theGekko

Hello..Just like many of you here, I have been wanting a 911 for a long time. A friend of mine let me drive his about 15 years ago. I was immediately hooked! I really never had the money or time to put toward one so I waited.
I have recently had some major changes in my life that have allowed me to start pursuing my first purchase! I am finally in a place that I will have the funds, the work space and the time to buy and work on one for myself. My budget is around 25k. I plan on using about 13-17k for the purchase and have the rest for repair/restoration and maybe modifications at some point. I have been looking at the 3.2's and the 964's. I definitely want an air cooled vintage that retains the classic 911 look. I have been using Autotrader and Craigs List to start my searching. I live in NC and would like to keep the search on the east coast (500 mile range).
I have been on here and Pelican for about two weeks searching my butt off for all the "Newby" and "buying" threads and have learned quite a lot of info.
I also purchase a few books on the subject...Zimmermann's book will be here tomorrow. I am looking forward to this new adventure and will report back with comments and questions as it goes along!
Cheers,
J

hbtd

Welcome to the obsession. I purchased my first 911 (an 86) in August and the guys on this board were a big help. The following post really helped me with my purchase:

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...of-advise.html

Zimmerman's book was also was huge help.

One thing I did that was helpful was to document my detailed, prioritized requirements for a car (model, condition, color, stock vs mod, etc). That helped me in my search when I had to react to cars that came available. Your budget should allow you to get a great car. Do allow for some post purchase spending.

Good luck with your search.

ivangene

coupe or cab?

welcome too!

theGekko

Coupe is my 1st choice. Maybe a Targa, but I really don't want a Cabrio. If I need the wind in my hair, I will get out my Miata!

ivangene

Will keep an eye out - though I am west coast, others might know of local cars.

In my area PCA has a local chaper website with classifieds too... (another source if your area has the same)

w00tPORSCHE

My sincere advice to every newbie is to buy a car for its mechanical condition not it's technical specification. So forget about which year/color/gear-box/no. of owners. Be a little flexible re: coupe vs cab vs targa. When I bought mine earlier this year I only had three criteria.
(1) Service records from day #1
(2) Owner should be a RL, Pelican parts or PCA member.
(3) Car should be as close to original as possible. So no aftermarket exhaust,
chips. stereo etc. I was also particular about original paint.

Once it met the above criteria, I had it PPI'ed. Everything went well and I made sure that I did not bargain. In my opinion, 911owners are already heart-broken when they are about to part with their four-wheeled soul-mate. The least I could do is to make the selling process less painful for them. So I paid the asking price.

Good luck.

aualexa2

I agree that service records are important. I also agree that buying from a RL, Pelican or PCA member is huge! I disagree a bit about woot's third point. I've owned my car for six months now, and when I bought it, much of it was stock. However, I've started changing a few things here or there. While I appreciate original equipment (and have saved everything that I've removed from the car), I think that an aftermarket exhaust or chip or stereo shouldn't scare someone away from a PPI. These things can be a sign that someone has really cared for their car and has taken an active interest in upgrading/improving/modifying it. Good luck with your search!

theGekko

w00t
I appreciate your advice. I am doing this as much for the adventure of working on these cars as driving them. I too want all original. But I will most likely drop the engine within 6 months and rebuild from scratch anyway!
J

Ed Hughes

I wish you luck and bid you welcome. But, you need to study before making statements like your last. A well cared for 911 engine, particularly in your price range should not need an engine build! If it does, your $7k budget for repairs upgrades will need to be increased a few thousand.

Again, good luck with the hunt.

w00tPORSCHE

I agree with your point Alex. There is nothing wrong with those "upgrades". As stated in my post, point number # 3 was just my preference when I was looking. That's all.

As Ed Hughes mentioned, these engines when well cared for are bullet proof. Why would you want to rebuild it "anyway". I am curious to know.

Carrera3.2LG50

Gekko,
Hello and welcome!
I found my 911 just over a year ago on Craig's List. I had been looking casually for quite a while and knew what I wanted: late '80s coupe with a whaletail. I was not looking for blue, but after seeing this one in person I thought it looked great. After checking it out and driving it, it was in my garage a couple weeks later!

By the way, I'm from Cary. Have you been out to Brier Creek on the first Saturday of the month? Lots of cars and car guys. Good place to ask questions and find out if anyone knows of a car for sale. Lots of Porsche guys show up.

Good luck in your search!

GothingNC

Per Paul Brier Creek C&C is a good place to check out the different variations of the 911.

Here is a nice 88 Coupe listed on the dorkiphus forums in the DC area that fits in your budget with minimal work required if any. I picked up my Targa about five years ago from one of the members.

I would probably have purchased it myself if I did not have the Targa.

http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=23889



Good luck

John

theGekko

Paul,
Thanks for the info. I have not been to the meet and greet yet. I plan on going next month though!
j

theGekko

Thanks, John! The ad said 87, but it still fits in my wish for 964. I will call him and see if I can take a ride up there.
Joe

w00tPORSCHE

'87 will fit in your wish for a 3.2 not a 964 which is a totally different and much more modern car.