Still Looking for a nice G50

RacerX1166 · 09-24-2008, 05:09 AM

Splitting this off from the other thread so that Flat can enjoy his new 3.2 and his new daughter, plus it was getting too long.

So, I'm still keeping my eye out for a nice 3.2 G50 coupe.

The criteria are that it's gotta be a coupe, no tail, ideally looking for dark to mid blue but will take a white (with the color keyed Fuchs wheels is the schizzle) or silver. I might take black if the car was mint but I hate trying to keep black properly touched up and every little chip shows. Red is completely off the table.

Looking for lower mileage (sub 80k) and the car should be mostly turnkey with only minor things to be addressed (i.e. freon recharge)

Price range is up to $28k which is a mental cap I put on the endeavor since it's my belief that the above can be accomplished below the cap.

So far, I've only really driven and inspected one car in person, which is the baltic blue coupe that Tim Holt has.

http://www.holtmotorsports.com/inventory.php?vin=120960

Tim is mulling over my offer so we'll see.

Burgundy was not on my list but one came up in Birmingham that I was interested in. The car was listed at $25.9k but, when I went to call them yesterday, I noticed they had figured out what they had and bumped the price. The car was worth $26k to me but not $28k since I'm not terribly fond of the color.

http://dealers2.autouplinkusa.com/v/?object=show&AutoId=17090054&Type=U&MaxYear=2009&M ake=Porsche&sort=PhotoTagId%20Desc&maxrows=12&Deal erId=7810

I'm still waiting for my car to come on the market and have already chatted with a number of folks with cars for sale that have been ruled out.

I've heard that 'the process' is so much fun finding your next 911. Personally, I've found it agonizing. Just in the email chat qualification phase, people just don't seem capable of answering direct questions. I feel like a detective asking the same thing over and over until they decide to provide a response and then it's usually a half response. It gets somewhat maddening after awhile....

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

Just in the email chat qualification phase, people just don't seem capable of answering direct questions. I feel like a detective asking the same thing over and over until they decide to provide a response and then it's usually a half response. It gets somewhat maddening after awhile....

This is why PPIs are critical............. Keep your eye on EBay and wait for the winter sell off.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

Hello Racer, hello Mac,

Racer I'm sending you a PM.

RacerX1166 · 09-24-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macroni

This is why PPIs are critical............. Keep your eye on EBay and wait for the winter sell off.

Obviously, if I've learned anything doing the research on making this purchase, it's do a PPI. I might have it tattooed on my chest

It's just the process of getting to whether I think I'm interested in the car enough to do a PPI since I can't seem to get answers on basic info usings properly worded questions. (i.e. Me: In relative terms of a carrera, how's the ac work? Seller: (and I quote) ac sux.

I'm not going to drop $400+ to PPI a car I can't even get a straight answer on.

But, yes, I'm hoping to catch a nice car as winter approaches, much as I'd prefer not to finally get the car I've always wanted then store it for 3 months.

e3photo · 09-24-2008, 02:30 PM

Hey Racer,

I am in a similar boat. I am looking for a G50 as well, but don't want a low mileage one. You would think that would make it easier, but it doesn't seem to.
Good luck with your search. It will be fun to tag along, maybe I will like one of your cast offs.

Cheers,
Emerald

RacerX1166 · 09-24-2008, 04:43 PM

Emerald, welcome to the fun. What are you looking for? If I know what your criteria are, I can send the info your way if I run across anything. Trust me, I look at at least 5 websites daily awaiting my little gem to show up.

Problem with G50's is that even the folks with the higher mileage cars think they're worth a lot more than they are, you want to help them understand there's a reason why their car's been for sale for over 6 months but it doesn't help. You're a cheapskate...

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

X-

Here is a deal waiting to happen. I suggest you contact / PM.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=431927

Mac

RacerX1166 · 09-25-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macroni

X-

Here is a deal waiting to happen. I suggest you contact / PM.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=431927

Mac

Anniversary edition means tail plus folks tend to want more for those so that kills the budget for removal of said tail.

I need to find another few cars worth looking at. I'm hitting burnout from looking at the same guards red coupes and nothing worth spending my money on.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

red, silver, white covers the majority of G50s.

RacerX1166 · 09-25-2008, 10:19 AM

I'd say red and black cover most of the G50s. I've seen very few silver cars.

I do find it ponderous that, as rare as the 89 Silver Edition is, it almost seems as though there are several on the market at any one time. A few months ago, there were no less than 5 for sale. I know of two right now; one on the PCA mart and there's one in Excellence that I'll be calling about tonight.

So, I've been pondering the whole process and would you purchase a car that you hadn't seen in person but had been fully PPI'd? Or would you absolutely have to see a car before you had it PPI'd?

I'm trying to figure out how to handle some of these longer distance transactions where cars are not convenient to an airport. Plus, most decent cars don't last too long so, until you deal with the logistics of getting somewhere, the car may be gone.

What say the gallery of sages?

rw229 · 09-25-2008, 11:24 AM

That depends how picky you are. PPIs tend to be mostly mechanical and unless the shop is familiar with paint, body and interior they may miss something that could be a big deal to you.

