Euro SC Issues?

The Donkey · 09-25-2006, 03:06 PM

This may be a little late in posting but I am about to buy a Euro SC and wondered if it is considered a negative or a positive to own one of these, a Euro model I mean, in terms of driveability, safety, and resale value? It is a very well sorted out 79 almost totally stock with a rebuild, updated exhaust, new interior, non-sunroof. The way I look at it is this. Leakdown was all under 2% and any issue on the car was fixed. I need a non-sunroof due to head issues, i like the lack of interior options, it probably dynos are around 220hp or so with the Euro motor, Fabspeed exhaust, catbypass and is lighter than a Carrera. So, if I am looking for an SC or a Carrera this is a nice middle ground. I get the SC weight with the Carrera horse power or more.

Am I kidding myself or am I inline?

Thanks,
Wm

Jay H · 06:22 PM

My brother has two 1983 911SC's that are Euro spec cars. Both were imported in the late '80's.

One was in very nice condition and was maintained to a high standard. It's been as reliable as you can get for an old high performance car. It's high strung (doesn't like rev's below 1500 at all) and is a hoot to drive. It's quick.

The other SC was a neglected example. He spend about $2500 getting the car to run correctly since the Federalization process that was done on the car modified the fuel injection system (7th injector type system). Insure that the car you are considering was converted correctly to US specs or is at least running back at it's Euro specifications.

This second car is again high strung and gets crappy gas mileage as compared to the other car, but it's quicker than any 3.2 Carrera I've driven, including my own US spec 3.2 Carrera. It's damn fast for a bone stock SC.

These Euro cars are definitely quicker than the US conterparts. I've noticed that US spec SC's will dawdle around town better than what my brother's cars will tolerate, but we don't buy these things to spend their life at 25 mph in town.

racer · 09-26-2006, 03:10 PM

If the car comes with a papertrail and perhaps with DOT/EPA paperwork, then treat it like anyother 911 of that vintage. I had a Euro SC for a number of years with nary a problem. Bottom line is that these cars are getting so old, I'm not sure people are as "concerned" about them.

The Donkey · 09-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Thanks Racer. I see you from our NOVA site. I also remember your car. Very nice and set up for the track from what I remember.

What if the paper trail only goes back about 18 years? This one appears to be very well sorted out and well taken care of. The PPI reinforced that. All items were taken care of and they were pretty few.

The motor was rebuilt about 70k ago and still had excellent leakdown and compression and head stud check.

I guess what it comes down to is that you have to buy what you want and not get too concerned whether you are overpaying or underpaying by 1k or 2k. You rationalize it to death.

Jay H · 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Donkey
What if the paper trail only goes back about 18 years? This one appears to be very well sorted out and well taken care of. The PPI reinforced that. All items were taken care of and they were pretty few.

Sounds like a great car. If you can get a valid title for the car from one of the 50 states and it will pass emissions (if required), it doesn't really matter if the paperwork goes back 18 years.

Quote:

I guess what it comes down to is that you have to buy what you want and not get too concerned whether you are overpaying or underpaying by 1k or 2k. You can rationalize it to death.

That is great thinking. $1000 or $2000 over the course of the ownership period (if you keep the car for awhile) turns out to be very little extra. If it's the car that makes you grin like a little kid while driving it, then the extra money you might be paying is worth it no matter what people say on internet boards as to how much the car should be purchased for.