Records missing
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, Ohio
Records missing
Hello all. I am new to this site and have found it very helpful in the search for my latest affliction, a late 80's 911. I have been reading about these cars for years and have a good friend who has an 88 Cabrio that I have driven. I just ordered Peter Zimerman's book and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.
My question is this, I have found an 86 Cabrio with 56K miles and I can only find records back three years. Carfax and Auto check only go back ten and tell me about title issues but not much else. I understand a PPI is the way to go and will definately take that route. With so few miles on the car, and given it's age, would items such as clutch and brakes go bad? I can understand rubber seals and so forth but have never purchased an auto this old. Are there other items that get punky from lack of use and/or age that should be addressed? Thanks.
My question is this, I have found an 86 Cabrio with 56K miles and I can only find records back three years. Carfax and Auto check only go back ten and tell me about title issues but not much else. I understand a PPI is the way to go and will definately take that route. With so few miles on the car, and given it's age, would items such as clutch and brakes go bad? I can understand rubber seals and so forth but have never purchased an auto this old. Are there other items that get punky from lack of use and/or age that should be addressed? Thanks.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,213
Likes: 1,907
From: Chicago, IL
A clutch can last 10,000 miles or 200,000 miles, depending on how the previous owners drove the car. A good PPI will be able to tell you the quality of the clutch.
Brakes can easily be inspected - the mechanic should pull off the wheels and have a look at the calipers, pads and rotors. Brakes on this car can last a long time, but aren't too expensive to replace the wear components.
Make sure you test all 7 blowers on this car. I will bet that you will find at least one if not more shot on this car. Also, test the AC. Is usually always doesn't work. Sometimes it just needs a recharge; other times it requires $2,000 to upgrade and fix if you have bad condensers and pumps. Test the heaters - that they turn on and also that they turn off.
On the engine, the oil should be drained and the 2 drain plugs should be inspected for metal debris. Also, listen for valvetrain noises. If a valve adjustment hasn't been done is a while, you might have one done. The valves should be silky-smooth after a valve adjustment.
I can't tell you much about the Cabrio top, since mine is a Targa. They say that all Targas leak, and mine is no exception.
I find that most of the rubber seals on these cars do start going bad after 20 years. You will just have to inspect all the rubber on the car (brake lines, seals, belts, tires) and see what the condition is. You also might find some rust on certain items (such as heater boxes), but you shouldn't see rust on the body anywhere.
Hope this helps.
Brakes can easily be inspected - the mechanic should pull off the wheels and have a look at the calipers, pads and rotors. Brakes on this car can last a long time, but aren't too expensive to replace the wear components.
Make sure you test all 7 blowers on this car. I will bet that you will find at least one if not more shot on this car. Also, test the AC. Is usually always doesn't work. Sometimes it just needs a recharge; other times it requires $2,000 to upgrade and fix if you have bad condensers and pumps. Test the heaters - that they turn on and also that they turn off.
On the engine, the oil should be drained and the 2 drain plugs should be inspected for metal debris. Also, listen for valvetrain noises. If a valve adjustment hasn't been done is a while, you might have one done. The valves should be silky-smooth after a valve adjustment.
I can't tell you much about the Cabrio top, since mine is a Targa. They say that all Targas leak, and mine is no exception.
I find that most of the rubber seals on these cars do start going bad after 20 years. You will just have to inspect all the rubber on the car (brake lines, seals, belts, tires) and see what the condition is. You also might find some rust on certain items (such as heater boxes), but you shouldn't see rust on the body anywhere.
Hope this helps.
Poseur
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,740
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Many things can go bad on a 20 year old car,--just sitting around. Particularly, when just sitting around. If you ultimately can't get enough information on the car don't feel bad about walking away from the car. There are PLENTY of 911SCs and Carreras out there from that era with complete data packages. You should not have to guess what has happened to that car.
Cabrios, as a general rule, are more fair weather cars for people and tend to amass less miles than their coupe counterparts. But 56,000 miles on a 20 year old car tells me it rarely got driven. Is the paint in great shape? The drivers seat? You should see some bolster wear, but not too much, in 56,000 miles. The paint should be nearly perfect still.
Good luck.
Cabrios, as a general rule, are more fair weather cars for people and tend to amass less miles than their coupe counterparts. But 56,000 miles on a 20 year old car tells me it rarely got driven. Is the paint in great shape? The drivers seat? You should see some bolster wear, but not too much, in 56,000 miles. The paint should be nearly perfect still.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Delaware, Ohio
Thanks for all the tips. Paint and interior are clean. Some drivers seat wear but nothing to suggest more or less miles. The paint looks original to me, some chips, some wear, but nothing to suggest a repaint. I wish I could have found this from the owner but it is sitting in a dealership. He's helpful but doesn't have the info I am asking to see. My gut is telling me to wait for a car with records. As this is my first Porsche I am being a bit cautious.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,607
Likes: 16
From: Bakersfield, CA, for now...
Cautious is smart! One thing that records tell you is how the mileage tracked, if the car had 2500-2800 miles of use per year that's cool. But, if it had 10K miles for a couple of years, and then nothing for a few years, that's not cool. Those nothing years could have been spent sitting in a body shop having severe collision damage repaired, etc. Tell the dealer to find the records, or find another buyer.
Pete
Pete
