whalebird

My thoughts exactly on the exhaust. It sure looks like the crappy bursch-a crappy bursch exhaust is the first mistake many first time 911 owners make. I don't get the warm feeling from this car I get from others. I don't like cars at used car lots in general. If it was in the wholesale circuit as a trade in or something, It's history can be foggy and it was absolutly bought/traded on bottom dollar. So many people trying to cash in on the 911 game.

SKYSTAK

Everett
Take your time. Initial price can be deceptive and even a good PPI can miss some big things. I had a dealer PPI and they were way off on some things. An example is looking at front A-Arm bushings and misc. front end "feel" related items. You can see outside, move the A-arm for feel, listen for torsion bar rubbing, but if they need replaced it can be a can of worms. And that's the easy stuff (see strings on front suspension refresh). Engine and tranny can be big as well as it is hard to tell "what's up" on a tranny without really opening it up.
I bought a decent car, but have spent a ton on parts (did a lot of work myself) but now how something that is really nice (as long as my wife will let me keep it).
As a MUST: Check everything for leaks; look around battery and windshield for rust really well: get engine tested: DRIVE the car to see if tranny shifts well: Check PPI to see if those things were well checked.
As to price, when I fixed mine up to possibly sell in Texas, I was told 15-18K at 92K miles and nice body. I didn't sell it and continue to put money into it because i want it as close to perfect as I can get it. I spent 3 grand to do a front refresh and new tires, best money I ever spent on a car. I'm in CA a lot and other Pelicans and Rennlisters may be willing to look at whatever you want for second opinions. Maybe "Rusnak" in Fresco, I take his opinion as golden if he can look at it or review your PPI.

Everett43

salukijac,rusnak,ron..thanks guys, good points all! The mileage discrepancy is because the
current owner bought it 3 months ago from the same dealer that is reselling it for him now.
I'm sure they just used the same pics they had when he bought the car. I will definitely get a
carfax printout.

Is there a downside to having a non stock exhaust and fan shroud? I don't know where the
"mounting bung for the coil" is? :-)

Don't pull any punches. The more criticisms the better as far as I'm concerned.

Everett

Everett43

whalebird,SKYSTAK...thanks to you two as well! I didn't see yourmessages until after I posted my last one. As is probably obvious, I am not a good judge of these cars. I have Peter Zimermann's book on order from amazon and am looking forward to reading it. I have read about a few things to be on the lookout for, but my "eye" could easily miss many many things.

The car is located in Pleasanton, California and if anyone is close and wants to look at it that would be great! You guys are far better qualified to judge the quality and needs of these cars than I am. I
don't want to put anyone out though as I haven't even seen the car myself and the odds are good that I won't buy it anyway. I know I have a lot to learn!!

salukijac

Everett,

Do you know why this guy bought a car from a dealer to trade it in (I'm assuming) 3 months later?

BTW, I know that you've ordered Pete's book. In the book are included average prices for the different types of repairs.

Since you're still in the looking phase, talk to the local PCA and ask if they know of any cars available. You can do the same with the local independent mechanic. Sometimes the cars don't get advertised outside of these circles.

When I was looking I sent an e-mail to the president of the local PCA in Colorado Springs and he actually recommended one which was advertised at the PCA Mart at $1K less than it was advertised on Craig's List.

rusnak

I found that the good Porsche mechanics always find out first when a 911 is going to be sold. And they always know the good cars from the bad. It would not be a bad idea to start calling around, and leaving word at the independent shops.

A swapped fan shroud is not a bad thing, nor is a CD changer. Neither is an aftermarket muffler, assuming it's a good one. It's just that these things do not normally crop up all on the same car if it's a low mileage vehicle. This fan shroud is probably in good shape, which is why it's on there. It's just not the one that came with the car, and suggest that this engine has seen more than a few miles.

Everett43

salukijac.....The current owner said he wants to build another room in his house and that
one of his five cars has to go. He even told me what he paid for the car in October. He seems
like a straight shooter. It does make a person wonder why someone would buy a car and then
turned around and sell it 3 months later.

rusnak.....Thanks very much for the pictorial! Even I undersatnd that! :-)

It really is a huge help to have all these educated eyes and minds to draw from. I'll probably still
go test drive the car, but I do feel better informed thanks to all of you.

Happy New Year!!

Edward

Hi Everette,

Welcome ...you are doing the right thing, both by eliciting opinions here, but also by getting Peter's book and in general educating yourself of these cars ...even better before you start kicking tires so you know what to screen out (eventually, you'll get pretty good at screening and that will save you lots of time!).

If I may say, it sounds as if you are not familiar with driving a 915 car (if you are, then ignore me ). But if the former, then I'd suggest you get acquainted with a 915 car, several of them if possible, as there are is huge variance between a well-sorted 915, one with mis-adjusted linkages and feels really sloppy, and one that is a marginal POS that's gonna cost you.

