1987 911 -- 1st Porsche

[ej_glutton]

After spending the last 8 months making 2-a-day visits to the Porsch Cars for Sale portion of this site hoping to find that ideal car close by (anywhere in Texas), and after coming to the realization that I would likely need to make a trip (or 3) to some far away place like California, New Jersey, or Florida, I stumbled across something on Craigslist-Austin. There was a 1987 911 Targa w/ about 123,000 miles that included most of my preferences (3.2, G-50, dark exterior, biege interior, coupe w/ sunroof) available about 2-3 miles from my office. Originally posted in January, but I took a pass because family issues made for bad timing. Came back up earlier this month w/ a slightly lower price (-$400). Timing was a little better but still bad; I went ahead and made the call to see if the owner had become a "motivated seller". Long story short, after a fun test-drive and a PPI showing no real deal breakers, I pulled the trigger for $13.5k. I thought it was a good deal...no known major mechanical issues, interior is about a 7, exterior is a strong 8. But the clutch is still original & the engine has never had a rebuild (top or bottom). I realize that it will become a $20k Porsche during my tenure as owner...hopefully very slowly & later rather than sooner.

I've noted on more than one occassion that the pledges are commended when an unsolicited photo is provided w/ their post. With that in mind, this is what she looks like...




Now that I've got the car, I'm looking forward to the additional benefits this site/forum will surely provide. In fact, I'm already penning my next post entitled "1987 911 -- 1st Problem". Thanks in advance for your input & patience regarding all my impending stupid questions...and yes they will be stupid.

Regards,

EJ

[coldstart]

Nice looking targa! She looks to be in great shape and with the original clutch you can bet she hasn't been abused. A clutch job is a fairly major surgery (I'm doing mine right now) but is definitely doable by the weekend mechanic. Great buy!

[GrantG]

Beautiful color combo!

[craigyirush]

Nice car. I bought an '86 Targa last fall with 187K. The cars are rock-solid, not to mention fun to drive. Enjoy!

[Don Plumley]

87 is a wonderful year - my first was an 87 and it was a great Porsche.

Enjoy!

[livi]

Welcome! She looks to be in good condition.

There are truly no stupid questions, just stupid answers. OK, then again, here is a stupid question: What is the distance from the Carrera emblem on the deck lid to the upper end of the lid ?

Not joking, really want to know. Removed mine a year ago and now I am not sure how far down on the lid it should go. There - almost a stupid question.

[Zef]

Very nice looking Targa...You'll have a lot of fun...welcome aboard...!

[crosby50]

livi, there's a thread on here somewhere with a diagram showing the correct location of the Carrera emblem. If you can't find it I may be able to dig up a printout I made from it a couple months ago.

[JeremyD]

Congrats - 1987 is one of the best years - and that's a great color combination. At 123k miles - it's just getting broken in.

[911teo]

Beautiful car. love the color. '87 is the best year to start!

Ask Jeremy to sell you his polished Fuchs and you are in 911 heaven

[livi]

Originally posted by crosby50
livi, there's a thread on here somewhere with a diagram showing the correct location of the Carrera emblem. If you can't find it I may be able to dig up a printout I made from it a couple months ago.

Thanks Crosby, I know I have read it somewhere, but there seemed to be different opinions.

[crosby50]

I look for it tonight. If I find it I'll post the measurements.

[trader220]

NIce car get some Fuchs on that baby right away

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Congratulations! Nice car. There is one for sale in Arizona with 278,000 miles that has never had the engine or transmission opened. Your car is low mileage in comparison. That is a great price too.

Thanks for the picture. We love to see the object of your affection.

[FastCarFan]

Welcome, & congratulations on a nice-looking car.

However, that is a rather unusual "coupe with sunroof". Or is it a "coupe with (very large) sunroof"? I guess that is what you meant when you said it had "most of (your) preferences".

Enjoy your car.

[ros74911]

very nice. looks good. enjoy your new ride. it can go 200k without rebuild easy. as long as you do a regular maintenance i.e. oil change, tune-up, etc... i wanted a targa too. but coupe will do for now.

[goat]

Fine looking car!!!
Looks great Congrats!!

[vash]

fantastic! you got a great deal. (austin is a great place, btw)

[jkarolyi]

Congrats on your purchase! Your car is actually a Targa which is different from a sunroof coupe, but there's nothing wrong with a nice Targa! 126k is just about perfect...not so many miles that it's all worn out, but enough to know that it was driven regularly. Low mile 911s scare me...these cars deteriorate when sitting around.

You also scored it for a great price! I don't think you'd find any other car that will give you more smiles for the buck.

[crosby50]

livi,

Here it is: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads8/Carrera+Schriftzug1160037531.jpg

This should probably go in the FAQ section.