San Diego Craig's list 912E

Just for fun
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/980572356.html

Dave

Is this a good price for a VW/Porsche? Maybe a good one for me and Anthony (son), he's not driving for a few years yet but it would give us time to fix it up right. I am pretty sure these wont ever become super collectible, so I am thinking about a big motor, maybe 2276cc custom leather and a cool paint job. Maybe GT silver like Carey's doing with chocolate hides or even a deep candy red with Ferrari camel inside. Just thinking out loud here?

What kind of tranny do the 912s have? How about heat/air? he also mentioned fuel injection, does the set up only work with the 2.0 motor? How much HP can you get out of rebuilding the current engine to be geared for higher performance?

Marty G.

That's approaching the high end for a 912E. For that kind of money you can get into a 911SC with similar miles & more HP. However, the 912 motor can easily (not inexpensively)get 150+ HP (Google Jake Raby).

Like the 914 it replaced, the 912E was looked down upon as the red-headed step-child (not you, Angela!). A cheap buy-in to drive a Porsche marque, and in spite of the price for this one, is a bit on the high end for this model, IMHO!

I have read that the parts unique to the 912 are very expensive/hard to find.

Really tough to justify 12,000 for a 76 911E, when cars like this aren't selling for 12,000.... A really nice 3.2 carrera coupe with a G50 trans.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=432441

My ratty little 81 911 coupe set me back $3,500 dollars (I probably have about $6,000 into it now after replacing all the headstuds, a/c, etc) and is a reliable daily driver.

But to answer the question regarding the trans, the 76 911E has a 915. They all have heat, not sure if that car has air or not.

angela

912E cars are shuned and loved by Porsche people of different needs. The 912E fans like the rarity, decent performance without an engine that will cost more than the car is worth to rebuild, and the low purchase cost until recently. In 2005 a very nice 912E with great original paint, less than 100,000 miles, perfect motor, would be $7000.00. Then the insanity began, with $ 40,000 Speedsters selling for $150,000. And 912E's in great condition going for $12,000 plus. It is a mania, but then I drive about 5 surfboards worth of GRP shaped like a bathtub, powered by a VW engine , and was thrilled to pay $28,000 for it! The comparison of 912E with 911 anything is valid, but actually the 912 with 1600 Porsche engine and the 912E with VW Type 4 were sold to buyers of a different dream than 911 buyers. And the current 912E buyer is of the same breed. A 912E has a $4000 engine waiting to "Blow Up", and the 911 has a $8,000 engine waiting to "Blow Up". And of course the $8000 911 rebuild will become $12,000 to get it "right". I can fix anything that happens to a 912E. I would not touch anything in a 911 engine compartment. This is the twisted logic of the 912E seeker. I am waiting for the original paint, sunroof,white with black or tan interior ,alloys, 60,000 miles with a rod through the case for $2500. My middle name is Cheap!

Angela, that Red Carrera is looking great in the pics. What do you think lurks that will get me if I bought it? Do you think that the economy is so bad that this car won't sell? Sure is a lot nicer than the 912E!

Oil burning on startup with a 3.2 and 198,000 on the clock is likely going to be a valve job (guides). Don't know what that will cost in your area - could be 2K pretty easily. The 3.2 engine is one of my favorites (it and the 3.0). The 3.2 has nice Motronic electronic fuel injection WITH A DIAGNOSTIC PORT.... We put one of these motors into an older 911 including the fuel injection. It was really simple to wire up. Very cool system. The bottom of this engine should have quite a few more miles left on it and they come factory with the carrera chain tensioners (good stuff).

But if you are interested, you must do a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a knowledgeable shop. I would do a leak down on this engine and have the head studs checked. Thought it's 3.0 that are famous for breaking, more and more 3.2's are breaking. If the rings are sound and the headstuds, you can probably go from there. The G50 transaxle should not have any complaints at this point whereas the older 915 would very likely need freshening.

This car should sell even in this abyssmal market for 12K because it can be parted out for 13 to 14K very easily. Here's the sum of its parts (easily):
G50 and 3.2 with Motronic and wiring - 6 to 8,000
Good Dash (black) - 400
Power Leather seats - 600
Fuchs 7/8 - 700 to 1,000 (eights are most beloved)
Carrera brakes/suspension - 800 plus (bolts into ealier cars)
Tail OEM - 600
Working blower motors (6 total) - 75 to $100 each - 600
H4 assemblies - 300
Tub, no accidents, no rust - $2,000

It will move or someone will cut it up. This car is considered by most enthusiasts sources to be an affordable "classic" and appreciating in value. Well, except for this economic burst...
angela

I'm tempted! Thanks for the run down.

12K? Wow.

If only it weren't so..... red.

Yeah, red is funny. When I was younger, every 911 had to be red. Now I want any color but red. Weird...

Here's a different color combo - not sure if it's Kiln or what - but this car has been for sale for a loooonnnggg time. Guy wants 10K for it, but who knows? He's advertised it in a couple of places, apparently has years of maintenance records etc.

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/971223049.html

Right now, it's a buyers market. If you have spare cashola, you can buy a great 911 for a bargain.

angela

I was seriously tempted, but I contacted the owner a while ago & he said the engine has 198K on it & hasn't been opened up yet. The 3.2 could go another 100K before a complete teardown is needed, but that 12K car could easily become a 20K if the engine needs to be torn down. I think the saying is - all Porsches are at least 20K. It doesn't matter how much you paid for it. Pay now or pay later.

Not to beat a dead horse, but here's that same 911 SC about 20 miles south of me... Looks like a nice solid car, miles aren't too high (if headstuds check out). Guy dropped his price a grand.

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/993290185.html

Like I said, not trying to beat a dead horse, but $12,000 for a 912E is a little hard to justify in this economy when an entirely presentable SC is going to disappear for 9K (or possibly even less).

angela

OK, ok - how about this one - $11,000 with 145 on the clock and a completely rebuilt engine all receipts. Yes, it's a C4! Guy is hard up needs the money right now...(car is in virginia). Bring a battery, he'll throw in the brake pads.

http://www.glfporsche.smugmug.com/gallery/6308455_DvSnM#397825033_9BczK

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=451634

Seriously? 12K for a 912E or 11K for this with a rebuilt engine and all receipts?

Now where is that dead horse I keep beating...

angela

WoW! Nice find!