Newbie - looking for 1st 911

[Alphadawg]

I am starting the process of locating my first 911. It will not be my daily driver, just something fun. Found this one in craigslist. Before I go look, any suggestions (I did read the buyers guide and will take the print out with me). With the limited info you have here, what is this one worth?

1981 Porsche 911 SC Targa

[Ricardo morales]

2013 carrera

[Six Gun]

Drive it, and if you like it make him an offer PENDING a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) Have an independent mechanic (your choice) go over the car including a leak down.

The hunt is half the fun, check back here or on Rennlist for more input

Good luck

[dienstuhr]

^^???

Welcome Alphadawg!

You're on the right track with reviewing the various buyer's guides. Mileage on that car sounds great (if verifiable!!) and would add to the value, but you may find significant cosmetic issues that will detract. Let's call that a wash.

Of greater concern is the mechanical condition. No, they do not "all" leak oil - that may or may not be a major issue - head studs? Before making an offer you would want to have a comprehensive PPI done by a trusted shop. The price seems high for an SC "weekend project". Colour combo is good and the low mileage may add value to a further resale once the cosmetics are sorted. Depending on how extensive the cosmetic needs are, plus mechanical condition, you should be looking to pay ~$10-12K for the car, I think.

Good luck!

d.

[Christien]

A few things caught my eye. It says "~5mph" rear-ender, but he had the whole rear end resprayed? 5mph would not require that. It was a more serious accident than that. Plus, he replaced the centre reflector with the wrong one (clear PORSCHE lettering, should be black).

Mileage seems awfully low for a car that's leaking oil, has an average interior and a warped rubber trim piece on the front. Maybe it's been parked outside for a significant portion of its life.

Still, $14k is a fair price for that car, if PPI confirms accident wasn't any more serious (i.e. structural) and everything checks out ok. I wouldn't consider the oil leak to be a deal-breaker if it's just a couple drips overnight from the usual places. I would be concerned however if it was significant and/or from a serious location.

[sm70911]

My 2c : You can get a lot better car for probably just a little more, and it will save you $$ down the road.
To my untrained eye it does not look like a 50k mile car. I had a 55k mile car and it was in far better shape but like Christien said maybe it was stored outside. Overall if it was me I would keep looking unless you know someone with a celette bench.

[Tinbit]

Is that a leaf in the passenger seat or a hole?

The repainted rear is the first thing that caught my eye when I opened the link, I can't imagine the color match looks any better on a sunny day.

[zakthor]

Regarding larger respray in a small accident:

I had an older f150 back verrry sloowwwly into my old sc. Like 1/4mph, he idled in reverse with the brake on. Crimped the headlight ring and the trailer hitch put a notch in the bumper and a scratch and very small dent in the front hood. If the pickup had been going 5mph the result would have been pretty serious (to me even) and car might have been totalled.

After the very slow bump I took the car to a recommended local painter and result was his insurance paid a lot of money (5-6k) to replace bumper and repaint the hood and fenders. Apparently color match on old cars is very difficult (older metallic paint) and it meant a wider area needed treatment to look right.

Just saying paint after an accident doesn't mean the car was in a serious accident. 5mph sounds fast to me though if it was a Yukon. Better to pay a repair person to check what sort of work was done.

[crb07]

If a g-50 carrera (87-89) is in your price range i would consider one. There prices are down over the last few years.