hi my names jake i am new to this forum. i am looking for a late model porsche and have a current budget of 5000. i have to cars lined up and i cant decide what to buy.
1) 70 911t with 140000 all stock except paint and motor rebuild which was professionally done. Car is in good cond except it and is a one owner. Downfall is it has sat 5 years and when being turned over it floods gas out of the carbs. it would be a gamble buying car because i cant hear it run(clutch, brakes, etc.)

2) 71 911e targa with about 150k. it is on its third owner and is in need of some restoration. Car engine was replace with a 73 911t motor that was freshly rebuilt. interior is poor but exterior is good and it is a 5spd and does have recaros. The engine is what i need help with. It takes a few cranks to turn over and then fires up and idles great. When driving it tries to stall. Has not been tuned up in a while. Took it out and drove it hard and when we parked it leaked a good size puddle of oil, but the motor did run good. what would be the better choice asking price for both is 5000.

 

Keep Looking!!!!!
For 5 grand though you probably won't find too many P cars that won't need some or alot of work. If you can do most of the up-fixin yourself you won't spend as much $, but you should be aware that parts cost $, $$,and $$$!!!
Both the cars you described sound like they could run into ANOTHER 5 grand before you had them really sorted out. Engine work, Tranny, RUST, Paint, Interior can add up bucks fast. Check around your area and see if there is a region of the Porsche Club of America and try to find someone to look at these cars with you. They might be able to give you some tips on what you are looking at.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

 

Hi Jake,
For the money your looking to spend your going to have to be VERY careful. My advise to you would be to just to do a lot of research on the boards and save up some more money while your at it.
Think of it as a challenges to get a 911 that will be a good car and experience. A 911 that needs a lot of work could turn into a bummer on a limited budget.
Ask a lot of questions it's free
And by all means have a pre- purchase inspection done by a good Porsche tech on any car you are considering.
Cheers and Welcome, Bob

 

you can always get a 912

cheeper to afford and work on. still pleanty of power and good looks.

 

Have you considered a 1986 or later 944 Jake? They're solid cars too and are "real Porsche's" with much more driveability than you might realize. The 911's will drain your resources quickly if you don't pick a solid car.

 

Or a nice Karman Ghia , it's a relative.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Bob's flat-six:
<strong>Or a nice Karman Ghia , it's a relative.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">How about a Corvair? It an aircooled boxer six.

 

I have looked at 944's and almost bought a 86 turbo with 150k for 4k. i just couldnt get to the car before it sold. disapointing. What about a 81 sc targa that has 80k on it total with a perfect body and interior but has a trick 73 911t motor with 70k miles on it instead of the 3.0. stock motor. i could get this car for 6000 ???

 

QUOTE]How about a Corvair? It an aircooled boxer six.[/QB][/QUOTE]
Bought my Nephew a Ghia when he was sixteen,it got him thru college and he just sold it at a good profit 10 years later. Many of us started in a VW.

 

Jake, I would go for a 944 N/A for the money! Really, if all you can afford is $5k-$6k, a 911 of any flavour will cost you more in maint. later. If you have the money to get it fixed, you have the money to get a better car. It would be a shame if you used all your hard earned money on a Porsche that is sitting in the garage because you can't afford to fix it. A 944 is a great car and is much more car per $ than a 911. Just my $.02. Good luck.

 

Just to throw a few numbers around,
Last year I decided to refresh my 87 911 with some new tires, alignment, new shocks, lower it a little, new tie rods, tune up, new spark plugs and wires, adjust the valves, etc. I did all the work myself except for the alignment and it set me back about $ 2,500.00. This was all done to a car that is/was in excellent condition and is 16/17 years newer than the p cars you are looking at. I think $5000 is a good number to have in reserve for after you buy an older 911.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 16jake:
<strong>I have looked at 944's and almost bought a 86 turbo with 150k for 4k. i just couldnt get to the car before it sold. disapointing. What about a 81 sc targa that has 80k on it total with a perfect body and interior but has a trick 73 911t motor with 70k miles on it instead of the 3.0. stock motor. i could get this car for 6000 ???</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">If it is nioce condition with no major problems this could be a good candidate for your first Porsche. You can always replace the 73 911T motor with a 3.0, 3.2, or even a 3.6 at a later date.

 

Jake:
Welcome to Rennlist!

As others have already stated, for $5K, go with a 944 (normally aspirated, ie: no turbo). $5K will by you a nice 944 or a 911 that as others have said, probably cost you another $5K to make it close to right.

The 944 operating costs are very reasonable so while you drive your 944, you would be able to save up for a nice 911 SC or Carrera.

 

Jake

Let me throw numbers again at you again as others have. I just purchased a 1982 911SC for a good price of $12,500 with all the necessary updates. Looking over the previous owners records (and he did some work himself) he had the following:

*new clutch
*rebuilt tranny
*repainted front cowl
*rebuilt brakes all around
*oil leaks fixed
*electrical gremlins fixed
*BB Triflo exhaust and heat exchangers
*added a Sanden A/C unit
*new alternator
*replaced the oil return tubes
*turbo valve covers
*new tires and rotors
*new shocks
*oil changes, valve adjustments...etc as necessary

All in all, nothing really out of the ordinary. A lot of it was necessary, routine maintenance. The point is that in the four years he owned the car he spent over $22,000 on upgrades and this an SC, known to be pretty reliable. I have a 944S2 and have driven others. Go with the 944, you WILL NOT be disappointed. Or if your hearts with a 911 just wait longer and build more capital.

 

Yeah,

Go 944. $5K is just not enough to get decent 911.

Note: More $$$'s
depending on where you live. an oil change will cost close to $60 (oil+filter), even if you do the work yourself.

A 15K tune up is $600-$700
Clutch $1.5K
Tranny synchros/rebuild ~$3K

These are NOT cheap cars to own.

Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned insurance yet. If you're young, give your insurance company a call and ask them for a rate quote.

People often have unrealistic expectations when buying their first P-car. Take care...
Chris