And add to this, the feel of the best 915 is still a foreign thing to those not accustomed to it (and accustomed to modern trannies). That's not to say it won't become second nature, however. FWIW, I love the 915 since it is lighter, will be cheaper to rebuild when that time comes, and is a very sturdy, track-worthy unit that offers great longevity if handled properly. But that is me. There are loads of folks who just flat-out prefer a G50 because it is more conventional in feel and operation.

You have to decide if you are open to both cars (84-86 vs 87-89), or if one of them is a deal-breaker for you. Drive a few 915s and decide. Hope that helps you a bit

Edward

Everett43

Edward....thanks much! Yes, every bit of information is helpful! You are correct that I've not driven
a car with the 915 transmission. I intended to do so today but the dealership that has a 1986 with
the 915 transmission wasn't open. I may be able to try it out on Monday.

I'm looking forward to reading Pete Zimmermann's book! I've heard nothing but great things about it.
I did buy a book by Randy Leffingwell [sp.] "Buyers guide to 911" and it was informative too.

At this point I've only driven one of these cars, a 1988. It felt a little awkward to me as it has
been awhile since I've driven a manual transmission. Nonetheless it was very enjoyable to
feel so involved with the car.

My one and only Porsche was a 1974 914 that I bought new and it was the most fun I've ever had
driving, and I have owned quite a few cars in my lifetime. The 198x era 911s style has always
appealed to me and I'm looking forward to the pleasure of driving one on a daily basis!

As someone suggested, I should probably see about joining a local PCA chapter [if they take non
owners!]. It may be a good place to find a well cared for 911 for sale.

Everett

salukijac

PCA will let you join for 4 or 6 months without a car but when it runs out you can't renew until you have a car. On the other hand, you don't have to join to get in touch with the local chapter.

ron mcatee

I've been in PCA for 42 years and only recently did they come out with the probation type of membership. if you are interested, that's a very good way to get to know local folks in PCA who are always willing to help a "newbie" get established and join their (our) ranks. Good luck in your quest and keep us informed of your success. There are a lot of Porsches out there...all you have to do is find yours.

Everett43

Thanks Ron. That's good to know. I just spoke with Richard Sloan who specializes in air cooled
911s. He is located in Connecticut. I am very tempted to buy one of his cars and have it shipped
to me in California. That's something I've never done but he has a great reputation. In any case, the
search has been very informative and it is fun in its own right! People like yourself have been an invaluable
resource to me as well. I'll most likely be spending alot of time bugging people here on
Rennlist as new questions arise! :-)

Everett

RL911

I have an 86 and the mounting shroud on this car looks exactly the same as mine, including the mounting hole for the coil. There is only one hole, though, not two. Couldn't tell in the pic of the car presented if it had two mounting holes or just one, looked like just one. I have all receipts from my car and there is no evidence that it had ever been changed...doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't done. Wonder if others with an 86 have the same coil mounting hole?

If there is supposed to be two threaded holes for the coil, what's the one on mine for??

rusnak

Hello RL, I could very well be wrong then. Maybe in '86 Porsche produced a fan shroud that works for both the 930 and the 911. That hole is definitely used in the '86 930 for the intercooler bracket/ coil.

Ed Hughes

A valve adjust every 2 years at that mileage would be fine. For reference, I do mine annually-about 3.5-4K miles, albeit spirited driving-but I do it myself, so it's "free" and is part of my routine inspection/annual maintenance.

For the record, your anticipated low miles will work against you in the oil change dept. You really need to think in terms of time-twice/year for oil and filter.

No flack from me. There are too many non-warranted disparaging comments on 915's. They are great boxes. How many 10's of thousands were built? How many won major races? How many still win club races today? We all too well know the weak points-sloppy adjustments, short shift kits that can hasten developing problems, bad bushings or couplers-that cause a lot of sloppy shifting. There is also something wonderful about its simplicity. And just to add one more item-I know of at least a couple of G50's that provided the lovely miss-shift at the track, resulting in engine rebuilds. If for some reason, they were immune to that, that would be key, but they aren't. For the 915, there are Wevo, Rennshift and Seine Systems setups to provide insurance against picking second instead of 4th gear.

One more note of caution, these cars do not like to be babied. That does not mean you go out and thrash them, but driving a low RPM's at slow speeds does not do well for them in the long run. It is my contention that some aggressive driving on occasion with the proper maintenance will provide for a long-lived and happy engine when compared to a babied garage queen. Injectors stay clean, oil flows well, it all works. You must keep in mind that the Porsche folks were looking to build a dependable performance vehicle, and much development was via racing programs where durability and "robusticity" (new word!) were key. They didn't expect the drivers to have to baby them.

The good news is, that once you get a 911, you quickly learn how friggin' fun they are to drive and learn to make use of all the good traits.