Help with first P-car purshase

[Richard Porter]

Hi, I'm looking for advise on the following car;





Here's the details;

-85 - no mods
-Fresh water flood car, cleaned no evidence, no smell etc, has been out for 5 years all electric works
-65,322 miles looks accurate car appears in good shape
-New clutch and pressure plate at my friends shop
-I have not drove, my friend has and has inpected car (he's owns a euro specialty shop and has a 83 SC)
-No rust
-Needs new tires and has an oil leak that drips onto the exhaust manifold

The guy wants 12000 Canadian thats about 11000 USD (our dollar is high right now), my feeling is I could get it for 9000-10000 Canadian.

The car sounds excellent and pulls strong according to my friend. This would be my first Porsche, I'm an electrical engineer so I should be able to deal with some of the electrical issues.

Thoughts? Are the flood cars worth anything, should I stay away?

[jh225]

If the car was in a documented flood and the insurance paid out on it, it will have a salvage title.

I don't know about Canada title requirements, but in the USA, that car would have a "salvage" title. A salvage title means the car was either a wreck that was bought back, a theft recovery car, a flooded car or any car in which the insurance company totaled the car and it was then bought back and repaired.

Was the carpet replaced? Were the seats recovered including new foam? Too many "ifs" for me.

A salvage titled car will be worth much less than a normally titled car.

[Richard Porter]

Yes it would have a salvage title here. The carpet and seats were not replaced.

[cellison]

if i am looking for nice street car, a salvage ttitle to me is a negative. if it's a dedicated track/race car no big deal.

looks nice enough but if it has the tail it is supposed to have a chin spoiler. steering wheel doesn't seem to match the rest of the interior (wrong color and condition?)

[MattKellett]

Definitely needs a chin spoiler.

I think steering wheel is original as it matches the under dash knee trim, I assume it will also match the poor panel caps.

I personally would steer clear of any flood car, as there are so many of this model to choose from that don't have this stigma.

[Richard Porter]

The chin spoiler was there, they had just replaced the part that the chin spoiler hooks to and had not put it back on. The steering wheel looks bad in the pictures but does match the rest of the top trim. I had never seen this interior combination before, but it looks alot better in person then in the pictures. What would be a reasonable low-ball offer to make? I'm buying for the street but it will see the track. There are not alot of cars for sale in this area. This vintage is easy to import, but its along way to look at - or transport a car. I'm about 8 hours from Boston.

I like the car, I don't think there will be a lot of problems due to it being a flood car, but who knows....

[Richard Porter]

OK,
The dealing is now at $9000.00 Canadian (about 8400.00 USD) with the salvage title changed to a rebuilt title. Which I believe where the car is, means a mechanics inspection.

Any thoughts, anyone have a better deal?

Richard

[NewfieMZ3]

Richard,

Personally I would usually run like hell from a flooded car for a regular driver. I have an 84 coupe that is too nice to track but would be interested in such a car to strip down and rebuild for the track and Targa NL. Let me know if you decide against it, I may have a look at it .........I am in Newfoundland......further again from boston. Good luck........be thorough.

[Richard Porter]

Newfie,

Actually the car is in Halifax. If i pass I will send you the information. I just listed the distance to Boston for all the US people on the board. The car would be good for the track although you really can't tell it was flooded. I would have to guess that very little water got in the interior.

[w21055]

The flood damage would scare me a little. For a car with 65K that steering wheel looks pretty bad.

[dave m]

Originally Posted by Richard Porter

I like the car, I don't think there will be a lot of problems due to it being a flood car, but who knows....

You like it, go for it. I seriously doubt you'll find a better looking 911 for $8400. But be sure to have somebody do a ppi for you. Good luck.

[relayswitcher]

Don't be a sucker. RUN don't just walk away from this sale. Just say the word "flood" or "water damage" and people will cringe with hair standing on their neck if you ever what to sell it again. Don't make excuses because you like the look....sure it looks good now, but so did Paul McCartney's 2nd wife at one time. You'll pay for it in the end. Take more time....add another $2k to the $8400. and look around. The sooner you quit visualizing this flood car in your head and start visualizing a few others, you'll realize there are lot's of good deals especially in this "cash desperate" economy....( in USA anyway.) Sorry to be negative about the car deal, but I'm being honest with my opinion since you asked us. One last thing...You really have to ask yourself why is someone selling this nice care and so cheap. If water is no big deal, why not selling at premuim price? Hope you take my advice.
Good luck to you bro.

[gsjohnson]

McCartney's 2nd wife never looked good.

[NewfieMZ3]

Richard ,

Did you pull the trigger on this one yet?

[rfaust6024]

My neighbor was going to purchase a salvaged 66 Shelby GT350 at an exceptionally good price. After checking with his insurance company he decided against it. Because the title had been changed to salvaged, it will always remain a salvaged vehicle, no matter how good it's brought back. They have a very small prospective buyer's group, unless they are looking for a track only car. There is always the possibility of when in an accident, the noted title comes up and could be looked at as a possible cause for any associated error. I'd run away from it!
Robert.

[Richard Porter]

Well for better or worse looks like I've bought the car! The end price was 7500 Canadian or about 7000 USD.

Thanks everyone for all the input.

The first thing the car needs is tires, what does everyone run? Where I usually get my tires the guy said the Bridgestone 760's were a good, reasonably priced tire for the car.

[Billyfeet]

Good deal! At $7000 who cares what the title says, as long as your name is on it! Have fun with your new toy!

[NewfieMZ3]

Good Job.......at that price you can afford to deal with some potential issues. Provided the engine and trans are healthy, I think you may have gotten yourself a great deal......Enjoy

[dave m]

Congratulations! Best lookin' $7000 Porsche I've seen.

[Richard Porter]

Got the car home at 4 am Saturday morning. Went for a short drive after some sleep and unloading from the trailer. All seems well, engine seems strong although I was only in our subdivision. Shifts well, brakes and handling all seem good. Clutch is perfect, its new. Hopefully I'll have the new tires and a few other odds and ends fixed this week and get a few drives in before putting away for the winter.