Opinions on an 86 930

[Geneman]

Dear Pelicans,
Thanks in advance for taking a look at this and offering your sage and unbiased opines. The boost bug has bitten after reading too many PP posts and 22 years of delightful ownership of a prisitine 88 G50 3.2 coupe. I am targeting an 86-89 930 coupe for street use, mods OK. This is one I just drove this weekend

Data are as follows: 1986 930 Turbo 4 speed, 2 owner florida car-then NYC car, 71,000 miles with most records, essentially stock turbo except cat bypass, and BB SS muffler, no chip....20 K miles since 2004 . Tranny rebuilt professionally at 50K with all new synchros etc. usual major service but nothing internal exceppt valve adjustments ( rockers have not been replaced ...surprisingly as my 88 had titaniums done at around 50...what is up with that?). Taken care of since 2004 by a very good local P guy. He says comp is fine, but I have not done a PPI yet. No oil leaks. Engine comp is very dirty. No track time no accidents . seems to run strong but i am a novice on the 930 ...(the boost is not that tame when it comes on as reported by many of you!)!! It is a totally different driving exp than the 88. But handling is tight...susp totally stock and I have no idea about shock replacement history.


Interior is weatherd..6/10 headline needs work... Paint is original with alot of stone damage/highway stuff ( shows heavilty on a black car...my 88 is white!) The wheels are cheesy (to me) turbo twists with bad rubber (the first to go...) it has not been lowered or center weighted.

I am NOT looking for a garage queen , time capsule , investment vehicle or track car/project. But this will not be an everyday driver at all...pure toy with an eye to upgrades and pride of ownership...As you guys say probably the best priced, close to race car for the streets in a timeless and relatively bullet proof chassis.

The ask is 35 K

I am well aware of the soft market for this period (85-89 3.2s) cars. But I wonder if it extends to the turbos and would welcome your opinions. I have also heard that the Euros are snapping these US cars up and shipping back for resale.

Please let me know if this would be better in the Turbo Forum.

Thanks

Frank

[WPOZZZ]

I thin $35k is way too high on that car, more like $25k. However, if you were willing to spend $35k, perhaps you should look into the 964 turbos. They are a little more civilized and have the G50 tranny. The 4 spd 930 tranny is a very different animal compared to the G50 you've lived with for 22 years.

[jwasbury]

Here is another '86 with a 35k asking for comparison...35k should get you a lot of car in this market.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/557841-1986-930-47k-miles.html

[DDDD]

I like black, however take your time in picking a car, lots of options out there.

Ebay has a constant rotation of decent 930s in the low to mid 20s...if you want to stay out of trouble than buy close to stock.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Geneman

pure toy with an eye to upgrades

Then save yourself $15,000 (at least, probably) and buy one already modified and sorted?

There's been a few offered through PP recently that have already started down this road - including a couple where the bottom line on the shopping list of modifications is more than the asking price for this car. One of those (an EFI car) was being offered for low 20's, as I recall. Would be way cheaper to change course slightly on one of those to suit your personal taste than to start this one in that direction.

You mentioned "chip". No chip that counts on an '86 930. Lambda control is for cruise only and does squat @ WOT - it's a CIS car.

How does your local P-car guy feel about modified turbos? If he doesn't already do much with them, you'll need to do the research...

[carjmark]

After owning two of these I can confirm they are a lot of fun, but also are more expensive to run and rebuild. The biggest issue I have is you cannot expect the relatively trouble free (with the exception of an occasional valve guide refresh) high mileage you get from a na SC or Carrera. Ask a few local shops or on the technical boards what kind of mileage these cars run on average before a rebuild and the cost.

Depending on how hard its been driven, whether the boost's been turned up or if other mods have been made you need to be very careful over 50K miles as rebuilds can easily run toward $20K especially with some mods while you're in there versus $10K on a Carrera. Inspections are crucial given the opp to sink money into these cars without a corresponding value increase. At 70K miles I would be very cautious and for $35K you can buy an almost perfect car with really low miles or one someones already fully rebuilt.

[Geneman]

As usual this board has superb comments very helpful from all

Indeed I saw that red 86...what a beauty..and I would of course opt for that.

very useful to know the shelf life of these when not rebuilt..that puts it in a whole new perspective...Its makes the strategy of trying to find and unmolested one ,with reasonable miles less appealing..

The comment about an early 90s 964 is fascinatjing..I never cconsidered it but makes great sense ( except if one is an ultra-911-purist)

964 T= more engine, newer suspension, more creature comforts inside still aircooled, and...turbos come without that ditzy speed activated winglet ( i HATE those..)

and indeed you vcan get a very low miles and modded one for 35 K or less.. there are 2 on ebay right now!!!

Thanks again to everyone!

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Geneman

964 T= more engine,

More engine? It's hard to argue the modern suspension, bigger brakes, working A/C and the body style (if you consider that a plus) - but the motor really isn't a differentiator because the 90-91 964 turbo (965) uses a CIS 3.3 930 motor with a K27/7200 and a better intercooler - it is quoted as 20HP more than the RoW 1978-1979 930's (300HP).

Even a pretty mild CIS 3.3 930 with cams and well-chosen modern bolt-on parts can make more at the rollers than the factory claimed for the 1993/94 3.6 Turbo at the crank.