Help evaluating a 911

[The_PS]

I'm flying to Rochester NY and looking at this http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/996616-1986-911-carrera-coupe.html tomorrow.

Unfortunately, every mechanic in the area who is qualified to have any opinion is solidly booked. That time of year.

I'm somewhat experienced in diagnosing weird sounds, vibrations, etc. on cars, motorcycles, etc. in general so I'm going anyways. I would be forever grateful if any of you could tell me if anything on this car is egregiously wrong? I'm not familiar with, e.g., spotting a fan off a 912 or wheel flares from a 996 or something like that. Seller gave me permission for you all to pick apart his car.

I would also be far, far more heartbroken if the body was a frankencar than if the car needed major engine work. (Also: looking for a good driver's car; this car will never see a car show.)

[75 911s]

Very nice looking Carrera. I don't see anything out of place except the stereo/speakers as mentioned. That would be the first thing I would rip out. Replace with your own, the Porsche classic radio, or a nice aftermarket one that looks period correct.

Perfect driver as it has a fair amount of miles, but not crazy high to worry about everything being worn out. Depending on the receipts available, might be time for a suspension refresh. You can also add a few nice aftermarket things to improve power such as a steve wong chip or sport exhaust.

Really can't beat a black on black coupe. The price seems on point for the given mileage. Anything below his ask is probably a good deal as long as there are some good documentation and all the parts included (spare, tools, etc). I like the wing and would leave it. The only thing it needs is a good solid interior detail (at least from the pics) The engine bay could be babied and cleaned up as well. The sunroof issue isn't that big of deal - the hard part is finding the right guy to fix it if you can't do it personally.

[sm70911]

Good choice. Not concentrating on 'low miles'. The car looks good and more importantly is price right and has had a re build. It presents as exactly what it is what it is a very good driver.
The sunroof could be the wires or could be something as simple as the plastic raisers which are NLA, but I'm sure you can get 3d printed.

Take your time, read through the receipts, test drive the car and pull the trigger.

[SalParadise]

It seems the top end rebuild has been done so that's in order.

The only thing I would really be concerned about is rust and corrosion. I grew up in Connecticut and a lot of 911s rusted - even the later ones. You need to get under there to check the kidney bowls and other areas. The easiest to check is the front battery area. Things rust and did rust bigtime even if driven a few winters. They used a lot of salt in the '80s.

Other than that, you don't have to worry about spotting a fan off a 912 because it wouldn't fit anyway.

It looks solid. Just check the underside.

[techweenie]

Passenger side bolt head on auto heat console has (minor) surface rust and it shouldn't. Check for water incursion into car.

[Mehoff]

If you're heading out that direction anyway........

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/998057-1988-porsche-911-3-2-g50-coupe.html


This is a significantly better car at $8k less. Just have to like white.

[The_PS]

Thanks all. I looked everywhere for rust and found nothing. Drives really well and everything works! Except the radio. So I bought it. I think that rusty bolt was mostly a camera trick. The interior steel fasteners look like those in every old car (a faint hint of rust on the corners). I’m driving it home (Chicago) in two weeks after the clutch cable/spring is done. Really wouldn’t want to lose the clutch halfway home. (Although I am pretty sure it is totally okay.)

The photos really don’t do this car justice. The body and paint are in excellent shape.

[specialtyoneinc]

Nice. Congrats on the purchase. It looked like a good one!

[techweenie]

Congrats!

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Mehoff

This is a significantly better car at $8k less. Just have to like white.

200k miles.

[sm70911]

Originally Posted by Mehoff

If you're heading out that direction anyway........

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/998057-1988-porsche-911-3-2-g50-coupe.html


This is a significantly better car at $8k less. Just have to like white.

Nope.

[sugarwood]

Nope? What are you seeing?

[gsaps]

Originally Posted by sm70911

Nope.

Door panel gap looks off (to my untrained eye)

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by gsaps

Door panel gap looks off (to my untrained eye)

That door isn’t closed.

[da Vinci Dan]

Beautiful car bought at a reasonable price IF there is no hidden rust... I do not want to discourage you after an exciting purchase but do want to share some wisdom on these wonderful autos.

Here we go - Although it looks great on the outside, I guarantee it has rust hidden in all the common areas unless it was already addressed. Perhaps the reason for the sale. Here is a common example:

Classic Car Workshop

Unfortunately, you simply can not escape the physics at play in the Northeast US for all those decades. Hopefully these issues were addressed. Or perhaps you are very lucky.

You would do well to start removing bumpers, fenders, front and rear windows etc... I hope you will not find anything. If not, you learn more about your wonderful new purchase. If you do, you are ahead of some very costly repairs.

Good Luck! We are all hear to help and enjoy the experience with you.

[gsaps]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

That door isn’t closed.

What’s been spotted as a red flag then ?

[sugarwood]

I thought that black strip was a plastic door edge guard

[The_PS]

Originally Posted by da Vinci Dan

Beautiful car bought at a reasonable price IF there is no hidden rust... I do not want to discourage you after an exciting purchase but do want to share some wisdom on these wonderful autos.

I did get under the car with a flashlight. I didn't remove fenders or windows etc. There was a small amount of dry dirt in a few pockets under the car, but no moisture or evidence of salt. Thought the galvanized tubs did better. I genuinely believe the car has seen no salt and only traces of rain in the last four years with the last owner. Before that, who knows?

My last garage queen was a 1983 Ford F150 that spent all of its life in the midwest but never saw salt and the body was rust free (and I've opened door panels and spent considerable time underneath). Oddly, it's in Arizona now.

I've picked up a period Blaupunkt radio from a forum member and have a line on speakers, which is all I wanted to change on the car.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I thought that black strip was a plastic door edge guard

You’re right. I’m on my phone and didn’t zoom in.

[NYNick]

PS, best of luck and congrats! With a little fiddling, these cars some people consider best of breed.