_Remi

Hi friends,

I am thinking about restoring a 1986 911 that has a lot of miles (250k) and a little rust. Before I start that project I would like to have some estimates on what it will take. I know that the final price will probably be in the 993 range but I don't really mind, I would love to have a super extra clean Carrera 3.2L

How much would it cost to have the body completely restored and repainted in the same color?

How much for a complete rebuild of the engine? It is still running so I won't have to do it now.

How much to clean up the interior (seats, carpet, etc.)?

Thanks!

UberXY

I understand your sentiment and admire your intentions, but you could buy a nice one-owner, sub-50k mile, rust free '80s Carrera for less than it would cost you to do even a budget restoration.

Patience, Grasshopper.

_Remi

Thanks Ub, difficult to be patient The thing I like about starting a restoration is that I will get exactly what I want and I also don't have to spend 25k+ right now...

As it stands, the car has 250k miles, first owner, engine is running strong (did not check), interior is in fair condition and it has a little rust (did not check either).

FYI, this is my dad's 911 in France, a beautiful prussian blue cab that costs about 30k euros over there! I drive a Boxster S here but I have always wanted a nice 911

Rinty

Nice looking car, especially the wheels. I don't think anything looks nicer on older 911s.

ricster

Its sentimental value then, it will cost boat loads to get perfect, but if you do it over time it might not feel so hard on the wallet.

syzygy

Do you need to do the whole thing at once, or can you just touch up what needs attention, now? The mileage, if running well, should be a non-issue.

In that pic, it looks pretty good. I really do like Prussian Blue.

_Remi

FYI, the car in the picture is not the one I am planning to restore, this one is my dad's and is far away in France. I was just explaining why I love these models but there is probably no need to explain

I don't want to do everything at once and was planning the following:

Now: Buying the car ($6000 - $7000)
In 6 months: Complete paint ($6000 - $8000)
In 1 year: Interior, suspensions ($2000 - $4000)

This means that - assuming I can keep on driving the 250k engine without issues - I will be looking at $14k to $19k for a Carrera 3.2 with a new interior and a new paint. Not bad to me but you don't seem convinced

Rinty

Well, this is your dad's car, so all the numbers go out the window. Regardless of whether the restoration numbers make sense, you will always treasure this car. And, as you say, when you restore it, it's done just the way you want.

And the 3.2 Carrera motors can go for many hundreds of thousands of miles without requiring a rebuild.

_Remi

Ah ah sorry, I am not clear enough

My dad is alive and kicking in France in his nice prussian blue 911 that does not need any restoration.

I am here in the states dreaming of having one as nice as his and I found one for sale around $8k, hence all the questions

Rinty

I'll add my opinion to the others' then: you're way better off financially to get one that's already restored, or one in excellent condition.

Shannon123

I'm not an owner yet, but have been shopping for 8 months.......there are tons of cars for sale out there that the buyer willingly tells you he has 25k, 30k or more in his/her car and is selling for 15 -20k sentimental stuff is personal, but money spent seems like its rare to ever get back on these cars.

Here is just one of many examples....40k in recepits and selling for 16.5k..

rusnak

You have to be very very clear with the body shop in order to get a good estimate, and even then only a written one is any good, and those are typically good for less than 30 days.

In Calif. we all have water based paint now, so that is one consideration.

I'd find an old school guy who owns his own building, and does it now half for pride, and not for money. Do not go to a production churn and burn shop that works on Toyotas and pickup trucks and is all about production.

I know of one great place that did an astounding job on my SC which had been sandblasted in a rain storm. Call George's Auto Body in Fresno if you can get the car here for them to look at. They are on Thesta Avenue. Good luck.

race911

And those guys here locally are starting at about $15K, going up sharply from there.

No way, no how do you take a 250K'er and do anything but drive it as-is with repairs as necessary until the end of its useful life. Unless you're doing EVERYTHING yourself. I was offered an '87 in part trade toward my RSA recently. Even with $8-9K coming my way, AND all the stuff I have laying around, I would have been into the car for what the RSA is worth as-is now. Yeah, I'd have a cab, but other than that there wasn't much of a point.

_Remi

Thanks.

I drive for pleasure around 4k / 5k miles a year (I love to go to Stinson Beach when the road is empty before going to the office ). I don't need a daily driver so even with 250k miles I guess I can keep on doing that for sometime no?

rusnak

Would dd the car, no problem. 250k is not a problem, just stay on top of maintenance.