WTB: '81 911 Targa 3.0L

Hey gang. Friend of mine is on the verge of pulling the trigger on this car. I just dont know enough about 911's to give him solid advice. Mickey, Angela.... any advice I could pass along would be appreciated. It has 140K on the 3.0 liter. No record of it being rebuilt. He was plannign on flying out and driving it back site unseen.

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=498761&Year=1981&Make=PORSCHE&Model=911%20SC%20TARGA

Paul

I don't like it when they don't tell you the mileage right up front..
most important thing and they don't say a word about it...

there were a few years in there they had problems with the cam tensioners/followers.

I have a pal here in Illinois that is selling his simular color 1987 Targa 3.2 liter(that year has the nice to own hydraulic clutch). He would like to see $17,000 out of it (started at $20k). Way lower mileage, very clean, passes a full inspection. He is being transferred to China.

I have owned several 3.0 liter S/C's and adore them (like Bob said all 1978-1983 3.0 liter 911's should get their chain tensioners updated to pressure fed versions from the 3.2 at some point if not already), I owned one particular '83 coupe for 9 years I liked it so much... But the 3.2 Carrera is a mucho better car with its better power.

Agreed about the mileage Vince. My advice to him was buy from an owner... not a dealer. Ive heard the 3.2's are bulletproof.

Michael, send me anymore info/pictures if you dont mind. My friend is willing to fly tp purchase the car and drive it back to Baltimore. Chicago is definatley within driving distance.

Paul,
That is waaaaayyyy too much for that car! 140k and no service records can end up being a costly mistake. Tell your buddy to keep looking. He can probably get one with similar mileage and service records for $10-14k

He needs to have any 911 he considers get a PPI. The SCs are great cars, and with the proper updates can be very reliable dd's, but they are expensive to fix when things go wrong, and they will on any 30 yr old car, ask me how I know.

The 3.2s are nice too. You can chip them. They have a better fuel injection and more power. The clutch (G50) is a love/ hate thing. Depending on what he's looking for it may be a wiser choice and he can easily get one for the price of that SC.

I went with an 83 because it was the last year of the SC and they hadn't gone too crazy with the "luxury" items yet like they did with the newer ones. It was still very raw to drive, but that's what i wanted.

Tell your buddy to call me if he'd like (302-388-1998) and tell him to go to Pelican Parts forum and do his research. I suggest not spending the whole budget on the car. He should keep some in reserve for the inevitable repairs. Even if he can do the work himself, Porsche parts are pricey.

Paul, M&M both give excellent advice. I believe that SC is over priced. If it is excellent cosmetically and has Carrera tensioners and a top end rebuild 10,000-12,000 would be a fair deal. I personally like 3.2 Carrera Targas with the G-50 trans. But SCs are very similar in performance and reliability. I like to buy from owners because you get to see who has been driving and maintaining the car. Also a Pre Purchase Inspection by a GOOD Aircooled Porsche repair shop is well worth the expense. I follow the market for these cars and there are some very fine cars available for under $20,000 with full history, and fresh mechanical condition. Patience and education can make owning a 911 a great experience. Haste and lack of knowledge can be painful financially. Pelican BBS is a great place to learn about these cars. Your friend can contact me for more detailed info. 561 301 7885 I love my 89 Carrera Targa!

Targas are ok, but I am a coupe guy when it comes to 911s.... 17K is too high for that, 14 or less IMHO. If it was a coupe, 17K is fair, but I am biased and it really depends on condition.

BTW, Excellence recently piblished a decent price guide for SCs and also for the earlier Carreras(84-87). I agree about the PPI and all the info that M & M said.

I personally want to hear Angela weigh in on this one.

I would pass on that one. Ive seen nice 3.2l drivers, coupes for the same money, less miles. Look around, there are a ton of nice Carreras out there. Wail around the block, cool off, shower. They'll be a better deal to be had for sure.

Sent you a private message Paul.

I would walk right past that car if I were looking for one.
It's a Targa. Resale is limited to people who like that lumpy rear roofline, it'll be prone to leaks AND it's the only shade of Porsche blue that ever made me look away.
I have to agree with these guys. Keep your friend looking elsewhere.

There's some evidence of paint work, price is a bit high, more than a bit high for a targa. Porsche did mix and match some interior colors, but the chocolate dash usually had a full chocolate interior. This one looks like a mix of tan and chocolate which might not be impossible, but bears some questioning. To make it "right" the dash, which probably has significant issues as it is covered with carpet, needs to come out (pull the windshield) an be covered to match the interior.

With a good PPI (head studs....) this is a good car in the 10-12 range. 140K is not high miles at all, but it won't matter too much if it has ten broken head studs. With sound head studs, 10-12 with the records seems pretty reasonable. It's a great car in the 8-10 range. It's a steal at 6-8.

If this were a coupe, add a bunch of money. The targas are the least loved of the lot.

Not to sound redundant, but do the PPI and take a hard look at the paint evidence. Might be a minor area, might have been a big hit, etc. With a sound PPI and the right price, fly and buy, drive home.

angela

You guys are tough on the Targas!;)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Targas. They make great parts cars. The sawzall loves them.

(this one's too nice for that, but poor condition ones...fire up the metal cutter baby)!

angela

A hell of a group of people on this site, id be happy to buy the first round anyday. Thank you for the response, and offering your time/knowledge to a complete stranger.

He has since moved on from that specific car. I am actually pushing him to start off with a re-worked Porsche 912 of late 60's vintage. But it isnt my decision to make.

If it were my money, id get a '72 911 coupe with a 3.2 dropped in. Maybe when i get up the guts to move on from my 'kit car' :)

Targas are great parts cars for coupes.........

A significant number of Targas have given their all to make IM-6s.

At least one has given it's bits up for a certain spyder...

angela

My IM-6 started life as a 80 Targa. BTW If anyone wants one I have a 78 Targa for sale as a core........;-)

A rather nice SC targa showed up here for sale. Polished fuchs and one of my favorite colors, forget the name of it. One of Porsche's odd browns, Cassis or Rosewood, can't remember.

$9K on a car lot. Haven't looked at the car close, but it is VERY presentable (too nice for ye olde sawzall).

angela