81 SC coupe needing work value...

steve930t · 07-02-2009, 11:28 AM

I'm looking at an 81 sunroof coupe that I think is a good deal....but I'm not sure. It's white, black interior with sport seats. The car has been sitting outside and needs cosmetic help. It has 7&8" fuchs that need refinishingand need tires, interior is fair needing a headliner, it has 150k on the clock and runs great. It has Carrera tensioners and pop-off valve. The paint is fair at best. With a weekend of cleaning and buffing the car would be a great driver. I'm not looking to keep it, just drive it for a while and sell it. I'm thinking it's worth @6k as is????? What do you think?

GothingNC · 07-02-2009, 12:31 PM

How much cash are you looking to put into it before selling?

CROWSC · 07-02-2009, 02:58 PM

My Porsche sat for 14 years before I bought it. Paid $5,000.00 for the car.
Had to get smog test, repaired burned out and not working lights. repaired brakes(locked up caliper). brake and light inspection by certified station before DMV would reregister $750.00
Reregistration fees $1100.00. Installed new Targa top and headliner (rotted).
installed new dash topper. repaired many electrical problems. Replaced leaking wiper washer hose. replaced worn tires. Polished Fuchs. Installed new radio antenna. New belts and
heater hoses on engine (rotted). Replaced some rotted fuel hoses. Had fuel tank cleaned out.
Removed a/c because it didn't work. Replaced rotten wiper blades. Replaced rear view mirror
on windshield (foggy). Replaced various Targa and window seals that were rotted.
Installed new clutch cable.
I could keep going. But the fact of the matter is, I have a lot more money in this car than what it is worth. But I sure have had alot of fun working on it. Just not to much social life.
Now I would like to get around to new interior and Paint job.
Good luck with your purchase of a used Porsche. I love mine.

Halm · 07-02-2009, 04:58 PM

Here is how I would look at it. Add what you will pay, plus what needs to be done to the car. If the total is greater than $15-16K, then you are upside down for selling it.

whiteSC59 · 07-02-2009, 05:37 PM

if it runs, engine is worth 3-5K, trans 8-1200., roller os worth 3K. seats 800-1K. the experience...priceless!!!

Elombard · 07-02-2009, 07:41 PM

Sounds like fun, if your time is not of value to you ( I like the effort) than you wont lose money. If you have to spend a bunch on parts???

Sounds like exactly what I am looking for, a white SC or 915 Carrera to do a LWB 911R with SC flares look car. PM me if you dont buy it :-)

scottrx7tt · 05:19 AM

I bought mine for $6500 back in march. I started off getting all of the mechanicals back in shape,(including the A/C) then concentrated on looks of the car. it needed a complete interior. I went ahead and installed the newer dashboard with the larger vent, along with the RS america carpet kit, and door panels. I had a backwoods fella reupholster the seats, and a friend of a friend paint the car. the only hiccup along the was was the front suspension pan was rotted, but the paint guy only charged me $200 for the R&R on the pan. I also polished/repainted my Fuchs myself. I now have about $12,000 in the car, which i guess is what it would sell for if it was on the market. If you know how to wrench on these cars yourself, you can save lots of money.
here are some before, and after pics of my "bargain basement" car

Elombard · 10-07-2009, 06:15 AM

Looks nice scott.

$200 to R&R the pan...thats alot of work for $200. Didi he do a decent job or was it just a section, I dont think the SCs usually rot like the early cars up there except where the battery is.

Scott do you prefer the 911 to the RX7 TT (I am assuming an FD)? I really want to get one some day soon.

scottrx7tt · 10-07-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elombard

Looks nice scott.

$200 to R&R the pan...thats alot of work for $200. Didi he do a decent job or was it just a section, I dont think the SCs usually rot like the early cars up there except where the battery is.

Scott do you prefer the 911 to the RX7 TT (I am assuming an FD)? I really want to get one some day soon.

believe it or not, my paint guy painted the complete car for $1200. And he replaced the complete pan for $200. the car sat for years, and the rot was due to the battery leaking.

I have had Many FDs over the years, and they are a lot of fun, especially with a large single turbo kit. The FDs are hard to find these days in good shape, and the looks are far better than many cars of their time. The FDs are pretty easy to work on. But......with these cars, it is a good idea to keep a couple thousand in the bank to cover an engine rebuild, cause the rotary engine is a ticking timebomb, especially if not tuned properly. To be honest with you, i dont even consider the 911 to be in the same class as the rx7. They both get looks, and such. but the people interested in the 911 are a much older than the ones that are interested in the FD. if you are interested in buying an FD, let me know, i have a friend that sells them.