mada

I have found the SC hunt to be much like a crap shoot.

I have located body style and 1st choice of color.

The fellah who owns the car has done nothing to the car. No upgrades. Car runs strong as is, though.

100k miles. He's asking about 10 grand. Body is ok with a repaint showing some wear. If the PPI checks out ok, should I buy?

The engine seems like a time bomb without recent work done to it. I don't want to make a mistake here. Just a working class guy with a hurting need for an SC.

Bill Gregory

If the condition checks out to your satisfaction, and the compression and leakdown tests are OK, buy it. If the paint is wearing, I'd probably target around $8K (go look at Kelly Blue Book private party values). Sounds like you'll want to put a pop-off valve on it and perhaps oil-fed tensioners right away. Look at whatever receipts are available. Clutch likely has already been replaced, so you wouldn't have a rubber clutch issue to deal with.

mada

Any Idea on the cost to replace a clutch on an SC? I have a feeling that this hasn't been done during the owners term with the car.

Steve Wilwerding

I hate to bring this up, but why is style and color at the top of your list? I realize that they're important, but getting a good condition car that's been well taken care of is much, much more important. Cheap Porsches can turn into expensive Porsches very quickly if you don't do your homework.

A clutch job, if you have someone else do it, will likely run around $1000. It's about $600 - $700 for the parts and the labor involves dropping the engine (and usually the transmission) in order to change it.

Unless there are present issues with the clutch, don't feel in a rush to change it. If there is something wrong with the present clutch, use it as a bargaining tool.

mada

Style and color are what attracted me to the car initially. This is not to say I would purchase a car with mechanical problems just becasue the color and style matched up. Targa has been ruled out completely...like a bachelor ruling out brunettes or red-heads. Looks first, then a commitment if the personality (mechanical condition)is there too.

gerry100

If you are not used to the feel of a 911 cluthx it might be a good idea to have a mechanic drive it, he might be able to tell.

100K on an SC without a record of a clutch change is kind of worrisome based on what I've heard.

cmoss

Note
(1) The SC is at least twenty years old...
(2) It is a performance car...
(3) So yes, you are rolling the dice...

But, they are one of the most fun cars to be around. Great toys.
Cheers,
Chris

Jim Richards

Mada, there's plenty of SC's out there so even though you found the body type and color you like, there's more of them out there. Patience will serve you well. If you do intend to go for this car, I'd suggest that you pay more than a typical PPI and get the mechanic to do a valve adjustment on the car. With the valve covers off, he'll be able to check for broken head studs (a common SC problem) and maybe even spot worn valve guides that could end up costing you plenty in the form of a top end job. Just remember to stay calm and not rush into this. Good luck in your search for the right car!

Regards,

BoyT-911

Mada,
Met somebody recently who found his first Porsche ('78SC) for 8K and fell in love with car. Took the car to his friend's garage for inspection and finalize the deal. Unfortunately, the shop was not familiar with 911 cars.

And a month later, the engine and trans were pulled out due to several problems like shifting, severe oil leaks, broken Dilavar head studs, etc.

Have a PPI from a reliable Porsche shop. There is always risk involve in buying 20+ year car and there many good cars available somewhere. Good luck.....

Hetmann

I bought a 78SC in 1995 after a PPI by a reputable local shop. Everything checked out fine at the time. I took it to the shop that had been servicing the car. Maybe they didn't really check everything they said they did???

Anyway, in the intervening 7 years of relatively gentle adult driving, I have had to:
- rebuild the tranny due to a shift incident where the shifter selected 2 gears simultaneously
- replace the airbox (cracked)
- replace the clutch
- and now I am rebuilding the engine due to metal shavings in the oil filter last oil change.

Things happen. PPIs are a good tool, but by no means a tell all and with any old car plan on having to fix things. Buy a car you like in a color you like and budget for repairs.

john d 81SC

Mada,

What you didn't say is this the original owner, or the 5th? And why is he selling the car? If he's not the original owner, maybe there have been some upgrades done that this owner may not be aware of. I've already seen that a couple of times - people buy these cars for different reasons. Would the current owner (or you) recognize an airbox or hydraulic tensioners? And why was the care repainted? Had it been hit? If so, that can open up an altogether different can of worms. As already posted, it's imperative that you have a PPI done by a Porsche specialist,including having the car driven. With a 20+ year old car, it's ALWAYS a roll of the dice. Stuff wears out. With a 20+ year old P, you're rolling the dice - just at a significantly higher stakes table.

RANDY P

Make sure you get a good mechanic that is recommended by some Porsche guys, and listen closely to their advice. Don't be afraid to ask. Try to choose someone who will take care of the car after you purchase. If the tech knows you're coming back for work afterwards, you'll probably get a more accurate PPI.

Remember to watch how the owner takes care of things, only buy from someone responsible, not a cheapskate. The condition at this age depends less on the car itself, but more on the owner.

Reciepts? And from which repair shop? Be a bit snooty, it's your money.

rjp

EDIT: I forgot, watch the speedometer on that thing, you never noted what year the vehicle was, some have 85 MPH, some have 150 MPH - my point being is that the speedometers fail all the time and get upgraded if it's the 85 MPH version. Either way the mileage could be wrong. Triple check to make sure that whatever reciepts you get jive with the mileage on the car and date the work was done. This trick is more common than you think.

One last thing, pull the gearbox drain plug, check for bits and pieces. That one bit me on the a$$. ($1800 fix)

rjp

(again)

RANDY P

Come to think about it, only 100k on the clock and no reciepts to verify anything? And only $10k for a coupe? That's like free sex and a $100.00 bill with every purchase.

I'd walk.

rjp

RBC

Well, it looks like $10K is where coupes seem to be priced right now. SC's can be had for less, but even basket cases are fetching $6K.

I'm contemplating selling my '78 SC, which has a completely rebuilt engine, new wiring harnesses, and tons of other new, factory parts, and even in it's current mechanical condition (bullet-proof), I'd probably be looking at $10K-$11K.

GratefulJED

I'd go for the pcar owner (1-2) with twenty year sticker on original windshield, pristine condition interior and exterior with some stone chips being OK, no repaint, original low miles (less than 90k, lets you "leave some for the next guy" should you decide to sell), all manuals and tools, most upgrades (tensioners, airbox, gearbox, AC), most receipts, and extra oil filters and such for 15K. Pay Up! You will find one depending on body style.I did and could not be happier. This car is a blast to drive!