Amanda Bishop

I'm looking at an '89 with 90K miles and just got the PPI results. I have asked the shop to itemize the cost of these things where appropriate, but I'd like to get opinions of folks here who can tell me which of these things are worth worrying/discounting for...thanks in advance...

Compression 165/165/170/135/170/170
Hand brake needs adjustment
Needs rear hood struts
Rear driver's seat switch inop
Lighter inop
Glove box light inop with pin switch
Washer pumping???
Spare tire pump not in car
Ft compartment pin switch broken??
Right side rocker oil line smashed 50% at jack point
Right steering rack yalk? out 90% bushing worn???
Rec. new brake hoses, slight drag at right front??
Needs belts
Left miller loose
Needs left door check strap
Minor tears in top
Needs bows
Paint work on left side
A/C hose has split from compressor to tail
Evap needs charge
Inside door handle sticks
Brakes about 50% FT & Rear

g-50cab

Sound to me like a 1989 car with 90K miles. I'd be most concerned about the oil line being crushed (how long ago it happened) and time the car has gotten too hot.

Oil lines are not cheap
2nd would be brake R & R - easy for a DIY - shop will charge you some coin.

AC does not work great anyway in the carreras - you'll need about 2K to make it work decent... (and replace the hoses, fans, evap - etc)

race911

I'd be seriously worried on that low compression number. I note you didn't mention leakdown on that (or any) cylinders.

Ultimately, pretty much any car has a price. But it's foolish to buy cheap(ish) if you're not going to repair everything yourself. And I mean everything.

What's the asking price?

Amanda Bishop

He offered it to me for $18k after getting the PPI, I haven't countered yet. I don't understand what you mean by "it's foolish to buy cheap(ish) if you're not going to repair everything yourself"??

The PPI didn't say anything about leakdown. Should that have been included?

race911

First, I wouldn't say $18K is cheap. Let's say the low compression (which should be confirmed with a leakdown test) is a bad valve. Retail Porsche independents will start something like that at $5K, and it wouldn't be out of the universe to push $10K once it's all said and done. Maybe, just maybe, if you're doing it yourself you can knock that down to $2K and 30 hours of your time.

The only other thing I noticed (other than the oil lines pointed out above) was that you mentioned it needs "bows." Is this a cab? Beyond my scope, but if so I'd have a top expert advise you on that.

Door check strap is a pain, just have to find someone who does them and does them correctly.

Can't comment on paintwork. But that's certainly a knock.

And yes, any shop that knows air cooled 911s will perform a leakdown test. It's only an extra couple of minutes per cylinder once you've got the plugs out for a compression test anyway.

Bottom line is that there aren't any "deals" on these cars. If all you have is $18K, I'd find the best $18k car you can find. Not a car that you can buy for $18K, hoping a few fixes will make it into the otherwise $25K car it would be if perfect.

Howdy993

AB -

Keep looking. There are lots of cars out there that are better cared for and need less attention than this one. Good Luck with the hunt!

dhagood

this. that 135 psi compression number is unacceptably low. it is possible that it's a spurious reading, but i would expect any reputable air-cooled 911 shop to ensure that the readings they report on something so critical would be accurate.

also, 18K for the car is on the high side from what i've seen. to be priced correctly, a car would need to be in good to very good shape. this car, with worn engine, paint, and top, is not in good shape.

dshepp806

You need a confirmation of the numbers from another source.

Best,

Doyle

AVDCAV

For 18K you can do alot better "
offer 12K have a cashiers check in hand
and be prepared to walk.

If it's a go put the savings in a seperate account just for the
car.

ivangene

was the 135 a typo???

RUN !! if not

Brandon-FL

Lots of experience giving you some very good advice above. Be patient and you'll know when you find the right car. These cars are tough, but finding one that has been well cared for is always worth the extra effort.

Some additional info might halp... Are you looking for a daily driver, weekend car? How long have you been looking and what part of the country are you in? You need to see and drive a number of different cars to get a feel for what you like, and more importantly what you don't like.

Good luck in your search and welcome!

dntlvet

The number of flaws would make me wait for something a lot better.

911 Crazy

Run, don't walk!!!!! I just purchased a 89 Cabrio and it was amazing what I learned daily on such sites as this and Pelican and reading several 911 books. I agree that the $18k is way high for a car of that quality.
Take your time and check the 10 or so different sites that advertise used 911's daily and you'll know it when you see the right car........but then ALWAYS have a PPI done, even if it is the second or third time you have done so. I thought I found the right vehicle but after the PPI I had found that the dealer lied about several items and then refused to believe the PPI results. Suffice it to say he wouldn't discount the car one penny from the asking price. Guess he thought he was a Saturn dealer!
In the end you will be soooooooooo happy that you took your time. If you look at all the used 911 venues you'll probably see several cars a week that would fit the bill. Takes some real patience but well worth it. Good luck with your search and please post pictures when you find your new addition! You can see mine on this forum under the title, "New Arrival".

Amanda Bishop

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will take it and pass on this one. I owned an '85 Cab from 200K-220K miles about 5 years ago, and I remember the compression being really good when I bought it. The only money I had to put into it over those 20K miles was a new transmission when someone test driving it was really rough shifting into first (major ouch). Anyway, I am willing to spend up to $30K and am considering '84-'97 Cabs. I like the look of the 3.2 and 964 better than the 993, and I'm on the fence about power steering (I got tired of not having it with my '85, but it was my only car and now I have a Honda Pilot as my main vehicle). When I drove a 993 I felt a lot more disconnected from the road with the power steering. I'm in Seattle, and honestly there just isn't much to choose from or the sellers are not responding.

SCOTITUDE

pass,
plenty more out there unless your a porsche tech looking for a project and will fix it all for no labor charges.