can be repaired relatively easy and inexpensive that said I think the mid years are an awsome value

[pieterk]

Originally posted by 356six
Buy a decent 912 and drive the hell out of it for a few years. Save some money, sell the 912 & buy a nice 911.

That's exactly what I did. Outstanding advice.

I ended up keeping the 912 for nine years. When I bought it, I wasn't prepared to take on the costs of a 911, but I always loved Porsches and wanted a unique car with some class and relatively low maintenance costs. 912 fit the bill perfectly. It also ended up being a superb basic education in driving a rear engine rear wheel drive car, although it is obviously under-powered compared to a 911. On the flip side, it's more balanced. Once I got into a 911, I intuitively understood how to manage the weight. It wasn't a giant leap.

I bought one in gorgeous condition from a second owner, and recovered all my costs when I sold it earlier this year. If you've got $5k now, you can probably save another three or four thousand, which will buy you a very nice example, one you can be proud of.

[mambodave]

This one has a new engine..may be a good start.
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/9/4/86291994.htm



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-912-Porsche-California-Car-Very-nice-Cond_W0QQitemZ260051700314QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6429Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[WizPorsche944]

What do u guys think ofa 912E ?

[pieterk]

Originally posted by WizPorsche944
What do u guys think ofa 912E ?

I don't.

It's 300 lbs heavier, has crippling smog hardware on it, is underpowered, and basically doesn't hold a candle to the originals.

The only real positive I can see is that it looks more modern with the short hood, but that's assuming you like more modern looking cars.

Ideally, a '68-'69 would be preferable; probably a slight nod towards the '69 if you have a choice.

[aigel]

I would stay away from a 912E. Maybe someone can post an engine picture of one. It's horrid. Here in CA it is even worse, since it is just one year too young to be smog excempt.

There is nothing wrong with starting the hunt and seeing what you can get for 5k. It may be sobering. If you stay realistic and don't fall in love with a rust bucket, you may be able to uncover a car that is half way decent close to 5k. I generally advise against loans for toy type cars, but this may be the time to take out a few grand to get you into the better price range.

Cheers, George

[Rick V]

Save another 5k and then start looking with the intent to buy. As for now just start looking to get the ideas. Don't fall into the trap of ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh shiny Porsche
Inless your idea of a project is a complete ground up resto. Good luck what ever you chose.

[quattrorunner]

Nope. I say keep your eyes open for that mythical too good deal. Now in the mean time, keep saving and learning about what to look out for. But if your looking for a project, don't turn down the idea of a car with a bad engine. But don't pay 5000 for one either. You could get into something really good (some would say bad) if you look close. All this is if you have the time and don't need to depend on the car for a while. There is no better way to learn than when you need to learn to get it done. Have fun. By the way, I got my first porsche for 600 bucks. Did It ever run? No, I sold it for 800 bucks. My second porsche was a 6500 dollar car a 72 911t targa in 1993. Third was 7225 dollars 79 911sc targa in 2003. I still drive it every day and it's been reliable and fun. Be carefull and have fun.

[mambodave]

could always go thr 914 route Untill you can afford a 911. They are a blast to drive, and can be had within your budget for some decent examples.

2 years ago i stumbled on an 83 SC with 70k on it..car was like new.. and I got it for $8k..... Take your time and look. But there are options in the mean time.

[WizPorsche944]

Ive always wanted a 914 they seem to be cheaper parts wise to fix too.

[911quest]

They are really great cars I drove one daily for 2 years my first Porsche and the engines are cheaper for the most part to repair compared to a 356/912 motor.