What does $10K buy these days?

chuckw951 · 10-15-2009, 11:21 AM

I am looking for my next Porsche. Over the years I've owned:

1978 911SC Targa
1988 944
1986 944 turbo
1974 914 2.0
1969 911e (with 3.0 engine)
1995 968 cabriolet

I would like to buy another convertible or 911 targa but I have a budget of $10K. I was thinking maybe I could find a nice 944 S2 convertible. I'd like to find something that doesn't need a whole lot of work either. I would consider a Boxster, but I'm 6'4" and don't fit well. Surprisingly the 914 fit me great. If couldn't find a convertible or targa I would consider a coupe too.

racer · 10-15-2009, 12:38 PM

While not official "rules of thumb" I have learned at least this much:

Every '78-89 911 is a $20K car.. either spend the money upfront or own a project
Every 944 is a $10K car.. either spend the money upfront or own a project

Boxsters? You can find them below $10K, but you won't want them unless you are making a race car out of it.

914s - Plenty still out there for under 10K. Good runners are still $5K+ expect to spend money on improvements/mods.

There was a '77 911 Targa on the DC Craigslist with a 3.2. High miles. Mclean area. Was asking $9995. I emailed the guy a couple of times, but realized it was above my budget and went with a 944.

Not may S2 Cabs out there.. I did see an S2 coupe on the DC Craigslist the other day. Blue. Don't recall miles.. Asking $8K

Be sure to have about 10% of your funds alloted to the anoying things, like taxes, registration, PPI, and the usual "new stuff" that the car will need.

yelcab1 · 10-15-2009, 07:01 PM

Not quite true, for all cases.

For 10K$, you can get a solid maybe higher miles 911SC that will have little problem and you can drive it everyday. Mine is around $10K.

LWJ · 10-15-2009, 08:51 PM

SC!!!!
(and possibly money left over) possibly.

bgyglfr · 10-16-2009, 06:54 AM

I agree. Go with an SC. They are great cars and a bargain. I sold my 81 for $8500 and it was a solid car.

bxtech · 10-17-2009, 08:50 PM

There are some great deals lately on 911SC's! A number of them sound to be pretty solid with only some cosmetic issues for under $10K. I've also ran across a few 1984-1986 Carreras for under $10K! I think the economy is the reason for some of these excellent deals! Take advantage!

dmcummins · 10-18-2009, 04:02 AM

If you want to clean out my basement of cars and parts and willing to do alot of work, it may get you a 71 coupe. I have this coupe roller.

This engine that I took out of my 73 for my 3.2 swap. It was a pain to start when cold but I have a set of webers that should work out.

And this 71 targa parts car just for the windshield, trans, and all those misc. parts that you need.

All this for lets say $7500, that leaves you $2500 for a interior and paint, for this price you will have to paint it yourself and do all the assembly.

dmcummins · 10-18-2009, 04:04 AM

But if you really only have $10,000 to spend, I wouldn't advise taking me up on my offer.

And you also need some time.

w21055 · w21055's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcummins

If you want to clean out my basement of cars and parts and willing to do alot of work, it may get you a 71 coupe. I have this coupe roller.

This engine that I took out of my 73 for my 3.2 swap. It was a pain to start when cold but I have a set of webers that should work out.

And this 71 targa parts car just for the windshield, trans, and all those misc. parts that you need.

All this for lets say $7500, that leaves you $2500 for a interior and paint, for this price you will have to paint it yourself and do all the assembly.

Why is it when I look at that package I see a Slate Grey or GP White narrow body hot rod. Luckily these deals are not coming up in GA or my garage space, status w a GF and Bank account would change. To me a great deal and the elbow grease is more enjoyable than just buying a car.

Phil

yelcab1 · 10-18-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcummins

But if you really only have $10,000 to spend, I wouldn't advise taking me up on my offer.

And you also need some time.

2 years of time, more than $10K of money, and an un-used garage with copious number tools...

dmcummins · 10-18-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yelcab1

2 years of time, more than $10K of money, and an un-used garage with copious number tools...

