Fahrvergnuugen

Some guy in my town has a 1986 911 that has 2,000 miles on it. It hasn't been driven since 1988. He want's 20,000 for it. I don't know any specifics other than that because this is 2nd hand information.

Is the poor car junk? What happens to a vehicle when it sits in storage for 13 years without being touched??

Kinda sad in a way...

Jay H

If the car has been stored properly, the interior and exterior will be as new.

The mechanicals will be another story. Seals dry out, rubber and plastics will age just from time. I would suspect that if the car is sold and starts to get driven, lots of leaks will appear from old, dried out seals. I'd hate to see what that fuel is like in the tank after all these years...

Harold

Seals, air con etc would surely give trouble. BUT, if you like the Carrera, what better way to enjoy one than to get an example that smells and looks just like the day it left then factory...

Just figure on spending to get the car back into running condition BUT imagine the bragging rights you would have owning this time capsule. And this could remain your garage queen given you already have another 911.

reed

Paul,

I came accross an '86 930 with a similar story this summer. The car had around 4K miles on it. I ended up buying the car and have had no problems with it. Other than recharging the A/C and replacing the hood shocks, the car needed nothing. My mechanic said that the car had been stored properly though and that that made all the difference. Also, the car was driven periodically. Good luck. It sounds like an interesting car.

Chris

Chris Martin

Tough call with a car like that. Some will say it should be preserved and never driven, as it might be the lowest mile car out there. I would have to hear it run though before you bought it. Start it up and see what leaks out; it shouldnt take too long.

tonytaylor

The problem with buying very low milage cars is that in driving them you distroy what makes them special.

Fahrvergnuugen

i would be scared to start it after this long...kinda like opening a mummie's tomb

I would first want to drain the gas out of it at least.... what about 13 year old oil??

gerry100

I'd be real curious as to how a car like that would be left to sit. The "first hand" story might reveal that it hasn't been driven because the engine blew up.

Second hand story - sounds almost like the urban legend about the old farmer advertising the " '62 Chevy - $100 " where the car turns out to be a Corvette.

By the way Fahrv - I think we're in the same 'hood.

Fahrvergnuugen

haha, yeah we are in the same hood
My house is about 15 minutes outside saratoga...45 min from Albany.

First hand info is through my father, so I think it's pretty reliable When I go home for xmas break [I'm at school now] I will get more specifics.

86NOH2O

I'd buy it in a flash. Assuming it looks brand new like it should. My mechanic says the worst is when they get driven vary rarely. The metal to metal on starting wears the engine. He's seen some 10K mile cars that need rebuilds. If this is just sitting that should not have happened.

The price seems to low, makes me think some info is missing. An 86 was a great year, last of the 915's with the updated interior, shortened shift, real reliable engine. Maybe just a true find?

My 86' is garaged and covered, I get it hot at least once a week, only 30K miles and looks like it just came from the factory. I can only imagine how sweet one with 2,000 miles should look!

Good luck

You'd be the only game in town $$$$$ if you ever sold it.

There must be some wisdom out there on starting it after all this time. I doubt just turning the key and firing it up is a good idea.

Fahrvergnuugen

[quote]There must be some wisdom out there on starting it after all this time. I doubt just turning the key and firing it up is a good idea.<hr></blockquote>

i agree...

jlkline

My concern would be the fuel system. I'm not sure if thee are any fuel stabilizers that would work for 13 years. Fuel lines are most likely varnished and gunking could have occured in a number of places, including the injectors. A tank drain, new fuel filter, whatever Porsche recommends for a fuel system cleaner, and a check of the injector spray patterns would be where I would start. I think I would also pull and replace the plugs during wih time, squirt some motor oil into the cylinders and crank the motor by hand ( or push the car in a higher gear) to ensure thee is some lubrication there. I would then change the oil, and then try to fire it up.

I certainly agree with the other guys on the potential for seal problems in many areas. Electrical contacts could be corroded dieto lack of use, that can cause a lot of hair pulling and 4 letter words to diagnose and correct.

IMHO, for that price(which is in the 'hood of the going rate for a nice running car), I'd make the purchase contingent on getting the car fired up and PPI'd before $ are spent. (You might even offer to share the expenses for this purpose). If the owner doesn't agree, I'd look for a better price on this car, or keep looking for a well maintained one of this vintage.

Matt Chamblin

I would buy it, and drive it. Of course after it had been checked out. Then just fix things as they needed.

I would even make it my daily driver. What other new car for $20,000 would be as much fun? <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

pig4bill

[quote]Originally posted by Matt Chamblin:
<strong>I would even make it my daily driver. What other new car for $20,000 would be as much fun? <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

A Mini Cooper S.

hitbyastick

[quote]Originally posted by pig4bill:
<strong>

A Mini Cooper S.</strong><hr></blockquote>

How are you going to compare a mini cooper to a carrera?