floete

I know I'm going to get grief from all you 911ers but hear me out. Through the 912E underground, I've come across one of the finest examples of a 912E now running. I know I've said I wanted to spend less than 10k, then 12k, then 10k, and so on. But hear me out. This car has a pretty-new Jake Raby engine in it, with 13k miles on it. Everything, and I mean everything, has been upgraded, or rebuilt, or put in new. Most recently, the carburetors were rebuilt and a new windshield seal installed. I've talked to the owner, I've talked to Raby, I've talked to the owner's mechanic, I've talked to others who know about the car and have driven it. It's as close to perfect as a car that old can get, they say. (Well, Raby didn't say that, because he doesn't say that kind of thing; but he did llllike the car.)

As well, notice the sunroof (rare on an E), the electric mirrors, the tinted glass, the electric aerial, the polished Fuchs.

Have I said silver isn't my color? It isn't. But the funny thing is, with the lines on this car, it suddenly is. I love the silver on the E. Weird. But true.

Why is he selling? When I spoke to him, he was driving home in his new late-model Porsche. His wife told him, get a new car, an old one has to go. He's got something like 6 other cars as well...

The truth is, this car would eat up almost every penny I've got set aside for a Porsche, including my repairs reserve. But after listening to everyone talk about this particular car, I'm inclined to go along with their assessment, that this car is not going to need anything but maintenance for the next 1.5 to 2 years.

You might say, yeah, but it's a 912E and will always be a 912E. Yes, but it's a Jake Raby 912E. That's got to count for something.

I have until noon on Thursday to decide on this car.

Thoughts?

f4 plt

From your description and the pictures it looks very good. Look around the battery area and inside the trunk behind the front bumper. I would also look closely underneath around suspension points, that said, from th over all looks I would not expect to find anything significant HOWEVER with any used purchase (car, airplane, boat) there will always be at least one surprise requiring money. Knowing that up front eases the pain. Nice car

SeanR

I think that is a fantastic looking car.

betilfan

Not to come across like an ***, but how many people spend $20k on a car and still settle for a dash pad? Is it just there for protection or are there cracks under it?

floete

Nope, I think that's a fair question. It's there solely for protection and because the current owner doesn't like the glare from sunlight hitting the sweet perfection of the stock dash.

f4: good suggestions. thanks!

mck911

Whatever makes you happy, man. Looks like a clean car. I feel in this market you could find a pretty damn good 2.7 or SC for that price. If that's what you're really after, why settle?

floete

Well, I actually don't look at the E as settling. It prefer its lines over those of the SC or Carrera, and while the Raby engine still can't compare with the stock later-year engines, I'm sure it would be plenty enough for me and my meager needs. Thanks, though, for your input!

nkgosselin

I agree with kramermic, I would get a 912E for a beater DD. But for a super nice example, or a fun car, I would go with an SC. And, if you ever want to do some driver's ed, the E will be quite unchallenging and boring after a couple of days. There are nice, nice SCs out there right now at 14k. My secret to finding a nice car, which I will now give, is to check the individual PCA region newsletters. Pretty much all are online now. Not Panorama, but the local newsletters seem to carry the sensibly priced cars.

And, at that price for the E, there are what like five people including you who might want to buy it? Reselling could be challenging.

whalebird

Go for a 911 and you will never look back. I appreciate that car and it would make a great addition to a collection, but would not replace a 911 in my mind. Thats a lot of money for a 912. I suggest that you keep looking. It sounds like this car may have woke you up to silver coupes and the subtle beauty of the mid seventies 2.7 cars. That gives you a lot more hunting ground.

M491

Don't do it. A mid year 911 with a VW engine (and yes, it is a VW engine) just doesn't cut it, esp. at $14K.

A jake raby engine is nice in a Bug or van, or even a 914. But not a 911. A 911 has a lot of great things about it, but the flat 6 engine is definitely it's heart and soul. Rip that out and there ain't much left.

race911

I'm guessing you don't live in a place where OE smog equipment is required? As above, resale will be the deal if you aren't thrilled. And not being able to market it in California would be even more limiting. I'd say no matter how highly the car is finished, he's still not going to find a ready, able buyer in the near term anywhere close to his asking price.

So to the point of "will a 4 cylinder satisfy me." In today's world, simply no. I've got the '73 1/2 T I took from my friend so he could save his house last year. 130HP. It works just fine as a driver to get around. Everything works, typical wipers and heater issues that take me back 25-30 years. But it's _______ slow! And I've got a smart to commute with. Doesn't rev, anything above 4K feels like a strain. Not sports car like AT ALL. And THAT is what you'll be feeling every time you step on it with a Type 4 powering you.

aadrew10

that car has no *****.

Brett San Diego

If you like it, buy it. You've got to have something that tickles your funny bone, or it's not worth it. For better or worse, you will be forever explaining to anyone that you see that it's not a 911. Most of the world has never heard of the 912 and certainly never of the 1 year anomoly of a 912E. On the other hand, it is kind of fun to show people something they've never seen before and such a nice example of one, too. But, if it has been a 911 you were lusting after for so many years, I don't think this car will fill the void. Know thyself.

Maybe you should let him go public with the higher price, and then when it doesn't sell, offer $12k. LOL

Brett

whalebird

let it go.

floete

Thanks, Brett. Thanks everyone. I'm going to try not to respond for a while; rather, I'm going to let the comments wash over me and see what I think when all is more-or-less said and done. So, keep em coming!