PPI in Ocala, Fl. - opinions please

[Duniel3000]

I'm looking at this 79 high mileage car.

Porsche 911 SC Targa

Not only does it come with the "wrong" wheels (and, for me, colour).
There's also what the owner believes is "surface rust" on one door sill, that supposedly does not go through the rocker panel.

1. Is there good way, of determining how deep rust goes, short of poking a screwdriver into the area, and
2. who could one ask to do it, if one's unable to go and look oneself, and
3. is it even worth it?

Thanks
Daniel

[msort81]

No at $19k with painted trunk area and some rust already. To use a well worn cliche the rust is like an iceberg, you only see 20%
I don't want to offer a value in case I get some more naive assignations about how i don't know current values, but I personally wouldn't pay more than 10k for that car.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by msort81

No at $19k with painted trunk area and some rust already. To use a well worn cliche the rust is like an iceberg, you only see 20%
I don't want to offer a value in case I get some more naive assignations about how i don't know current values, but I personally wouldn't pay more than 10k for that car.

Interesting comparison to the 81SC coupe since you were pretty enthused about a cosmetically ragged 81SC, with similar mileage, based on the value of the mechanical work. Obviously, coupe vs targa is major difference, and much better color -- but needing a full repaint.

This SC seller lays pretty strong claims about mechanical condition, so that is a plus. It is odd that three of the oil return tubes are single piece style, and one is the two piece version, though. Interior looks clean. Assume the books and tools are missing, but he has the paperwork to back up the engine & trans rebid claims.

Dislike red, don't like the wheels, and really don't like the tail -- but these issues are a matter of personal taste, and the last two are easily remedied -- though original Fuchs are not cheap.

The rust is a huge variable. If it is resting where you describe, it is likely the result of some kind of damage, or else it will be lurking in other places, too. The underside looks decent.

The PPI could tell you more about the rust. If it is a minor fix, this looks like a $16-17k car. If it is the top 20% of the iceberg, then a fair bit less. Over $20k if the wheels and rust were sorted.

[msort81]

OP do what you want its your money. I would search 'Red Fan' on tech before I do anything or if you get rebuild details from the seller post here and let us know.

Colb I'm not here to defend my posts in other threads but comparing this obvious turd with an enthusiast owned car is very amusing. I tell you what why don't you buy this red Targa and Ill buy the brick red SC coupe at full ask and lets get together and go through the cars and see who made the better choice.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by msort81

OP do what you want its your money. I would search 'Red Fan' on tech before I do anything or if you get rebuild details from the seller post here and let us know.

Colb I'm not here to defend my posts in other threads but comparing this obvious turd with an enthusiast owned car is very amusing. I tell you what why don't you buy this red Targa and Ill buy the brick red SC coupe at full ask and lets get together and go through the cars and see who made the better choice.

Of course you are, or else you wouldn't be posting. But that's cool -- its not personal -- it is kind of fun provided it doesn't get combative, and devolve to name calling.

First, I never said this car was a "better choice" than the red coupe. In fact, I said the red coupe is worth the low twenties, which makes my estimate $5-6k more than the red targa.

Different buyers have different preferences, and what an individual thinks a car is worth is a single data point in the market. As a buyer, you clearly value mechanical upgrades over cosmetics -- and that is generally true of enthusiast owners who are mechanically inclined or track/DE their cars. But you are not everyone, and MOST buyers want a car that is cosmetically good, and may even prefer a cosmetically excellent car with sound mechanicals to a mechanically exceptional car with average cosmetics. Some traditionalist Porsche-philes think any Targa is a "dog" compared to a coupe. But that changes as the market expands.

That may not seem rational, but not all Porsche buyers in todays market view things like the old crowd who have been driving these cars for decades. And yes, they are driving up prices.

For the red coupe, the mechanical condition sounds excellent. But it needs probably $10k in cosmetic work. If it were done, it would be a $30-35k car. That means there is probably some room there if you get it for several thousand less than asking price -- particularly if you can do some of it yourself. That makes it a good buy. But I wouldn't call it a screaming deal, particularly at $25k.


PS - as to the Targa, just because it has a red fan doesn't mean it is a Motor Meister rebuild, if that is what you are implying. There is the other question whether powered coating is bad for the engine by throwing it out of balance. If there is consensus on that, I haven't seen it.

I am with you that I would not buy the car if it were $12k, but I am trying to talk about market prices, not individual judgments of value based on personal preferences.

[Duniel3000]

Interesting discussion, but would still require a somewhat local (to Ocala, Fl.) PPI recommendation to find out whether the visible rust is all there is or only the tip of the iceberg.