alee

Thanks to Jeff Curtis and R22tek for you responses to my prior post.

Well, I got the PPI done on an '87 Targa today and the Porsche mechanic told me the following:

1. Car should get a major service ($800 to $1000). The last major service was completed at 30,000 miles. From then on, the car only had minor repairs/service.
2. Car could use new shocks and new tires.
3. Brake pads at 50%.
4. Rear axles need repacking and boots ($250)
5. Shifter bushings are a bit sloppy
6. The front seat has a slight tear, but otherwise OK
7. No leaks to worry about
8. Compression is good
9. Transmission is fine.

The car has no accident history and it has the original paint, which is in nice condition. The seller is asking $18,000, but I think there's some room to negotiate. Given the current market, does this sound like a fair, good or excellent deal to you?

Thanks again.

Jay H

It wasn't long ago that an '87 911 (no matter what) brought at least $20,000. It sure seems to be a buyer's market. The car you describe doesn't sound mint, but also does not sound poor either.

In the August 2001 issue of excellence, Bruce Anderson lists the values of a 1987 Targa as:

Poor: $17,657
Good: $20,076
Excellent: $26,875

Based on the PPI list, it looks like you could get the car in excellent shape for another $1500 - $2500 (depending on what you can do yourself, how well you shop, if you want $100 tires or $250 tires etc., and labor rates in your area). Buying a nice G50 Carrera in the mid to high teens sounds like a good deal in my book... Make a resonable offer below $18,000 and see what happens.

Good luck,
Jay
90 964

alee

The car is not mint, but I'd rank it (at least cosmetically) a solid 8.5.

The car has 65,000 miles.

Thanks!

Russ 87 911

I purchased a white 87 targa 47000.mint 255OO. Just did the overhaul oil return,brakes,air, 1700.Love taking the top off.

r22tek

Sounds like a good deal to me. Post a picture of it when you get it home. You are going to get it....aren't you? Also, if you take the techs advise and get that work completed, the car is going to feel like new! Fast, tight, and more than you could probably exploit! Enjoy....tomorrow may never come.

r22tek

I almost forgot-sometimes the mechanics forget to check the Targa top. Here's what you need to do to check it. First do the visual: should look tight fitting inside and out. Take it off and fold it- there should be (6) clips, 2 on the front and 4 on the back, where the folding bars stop when locked. Put it back on and close the doors with the windows up. The top of the windows should go into a channel on the rubber side seals of the top. They SHOULD NOT just contact the outside of the seals as I've seen many do. The vinyl outer covering should have no tears and the front and rear "beaded" edges should lay down flat withe the front window header and rear targa bar- it should not be curled up or sit higher than these 2 items. And lastly, get a hose and let it "rain" on the car for 5-10 minutes-does it leak? If so, check those door pockets carefully for water damage! Also check under the doors for rust. Sometimes you can even spot targa leak damage by pulling out the window switches, very easy with a flathead screwdriver from the side of the switch, these switches will be rusted on the INSIDE of the door.
Targa tops cost 400.00-700.00 to refurbish and around 1200.00 to buy "like new" used tops from Cars, inc. You don't even want to know how much all the targa seals cost, let alone, how hard they are to install properly!!!

alee

Great advice on the top. It's easy to overlook stuff like that in all the excitement.

Fortunately, the top looked really good. The top and inner liner were excellent, as were the rain gutters (which are often really scratched up).

I think this car may be the one. I get the sense that the car is a pretty good buy. The only thing holding me up though is the color, which is a metallic brownish-red. Is it wrong to be so superficial?

Well, I'll see what I can do in my negotiations. Perhaps, I'll be formally joining the 911 club this week.

Thanks all!

Jeff Curtis

I say go for it Alee, sounds like a great car, one shouldn't expect "mint" with the mileage and year that it is, although I've seen 'em!

r22tek was correct in describing the difference between a 915 and G50 in your previous post...I've had both, still can't get over how much nicer the shifting is on a G50...just FYI, I AM a driver, can drive both cars just as well...it's only natural that one appreciate the smoothness of the G50 after owning a handfull of 915s.

As for the cost of replacing shocks and tires...IMO...who cares!?? It's only an excuse to go get the tires and shocks that YOU want on the car...I hated the NEW tires that came on my '91 that I bought in May of 2001...sold them and got the set I wanted.

***So by all means, use any PPI discoveries to negotiate final price.***

Rick Lee

In July 2001 I got my '87 Carrera in similar condition with 72.5K miles on it for $17k. Since then I replaced front shocks, added turbo tie rods and have a few other winter projects before me. Since the car is generally in good shape, and most importantly, the engine and tranny are good, you won't go wrong even at $18k. Of course, it always feels better to get a deal. But rest assured, you'll get your money's worth of enjoyment out of it. I have no regrets.

Thom Fitzpatrick

r22tek

Alee- i wouldn't sit on the fence too long-there have been many posts about "losing the right 911 because i waited too long and the car was sold!" at least put a deposit to hold it for you while you think it over.

alee

Yes, I'm definitely moving quickly. I started the negotiations and should hear back tomorrow.

I'm getting worried, because I'm already getting attached to the car. Wish me luck!

TYPE911

Alee~
Good luck with your purchase.
You say you are "getting worried, because I'm already attatched to the car".
That is the worst position to be in,
you should go into any negotiation, prepared to walk away.

There are lots of good 911's out there !

When you already have "mental ownership", that is when you end up compromising & usually paying more than you should.

Hope it all works out for you...

-Chris
82 911sc
just turned 40,000 mi

alee

While I'm getting excited about owning the car, I'll move on to the next one if the deal's not right. Up front, it's a business decision. The fun comes later! Thanks for the advice.