Buying '80 911sc targa - anything look off in these pics?

[911SCinNYC]

I'm gambling. I'm buying this 1980 911sc for $10k (down from the $14k ask) without seeing it. It's located in a small community in Kentucky too far from airports to reasonably pay it a visit, so I'm having it shipped via Intercity to NJ (and then driving it directly to my mechanic).

I've spoken at length with the gent selling, and he's sincere and honest. He's the second owner and has put less than 6,000 miles on the car since he bought it in 2001. Total mileage is 43k. Neither owner ever drove it daily.

I see that a couple of things may not be stock, and he's told me there's a small dent in the fender and the seats are faded, but the car clearly runs and with so little mileage I don't expect a rebuild of the engine or tranny. Maybe pop off value, fuel pump, short shifter upgrade and tune up with new plugs, but it seems to be a solid car that needs no major mechanical help.

What I'm hoping for is as many as possible trained eyes on these pics - is there anything glaring you see that just ain't right? Opinions welcome, too.

[JeremyD]

Seats sure don't look like 43k miles. Looks like it has a leak on the crank pully. Looks like 6's and 7's for the wheels - looks like dash is in good shape. Definitely non standard exhaust.

[pryord]

I have an '80SC that has been super fun and reliable. I love the color of this car. If you don't get an inspection, be prepared to replace head studs, even on a low mileage car. It's frustrating to have to spend a lot of money on such a small part (ask me how I know).

The engine looks correct and complete. What is the black stuff on the bottom of the fan? Is the fan picking up oil? ..and I would think the interior should look great for such low mileage, but the seats are faded much more than my 100k mileage SC.

$10k seems like a good deal if the mileage checks out. Good luck!

[FenderGuy]

oil build up on the fan? or it is just dirty? if not i would be concerned about that...is the passenger seat dirty or is it the pics? If not i doubt its a 43k car...without a carfax or real docs its hard to prove real mileage, unless hes got the docs to prove it...


Also get a PPI before you buy, I know this from my car...yes its great one wanting one but like pryord said
be prepared to pay for items that need attention...it may cost you $10k but these are $20k cars and mechanics can add if you need repairs

[911quest]

Where in Kentucky is it you might get a fellow Pelican member to go check it out...

[FenderGuy]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Seats sure don't look like 43k miles. Looks like it has a leak on the crank pully. Looks like 6's and 7's for the wheels - looks like dash is in good shape. Definitely non standard exhaust.

looks like 8's in the rear 15? looks too deep in for 7's maybe its the photos?

[javadog]

The targa top fits poorly. Expect to have some work there. The power antenna is stuck partially raised, so it probably doesn't work. It may just be a bent mast.

Good luck,

JR

[sparkle84]

As others have stated, that mileage figure is questionable. Even if its true I'd be very leery of this car. A 43k car may have more problems than a 143k car. It looks fairly clean but that means nothing.
There's no way I'd buy this car sight unseen. It may turn out it needs 10k worth of work to turn it into a car you could buy elsewhere for 13k-16k.
Hold off if possible until you can get a local Pelican to check it out or find another one.
My current 82SC was bought by the previous owner for 11k without a PPI. In a year he sunk 11.6k into it & I bought it for 15k. There's plenty of good cars out there if you're willing to wait a bit.
If you're looking for a blue Targa SC I may have a line on a good one in Southern NH. Give me a call if you want.
Steve (978)423-9835

[the]

Originally Posted by 911SCinNYC

I see that a couple of things may not be stock, and he's told me there's a small dent in the fender and the seats are faded, but the car clearly runs and with so little mileage I don't expect a rebuild of the engine or tranny. Maybe pop off value, fuel pump, short shifter upgrade and tune up with new plugs, but it seems to be a solid car that needs no major mechanical help.

Without at least checking the head studs, you don't know whether or not it needs major mechanical help.

From the pictures, I doubt the mileage is accurate. 43K miles in 28 years is always suspect, and the condition, at least in the pics, doesn't really support it.

[ramonesfreak]

looks good and mostly stock. i wish my fuchs were polished that way. engine bay looks intact 100% except the left side heater hose

whats up with that fan? almost looks like there was a fire in there

can you have the owner send or post a short video clip of the engine running before you buy it?

i dont see carrera tensioner upgrade done

what about the rubber centered clutch upgrade? thats a must!

personally, i love that muffler set up. I think it looks cool

like the blue interior.

still has original shift knob too!

my opinion is that not all these cars are 20K cars. with the exception of a few small cosmetic things and tires and gas, ive not put a penny into my car since purchase and drive the heck out of it - had no PPI nor proper test drive. runs like a champ and feels like a brand new car at 100K miles. amazing machines

[javadog]

Before everybody scares you off, I've seen cars with that mileage, or less, that looked worse. So there are no absolutes. The condition depends on how it was used and by whom. A large guy, or one that didn't clean and treat the leather could make those seats look like that in that amount of time. Records are helpful to determine the true mileage. The current owner may believe the mileage to be true but did he verify it when he bought the car from the first owner? There is some risk here.

