ProjPorscheGuy

Hey all,

Searched the net and found this to be the best porsche forum out there. In any case, a little background about me... I'm 24, have a bachelors in mechanical engineering, work in the Software Industry, and drive a 2003 BMW 530i. I am about to switch to a 2008 Acura MDX as my main car (as I do need an SUV for snowboarding). I have always loved porsches and am looking for one to buy as my secondary car. I don't mind putting work into it and actually want a car where I have to fix a few things on it (assuming the parts are not too expensive and I can do the work myself).

I absolutely LOVE the porsche turbos but cannot afford one. Either way, I still love the aggressive stance of the wide body look, so I definitey want that. Maybe it is for the better as I have heard that the 930s have a lot of turbo lag...

Anyways, I live in Seattle, and just wanted your guys' opinion on this listing:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/1673272210.html

I called the guy and he called back, the listing doesnt say much and the pictures are mediocre at best. Either way, at this price it seems like a steal and being only 25 minutes away from me, I thought I should at least take a look at it. The mention of rust is a little unsettling but is sort of expected out of a car like this...

I was thinking of having a mechanic take a look at it and making my decision after that. Anything about these cars I should know?

Thanks in advance,
-Ozan

ivangene

can you say SCAM !!!

I live in Bellevue - seriously, soething is WRONG HERE!!

BTW who is "your mechanic?"

Ed Hughes

Not worth it, just by looking at the douchebag pics the guy has in the ad. Who takes pics of a car he's trying to sell by hiding it behind a couple of bikes? Raise your budget to the low teens and look for a better SC or Carrera.

PS-if you've really been prowling the net for Porsche info, there are tons of recommendations of good books to read on buying 911's. Heck, look at the top of this page.

ProjPorscheGuy

Well, it was listed as $10,000 last week. Either way... it is only 25 minutes away, so it couldnt hurt to take a look.

At this price, either:
1) He isn't putting a lot of pictures up because he is trying to hide all the flaws.
2) He knows nothing about cars and just wants to get rid of this... making it a steal.

Sadly I think option 1 is ten times more likely.

BTW, I live in Kirkland, and my mechanic doesn't exist yet because I am only 24 and thus this is the first such car I would be buying, but my good friend's dad owns a car lot in woodinville, and I think I can get their mechanic to take a look at the car for very cheap (although probably not as informed as a porsche specialist).

Ed Hughes

1. $10k is not a steal. Nor is $8k.
2. "Cheap" mechanics are worth nothing when it comes to checking out Porsches. Many pro mechanics know nothing about these cars, and will not know what to look for. There are some good guys in the Seattle area, such as John Walker, who will more than pay for their cost by identifying potential issues.

Do yourself a favor-step back and purchase Pete's book for starters and educate yourself on the basics of 911 ownership.

Ed Hughes

1. $10k is not a steal.
2. "Cheap" mechanics are worth nothing when it comes to checking out Porsches. Many pro mechanics know nothing about these cars, and will not know what to look for. There are some good guys in the Seattle area, such as John Walker, who will more than pay for their cost by identifying potential issues.

Do yourself a favor-step back and purchase Pete's book for starters and educate yourself on the basics of 911 ownership.

My993C2

Porsche ownership is fantastic when you find a good car. But it can be a major headache if you end up with a lemon. I got lucky, I found a good car local to my area and I have relatively easy access to Porsche specialists (their services are not cheap). Make sure you do your homework first.

ivangene

the warnings are real from Ed

a great mechanic is worthless on a Porsche - ONLY a Porsche mechanic should be used. Your first post you stated "as long as parts are cheap" well... they are.. as long as they are not the "expensive parts" and no run of the mill "all around" mechanic is going to do you any good - you have as much chance of getting a good car as flipping a coin - seriously.

In Bellevue stop by Chris's German Auto tomorrow and talk to them... they will be more than happy to give you some things to look for, some advice and start a great relationship. Tell them I sent you and you will not ...... NAW, just kidding!

if the guy is for real and needs to sell the car, have it driven over to Chris's and get it inspected... it will be the best money you EVER spend on your first Porsche!

