GothingNC

I am looking at 2 911's as follows

1977 Targa
Has a recently rebuilt 83 SC motor bored to 3.2 Liters
Heavy Duty Sway Bars
Chain Tensioner & Pop Off box upgrades
Red with Black interior in nice condition
Bilstein shocks
Brake Cooler kit with drilled rotors
Has all records of rebuild and maintenance
I do not know the mileage yet.
Located 300 miles

or

Blue 1980 SC Targa
95,ooo original miles
All Maintenance records and new top.
All upgrades on motor has been performed.
Located 2,000 miles from my house.
Paint and interior in nice condtion.
Has a tail.

Should I stick with the 1980 since it is newer and blue is not much of a "cop" magnet?

Both are going for the same price and both are negotiable.

Thanks.

realtime

tough call- both a fair distance from you- I wouldn't buy any P-car I couldn't see w/ my own eyes even w/ a pre-purchase inspection which is also highly recommended.
Dan

Jay H

Since both are at the same price, I'd opt for the stock '80 SC if the 2000 mile distance doesn't bother you. Easier resale (even with the 3.0/3.2 in the '77) if you keep it relatively stock.

If the '77 is in very nice shape and the engine swap/upgrade has been done by a reputable shop (with documentation - which you state it has), that could be a fun car as well. Though I would tend to pay more for a bone stock SC than a mod'ed '77 2.7.

You'd have to drive both and assess both car's condition before really making a decision. Both of these cars are getting up there in years and condition is everything at this point.

Jay
90 964

Greg D.

#2.... It's "stock", it's an SC... Were 77 galvanized ?

Jay H

Yes, '77 cars were galvanized. Partial galvanizing was started in '76 if memory serves me correctly.

Dan in Pasadena

Yes, but early galvanized cars had paint adherence issues...well, at least some of them did. Apparently due to inconsistencies in the thickness of the zinc coating. By now it may have been dealt with....or not. Buyer beware.

GothingNC

The owner with the 77 is willing to sell for under 12,000.

The body has 115,000 miles and the motor has 6,000.

Would the 77 be a practicle daily driver? My commute is about 10 miles on a 2 lane country road with some traffic.

The seller of the 1980 SC in Texas only had the car a few years and the only information he really has provided me is that the car has not given him any problems so that means he has not done any maintenance since he has been the owner.

I might have to pass on a P-car for a while since I found out that my wife might be expecting child #3.

There goes my plans out the window

Jay H

Depending on your climate, 10 miles might not be enough to get that car warmed up properly. 911's aren't the best for short drives and they need some time to get warmed up fully.

If traffic is heavy, an older 911 might not be the most fun if you have a lot of stop an go. Definitely do-able, but heavy clutches and 91 transmissions can wear thin on a person's patience.

GothingNC

Jay,

Thats a good point you mentioned about the commute.
I can always drive the long way to work !!
Found out this morning that my wife is not expecting which I was excited in a way but now life is back to normal for now.
I'll just start drinking when I get home each day.

The guy selling the 77 is actually a little pushy and plans on shipping the car to Florida in 2 weeks if it doesn't sell. I just don't want to make a hasty decision.

I think I'll narrow my choise to a coupe instead of a Targa also so I don't have to wory about wind noise or leaks. I actually like the look better also.

Anyone know of any for sale in the central NC area near Raleigh?

JCP911S

Well maintained SC would be a fine daily driver as long as you are ok with the quirks... shifting, heavy steering, marginal A/C and 15 minutes for heat... its an acquired taste, but I love driving my 84... turns the commute from a chore to the best part of my day.

With a set of snow tires it is also an excellent winter car.... although it does take its toll on the cosmetics just a bit, and you have to be aware of ground clearance.

Unless you really want an targa, stick with a coupe... stronger, doesn't leak, and targa top and seals are expensive to re-do.... plus I agree it is better looking.

GothingNC

I don't plan on driving the car in the snow if we get any.
Everything shuts down in Raleigh once we get over an inch.
Heat is not a problem with me.

I still have my old 75 bug thaI drove from NY to NM to NC and as long as it's above 15 degrees outside, I'm fine.

I only wear a jacket once it falls below 40 and the summer heat doesn't bother me either after serving a week of 110 degree weather in NM driving 63 VW Notchback without A/C. That is one car I really wish I didn't sell. Handled really well on the highway.

From this time on I will focus on the coupe to make the search more adventuresome.

Peter Zimmermann

Don't worry about the '77 - all that big sway bars and Bilsteins do is exacerbate the cowl shake. All things equal I would buy the stock SC every time. Anyway, 6K miles on the replacement motor in the '77? Do you have receipts? Can you talk to the engine builder? Do you know why it was taken apart? Man, way too many questions!

GothingNC

I decided to pass on the 77.
I located an 89 Carera in my price range near by. It has 220,000 miles on it.
I'm awaiting a reply on what was recently worked on over the years.
It's just very time consuming to travel long distances to look at each one unless it really interests me.

JCP911S

For a 3.2, a good used replacement motor is about $5-6K +/-.... but be careful... most used motors are junk depite what the seller claims... guilty until proven innocent.

G-50 Trans can be expensive... make sure it is ok.

Little stuff can hit you in $300-600 shots, so avoid a car that looks maintenance deferred in any respect.

So if the 220K car is pretty tight and well maintained in all respects, you can cover yourself against the "big one"... just remember you can probably find a very nice needs nothing 3.2 with half the mileage for mid teens.... especially if you go for a 915 gearbox car.... if the G-50 is not a priority for you, that is a way to save some bucks

GothingNC

The 89 still has the original un-opened motor.

Asking 15K

The seller says the valave guides will probably have to be replaced soon since it is starting to smoke a little at start up.

Here is his reply

"No the motor has not been rebuilt. During the last year it has received new
brakes and rotors and the routine valve adjustment, change of filters and
plugs. I have really not spent very much money on it at all over the years.
I drive it every day round trip to work and home is about 25 miles rural
"fun" driving. Never raced or autocrossed, all original. Paint in good
shape, no wrecks, no smoke, garaged. All the work has been done at
Eurosport by the owner who is factory trained and has 20 years of
experience. They have all the records since I have owned it. I am its
second owner bought it in Richmond Va in 1994 when it had 18K miles on it.
Interior in good original shape, new headliner. Mostly just routine
maintenance. Smokes a little at start up (to be expected) will probably
need valve guides in a year or so. "

He is selling it beacuse he needs the cash for something else. (doesn't want to sink anymore into the car probably)