Buying 1988 911 3.2
07-01-2002, 11:24 AM
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Buying 1988 911 3.2
Hi All
After viewing almost 10 911's from a 84-93 I think I am going to go for a black 88 LHD. It does have a few issues though.
1. The car had what I was told was a light front end where the owners wife rolled into a van pushing the head lamps in and damaging the wings. They where replaced(real Porsche wings) and painted at a cost of almost £3k, however one of the wings did not line up well(in my opinion), one side the wing sticks out a little more than the edge of the bonnet and on the other side it lines up with the bonnet.
2. When you turn the steering wheel there is a noise where the wheel is scraping againest the wheel console(might just need adjusting)
3. The sunroof does not open, is it a blown fuse??
4. There is a little rust bubbling near the side rear window.
I will get a PPI done on it before purchasing it.
The car does not have any real service history but has plenty of bills for work done(perhaps I am being harsh), I don't think it even had a service book, I can't remember it was about 1 month ago that I saw it.
The chap bought it 1.5 years ago for £13k
I am looking at getting it for £9k. What do you think ??
Kindest Regards
Sunil
After viewing almost 10 911's from a 84-93 I think I am going to go for a black 88 LHD. It does have a few issues though.
1. The car had what I was told was a light front end where the owners wife rolled into a van pushing the head lamps in and damaging the wings. They where replaced(real Porsche wings) and painted at a cost of almost £3k, however one of the wings did not line up well(in my opinion), one side the wing sticks out a little more than the edge of the bonnet and on the other side it lines up with the bonnet.
2. When you turn the steering wheel there is a noise where the wheel is scraping againest the wheel console(might just need adjusting)
3. The sunroof does not open, is it a blown fuse??
4. There is a little rust bubbling near the side rear window.
I will get a PPI done on it before purchasing it.
The car does not have any real service history but has plenty of bills for work done(perhaps I am being harsh), I don't think it even had a service book, I can't remember it was about 1 month ago that I saw it.
The chap bought it 1.5 years ago for £13k
I am looking at getting it for £9k. What do you think ??
Kindest Regards
Sunil
07-01-2002, 11:38 AM
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Sorry I wish I had proof read this first, the car does have history in the form of bills but no stamps in the book as there is no service book.
Also the car has only done about 110,488KM.
Kindest Regards
Sunil
PS I wouild like to add 17" cups on there, what size spacers would I need if I used realy porsche wheels? Or should I get aftermarket wheels ??
Also the car has only done about 110,488KM.
Kindest Regards
Sunil
PS I wouild like to add 17" cups on there, what size spacers would I need if I used realy porsche wheels? Or should I get aftermarket wheels ??
07-01-2002, 01:27 PM
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Dear Sunil,
It seems to be that the costs of buying a porsche are sometimes outweighed by running costs, so it really pays to buy a good one.
If you are like me, then your admittedly galvanised 911 will be parked on the streets of london. Over the years rust will only get worse. I would be very cautious indeed about rust at as a total respray can creep up on you. Post a picture of the alignment and rust for the experts here. Get a quote for the rust repair and at the least, bargain.
Get a body shop to look at those front wings (perhaps in addition to the PPI) and have an open mind as to the mechanism of the accident: someone (actually a friend whose car I was thinking of buying) told be that the reason the car door didn't close well was because the wind had caught the door when he was reversing whereas actually....
3. For a g50, even a LHD, 9K sounds cheap but I really don't like the sound of a no service book import with rust and prev significant damage being sold after only 15 months. Who repaired it? Who services it? Speak to them. Porsche cars can turn round and give you a £2000 bill suddenly without any trouble at all.
How does it drive?
Bring someone along who has owned/owns a 3.2 to see the car first and if they think it's ok, then get that PPI done.
Good luck with your search but I feel nervous about this one.
James
It seems to be that the costs of buying a porsche are sometimes outweighed by running costs, so it really pays to buy a good one.
If you are like me, then your admittedly galvanised 911 will be parked on the streets of london. Over the years rust will only get worse. I would be very cautious indeed about rust at as a total respray can creep up on you. Post a picture of the alignment and rust for the experts here. Get a quote for the rust repair and at the least, bargain.
Get a body shop to look at those front wings (perhaps in addition to the PPI) and have an open mind as to the mechanism of the accident: someone (actually a friend whose car I was thinking of buying) told be that the reason the car door didn't close well was because the wind had caught the door when he was reversing whereas actually....
3. For a g50, even a LHD, 9K sounds cheap but I really don't like the sound of a no service book import with rust and prev significant damage being sold after only 15 months. Who repaired it? Who services it? Speak to them. Porsche cars can turn round and give you a £2000 bill suddenly without any trouble at all.
