underassault

hey guys. i've been looking at old 911's for a while and this one really caught my eye. what should i watch out for when getting and old porsche? thanks

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/656540102.html

old man neri

Welcome

Always get a independent Pre Purchase Inspection. Also consider getting yourself a copy of 'the used 911 story' by Pete Zimmerman. It is a good read and will guide you through the different years, their strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide what year is best for you. Besides that just start searching on the forums.

Cheers and good luck

WitchDoctor

x2!

Pete's book also gives you some very specific things to check when you examine specimens to help rule out cars that you might otherwise send for pre purchase inspection.

Mike Murphy

+3! You could save yourself $10,000 by buying and reading a book.

ked

watch out for worn out components, poor service, accidents, rust... & lust.

Edward

1. As already said, arm yourself with knowledge: books and search out lots of advice from owners of your particular vintage.

2. Records, records, records. It would take a boatload of convincing for me to even consider a 911 w/o a paper history of maintenance or modifications. Unlike most other cars, you can easily spend *more* than the car's purchase price just in addressing pre-existing issues. It's simply too much to trust the owner's "word"; records speak volumes.

3. Once you've done your HW and sifted the field of crappy 911s out there (of which many exist!!) and found a potential gem, get a thorough PPI from a trustworthy shop that knows YOUR car. My emphasis is on knowing *your* particular vintage since Dealers, for example, despite their assurances, will not know a vintage 911 nearly as well as a dedicated wrench who has serviced and built a clientelle for them for years.

4. Post your success here. This last mandate holds equal imprtance to the other imperatives


Edward

WitchDoctor

That is a sweet looking car, from the pictures.

I'd like a steering wheel like that on mine, but...it's not original. I'm still new enough not to know if this detracts, or is just a minor thing. Upgrades? Other modifications?

But as Ed' said, it's the tale of the tape. Ok, I'm paraphrasing. The vehicles documentation will speak volumes, and if you don't have a volume of documentation available, then be cautious. I've heard others say a good PPI will protect you in the event you don't have thorough documentation. I judge there will be mixed opinion about that.

I'm thinking that if you are not already well informed, it might be better to just let this one go, as you inform yourself. Someone here advised me to drive a dozen, so I get a good sense of how they feel, and how they vary.

I was careless not to take that advice fully, but this group was great support. After I drove a car, I posted some impressions, and just from what I described, some of the guys were able to tell me the transmission is having problems!

So, go driving, and come back and tell us about the experience. So many of these guys are just scary-knowledgeable.

FWIW

Brent