Know anything about this 911SC

[NightOfNii]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and have been lurking for a while now. I am starting my search to acquire my dream car and was wondering if anybody knows anything about this car (linked below).

Looks like its been on the classifieds for a couple of weeks now and at a very cheap price for an SC, $20K. By looking at the pictures it looks to be in pretty decent condition, at least for a daily and weekend driver during the summer times here (live in Minnesota). The engine is looking pretty clean, I also don't know all that much of what to look for.

Are there any red flags that you can seen in the pictures and is this car sitting at such a low price for a couple of weeks a bad thing?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/867251-fs-1979-sc-targa.html

Sorry don't know how to make a nice link like I've seen in other posts so a URL is what you get.

I'm looking forward to joining everyone here with Porsche ownership and want to learn as much as possible. I've been going through the tech forums and reading as much as I possibly can but ultimately I cannot wait till I can actually get behind the wheel of one and truly experience the thrill of driving an old Porsche!

[sm70911]

The red flag is the red fan. Is it a motor shiester re build ?

I am surprised it hasn't gone. Probably because it is in Canada, but i would find out more. First question how much history does it have ? (The ad suggests none ... consignemnt etc)
If it is a Motor Meister re build then avoid it at all costs. (search on tech for Motor Meister or motor sheister)
If not go and look at it or have someone go and see it. I like the originality, and the H4's and every time I see the ad I think, its priced right. Personally I'd sell the tea tray sort the rear deck lid with the money from the sale, lower the car from rally height and that could be a nice driver / survivor.
Looks like it was PCA members at some point too.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by sm70911

The red flag is the red fan. Is it a motor shiester re build ?

... If it is a Motor Meister re build then avoid it at all costs. (search on tech for Motor Meister or motor sheister)
...

Quite a stretch to go from red fan to Motor Meister...

NightOfNii

Lots of Pelican in that region so post on the Canada Forum asking for someone go see the car and go from there. I did that for someone from the prairie a few years back and he got a great deal.

Keep in mind that the exchange play in your favor. 20K US is 24K Cdn so the seller is getting what he wants and the US buyer is getting a deal.

Good Luck

[Matt Monson]

I've got a Steve Rowe (formerly of 3R) built 3.0l with red fan on it. Lots of people like red fans on their cars. Not all of them bought their rebuild from Motormeister. I wouldn't not immediately shy away from a car over a red fan. That's what a PPI with leak down and compression test is for.

[sm70911]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Quite a stretch to go from red fan to Motor Meister...

How is it a stretch ?, I didn't say it was a MM car but MM fans are painted red. Maybe that's not an association I should make but based on the MM reputation and the fact that's a signature of theirs that if I was selling a car with a red fan I'd clarify it

I know some people like that look but personally I'm be wary of any red fan so that's what I would check.
Other than that I said what I thought about the car.

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by sm70911

I know some people like that look but personally I'm be wary of any red fan so that's what I would check.

X2 What he said

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Quite a stretch to go from red fan to Motor Meister...

NightOfNii

Lots of Pelican in that region so post on the Canada Forum asking for someone go see the car and go from there. I did that for someone from the prairie a few years back and he got a great deal.

Keep in mind that the exchange play in your favor. 20K US is 24K Cdn so the seller is getting what he wants and the US buyer is getting a deal.

Good Luck

Should be qualified "Spray Painted Red" fan
I guarantee this isn't a MM engine. Course, mine is Powder coated, not painted..

[Matt Monson]

I'm also surprised this car is still out there. I saw it first day it was posted. Maybe the Canada thing worries people? But it is really close to the border.

[Ronnie's.930]

Not MotorMeister nor rattle can painted (like Byron noted).

And not stock, so Christian probably doesn't approve (though his "rear booster" lust is without question) !!!

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Not MotorMeister nor rattle can painted (like Byron noted).

And not stock, so Christian probably doesn't approve (though his "rear booster" lust is without question) !!!

At least you took the time to mask off the inner part of the fan before spraying it my good man - that makes a difference. Just spraying the whole assembly looks sloppy and cheap, imo.

[NightOfNii]

Thank you everyone for the responses, I'm definitely going to look into Motor Meister and why they are so bad. Thanks for the tip that there are a good amount of pelican members over in that area. If I decide to contact the seller and get more info I'll have to try and see if anyone will be willing to help me out in the Ontario area. I have a friend in Detroit maybe he'll be willing to go on a little road trip.

[NightOfNii]

Hey everyone again, I contacted the guy who created the FS posting and he gave me the phone contact to the seller. Before I contact him I want to get a list of questions that I should ask. Since this is my first time asking about an older car are there any big ticket questions that I should be sure to ask?

[christiandk]

Original documentation (servicebooklet and manual) is important.

Apart from that you have to set your expectations up against the price.

In this case dont expect that all boxes can be checked.

There are some very good writeups if you google.

[Matt Monson]

Pay for a PPI at a shop. Things like broken head studs or bad synchros and what not won't readily be revealed by a seller. You need to pay to get accurate information on the condition of the car.

[NightOfNii]

Thanks guys, would definitely get a PPI done if I decide to get really serious about the car. Going through the forums it sounds like a compression test is a must and if it comes out with bad numbers then a leak down is necessary. Anyone know a relative cost for a PPI with these tests from a specialty shop?

[JJ 911SC]

It would be less than $400. Since they need to remove the spark plug for the test, have them replace them, it only cost you the part as you are already paying for labour.

If you are going to do your own maintenance and repair, use the PPI results as bargaining chip (asking price minus the repair cost identified during the PPI). Any major problem as mentioned by Mat, walk away. The PPI money that you just "lost" is a blessing in disguise.

If you are not going to do your own maintenance and repair, only take a car that is perfect as trips to the dealer for anything is very expensive.