Dadofour

Hi my name is Than , and I have been driving a BMW M Roadster for a couple of years. Over the past year I have started to develop a real taste for the track and want to have a coupe I can take to any track event and use as an occasional daily driver.

I am seriously looking at 911 Coupes.

I found one today that seems attractive and I was hoping you could help me out.

It's a 1984 911 w/

3.2L engine with DME Motronics
5spd manual transmission
Original AC
Power Sunroof
New Clutch
New Alternator
Cruise
H4 Headlight upgrade
New Tires
New Brakes and belts
New Steering wheel
15" polished wheels
Valves adjusted in last year
Replaced Camshaft Oil hose
Replaced oil feed
Replaced Valve cover gaskets
131,000 miles
2 owners
current owner is a Porsche Technician who says it does not leak oil at all


He says it has never had an accident, and has the original paint except for a touch on the back left corner.
Leather is good
Dash is excellent
No oil leaks

What are some of the things I should be looking for, and if this is enough information...What do you think is a fair price.

Thanks in advance. I have learned a lot just from reading all the information Rennlist and the forum offers.

84porsche

I will be honest with you on the price - I have an 1984 911 Targa and I paid a little over $10,000 but I have over 180,000 miles so if you add mileage and the fact that you would be getting a coupe over the targa and the H4 upgrade which is probably a couple hundred then I would say you shouldn't pay more than $15,000-$16,000 but make sure you run through the standard checks - PPI etc. before you purchase and also remember the transmission vs. the 87-89 tranny change. There are many things you should look for but you have most of the basics in this list and if it is coming from a Porsche tech then you know its coming from a good home. I personally love my 84 and I find as an occasional daily driver that I can't wait for those days when I can drive my Porsche.

Dadofour

Thanks for the feedback. I am not familiar with the 87-89 tranny change. Can you elaborate?

geo.aigel

The 915 is in the 84 that you are looking at. The 915 can be tough to shift, especially when it gets old and worn and when the shifter and the linkage bushings get old. The 87 and up has the newer and more modern G-50 transmission that supposedly works a whole lot better. It also has a hydraulic clutch, instead of a cable operated one that the 915 came with.

You should buy Randy Leffingwell's book: 911 Buyers Guide. I think you can find it on amazon.com or if it isn't in print any more: half.com

Take your time and read this forum and the FAQ. Look at cars and test drive them to see how you like them. Before you buy anything, have it inspected by a porsche mechanic for a pre purchase inspection. That will help eliminate any bad surprises.

These car's engines are very pricey to rebuild or repair, so make sure that component is thorroughly checked out. Service records on a car that has around 100k miles should be available, because you pay a premium for the lower mileage. Once you are up in the 150k and more miles, that isn't that so important any more.

HTH, George

Jeff

No better advice than take your time and do the research. There are many cars on the market, you should compare a lot before you make someone an offer -- stick with a private party, a dealer will stick you and read the FAQ on this forum. Don't be afraid to ask us -- we're not reluctant to give a hand or an opinion.

Dadofour

Alright, I really appreciate the injection of objectivity into this obsession I have developed.

I am going to try and get out today to test drive a pre '87 to find out what the 915 is like. I imagine even if working perfectly it will be very different than my 2001 Z3 or my 2002 jetta.

I will also try to get into a G-50 as well to see what that is like.

Out of curiosity....what do you see as a fair market price for this car. (obsession still in full gear) *grin*

Thanks guys!

imcarthur

Than

Some eBay sales (I know, I know the 'sales' part is always questionable on eBay)

1984 Coupe 64,500 $13,500 Apr 2003 Mileage question Wine Tail
1984 Coupe 66,130 $17,825 May 2003 Turbo look (Seat ripped) Gold Tail
1984 Coupe 145,000 $11,000 May 2003 Black
1984 Coupe 78,000 $13,649 Jun 2003 Black Tail
1984 Coupe 149,000 $9,100 Jun 2003 Different seats Bronze
1984 Coupe 35,000 $18,500 Jun 2003 Silver
1984 Coupe 42,700 $28,100 Jul 2003 Factory Turbo look Red Tail
1984 Coupe 112,842 $21,699 Aug 2003 Turbo look Restored Needs Tires White Tail
1984 Coupe 97,000 $14,100 Aug 2003 Good shape Kiln Red Tail
1984 Coupe 93,872 $13,900 Sept 2003 Blue Tail
1984 Coupe 93,275 $16,100 Nov 2003 Good shape Red Tail

Excellence says Poor $14,438 Average $16,415 Excellent $21,975

Ian

imcarthur

Than

Despite my eBay figures, I would follow the advice of the previous posters. Slow down & do some research. I have been researching for a year (as well as paying down some debt to make a 911 palatable to my better half).

For research:

Porrche Carrera 3.2

Pelican Board

101 Projects

Porsche 911 Red Book 1965 - 1999 - Patrick C. Paternie

And get a PPI!!!!

Ian

Want to be

Before the purchase have about 2-4 grand ready for any unexpected problems.
Old 911 are great cars but the older they get the more problems pop up!
Believe me, i have had the porsche inspections and down the road i still needed to dish out thousands.

I have owned (1989,1993,1988) (911)

The most expensive was my RSA 93 , boy i loved that car but it was a money pit. (stay away from 964's , they have allot of issues , more than the usually post for pre 93's)

Good luck

jpc

Want to be

Oh and becareful of good deals for 911's
It is better to pay more for a car well kept than one that need
allot of TLC.

Dont buy someone elses problems eventhough it would appear to be just a few.

good luck

jpc

Dadofour

Fantastic information all! Thank you!

Can I ask an additional question from those who track cars.

Is there more risk buying a well maintained street car, than in buying a well maintained track car?

My concern is the impact of two hard days of driving on an engine that has not seem the redline at all or infrequently...I would hate to take a clean non-oil leaking 911 and turn it into a mess...

Any thoughts ?

Thanks again.

Than

MOMO3.2

Than:

I have a 1987 Carrera that I bought 5 months ago. It had 143,000 miles when I bought it. I have put almost 5,000 miles on it myself without a glitch. All I can say is WOW. What a great car. If the Carrera you are looking at has all the service records since new and you get a good PPI performed, you will be fine. As far as the G50 trans, mine is great. But, the pre 1987 Carreras and all 911 SC's are basically GREAT Porsches to own and drive. Buy any one of these models that is in excellent mechanical condition and you will be plenty happy. Don't limit your choices unless you REALLY have to own a G50 car.

Good luck.

Mike

Dadofour

Mike - Thanks for the encouraging news. I am a little concerned about mileage but suspect that a well cared for Porsche is good for 200K + miles...

I have a buyers guide I am reading today, and my first test drive tomorrow.

Want to be

I am sure a 200k porsche would run but it would not have the speed it once had. Usually around 140k or so and its time for atleast a top end.

Unless the porsche has been torn down , i would stay clear from any car with high mileage.

A porsche with 200k miles would almost need the bottom end worked on too.

Good luck

jpc

g-50cab

and as far as your comment about tracking one - they are made that way. If you don;t run them to the redline every so often you run the risk of carbon build ups. Also the Carrera brakes are about as good as you can get out of the box. change the fluid and pads and you should be good to go.

Drive many and don't fall in love with the first one - though it will be hard.