Intro and Question about '89 911 have my eye on

[Ski]

Hey all!

Glad to be part of this great forum. Even after only 7 or so days being a member and reading postings, I know so much more than I did, yet now realize how much more there is to learn.

I recently decided to officially and for the first time get into the 911 market. I want an 80's model, preferably 87-89. I've found one that seems to fit the bill:
89 Targa
Well cared for
50K miles
below rust belt all its life
$49K --- Is this right priced? What should I offer?

I just asked for maintenance records as the above is all I know about the car right now. In spite of the low miles and condition, I expect there is still plenty to be aware of and look for? Are the 87s known to have specific issues?

If the records check out and I don't hear of many red flags from you, I'll get a PPI.

Lastly, I'll apologize ahead of time for the many noob questions/mistakes I'm sure to make...

Thanks!

[Trakrat]

so you don't know the colors or options the car has?

[Jack Stands]

Welcome to the jungle! The 80s 911 Carreras are great cars, and the 89 would have all the goodies with the G50 transmission. Personally, I love the Targas for the open air motoring and great visibility.

Check the Hagerty.com website for current values, but be honest on condition. I purchased an '84 Targa with 134,000 miles a couple of years ago for less than $15,000, and after a new clutch and synchro, it's been a great ride. Now just have to wait for spring!

[betterair]

No apology necessary,we all started somewhere just like you.
Seems like you have a direction in mind ,the 87-89 3.2 ,G50 trans cars are a solid bet.Make sure you want to live with the pro's and cons of a targa ,see what others are selling for, and take the plunge. 49 K is high IMO.But the marque is in demand now,so owners getting out for the cash will want a big pile of it.
Also might want to post in the Marketplace forum-lotsa feedback on the Market over there

[Jack Stands]

Hagerty gives an average value of $43,000, though an absolute perfect concour one could go as high as $81,000.

[Ski]

Originally Posted by Trakrat

so you don't know the colors or options the car has?

Stock, save for the modern AM/FM/CD stereo installed.
From factory with cruise, short shift lever, and hi-fi.

Paint: linen gray metallic with linen leather. Can't say I like interior color all that much, but exterior I believe looks great.

That's it for options listing.

Thanks!

[Ski]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

Hagerty gives an average value of $43,000, though an absolute perfect concour one could go as high as $81,000.

Got it. Thanks!

Will do some digging on various valuation sites. Should have done that first...

[Ski]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

Welcome to the jungle! The 80s 911 Carreras are great cars, and the 89 would have all the goodies with the G50 transmission. Personally, I love the Targas for the open air motoring and great visibility.

Check the Hagerty.com website for current values, but be honest on condition. I purchased an '84 Targa with 134,000 miles a couple of years ago for less than $15,000, and after a new clutch and synchro, it's been a great ride. Now just have to wait for spring!

I've always loved the Targas even though Coupes offer more rigidity and cleaner lines.

I've been looking at 84s as well. A buddy threw a white one my way today with 85K on it for 38,900. Going to dig a bit deeper into the details on that one, too.

Spring can't come soon enough!

[NYNick]

Understand that 87 has a 3.2 and a G50 transmission, one of the most highly regarded combos in the line. I think your color combo sounds unique and cool....can't quite picture the color though. Not a Targa fan myself, but that's me.

50K miles is outrageously low, so I guess that's why he's asking $49K, a pretty high price. But look; if you go the distance getting this car checked out with a PPI top to bottom; if there is a traceable history of ownership and no accidents; if the gaps are perfect; if the maintenance records are a mile long by reputable Porsche shops and the car NEEDS NOTHING and if it's original paint, you MAY be able to justify the price.

Still, it's a bit high IMO.

Good luck.

[Christien]

Just to confirm, is it an 87 or 89? You mentioned 89 twice and 87 once

For reference sake, I bought my 87 cabrio last year with 37k miles and a fresh top end for 45, plus I spent another $3k following PPI for new ARP head studs while the engine was open for the top end, and a bunch of little stuff. I think I got a good price, but not a steal.

[SalParadise]

Take your time, read as much stuff as you can (especially here), get Wayne's book before taking the plunge. There is an incredible amount of combined knowledge on this site - and people who walk the walk - not just talk the talk.

This is the 'Christmas Eve' feeling of getting into 911s that you have right now. Make it last...

[911 sc]

Originally Posted by Ski

Stock, save for the modern AM/FM/CD stereo installed.
From factory with cruise, short shift lever, and hi-fi.