How does it drive?
Bring someone along who has owned/owns a 3.2 to see the car first and if they think it's ok, then get that PPI done.
Good luck with your search but I feel nervous about this one.
James
07-01-2002, 03:19 PM
#4
Have you ever owned one before? If not, rent for a week,get it out of your system and move on. These things will drain your bank account faster than you can hope to recover! Unless you can find a really low mileage car......and you won't because these are never for sale,just admire from afar. If you do still want to buy,let me know in three or four months how much you have lifted from your childrens savings to keep it running. Mike <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
07-02-2002, 11:53 AM
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Hi all
firstly thanks for the replies
I think I was being a little too critical in my explanation of the service history. This is from memory and 4 weeks ago! I remember seeing bills for work done on the car for oil lines and break disks etc, it has got UK history also has MOTs. The repair was done by Volvo !!! There is a main dealer in the chaps area, however he did get original Porsche wings and has the receipts for it. It was done about 2 months ago. When I post the pics you will see the car is in very good condition!!!
My main concern is the alignment of the wings(fenders) and the steering wheel rubbing(scratching) against the console. Can both of these problems be adjusted ???
I wish I could simply attached the pics to the mail, can I ??? Or do I have to load them onto a web page? I'll do that this evening.
Sunil
PS the car was up for £10k I have bargained the chap down to £9k, I must add that I did not try very hard. He does have 3 cars including the 911!
firstly thanks for the replies
I think I was being a little too critical in my explanation of the service history. This is from memory and 4 weeks ago! I remember seeing bills for work done on the car for oil lines and break disks etc, it has got UK history also has MOTs. The repair was done by Volvo !!! There is a main dealer in the chaps area, however he did get original Porsche wings and has the receipts for it. It was done about 2 months ago. When I post the pics you will see the car is in very good condition!!!
My main concern is the alignment of the wings(fenders) and the steering wheel rubbing(scratching) against the console. Can both of these problems be adjusted ???
I wish I could simply attached the pics to the mail, can I ??? Or do I have to load them onto a web page? I'll do that this evening.
Sunil
PS the car was up for £10k I have bargained the chap down to £9k, I must add that I did not try very hard. He does have 3 cars including the 911!
07-03-2002, 08:25 AM
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I am gutted, even though I spoke to the owner on Sunday and expressed my interest to buy the car, he let someone else put a deposit on it after my conversation!!!
A ridiculous £300 deposit stands between me and the car I have the cash!! He states that on "PRINCIPLE" he will give preference to the other chap.
I am now getting to the point of being sick of searching for a 911, I have been looking for almost 3 months...
A ridiculous £300 deposit stands between me and the car I have the cash!! He states that on "PRINCIPLE" he will give preference to the other chap.
I am now getting to the point of being sick of searching for a 911, I have been looking for almost 3 months...
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07-03-2002, 10:57 AM
#8
Don't fret, these things always have a way of working out for the best. There will be a another, better, car for you.
Not that it matters now, but the front fender can be adjusted (didn't sound like it was properly installed). And, if all else fails, a fender lip can be "rolled" to provide additional clearance. Paying a bit more up front for a really nice example can be less costly (surely, for the near future) in the long run.
richard
'87 Carrera-3.6L <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Not that it matters now, but the front fender can be adjusted (didn't sound like it was properly installed). And, if all else fails, a fender lip can be "rolled" to provide additional clearance. Paying a bit more up front for a really nice example can be less costly (surely, for the near future) in the long run.
richard
'87 Carrera-3.6L <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
07-03-2002, 11:25 AM
#9
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Don't be upset. You DO NOT WANT a RUSTY Porsche, believe me. Consider it a blessing that some other poor soul is buying that car.
There's plenty of other 911s for sale.
Dave Flaherty
There's plenty of other 911s for sale.
Dave Flaherty
07-03-2002, 06:09 PM
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I agree with the previous postings, this is a blessing - you'll find a better one. Don't get discouraged, but stay diligent, look daily. It took me a year to find my 89 Carrera, but it was so worth the time and effort. I ended up with a car so much better than I expected that still mmakes me smile every day. Good luck.
07-03-2002, 06:14 PM
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Same here. Looked for three months and then the right one fell into my lap. BELIEVE me, when it comes to somehting that can be as much of a drain as a poorly maintained 911, patience is definitely a virtue.
BTW, who is this Hachey guy and what is his problem?
BTW, who is this Hachey guy and what is his problem?