I personally would have a hard time buying sight unseen even with a good PPI unless the shop is more than mechanical and/or I had some local eyes on the scene to evaluate the car.

If you find something you're serious in, post the area and see if a local Pelican can check it out. I've done this twice and you would be surprised how little it takes to get a Porsche person to go check out a Porsche.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

So, I've been pondering the whole process and would you purchase a car that you hadn't seen in person but had been fully PPI'd? Or would you absolutely have to see a car before you had it PPI'd?

e3photo · 09-25-2008, 03:23 PM

Hey racer,

thanks for the offer. I have been looking for a while, and have narrowed as well as broadened my criteria. I started looking for a G50, higher mileage. I want original paint, no wrecks, no rust. I don't mind a little wrenching or interior work. I am not interested in Red, Black, or white. I am not crazy about navy, but with a nice interior color, say saddle, I would probably go for it. I don't like red or blue interiors. I have recently been looking at 84-86 3.2s as well. I think if I had to narrow it down to 3 cars today, oddly enough they would all be found here on Pelican. 1. DV88carrera has a nice 88 http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=429565
2.pnut_lee has a very nice 84 http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=431319 3. thewolfman has a nice 3.2... probably my favorite color of the three.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Emerald

RacerX1166 · 09-25-2008, 03:52 PM

Emerald,

So, I gather you're looking for a G50 but it doesn't seem to matter whether it's a coupe or targa. Your color requirements are going to be tough since you're basically down to silver, blue, and green. As you've pointed out by your links, blue seems to be the more common color floating around. What's your price range, if you don't mind my asking?

You may want to look at this one. It's got a bit of damage on the front valence but seems decent otherwise. Plus, no blue interior. I'd jump on it but I'm looking for something more 'turnkey'.

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/837919995.html

e3photo · 09-25-2008, 04:20 PM

Hey,

no problem. I was hoping to stay close to 15K, which is why I need a higher mileage one. I know some will say it is not realistic, but hey, the market is soft. It seems 12K will get me a nice 3.2. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=428975 This is the link I forgot I think. It is brown
That is where I am at this point. This will be my first P-car.

Cheers,
Emerald

RacerX1166 · 09-25-2008, 06:56 PM

At $15k, don't rule out a 915 transmission car. I think you could get a much nicer 84-86 car with $15k than you can a G50. The upside is that, if you get a nicer one, when the market firms back up again, you're car will rise nicely with it.

I've seen some pretty nice cars with the 915 transmission that I think could be had in your price range.

To be honest, I'd be checking this car out before the ones you listed. No affiliation but you can tell it's been taken care of and meets your criteria except for the G50.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=252291573&dealer_id=63351971&c ar_year=1986&model=911&make2=&mod_bookmark_id=1725 2261&mod_bookmark_id=17252261&start_year=1981&keyw ordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&en gine=&certified=&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0 &color3=SILVER&color2=WHITE&first_record=26&make=P OR&keywords_display=&color=BLUE&min_price=&increme ntal=All&body_style=COUPE&drive=&default_sort=year DESC&lastExec=1222360576000&max_mileage=&style_fla g=2&sort_type=yearDESC&address=17404&advanced=y&en d_year=1998&pager.offset=25&doors=&transmission=Ma nual&max_price=45000&cardist=1481

So, do you prefer a coupe or a targa? Besides aesthetics (a personal choice), I'm a big fan of coupes because, at this age, the targa tops tend to not fit terribly well and leak.

I'm trying to be sincerely helpful so let me know if I'm being annoying.

Oh, and, if this is your first 911, buy Pete Zimmermann's book. This'll be my first Carrera and his book has made me a much more informed buyer.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

It appears to me that the market is full of low mileage G50s that are predominately cabs that can be reasonably purchased for $23 to $25K. Low mileage coupes which in theory sold cheaper appear to be far and few between and priced at a premium $28k to $30k.

Do not underestimate a well kept SC. These are great cars also!

e3photo · 09-26-2008, 05:57 AM

You are right on the money. I think talking everything out has helped clear things up. I have read Zimmermans book, and everything else I could find.
I am leaning towards Targa since it is my first porsche, and I have always wanted one, although I am aware of the problems with Targas. I would definitely consider a nice coupe. I am not crazy about darker blues though.
Thanks for all the input. It is very constructive and appreciated.

Cheers,
Emerald

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

e3photo, for the 15K you want to spend an '83 SC is your best bet.

e3photo · 09-26-2008, 05:59 PM

Yeah, that's the conclusion I am coming to, but I think there may be a nice 84 in my future. I like the 3.2.

It has been fu tagging along, and it will be fun seeing what racer ends up with.

Cheers,
Emerald

trader220 · 09-27-2008, 06:06 AM

For the record I have seen the blue one at Holt several times and its spectacular. Full disclosure, I do know Tim well and he's a straight shooter in the business, on the other hand I DONT get a thing for recommending anyone to him. If you need a hand on a PPI shop just let me know.