Should I buy a 1980 911 Targa

[81Kremer930]

You'll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than this for a 911 that runs well, is operational, and in decent shape. GO for it!

Like others have said.... in 5 years, you won't be able to replace the car for the money you have in it. On top of that, by then, you'll know the car inside and out. It will be a member of your family.

Post some pics, lets see this ride!

[twait01]

As long as it passed inspection, a PPI by someone who knows these cars, I'd go for it. Then I'd plan on $1000/year in maintenance and refurbishment. You can't really plan on making any real money on the car, but then that should not be the point of owning one of these. Enjoy the driving, and hopefully you'll also enjoy tinkering on the car in your garage. I think these cars can be fairly easy to work on. Especially when you compare them to what came along in the 90's.

[vesnyder]

I'd say go for it - and if not pass it over to me and I will take it. The Targa is such a unique design - it is perfect for top down driving here in the Midwest. The Targa design extends the top down driving season for at least two months, if not longer. I have a Cabriolet and the season is pretty short in NE Ohio. I sold a 914 that I had rebuilt and loved that car despite its issues. If you decide to pass let me know - I am looking for just that right project that will get me back into the garage!

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by nicfranc

The car is $8,000 and I have another $6,000 budgeted for repairs.

If it is rust-free and passes a thorough PPI then buy it.

Good thing you have that 6K set aside for "sorting" the car!

[nicfranc]

The car has been repainted with the original paint color Petrol Blue.

[brads911sc]

I wouldnt use the word "restore" for this car. That implies something valuable. You restore a 56 Tbird or a 356 Cab. You dont restore a car where there were thousands made and still on the road and an example with over 50k miles on the clock.
That said, I would hot rod it, and enjoy it. at 220k miles this will never be worth restoration money. But alot of fun can be had...

[GaryR]

Have a PPI done focusing on the motors condition, if OK buy it and don't look back. If the motor is questionable you can do a rebuild (100%DIY) for around a minimum of $6K..

[mmari270]

For 8k and running. Running Well, no less! I'd grab it and make it a running resto.

No rust... Right?

[nicfranc]

I drove the car again today and it shifts nicely, handles well and has a lot power.
It really is a lot of fun to drive. I can see why so many people love driving them.

I had a mechanic friend look it over but he did not do compression tests.
He said it seemed fine and recommended just driving it as is and enjoy it.

The car was maintained by a independent Porsche mechanic through the years.
The onetime original owner used it as his everyday car.

There is some minor rust but nothing that I could see that was too major.

I misspoke when I said I wanted to "Restore" the car.
I would like to be able to drive it and enjoy it without too much down time.
I realize a certain amount of maintenance and repairs will be needed. I would just be
disappointed if this beast had to spend an extended period of time off the road.

[CountD]

Seriously, you better stop dragging your feet because that kind of deal is not going to come around anytime soon - especially in your area. $8K? The stickers alone in the rear window should be worth that. That thing is going to be gone if anyone else gets a smell of it, and by the looks of car and the general impressions you have, you won't find a better one in this price range (mileage or not). 220k with what it looks like reasonable care - that's really nothing, and it seems like some sort of PPI was done. PPI or not, this is a good deal - plain and simple - and I would not pass it up.

[nicfranc]

Originally Posted by CountD

Seriously, you better stop dragging your feet because that kind of deal is not going to come around anytime soon - especially in your area. $8K? The stickers alone in the rear window should be worth that. That thing is going to be gone if anyone else gets a smell of it, and by the looks of car and the general impressions you have, you won't find a better one in this price range (mileage or not). 220k with what it looks like reasonable care - that's really nothing, and it seems like some sort of PPI was done. PPI or not, this is a good deal - plain and simple - and I would not pass it up.

So I take it then the General consensus is to pull the trigger and buy it.

I guess you will be seeing a lot of me on these boards then. LOL (fingers crossed)
Thanks for sharing your expertise and valuable time I really appreciate it.

I love these machines.
Driving the Porsche today made me feel alive again.
What Fun !
Good Stuff.

[CountD]

Great idea, sorry if I came off a little strong, my first ride in a 911 was a 911SC Targa - a neighbors father had the same year as yours though white, and he brought us to our 8th grade dinner dance. I won't ever forget that ride - though it was 28 years ago - that Targa you are looking at looks like a keeper and a good clean car, sort of like an old soft shoe...

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by nicfranc

So I take it then the General consensus is to pull the trigger and buy it.

I guess you will be seeing a lot of me on these boards then. LOL (fingers crossed)
Thanks for sharing your expertise and valuable time I really appreciate it.

I love these machines.
Driving the Porsche today made me feel alive again.
What Fun !
Good Stuff.

You had better have the engine checked out, especially the head studs if they haven't been replaced, or that $6K buffer will be gone the 1st week....

[Mr Project]

Even the A/C looks to have been upgraded. I've been shopping for several months and haven't bought one yet, if I had found this one and the engine checked out as GaryR mentions it would already be in my garage!

[GothingNC]

$8K seems like a very good deal provided the head studs are not snapped.

Also the ride height seems a bit high.

Good luck

[OsoMoore]

Can you contact the porsche shop that the original owner used to maintain the car? They may be able to give you info on if the headstuds have already been replaced.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by nicfranc

It has been maintained by a mechanic who specialized in Porches and knew the car well.

Personally I wouldn't depend on this same person for an opinion of the cars condition, I would take it to a different shop for a PPI. I'm sure someone here can recommend one local to you.

[Smoove1010]

There's a saying on this forum that "they are all $20,000 cars" meaning ultimate cost, not necessarily value. I started my Porsche adventure a year ago, and I can verify that no matter how good a deal you get on the purchase price, you'll get to 20K in a hurry depending on what you find that the car needs.

Keeping in mind that there are needs (headstuds, wheel bearings, brakes and brake lines, fuel lines, tires, bushings, leaky things) and then there are "needs" (upholstery, carpet, bling, bodywork, trim...) Do a search on "slippery slope."

I don't regret my purchase for a second, but I put a value this experience as the sum total of the enjoyment of driving it, working on it, and just having a Porsche in my garage. That's plenty of "payoff" for me.

You sound hooked. Go for it!

[uptheorg]

Check out this video posted today that tells you the targa you want is collectible!

10 Collectable Cars You Need To Buy Right Now - YouTube

[nicfranc]

Originally Posted by uptheorg

Check out this video posted today that tells you the targa you want is collectible!

10 Collectable Cars You Need To Buy Right Now - YouTube

Well that is timely.
Thanks for the heads up.
The one they show is the same color as well.

I guess the moon and stars have aligned.