Help! Buying first 911
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Help! Buying first 911
Hey guys, first wanted to thank you for any advise given. I'm looking at buying a 90 Carrea c2 cab auto with 57k. Completely stock with no paint work ever done, from privite owner with all maintenance records, 60k service is needed. Anyone know whats involved in this service? Anything I should look at that is a problem with this model/ year? I'm sure the amount of experience hear will save me a 100 hours of guessing! Thanks again, Gregg <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 814
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
The 90s were the first year with the new engine, and they are notorious for having cylinder leaks. Ask the owner if he had the modification done. It's expensive (I've heard as muck as $8k). By all means, have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic who knows that vintage Porsche. Ask him about the cylinder issue. If you go over to the Pelican Board, there's a thread at <a href="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=81831&goto=newpost" target="_blank">Buying My First 911</a> that has a discussion on the various issues. People have varying opinions, and I think you'll find the discussion helpful. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Hey Gregg,
I have a 92 C2 coupe with 63K miles, so perhaps I can give you some insight. Figure on spending at least $1K for the 60K mile service. My service ran about $2200, but I also had the front brake pads/rotors replaced, updated the A/C to R134, and replaced the idle stabilization valve.
Definitely check for engine oil leaks, which you may not be able to see if the bottom engine tray is on. Sniff the trunk for gas fumes. Observe how steady the idle is. It will fluctuate, but should not bounce up and down by more than about 100 rpm. Use the override switch to raise and lower the spoiler, then observe/listen that it operates properly.
Check the receipts VERY carefully to identify any recurring problems with the car. Read EVERYTHING.
And get a PPI of course.
Drew
92 C2
I have a 92 C2 coupe with 63K miles, so perhaps I can give you some insight. Figure on spending at least $1K for the 60K mile service. My service ran about $2200, but I also had the front brake pads/rotors replaced, updated the A/C to R134, and replaced the idle stabilization valve.
Definitely check for engine oil leaks, which you may not be able to see if the bottom engine tray is on. Sniff the trunk for gas fumes. Observe how steady the idle is. It will fluctuate, but should not bounce up and down by more than about 100 rpm. Use the override switch to raise and lower the spoiler, then observe/listen that it operates properly.
Check the receipts VERY carefully to identify any recurring problems with the car. Read EVERYTHING.
And get a PPI of course.
Drew
92 C2
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Hey guys, thanks alot for the info so far! John, your cab looks great! The tail is now on my things to do list! BTW this car has a 3.6l engine, so far I've read that the head to cylinder match is a problem and the distributor vent is needed, also Drew you mentioned the gas smell, what causes this? Any other tips? Thanks again, Gregg. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 6
From: WI, US
Gregg:
There is some good advice above. Here is my $.02.
The cylinder to head leak is a bit overblown (i.e., not as common as the press leads us to believe). But, definitely have this checked out on the PPI.
The distributor vent kit is about $15 and it should take under an hour to fit. The dual distributor belt should be changed every 5 years or 50,000 miles.
Check for inoperating warning lights or warning lights that stay on. All lights should go out immediately except for the spoiler light and the "!" light shortly after starting the car. After you go above 4 mph, the spoiler light and the "!" light should go out. Check that ALL accessories work on the car. These 911's are relatively complex and faulty electronics can be hard to diagnose (=$$) and repair.
Porsche's Tiptronic is one of their most reliable transmissions. This also eliminates the Dual Mass Flywheel issue.
Definitely get a PPI done on the car.
Good Luck,
Jay
<a href="http://www.jays911.com" target="_blank">90 964</a>
There is some good advice above. Here is my $.02.
The cylinder to head leak is a bit overblown (i.e., not as common as the press leads us to believe). But, definitely have this checked out on the PPI.
The distributor vent kit is about $15 and it should take under an hour to fit. The dual distributor belt should be changed every 5 years or 50,000 miles.
Check for inoperating warning lights or warning lights that stay on. All lights should go out immediately except for the spoiler light and the "!" light shortly after starting the car. After you go above 4 mph, the spoiler light and the "!" light should go out. Check that ALL accessories work on the car. These 911's are relatively complex and faulty electronics can be hard to diagnose (=$$) and repair.
Porsche's Tiptronic is one of their most reliable transmissions. This also eliminates the Dual Mass Flywheel issue.
Definitely get a PPI done on the car.
Good Luck,
Jay
<a href="http://www.jays911.com" target="_blank">90 964</a>
