What to buy 87 e.2 or 74 2.7
01-10-2019, 01:30 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
01-10-2019, 02:15 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
The lack of love was due to the engine reliability issues from a tendency to overheat because of the thermal reactors and inefficient fan. Since by now the majority of the 2.7 engines have had those issues remedied, the reason for the lack of love is pretty much gone. What we have now is a population of good middie cars with rebuilt 2.7s that are light and fun to drive. Lightness and rawness are very desirable these days, and longhoods are out of the price range of most buyers. SCs and Carreras have become so expensive that it was only natural that the relatively cheap-but-fun middies started getting more attention. More attention = higher values.
01-10-2019, 02:43 PM
#33
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I am in the camp that suggests for you to spend some more time looking.
The '74, if it really is that nice is certainly a worthwhile option. The thing that makes me uncertain is that only 150 miles have been put on it in the past 10 or so years after a rebuild. First, to rebuild these motors WELL is an expensive endeavor, even for someone who has the ability to do a lot of the work themselves. So if I were considering this car, I would really want to get some detailed information on what the "rebuild" comprised. If it was a thorough job with any magnesium case issues properly addressed etc., that would be fantastic. But oftentimes people use the term "rebuild" loosely. That 150 miles really weirds me out for some reason. That is not even close to breaking in the motor, it would be quite amazing to me if someone really did invest in a proper rebuild and then did not even bother with a good break-in. One other point to watch... the '74 body was before the hot-dip galvanizing, so rust is more of an issue. A car can present well, but have hidden issues (e.g. kidney bowls, top of front bumper shock mounting on outside of frunk, battery area etc.). Galvanized cars can also have corrosion issues too, but it is less likely. In any event, you have to evaluate these bodies carefully.
The '87 just sounds too tired. You will spend a lot of money on that car getting it in shape I think...
If this is your first Porsche, don't be tempted to go for a car "that needs a little work"... you will likely vastly underestimate the cost.
The '74, if it really is that nice is certainly a worthwhile option. The thing that makes me uncertain is that only 150 miles have been put on it in the past 10 or so years after a rebuild. First, to rebuild these motors WELL is an expensive endeavor, even for someone who has the ability to do a lot of the work themselves. So if I were considering this car, I would really want to get some detailed information on what the "rebuild" comprised. If it was a thorough job with any magnesium case issues properly addressed etc., that would be fantastic. But oftentimes people use the term "rebuild" loosely. That 150 miles really weirds me out for some reason. That is not even close to breaking in the motor, it would be quite amazing to me if someone really did invest in a proper rebuild and then did not even bother with a good break-in. One other point to watch... the '74 body was before the hot-dip galvanizing, so rust is more of an issue. A car can present well, but have hidden issues (e.g. kidney bowls, top of front bumper shock mounting on outside of frunk, battery area etc.). Galvanized cars can also have corrosion issues too, but it is less likely. In any event, you have to evaluate these bodies carefully.
The '87 just sounds too tired. You will spend a lot of money on that car getting it in shape I think...
If this is your first Porsche, don't be tempted to go for a car "that needs a little work"... you will likely vastly underestimate the cost.