Thinking about Buying a mid 1980s 911

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Brian,
I just bought an 83 SC about a month ago. If you do a search under Let's talk 912's you'll see the thread where I got some good info. Another great source of info is Pelican Parts forum. I'd have to say with my experience it was a TON of reading and seeing as many cars as I could. All years have their issues and typical problems. The book you ordered will point them all out. I went with an SC as they are/were supposed to be "bulletproof". Also it was about as new as I wanted to go. I originally wanted an old 912 and with the more I looked and read it got me to an SC. I felt it was a good mix between old school and reliability. So far so as far as no problems. With regard to mileage on one of the older ones - as mentioned, a lot of them had their problems. With a low mileage car you may get one that hasn't been "fixed". Buying a car with higher mileage and a rebuild may be more beneficial. A rebuild can get pretty pricey and if you pay a premium for low mileage you could end up spending boatloads of $$$$$. Just something to consider. If you're looking for an investment than I guess low mileage is the way to go. With the SC's they made soooo many of them they won't ever be a collector car, at least probably not in our lifetime. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Angela (and Steve her husband) are very savvy with regard to P cars. As is Shuie and Larry Jowdy to mention a couple others. There are many people here who have owned 911's and were very helpful when I bought mine. Check out Pelican Parts though, that's "P Car Central".

I purchased a very clean 87 coupe with 52k miles, 2 owner car, all original, pristine car for 24k. The 3.2 with the G-50 tranny seems to be the most desireable of the 80's vintage. In fact the prices have stabilized and have appreciated over the last 2-3yrs. Prices are all over the map. A friend of mine paid 19k for a 100,000 mile car, but had good docs. Take your time, good cars are out there, so are the dogs.

Brian - you've ordered the right book. It will give you a lot of facts to help you narrow your search.
I acquired a 1985 Carrera about 7 years ago. It was in very good condition and, after driving it for three years, I sold it to my neighbor. I bought a 2006 C2S 997.
Anyway, 1985 was the first year Porsche put the G50 transmission into the 911s. It's a strong tranny, and it contributes greatly to making the 85-88 Carreras "the sweet spot" of that era of Porsches.
Mid-$20k should get you a really good one.

The G50 was not available until '87.

If you want advice on a 911, go register for an account at the Pelican Parts forums. Every generation of the 911 has it's issues. Never buy one without a really thorough PPI. Fun cars.

As stated, 1987 was the first year for the G50 but don't shy away from an earlier Carrera with a 915 transaxle. They too are great cars.
I have a 1987 3.2 engine in my 1973 911 and I love it. Starts every time with ease, gets decent mileage and has power to spare.

My mistake. My Carrera was an '88 (not an '85). D'oh!

I have an 88 911 targa & love it. I see them on ebay now for 18k with 50k miles in sweet condition. Now is a great time to buy.

Hijack,

What fo you guys think about the 76 911S. There is one close to me with 62k on it. Looks all stock asking 13K. Nice Blue Color(is it original?). Here is the link.

http://www.rohrmansuperstore.com/inventory/usedcars/sha/9116200781

I was not in the Market but it looks so nice.

Thanks,

Marty

John and David,

Are your 1988 911s the 964 Model or was 1989 the first year of the 964s? Some of my "homework" has the 964s starting in 1988 with some saying that 1989 was the first year.

Thats a sweet looking S Marty! I think 76 was the first year they started rust proofing the entire car. I think they had issues with the magesium cases and the aluminum heads pulling head studs. But as it's already been said, they all have their individual issues. I would have been really tempted by that one at that price. :)

I believe the 964s came out in late '89 as 1989 models.
Not one of the 911s better periods by most accounts.

Marty,

I would really stay away from that one, Marty. Those are the most unloved 911 ever... Unloved for good reason. That one is beautiful, probably the nicest I have ever seen but the 13K plus price will get you an entirely decent SC which are better car in every way plus are appreciating in value.

angela

Grazi Angelina. I will not look and tempt myself.

Marty - what Angela said x2! Probably shouldn't get anything prior to '78SC (as noted on this thread).

Peace - Out!

I have been thinking about a Carrera Targa. The prices are getting tempting. I get the feeling this is going to wind up costing me some money. Keep up the talk and I'll blame it on you guys.

All other things being equal, the '75-'77 2.7 cars are probably the least desirable 911s out there. Most of them pulled studs early because of the thermal reactors. That may very well be a nicely sorted car, but for $13k, you could probably do better. $13k would probably buy you an '84-'86 car, or a nice SC. You might also want to look for a '76-'77 ROW 3.0 Carrera.

Everyone is steering you away from that car however, do some research.
By now, most everyone that has owned a first generation impact bumper 911 has sorted out the engine issues.
Most have changed from 5 blade to 11 blade fans, removed the thermo reactors, had inserts installed in their engine cases and are now driving a fairly reliable car. A qualified mechanic performing a Pre Purchase Inspection will be able to tell what's been done to the engine.

