rookie needs buying advice

[party of 6]

So I have the 911 bug, I've been researching here for a while, thanks for all the great info. I want a driver for fun, no car shows or races in my future (with this car). I prefer an older, basic 911, even prefer the manual windows vs. power. I can do average repairs and maintenance and have experience with older cars, like the 66 mustang in my garage and the 79 BMW 320i I just sold and already miss.

So, take a look at the car below I found for sale and let me know what you think, consider buying or run? Owner assured me no rust, starts right up every time, and has been kept inside. I've noticed no A/C compressor. How do I know about things like the tensioner issue? Its about 4 hours away so I don't want to waste a day if its junk. Thanks for your advice/opinions.

1974 Porsche 911 with 3 liter motor and late model transmission
have stack of receipts including recent new injectors and fuel lines
over $15,000 spent since 1997, including new paint in 1998
$16,000

[christiandk]

The short piece of advice:

Run Forrest, run!

P.S. Look for a nice original SC within your price range.

[sm70911]

Fuchs look like 14"

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by christiandk

The short piece of advice:

Run Forrest, run!

P.S. Look for a nice original SC within your price range.

Find me an SC in that price range.

Looks like a nice little car to me. Does have the wrong wheels on it. But other than that a great color with all the midyear brightwork. Throw in a 3.0l swap and we have a winner. I would already be driving towards that car.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Find me an SC in that price range.

Looks like a nice little car to me. Does have the wrong wheels on it. But other than that a great color with all the midyear brightwork. Throw in a 3.0l swap and we have a winner. I would already be driving towards that car.

Matt, sure you can find a nice original SC in that price range - just not a low mile one.

I agree that the color and the body looks nice.....

[Ferrariguyma]

Granted it's not a Coupe. But I just bought a 1985 RoW 3.2L Carrera Cab, 1 owner with 107k doc. miles for $12,800. No rust, no accidents, no stories.

They are out there just be patient and enjoy the search.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Ferrariguyma

Granted it's not a Coupe. But I just bought a 1985 RoW 3.2L Carrera Cab, 1 owner with 107k doc. miles for $12,800. No rust, no accidents, no stories.

They are out there just be patient and enjoy the search.

Quoted for when we see it in the classifieds next month for twice that...

[Ferrariguyma]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Quoted for when we see it in the classifieds next month for twice that...

No worries Matt as always I will give you first right of refusal at $20,000. even 😊

[party of 6]

thanks so far. anything weird looking in that engine pic? I don't remember seeing the fuel lines (?) hanging down like that on other cars.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by Ferrariguyma

Granted it's not a Coupe. But I just bought a 1985 RoW 3.2L Carrera Cab, 1 owner with 107k doc. miles for $12,800. No rust, no accidents, no stories.

They are out there just be patient and enjoy the search.

Sounds like you stole it. It must be red & a little scruffy. But that is hardly the norm for this market, and advising someone to be on the lookout for a "deal" like that is bad advice in my opinion. Apart from the fact he will overlook some good deals seeking a car $8k+ under market, he is liable to make a complete ass of himself by acting like your purchase is a typical, expected market price.

The '74 looks like a pretty clean car to me, and nothing to run from out of principle. Rust on the ungalvanized areas is the rub on these -- that and pulled head studs on the 3.0.

It looks like it has chain tensioner upgrade from the pic.

The color is a plus -- particularly if it is the original shade. And I think the chrome brightwork on these is becoming -- and trending up in the market.

Definitely worth a drive & PPI. And of there is no rust, no headstud issues, and runs well, I bet you could fetch it for $14k or so.

And if the alleged "$15k spent" includes a documented top end and tranny rebuild, it is probably worth the full price.

[trader220]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Find me an SC in that price range.

Looks like a nice little car to me. Does have the wrong wheels on it. But other than that a great color with all the midyear brightwork. Throw in a 3.0l swap and we have a winner. I would already be driving towards that car.

Look at the ass... seller is claiming a 3.0 Liter in it already

[party of 6]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm leaning towards making the 4 hr drive to see it and spend some time looking through the "stack of receipts." If I find more info on the engine/transmission transplant, it might come home with me. Assuming the price is right.