True, but you should know what you have when you are done. If corners were cut it would be you doing it, not someone trying to flip a car.

As I said, if $10,000 was all you had the only way my deal would work is if you could do all the work yourself and not count your time.

dmcummins · 10-18-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w21055

Why is it when I look at that package I see a Slate Grey or GP White narrow body hot rod. Luckily these deals are not coming up in GA or my garage space, status w a GF and Bank account would change. To me a great deal and the elbow grease is more enjoyable than just buying a car.

Phil

Slate grey or white is definatly a possibility. My plan is strip down the coupe and put the 2.4 with webers with 901 trans. RS carpet kit with RS door panels and period seats. steel wheels and go lightweight everywhere else. I finished my 73 3.2 conversion last year and I just have other things going on now to do. You could take two years or a few months, depends on how far you want to go and how much time you actually work on the car.

Just on option on those with somewhat limited funds.

chuckw951 · 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcummins

But if you really only have $10,000 to spend, I wouldn't advise taking me up on my offer.

And you also need some time.

Actually, I have been there before. My last project was installing a 3.0 engine into a 69 911E. That was a lot of time and effort. I need something I can get in and go.

chuckw951 · 10-18-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bxtech

There are some great deals lately on 911SC's! A number of them sound to be pretty solid with only some cosmetic issues for under $10K. I've also ran across a few 1984-1986 Carreras for under $10K! I think the economy is the reason for some of these excellent deals! Take advantage!

I really enjoyed my first Porsche, a 78 911SC. Unfortunately I didn't know about an "oil sump screen" upgrade or something like that and the engine "popped" during an autocross. Ended up rebuilding the engine, new head studs, etc. My concern with an 911SC or 84-86 Carrera is that an expensive engine repair is just around the corner. I'd have to get one with a documented top end rebuild at least and I don't think that would be possible for $10K. With the 3.0 engine I installed in the 911e then engine needed head studs which I knew when I bought it...but was surprised when it needed new P&Cs. I do like the flat-6 engines but the rebuilds take the fun out of it for me.

bxtech · 10-21-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckw951

I really enjoyed my first Porsche, a 78 911SC. Unfortunately I didn't know about an "oil sump screen" upgrade or something like that and the engine "popped" during an autocross. Ended up rebuilding the engine, new head studs, etc. My concern with an 911SC or 84-86 Carrera is that an expensive engine repair is just around the corner. I'd have to get one with a documented top end rebuild at least and I don't think that would be possible for $10K. With the 3.0 engine I installed in the 911e then engine needed head studs which I knew when I bought it...but was surprised when it needed new P&Cs. I do like the flat-6 engines but the rebuilds take the fun out of it for me.

A rebuild of an engine takes quite a bit of time and dedication and of course $$$!! I agree.........It can take the fun out of it very quickly!

However, my advice to you is to just keep looking around. The "right" deal will come along. Being patient I feel is the secret! I've seen some great deals! A couple of the Carreras I saw come up DID in fact have the top end rebuild with new valves and valve guides. They had receipts to prove it too! I think the last one I saw a few months back was an '85 and they were asking a flat $10K for it. Keep in mind........tax time, winter, and the holidays are just around the corner. Deals seem to even get better during this time of year!

yelcab1 · 10-21-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckw951

I really enjoyed my first Porsche, a 78 911SC. Unfortunately I didn't know about an "oil sump screen" upgrade or something like that and the engine "popped" during an autocross. Ended up rebuilding the engine, new head studs, etc. My concern with an 911SC or 84-86 Carrera is that an expensive engine repair is just around the corner. I'd have to get one with a documented top end rebuild at least and I don't think that would be possible for $10K. With the 3.0 engine I installed in the 911e then engine needed head studs which I knew when I bought it...but was surprised when it needed new P&Cs. I do like the flat-6 engines but the rebuilds take the fun out of it for me.

My car has a top end rebuild, all steel studs, pressure fed tensioners, rebuilt gear box, and if I sell it, it would be $10-11K is all. So, yes you can get all that for $10K