911SC - a question on buying
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
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From: Bay Area
911SC - a question on buying
Hi,
Long time lurker. I am FINALLY in the market for an air-cooled p-car and I have been looking at a couple of 911SCs in my region. I have some questions regarding a '79 and and '82 that I was hoping I could get some opinions on.
The '79 of course does not have a carfax/autocheck history given it's vintage. the '82 does, but it's very spotty - no records until '91 and since '05. Is the spotty history an issue for the '82, or is this very common? Yet do do the PPI - so I guess more of a hypothetical in the eventuality that these two present equally well mechanically to a professional.
Long time lurker. I am FINALLY in the market for an air-cooled p-car and I have been looking at a couple of 911SCs in my region. I have some questions regarding a '79 and and '82 that I was hoping I could get some opinions on.
The '79 of course does not have a carfax/autocheck history given it's vintage. the '82 does, but it's very spotty - no records until '91 and since '05. Is the spotty history an issue for the '82, or is this very common? Yet do do the PPI - so I guess more of a hypothetical in the eventuality that these two present equally well mechanically to a professional.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 1,636
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
I don't give much credence to history on cars this old.
I always do a baseline after i get them. I would put more weight on a quality ppi and understanding the general health if the car.
I always do a baseline after i get them. I would put more weight on a quality ppi and understanding the general health if the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 977
Likes: 234
From: N. Texas
I would say that if your a car guy do your own evaluation and get an experienced Porsche mechanic to look at it. They are both old cars. If your experienced with owning classic cars you probably already know that they have a laundry list of needs. I always expect the worst and decide what I can live with and what I can't. Also I am willing to pay for a better car, because you can buy a better car cheaper then you can fix a cheap car. If your capable of doing your own work then forget what I said and buy whatever you like.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away....
these cars were not worth much at one point. Some are old and neglected.
Get a PPI.
Owner history is what i look for if at all possible. Documentation is always nice.
Get a PPI.
Owner history is what i look for if at all possible. Documentation is always nice.
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From: Boston, MA
Sorry, that's a little mixed up. The 1978 and 1979 SCs had the air pump, and no Lambda. In 1980 the air pump went away (in the US anyway, ROW kept it I believe) and they added Lambda.
I can actually see staying away from the air pump cars in California, since you can't delete it and still pass the emissions visual check. I hated my air pump. Clutters up the engine compartment and the underside with the plumbing, plus it made a noticeable "thup-thup-thup" sound.
Mark
I can actually see staying away from the air pump cars in California, since you can't delete it and still pass the emissions visual check. I hated my air pump. Clutters up the engine compartment and the underside with the plumbing, plus it made a noticeable "thup-thup-thup" sound.
Mark
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From: Virginia
Sorry, that's a little mixed up. The 1978 and 1979 SCs had the air pump, and no Lambda. In 1980 the air pump went away (in the US anyway, ROW kept it I believe) and they added Lambda.
I can actually see staying away from the air pump cars in California, since you can't delete it and still pass the emissions visual check. I hated my air pump. Clutters up the engine compartment and the underside with the plumbing, plus it made a noticeable "thup-thup-thup" sound.
Mark
I can actually see staying away from the air pump cars in California, since you can't delete it and still pass the emissions visual check. I hated my air pump. Clutters up the engine compartment and the underside with the plumbing, plus it made a noticeable "thup-thup-thup" sound.
Mark
I was half asleep this morning. Had them backwards. The real benefits of a '78-'79 are the larger intake runners. I found these engines to be more free breathing than the 80-83's.
No SC I've owned ever had a smog pump intact although I do have a complete setup stored for someone needing it some day.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,492
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From: Montreal,Canada
Don't let the lack of records deter you , my car came with a stack of dealer oil changes , tire rotations and battery replacement papers,
only because the guy i bought it from didn't even know how to change a spark plug.He was a co worker who owned the car for ten years
prior to selling it to me.
I've got over 40K invested in my car and God knows i probably lost half the invoices for all the parts i put into it and i certainly
would not be able to justify all the maintenance that i meticulously executed on the car.
Like the boys mentioned, you want a PPI of the current state of the car !!!
only because the guy i bought it from didn't even know how to change a spark plug.He was a co worker who owned the car for ten years
prior to selling it to me.
I've got over 40K invested in my car and God knows i probably lost half the invoices for all the parts i put into it and i certainly
would not be able to justify all the maintenance that i meticulously executed on the car.
Like the boys mentioned, you want a PPI of the current state of the car !!!
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From: Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away....