Paint: linen gray metallic with linen leather. Can't say I like interior color all that much, but exterior I believe looks great.

That's it for options listing.

Thanks!

Is this the car ?
Looks nice has to be fairly rare color combo

Used 1989 Porsche 911 Targa for Sale in Atlanta GA 30306 Motorcar Studio

[sugarwood]

I think there is an unwritten rule here that you don't post a link to a car someone is considering.
Sure, it's public info, but you're not helping the brother out

[specialtyoneinc]

That car looks nice from the photos. Color is pretty rare. I think you're in good shape in the mid $40k range.... That is if the paint is original, no accidents, you can verify the mileage with maintenance records, and most importantly the engine is healthy.

You are paying a premium due to the low mileage. Keep in mind, that does not necessarily mean the car is nicer than a pampered documented 100k example. A thorough PPI through a independent air-cooled specialist (not recommended from the dealer) should tell you everything you need to know. Prepare to spend around $350-$450 to get a decent PPI with leak down numbers etc...

[Ski]

Thanks for all the info. Much appreciated!

Turns out a few more have popped into view particularly an 87 Blue Targa with 83K miles which belongs to a neighbor of one of my "Porsche Coaches" . Going to see it tomorrow. Coach says that neighbor was able to purchase from widow for $15K and then he put 25K more into it. From pics I've seen so far, everything looks tidy and the paint job is pristine.

As for the linen '89 I referenced above, I'm going to keep it in mind, but going to keep reading and looking as well, to, as SalParadise says, keep that "Christmas Eve" feeling for a bit. Especially because the interior linen color is one I'm not sure I can get used to...

Thanks again, all. Would like to share the details of the 87 blue Targa as well as an 88 that sounds great, too.

[Ski]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Understand that 87 has a 3.2 and a G50 transmission, one of the most highly regarded combos in the line. I think your color combo sounds unique and cool....can't quite picture the color though. Not a Targa fan myself, but that's me.

50K miles is outrageously low, so I guess that's why he's asking $49K, a pretty high price. But look; if you go the distance getting this car checked out with a PPI top to bottom; if there is a traceable history of ownership and no accidents; if the gaps are perfect; if the maintenance records are a mile long by reputable Porsche shops and the car NEEDS NOTHING and if it's original paint, you MAY be able to justify the price.

Still, it's a bit high IMO.

Good luck.

Really appreciate the thorough, yet concise, checklist - especially callouts on gaps and NEEDS NOTHING.

Thanks!

[Ski]

Originally Posted by Christien

Just to confirm, is it an 87 or 89? You mentioned 89 twice and 87 once

For reference sake, I bought my 87 cabrio last year with 37k miles and a fresh top end for 45, plus I spent another $3k following PPI for new ARP head studs while the engine was open for the top end, and a bunch of little stuff. I think I got a good price, but not a steal.

Appreciate the comparison info. Crazy that you were able to get one with only 37K miles, and then for good price of 45. Interesting that the head studs needed work? I thought the head stud issue was more a concern on the 3.0L, so another lesson learned as I'm looking.

Thanks!!

[COLB]

I wouldn't pay a premium for low mileage on a car I intend to drive.

IMO, if you want a car to drive rather than sit in a collection -- shoot for a car with 100-150k that has had a top end rebuild, and look in the $30s.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Ski

Appreciate the comparison info. Crazy that you were able to get one with only 37K miles, and then for good price of 45. Interesting that the head studs needed work? I thought the head stud issue was more a concern on the 3.0L, so another lesson learned as I'm looking.

Thanks!!

The head studs weren't an issue, I had them upgraded to ARPs while the engine was apart. The issue was that one of the valve guides was in bad shape, leading to poor compression on that cylinder. Apparently the oil can corrode the brass if the engine sits for a long time. So having a 30-year-old car with only 37k miles isn't necessarily all good.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Ski

Interesting that the head studs needed work? I thought the head stud issue was more a concern on the 3.0L, so another lesson learned as I'm looking.

Thanks!!

This ^^^ is not accurate - all of the 911/911 Turbo engines (other than the 993TT) with dilivar studs are very susceptible to head stud breakage (not just the 3.0 engines).

Dilivar is a ridiculously delicate, basically garbage alloy that begins to fracture at the slightest hint of corrosion - hard to understand why Porsche insisted on using it for so long despite tremendous evidence of failure.

PS - don't fall for the "engine x,y, or z is bulletproof" bullshart that is so common to hear/read - total malarkey!