Ed Hughes

The reliability and performance across the Carrera years will be similar. There was a slight HP bump (~10HP) around '86, but it can be duplicated with a modified chip, a typical upgrade.

Well, there it goes, I opened Pandora's Box again!

rpidduck

After monitoring Pelican, Samba. Autotrader, Craigs List etc. for a number of months, I finally dialed in on a private party 85 in the Seattle area. Being So Cal that was within reachable orbit. Private party non-dealer was my comfort level. I too went through the 915 - G50 question, but concluded it was minor to other qualities sought. Email exchange with buyer led to phone exchanges and that all important sense of trust. A ppi was arranged by me and facilitated by seller. The report was excellent and confirmed seller's photos and representation. 68,000 miles and good to go but needed tires and alignment for long trip south in winter. I arranged, sent seller a deposit and he got the car to the necessary appointments. Flew up with balance cashier's check in my pocket with little doubt that I would drive home in car. Risky maybe, but my first drive in car was when I pulled out of his garage on my way home. It all worked out and very pleased with experience and more importantly ... with the car. As is my local mechanic.
Richard

gmiz

Just an update - not much on the market locally, but still have my eye on two, a coupe and a targa. Both have been very well taken care of , judging from their condition and seeing the maintenance history. My reluctance is the mileage of both, one over 136K and the other 166K. My objective is a weekend sports car, the odd drive to the office, and something that will not require a complete rebuild sometime soon. If the compression and leak down tests are good, then this mileage should not be too much of an issue?

Again, if anyone knows of a car in So cal or even Arizona that looks good, please let me know. Trying not to over analyse things but...

Ed Hughes

136K is nothing, 166K can also be fine, if the price is appropriate. My '84 had almost 130K when the nut behind the wheel missed a shift coming out of Ricochet @ MSR. The engine was superb and showed no significant signs of wear at that mileage. My trans is fine @ 135K...

You need to forget preconceived ideas on what excessive mileage is on these cars. Again, all of this is predicated on the sellers being realistic on price.

rusnak

3.2 911s can last just fine for over 300K miles. You'd probably never reach that many miles just driving it occasionally.

Amber Gramps

bet you could get this one for $20k

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

........and tell me this little baby isn't the sexiest little ride you ever saw. Wow.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

gmiz

This is one of the ones I was looking at....
http://http://www.autotrader.com/fyc...standard=false

Thoughts?

Amber Gramps

post fail....try it now

Amber Gramps

I saw that one and liked it. The leather may need some attention. Honestly the price seems low. Could be worth a sunday drive or at least a call. You have a mint in the wheels alone. It is obviously close to salt water so you gotta really check closely for rust.

gmiz

Here is the other...hope this link works...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1849

gerlando

I recently picked up my first 911, an 87 w/137k on the clock and it's completely solid. Like others have said care and maintenance are more important than mileage. I know that one on ebay was on CL for a while so you may be able to negotiate him down some (especially given the miles), but it sounds well cared for and it's an awesome color IMO.

gmiz

I am going to look at thiese two this week, plus a grey targa in the OC that just came up on craiglsist. So far all three sound like well cared for vehicles; will narrow the choice then do the PPI on one. Does anyone know of a good Porsche mechanic in Newport beach tha would do a good PPI?

GothingNC

Here is an 84 Coupe at Laguna Beach for12k

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1169385516.html

Good luck with your quest, it's the best part.

John

Amber Gramps

Love this one. Some window tint and dark carpet and she is good to go.

pchak

John mentioned that he used a tool to search all CL's, so I went to look for one. I found http://www.searchtempest.com/ (no affiliation, etc.). I found a few that were interesting.