I have a 1980 turbo that has 45k miles on it. Any issues that car has had were not age-related. I have other cars with less mileage that aren't ticking time bombs either, so I don't buy into the notion that a car that sits is worse than a car that gets driven daily.

Having said all of that, you know it's always a risk buying something sight unseen. Those photos are pretty poor quality and almost useless. If you are happy with the seller's representations and have the money to deal with whatever issues you find when you get the car, so be it. If it was my money, I'd hop a plane to the closest airport, rent a car to get the rest of the way and make my decision then. I'd drive it home, if I bought it. Road trips can be fun.

Good luck,
JR

[dlagerstrom]

I have almost the same car. An '82 and it is hellblau metallic, which is what this looks like. The paint can fade in some areas and mine looks like some panels are different colors but I don't think it has been painted.

I don't believe the mileage. Mine was reported as a 25k mile car. When I took a look it was much like this one as far as wear and tear goes. Only mine has the beginnings of some rust with paint bubbling in a few spots. I bought it for $5k. When I got it home, I found receipts in the glove box for at least 2 speedo changes. Based on those, it had 87k miles at least. It seems that speedometers may have gone bad in these, or the owners kept braking the trip odo.

Anyway, I agree that I would not plunk down $10k for a car that looks like this with no inspection of any kind. At least have a local Pelican give it the once over. Even then, I bet you could get it for $7.500 at most.

Plan on spending >$1000 for new leather for the front seats, and that is if you do the work yourself (pretty easy). I am guessing a lot of other little things will need to be sorted out for another $2-3k easily.

[tcar]

Interior fade could just be from the top being off a lot. Passenger seat more gives some credence to this (driver is in the other seat).

I don't see anything that tells me it's NOT a 43k car.

Looks like the original speedo.

Of concern: it's missing the large plastic heater hose on the L side of the engine, from the cooling fan to the heater motor. Over a period of time this could lead to overheating if it's not capped at the cooling fan end (can't tell from the pic).

Cannot do a carfax on a car older than '81 (must have a 17 digit VIN, '80 is too old).

Can you get a good pic of the bottom of the engine? Oil?

See NO evidence of fire. Leaking crank pully is my guess also., Oil mist on the fan.

[FenderGuy]

Originally Posted by tcar

Interior fade could just be from the top being off a lot. Passenger seat more gives some credence to this (driver is in the other seat).

I don't see anything that tells me it's NOT a 43k car.

Looks like the original speedo.

wow you have good eyes, i cant see the 85 mph speedo

[911SCinNYC]

Thanks to all of you guys who have taken the time to respond. If you're interested, I have a little more intelligence on the car, AND I'm having a mechanic do a PPI for me, including compression test, today.

So the original owner planned to Autocross it, but never did, and he put headers on it. This solves the mystery of the exhaust pipes. He also only drove it with the top off and KY is hot and sunny, which explains the faded seats. Also, the 2nd owner is a larger man - 250lbs and not that tall - so that could be part of the problem.

The fan is just dirty, but the belt did apparently break at one point and was replaced.

I'll post with the results of the PPI - may have word within a few hours!

Thanks again.

[pryord]

I know it sounds silly, but make sure the mechanic actually takes the valve covers off and checks the head studs. I specifically requested this and it wasn't done when I bought my car. When I went to adjust the valves, out rolled a head stud! A compression check will not tell you if the head studs are broken.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by FenderGuy

wow you have good eyes, i cant see the 85 mph speedo

Can't read the numbers.

The pattern of the numbers looks like the 85 mph speedo (which mine has), not the 150 or 160 mph speedo.

That's also a mint original blau radio.

[slw911SC]

That is not a 43,000 mile car. Engine bay, seats, pedals, mats etc. all show age and wear. More like 143,000 miles.

[911SCinNYC]

Tcar, you're right - I asked and it's an 85mph speedo, which I think is a good sign.

SLW911sc - there's no way anyone can tell me it's definitely not a 43k car. Only a mechanic can do that. The carpet, in my opinion, looks pretty good. It's a little dirty on the drivers side, but even 43k driving locally (i.e., getting in and out a lot) can soil it. But it isn't ripped. And if you can see the pedals in those pics, you're an optical wonder. The seats are leather, and they're 28 years old. Without treatment and with sun exposure, any seats can wear down, even a car with 20k on the clock. Also, the only seat that looks really bad is the passenger, and no one would put 143k on a car with a passenger at all times. It's sun, improper leather maintenance, and hot and dry climate that have taken their toll on these seats, not lots of miles.

But I'll know by the end of today what's what.

[JavaBrewer]

In this buyers market I think you're taking an enormous gamble. If +/- $10K is not a big deal then go with it otherwise I'd have someone see the car before you send money. The engine bay looks worrisome enough...