911ihope

First, let me start by saying that I don't know squat about 911's (aside from the fact that I love them).

I'm in the market for a new car (DD). Truthfully I just need something to get me from point A to point B. I don't anticipate putting more than 10 miles a day on the thing. This allows me to be in the market for something unpractical like a 30 year old Porsche.

Anyway, I came across a 1980 SC. Absolutely pristine exterior and interior. 150,000 miles on the ODO. It has had the following work done to it in the past couple of years:

- New ignition wire set
- New spark plugs
- New valve cover gaskets
- Valve adjustment
- New air/fuel filters
- New belts
- New oil cooler
- New master cylinder

Obviously I would have to get a PPI, but does any of the work above raise a red flag? I'm not mechanically inclined so...

Thanks in advance!

911ihope

Pic:

billyfeet

The only thing that scares me about that car is how much I'd like to own it....

GTgears

When was the gearbox rebuilt? The service interval of 915 gearboxes is around 75k mi. So if it wasn't done in the last few years it's likely to need it soon. Also, has a top end rebuild ever been done? 3 liters are bulletproof but they don't run forever without some service.

Makmov

Yeah, they are pretty reliable and robust with proper care.

That might not be enough miles daily to put on a 911, ie making sure it gets properly warmed up.

the trouble spots for them are

1. Rust, make sure the batt box is okay, HL buckets and tail light housings are all intact.
2. The 915, make sure it shifts okay. I am sure it has had a clutch but what did they put back in it?
3. Timming chains, no real permanent fix. just something to be aware of, and are they making noise?
4. air box explosions. warm up reg, things of that nature.

You have to decied if that is what you want to live with as a daily drive. As much as I really do like the older cars. I would, and do drive a 964 more or less regularly. It is a much easier car to live with if you are going to drive it regularly.

GothingNC

Interesting aftermarket Fuchs.

Makmov

I hate the wheels and it would encourage me to take and extra close look at the car overall.

Carrera51

How much do they want for it? If it has been well cared for, has service records to back it up, and passes a PPI then consider it, unless the price is unreasonable.

Peter Zimmermann

Bingo! There comes a time in every car's life when deferred maintenance plays a big part in that car's value. A 150K mile SC can actually be a far better car than a 125K mile SC (at the same price point), simply because of repairs and maintenance done during that 25K mile period.

The '80 SC can have broken head studs, so the PPI must include a valve covers off inspection.

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...immermann.html

911ihope

Asking $14k for the car FYI.

yumyum1667

Like the other poster said the 911 might not be a good DD with that few daily miles. The 3.0 takes a while to warm up and you may do more harm than good.

1stgear

I have a 3.2 that I drive a couple times a week - to work, lunch, and home. I probably put 20 miles on it a day. Can you elaborate why it does more harm than good to drive them low miles like mentioned in your post? Just curious.

500

The car should recieve a detailed PPI, with a valve-covers-off inspection (as Peter suggested) as well as compression, leak-down and all the other good stuff.

Then, judge the car on its actual merits.

Trying to equate 150K miles to some sort of estimate of what the actual operating conditions of the car were is so fraught with uncertainty that I personally feel it is of little value.

150K miles could be JUST as easily made up of two 45 mile drives in the country, per week for the whole 31 years, which is a great operating cycle. Low (relatively) mileage does not necessarily equate to short trips. Many Porsches spend a great part of their lives as weekend cars.

Again, look at the car based on the results of a thorough PPI conducted by a shop well-versed in these cars.

Makmov

The first main thing is if you don't get it full warm, which takes a while, and get the t-stat open and ALL the oil circulating through the system it tends to build up condensation (water) in the oil.

there are some other secondary concerns with short tripping, especailly an aircooled Porsche, but for all cars in general.

Carrera51

$14K is not a bad price so that makes the car worth a look. And ditto to what Peter said about pulling the valve covers. I saw an SC come into the shop that works on my car that was bought without the purchaser going to see the car. It had a PPI, but when the valve covers were pulled for a valve adjustment, they found 3 broken head studs. I think (it was 12 years ago) part of one actually fell out onto the floor.