ProjPorscheGuy

Great, all very good advice and thank you very much for looking out for hopefully a future "one of your own."

I will stop by Bellevue tomorrow around 10am or so to talk to the guys at Chris' shop.

By Pete I assume you mean Peter Zimmerman's book: The Used 911 Story. Is this available at local bookstores or do I have to order it online (UPDATE: looks like online is the spot)?

I have been looking around for a while, I feel like $8,000 is a pretty good price for a car like this (feel pretty ridiculous saying this as the pictures barely even give an idea of what car being sold is). Do you guys think I could find a wide body in running condition for cheaper (ideally black)?

Thanks again for all your help,
-Ozan

ivangene

there is a guy on here who bought a car recently for $2k,.... anything is possible..... unlikely, but possible. Talk to the guys at the shop... by 10:00 JR will be in, he has a ton of info. Chris will be around and if you get a chance, introduce yourself. The shop is small (4 other guys) but very close knit and broad spectrim knowledge.

things to ask.... differances in SC than Carrera - these are worth knowing, costs of repairs that you might have an idea what the costs are on a "normal car" ie... clutch, brakes, oil change, alignment, shocks, tune ups, motor issues

some of the things you can learn and save TONS of money, others are expensive even if you know what to do - a motor for that one could cost you more than the asking price.... you have to "KNOW" so you can make an informed decision....nothing wrong with buying something to work on as long as you dont think a valve job can be done for $200 in your garage - its a might bit more.....and knowing how to check BEFORE you buy is the key to not eating that one... at least right away.

Not trying to scare you, jusy load you up on info so you are NOT scared... but knowledgable!!

Cheers, !

ProjPorscheGuy

Ok, thanks again for all the info. Listening to all you have to say, maybe this isn't such a great deal as I first thought.

I guess I don't mind the car having a few things needed, because part of the reason I want a car like this is to be able to work on it. Yet, I feel maybe I am underestimating the difficulty of working on these older Porsches.

I will go talk to that Porsche shop tomorrow and see what those guys think.

Again, thanks for looking out. I knew I came to the right spot.

theiceman

don't get us wrong.. wrenching your Porsche or using it is a project is a great idea. That is why i bought mine and it is the most fun i have ever had .. all we are saying is start out with the right example...

ivangene

DOH - dont go thinking you cant work on the, in post #10 I said "some of the things you can learn and save yourself tons of money"

the things are not hard, and actually I just came from a 996 and wrenched quite a bit on that - its really fun, but you have to ask first - then wrench because somethings are special and require the correct proceedure.... but fun and worth while to do!

talk to J.R. he's full of info.

g-50cab

Funny you should post this -

When I looked at a car to replace the cabriolet, I specifically was looking for an earlier car - The non-galvanized 1974-1975 cars tend to be lighter than the later SC/Carrera cars

While a rust spot may indicate bigger issues - make sure you check suspension points front and rear *Torsion bars especially*- special attention around the battery box, front pan.

The engine with it's mag case is prone to pulling head studs - pay extra to check that out.

Check to make sure the fan has been upgraded from the 5 blade to the 11 blade. While the engine can be rebuilt - it can not be done right inexpensively. Many opt to just replace with one of the higher output SC or carrera engines.

It's not really a wide body - it has either SC or Carrera flares - make sure these were done correctly. if you see rust around where the flares were done - then move on.

See if someone will go up there and look at it with you - Buy Pete Zimmerman's book - and read it and start your Porsche Education.

ProjPorscheGuy

Awesome, I guess maybe this might not be the amazing deal as I first thought (I think I got swayed by the black wide body). Even if it is, I think I may be in over my head before reading Zimmerman's book.

Just bought the book online and I should have it by next week. I will definitely read it before trying to buy a used 911.

Thanks for all the help and the sobering advice. I think this Porsche might have been a good buy but when dealing with this, I would rather be informed and knowing than ignorantly hoping for the best.