'86 Carrera arrived: now what?

[sy308]

In January I contacted a seller about a 911. I never owned one before, but I have occasionally driven them. The car was out of state. I paid for the car. He kept if for me until this week and my transporter picked it up. The car was serviced 300 miles ago. I have limited records for the last two years only. The car is just as I was led to believe. It is not perfect and it is fairly low mileage. It has a few paint blems that were touched up with a red paint stick. Lower rocker pannel is dented about 2-3 inches and there are scratches on the roof from the sunroof. We started the car on the trailer and it ran pretty rich at first with lots of dark smelly exhaust. After 30 seconds, it seemed to lean out and become smoother. The car is going to my a local dealer today who services my other cars. He was asked to give it a complete check out. I presume that I will be able to drive the car later today. If I do not like the car, he agreed to sell it for me. Overall the car looks pretty nice, but I am not sure this is the car for me. I just did not want to pass on a nice car, so I took a chance.

I was wondering what I might expect as far as handling or driveability with this car? Are there any weak points or mechanical issues I should look for or question the mechanic about? What procedures should I do in order to check it out? I will be able to bring it home so that I will have time to go over it. At this point, I do think the paint looks original, but the car was wet and I am not entirely sure. Obviously one thing I want to do is check for body damage, especially on the side of the rocker panel dent.

Thank you all for any suggestions you might lend!

[Rick Lee]

We need a little more info - how many miles, what all has been replaced or upgraded and when, original or new clutch, synchros been worked on, oil consumption log book? I'd say drive the car for a while and see how you like it. 911's do not like to sit in storage, so you need to give it a good workout before you can really judge the meaning of smoke on start-up. Make sure you change the brake and tranny fluid, maybe the oil and start keeping a log book of everything you do to the car with date, mileage and whatever you did to the car. You sound a bit lukewarm about the car, which is a little strange for someone who just got his first 911. While these cars can be an acquired taste, I would think you would just be itching to get in her and drive. So far, I am not convinced the car has anything at all wrong with her.

[MarkY]

No offense, but I think you went about this backwards. Inspection, then purchase car.

[911jon]

Agree with MarkY, but having bought it, get it checked over by someone with "The Knowledge" and then drive the ***t out of it! Best way to learn how it handles!

[carnut169]

The car is going to my a local dealer today who services my other cars.

Really? The Porsche is quite unlike your other cars (unless you drive a Porsche or VW)- I would not let a general wrench work on my car. It would be better to bring the car to a shop that works on Porsche- this bbs can help provide you with a good shop in your area, just ask.

I personally feel like 911s are the best car I have ever owned. I LOVE the way they drive- the handling, braking, style... just the best. I really cannot imagine not wanting to keep the car- just drive it for a couple weeks and you will see what I mean.

One question- did you buy this car before you even drove a 911?

[sy308]

Lots of opinions. Well, the car has 29K on it and as far as I can see, the major mechanicals are all original (clutch, transmission, no rebuilds). YES, I have driven 911 before and been out on a track with them too. This car is not as refined as the last one I drove (993 C4).

There seems to be quite a bit of noise comming out of the back end. Some clanking and a few high-pitched whistles too. The brakes are not that "sticky" either. All I did was drive it up and down the street by the shop (yes, they work on all foreign cars and do 911 all the time) and took it on the freeway to about 80. Clearly the car is made for that kind of driving. The shop heard the clanking too. Not sure if this is just normal sounds for an air cooled motor. They are checking it out tomorrow.

Impression: this car could be fun, but it is less than I expected. Waiting for shop to call tomorrow with more details. Any other thoughts?

[nostatic]

well, an '86 is barely the same car compared to a 993. I guess if the '86 is less than you expected, the question would be "what do you expect?" The 993 has quite a bit more power and low end grunt, and is more refined (smoother, quieter, better behaved, etc). The '86 on the other hand doesn't have power steering, and is a bit more visceral.

As stated above, you probably went about this backwards, but there's no time like the present to get some books (Wayne's 101 projects, Peter Morgan's Original 911) and get up to speed on the history and differences in the various incarnations. Then you can figure out if the '86 is what you really want...

[emcon5]

Look here for some ideas.



Tom

[Jack Olsen]

Clanking is not normal.

[Don Plumley]

26K original miles on an 86 means 1600 miles per year on average. This is little old lady from Pasadena stuff... So I understand your comment, "..did not want to pass on a nice car, so I took a chance."

Insofar as you are dealing with a 16 year old car that sounds like it sat more than it moved, I'd be wary of deterioration of rubber, seals and other wear parts more than anything. As far as that dent (you didn't say which side) check the oil lines.

Clanking could be CV joints, but in theory you don't have enough miles to warrant that, unless the boots are cracked and the grease is gone. Whistling could be cracks in hoses. The AC might be shot from lack of use. Otherwise the 86 is a fairly bullet-proof year. I'd do a dose of Techron then right after a couple of oil changes. And unless the records show one very recently, do a brake fluid flush and bleed.

Driving a 993 then an 86 Carrera is such a teutonic gap that I understand why you might feel underwhelmed. Of course I'm on the opposite side - I picked an '87 for its more visceral feel. A big difference for you will be the clutch and gearbox - way different from the 993. Best advice about shifting your 915 is "patience, grasshopper." The steering however should feel more precise, and if the shocks are okay, the driver/road connection should be tighter. This is not an ABS, power-assist, sound deadening, nice stereo Grand Touring car. It is a sports car that is happiest on the track.

So you took a chance on a car to see if you like it. Assuming it checks out mechanically, find a local Autox to see what it does. If that does not float your boat, then your statement, "I am not sure this is the car for me" is correct and you should move on.

My $0.02

Don

[Joeaksa]

At a minimum if not already upgraded:

1 replace all the shocks if still stock
2 replace cylinder head temp sensor (upgrade to two wire unit)
3 replace fuel injection DME relay (keep old one as spare in trunk)
4 install fuse in A/C fan in trunk (fire hazard)
5 inspect fuel line on top of motor for leakage (fire hazard)
6 give the car to a good mechanic and do a 30/60k inspection

Just my 3c worth...

Joe

[speeder]

Depending on what you mean by "clanking", could be a failed chain tensioner. They are oil-fed, but have a spring also to prevent catastrophic engine damage if they fail. If your mechanic is familiar w/ 911's, he should recognize source of noise immediately. If not, bring it to a real Porsche specialist, it will be cheaper and less agravating. In all areas of life, use specialists whenever possible. When your ass hurts, you don't go to an ear/nose/throat guy.

If car really does have 29k actual miles, all systems should be like new. Other than seals drying out, nothing wears while sitting. DO NOT start blindly throwing $ at it, replacing random components unnecessarily as recomended above. The Bilstein shocks on my car,(20yrs. and 115k mi.), are like new. They last forever and are expensive. You will need $ for things the car actually needs. Good luck.