jcover

Hello,

My name is John and I'm currently researching a 911C on ebay. I have a few questions that I am hoping someone here can answer. I am inserting the description from the auction. Let me know if you guys/gals see any pros/cons. All help is greatly aprreciated. Here goes:

"82 widebody coupe excellent condition. 86 3.2 litre motronic engine and 915 transmission. motor was professionally rebuilt. heads where ported, polished and flowed. new valve guides, three angle valve grind. new webcam camshafts turbo evo grind, new rings, bearings and hardware, ssi stainless heater boxes, custom powder coated engine parts. new SACHS high performance clutch kit. over 7500 invested in motor rebuild.interior was converted to rs style, new door panels and carpet set. clean carfax a must see!!! "

Thanks,
John
<<Potentiall 911 Owner>>>
<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

Kurt V

Sounds like one hell of a nice car. How much do they want for it?

Bill Gregory

John,

Comments:

* There's no such thing as a 1982 widebody 911 (unless it was a one off special wishes program 911). Porsche made coupe's, targa's, and slant nose models in 1982. Perhaps the underlying chassis is a 1982, with replacement fenders from a turbo welded on?

* SSI's says there is no catalytic converter, which may or may not be important in Ohio. SSI's on a 3.2L engine are starting to be on the small side. Slightly larger pipes would get more performance out of the engine.

* I'd want to know why the motor was rebuilt. $7500 on a rebuild isn't out of the ordinary, considering the work done. Also, who did the rebuild.

You didn't say what the mileage is or what they are asking. An 82 with bodywork and a 3.2L engine is a hybrid. If resale is a consideration, you should know stock condition brings the highest prices from the broadest number of people. As you start to modify it, you're reducing your potential buyers to that person who wants what you have.

If you decide to bid on this one, make your final acceptance contingent on a satisfactory pre-purchase inspection by a knowledgable Porsche mechanic. If the seller doesn't want to do this, walk away from the deal. There are other Porsche's available.

jcover

THANKS FOR THE QUICK RESPONSE !! I spoke w/ the owner earlier today. Heres what I found out.

1) The car is an 82 the motor is and 86 upgraded
motronic fuel injection.

2) The speedometer is not working.

3) The last car fax from 1996 shows 86,000 miles.

4) The guy purchased the vehicle from a freind
that had the vehicle a few years but never did
any work to it. The current owner is a
mechanic at Carolina Speedwerks a custom shop
for Porsche. He did the work himself and said
he had roughly $4500 in parts alone. I asked
him why he didnt fix the tac or speedo he said
it was a money issue. Does anyone know about
Carolina Speedwerks ???

5) The car does not have AC... is that a major
factor for resale.. I think it is but could
live w/ out it for the right deal... what do
you guys think? Let me know..

6) Needs rear tires..

7) Has new rear rotors/ pads & calipers.. front
he said are fine. New emerg. brake cable.

9) Has a new sunroof seal... and RS interior and
carpet... owner said seats are in "good" cond.
not perfect .. not bad.

10) Owner says the car was repainted and was done
right... no overspray and done right!

11) The car has approx 10 tanks of fuel on the
rebuild...

THE BOTTOM LINE.........

HE IS ASKING "AROUND 20,000"
HE SAYS HE IS A "MOTIVATED SELLER"
THE EBAY AUCTION CLOSED AT 15,400 AND DID NOT MEET
RESERVE, WHICH OWNER SAID WAS 19,500.

I want a car that is ready to drive... the owner claims to get the motronic tach and fix the speedo it could be done for "about" $1,000...

I want to buy a car for a "nice day" driver... I am not a mechanic.. but very handy... but have little time to want to spend "working" on a car.
I want one to drive in my free time...

my realistic budget is 11,000 to 16,000 everything working on the vehicle...

What do you folks think this car is worth ?

Do the modifications kill its value?

The car I buy I intend to hold onto for some time.

I may put 3-4k on it per year if that...

The car is on ebay... click on search by item #
the item number is 1852061187 FYI.. the auction is closed....

Thank you to the folks that have responded... Its a MAJOR help in determining if this is even worth persuing...

John
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Chris Martin

With only the info you provided 20k seems a bit high for the car. Of course, with limited info I could be wrong. There seems be be several issues that need attention, add them up and you are in the 90-92 C2 price range.

Best of luck

RANDY P

broken speedo sounds more like an excuse to hide problems and fraud reciepts. $1k to fix? I don't think so. Seller would have to have one hell of a good story for this to jive.

Looks nice from the pics,doesn't seem to look hacked, or worse yet "improved" but if it was me, I would find a nice, unmolested car. For the money you're willing to spend, you can.
rjp

ked

Unless & until I knew for certain the car wasn't "drove hard & hung up wet" (blown original engine?) & "hit to hell & back" (widebody conversion?)... I wouldn't get near such an example, esp. if I were new to 911's..

Steve Wilwerding

Walk away.

Anyone who says they spent $4500 to fix an engine but can't afford $150 to fix a speedo sounds suspect. Rebuilding the engine himself doesn't sit well with me either.

No way this car is worth $20K since it is as far from stock as you can get. You can spend $15K and get a really, really nice SC that somebody took really, really good care of.

I'll repeat my advice: don't buy a car from someone who couldn't afford to maintain it. That's what this situation sounds like.

jcover

Thanks guys !

Steve you hit the nail on the head ! If you cant afford to fix a speedo but can rebuild the engine... It doesnt add up... I asked that exact question and money was the answer... I "think" the car might be worth 12K as an offer. but I need a "real" mechanic to go over the car first.

Jim Michaels

I like those last two responses because they seem to consider what you said about yourself and what you want to do with the car you buy. Based on those considerations, I think you should be looking for a very well maintained stock (OEM), low to mid-milage, "always garaged" car owned by one of those **** compulsive types who will want to check *you* out to ensure that you will be a suitable next owner for his baby. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration, but $20k should get a very solid and attractive mid-80s Carrera.

rayjay...'80SC

Ditto. Walk. Find a really nice original for the same money and you'll be ahead of the game. And have fun doing it...take your time...be careful of ebay! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

jcover

Thanks Rayjay ! I'm sittin' tight... Its a learning experience. In this case "haste can make waste" pottentially of $$$ out of pocket...

John