[GothingNC]

Manual windows is a plus

Looks like a decent mid-year for the money, good luck !

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by trader220

Look at the ass... seller is claiming a 3.0 Liter in it already

Right. Exactly what I said. Take a '74 and throw in a 3.0l and put it up for sale for $16k and I would seriously consider buying a car like this, not running away as Christian suggested. I didn't miss anything here.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by party of 6

thanks so far. anything weird looking in that engine pic? I don't remember seeing the fuel lines (?) hanging down like that on other cars.

In your first post you asked if it's 'junk.' It is not. On a 911, the body gaps tell the story and the gaps look good (in these photos).

The only thing that stands out as a negative in the photos is that it appears to have a dash overlay.

If the transmission had been kept, the car would be quicker off the line, but the 3.0, even with an 8/31 in this chassis is a good power-to-weight ratio.

'74s were not galvanized, so check the underside, especially the front pan where the battery sits. If it's bad, the repair is quite expensive and requires a specialist to do right. On the hoist you need to check the pan for evidence of prior damage and for perforations.

Although the car presents well, I think I'd want it for $1-1.5K less.

I know of an SC that will be coming up for sale in a few weeks that I believe will be around $17-17.5K, BTW.

[aircool]

If you buy it cheap and flip it, you owe everyone who gave you advice in this thread a % of the profit.

[svaldez]

Still looking 74-75 coupe...I'll take it for 12,000 if it was in socal.

[Ferrariguyma]

Originally Posted by COLB

Sounds like you stole it. It must be red & a little scruffy. But that is hardly the norm for this market, and advising someone to be on the lookout for a "deal" like that is bad advice in my opinion. Apart from the fact he will overlook some good deals seeking a car $8k+ under market, he is liable to make a complete ass of himself by acting like your purchase is a typical, expected market price.
.

This one was in my backyard also. OP like I said enjoy the search, be patient there are great deals to be had....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-marketplace-discussion/763137-does-92-look-like-bargain-despite-high-milage-13-900-a.html

[COLB]

Originally Posted by Ferrariguyma

This one was in my backyard also. OP like I said enjoy the search, be patient there are great deals to be had....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-marketplace-discussion/763137-does-92-look-like-bargain-despite-high-milage-13-900-a.html

Those are not really "good deals" that a self-described "rookie" buyer is going to profit from.

First, they are really big "high risk/high reward" propositions -- buying a car like that '92 requires ready money and the willingness to absorb a big loss if/when you discover the "bargain" 911 has a bad wreck history, a trashed motor, and a frunk full of gremlins.

If you don't know the cars well enough to make a sound professional judgement you are better served by due diligence -- which means finding a dusty diamond at $7-8k under market is extremely unlikely.

9 out of 10 cars are being sold on the cheap for reasons other than the owner is just clueless or in a hurry to sell it for peanuts.

But I do agree with your sentiment that the first time buyer should be patient and wait for the "right" car. I just differ on the suggestion that the "right" car is going to be a deal that is almost always too good to be true.

[Ferrariguyma]

Originally Posted by COLB

Those are not really "good deals" that a self-described "rookie" buyer is going to profit from.

First, they are really big "high risk/high reward" propositions -- buying a car like that '92 requires ready money and the willingness to absorb a big loss if/when you discover the "bargain" 911 has a bad wreck history, a trashed motor, and a frunk full of gremlins.

If you don't know the cars well enough to make a sound professional judgement you are better served by due diligence -- which means finding a dusty diamond at $7-8k under market is extremely unlikely.

9 out of 10 cars are being sold on the cheap for reasons other than the owner is just clueless or in a hurry to sell it for peanuts.

But I do agree with your sentiment that the first time buyer should be patient and wait for the "right" car. I just differ on the suggestion that the "right" car is going to be a deal that is almost always too good to be true.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1490872

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1475335

1988 porsche 911 carerra cabriolet convertable

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Porsche-911-d404?sourceContext=usedPaidSearchNoZip#listing=630 61350