Remember, 13 thousand is their ASKING price.

Larry,
Thats what I was trying to say in my first post. Sometimes it's better to find a car that has higher mileage as they've probably been "upgraded" along the way.
It all depends on what and how you plan to use the car. If it's just another one in the collection that's hardly ever going to be driven than it doesn't really matter. For me I needed something that was fairly reliable, that I could drive today, and parts were readily available for. Thats what I found in my 83 SC.
Prices. This get discussed alot on the Pelican site. I think there is a benefit to living in Cali (well, there are MANY benefits to living in Cali) with regard to these cars. I think alot more were sold there then here in the the land of 4 seasons. I saw a lot of cars equal to mine in Cali for a few thousand less, but after trying to get the deal done, shipping, etc... it probably all washed.

Mickey, back in the 70's and 80's when I was driving Porsche cars from the EPA center in Ann Arbor MI back to California, the man I worked for told me that out of the 100% of the Porsche's produced, over 50% went to California and the other 50% went everywhere else in the US and the WORLD!!!

Kurt Meier was my "go to" person for anything related to Porsche. Back in the 50's he was always at race tracks all over the world rebuilding and tuning type 547 engines for the race teams. When I first met him in 1963 until he retired in 1989, he worked directly for Porsche of Germany and was responsible for Federal and State compliance.

My friend John recently bought a '75 911S Targa for 8K!

He drove it for a while and just replaced the heads, not trivial but not too expensive, he did all the work. A couple tools from his friends and he was on his way.

If you get a GOOD PPI then don't worry. As Larry says, lose the 5 blade fan and the BS thermal reactors, put some time-serts in the case, replace the studs and just as bulletproof as an SC, even more, in my opinion.

Me I like long-hoods, the '72 is making progress in my head. Getting closer on the house project first, then the car. Looks like motor will go together this winter, my 2.7 twin-plug MFI monster!

Thanks for all the advice

Congrats on your new toy. I have been seeing these Euromaster cars advertised. I wonder how that warranty will work out if a problem comes up. I am jealous.

Brian - Cool acquisition! I don't think its possible to have too much fun!

...Took the plunge on Friday...

Pics, pics, pleeeaaase

Had the windows tinted a couple days ago. Light on the side windows and dark on the rear "fish bowl" window so our little dog doesn't turn into a baked Pomeranian.

They will be dry today. Should be able to take pictures this weekend and post. Below are a few photos from the dealer's web site:

Looks like a beautiful car. Really low miles. Good luck.

Here are a few driveway shots taken this morning...

Love it. Much prefer them without the wing on the back. Are you guys allowed to replace those horid big black things on the rear bumper for the much smaller ones offered here and elsewhere in the world?

We're allowed to, but you do have to fill in one hole for each one as the Euro bumperette is SO much smaller that it leaves one of the US bumperette holes exposed.

We did euro's on Steve's cabby. They are definately worth the effort.

angela

Very nice car. If that is correct mileage, you should have a lot of happy miles with that. I also much prefer a non-whale tail look.

I have to agree that the standard body and the SC slightly flared body look much better without the tail and actually look odd with the tail. However, the 930, which has the wide flared body, just would not look right without the tail.

Troy, I agree with you. I personally REALLY like the early, slightly-flared in the rear look with the ducktail. And an early 911s front bumper. Oh so sweet! Someday, that's what my '72 will look like.

I've actually seen a couple of SC's with a ducktail - they look surprisingly good. As far as the large tail - not overly fond of that unless it's an impact bumper car with turbo flares.

There's a fellow here in town who backdated an 88 or so carrera into a long-hood RS car. He spent a fortune doing everything exactly right in Porsche metal. Whatta knockout! It was black of course.

You know what? I do have the early hood/fenders, lights and bumpers left over from another project. Hmmm...

angela

I know it already, you are a long-hood girl. Face it! Somebody had a ducktail on an SC at Lime Rock Vintage Fest, it rocked!

My old SC after I slammed the suspension and experimenting with the whale tail addition (circa 1982).

Speaking of ducks - check THIS out...
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-porsche-911-sport-classic#3

New school Fuchs and a duck!

angela

I've been kicking around the idea of putting a duck tail on my SC. Long story short, I was teaching one of the waiters to ride a motorcycle and he spazed out and tagged the back side of my 911. It scratched up the rear lid pretty good and put a 1.5" ding right at the curve on the rear fender F@#k!!!!! Haven't quite decided on it yet. That said, I have decided to get rid of the rear bumper guards, I hate those things! And they weight something like 11#'s a piece. I think I may get a fiberglass lid and get rid of those things to loose a little weight in the rear end. Also contemplating a new front valance and loosing the fog lights.

Hey Mickey, how about some dingle balls around the top of the windshield....