First 911 Questions
01-01-2003, 10:38 AM
#1
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First 911 Questions
hi there currently a 944 N/A owner and just happened across what seems to be like a good deal on a '90 C2 Cab with 121K miles.
Car is black on black in really good condition cosmetically and mechanically. All major services seem to be kept up. She runs well and drives very tight.
Owner says he needs to add a quart of oil every couple months. Is that normal? There are no visible oil leaks anywhere on the car.
Also checked car fax and the report shows the car has failed emissions a few times over the years. I wouldn't expect that of a Porsche but not a 911 owner. My 944 has always passed emissions with flying colors.
Car is valued anywhere from 23K to 31K from 5 different reputable sources. Owner is selling for 17,5K. Seems to be a really good deal.
Ideas or thoughts from current C2 owners or 911 vets out there?
Thanks
Scott
Car is black on black in really good condition cosmetically and mechanically. All major services seem to be kept up. She runs well and drives very tight.
Owner says he needs to add a quart of oil every couple months. Is that normal? There are no visible oil leaks anywhere on the car.
Also checked car fax and the report shows the car has failed emissions a few times over the years. I wouldn't expect that of a Porsche but not a 911 owner. My 944 has always passed emissions with flying colors.
Car is valued anywhere from 23K to 31K from 5 different reputable sources. Owner is selling for 17,5K. Seems to be a really good deal.
Ideas or thoughts from current C2 owners or 911 vets out there?
Thanks
Scott
01-01-2003, 11:14 AM
#2
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Scott,
You may want to look at the in-process 964 FAQ <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/jfk964/porsche_964_faq.htm" target="_blank">here,</a> which may answer some questions. Porsche spec on 964 oil usage is 1.5L per 1000km. Normally a quart every thousand plus seems more the norm. With 121K, you want to check for valve guide wear. As a 1990, Look for cylinder leakage (covered in the FAQ) and confirm in the service records that the flywheel has been upgraded to the LUK unit. Look for when the distributor belt was replaced recently. It should be replaced every 50K-60K miles. The distributor should have a vent kit installed - look for a white hose coming out of the distributor and going into the black air pipe on the left side of the engine. If not there, it's only $15 in parts, however, it would raise a flag to inquire about who has been doing the maintenance.
On prices, they've come down a bunch in the last year. I'd expect the price reference point on a 90 cab with 121K (while normal Porsche mileage is 7K-9K/year, there are many with lower mileage) to be in the lower 20's, so the asking price makes it worth a look. However, based on your description, I'd want to look over the records and engine carefully - it shouldn't have been failing emissions if reasonably well maintained. I would want to do a compression and leakdown test on this one - make sure someone who knows what they're doing does the tests. Leakdowns on 964's can have some flakey results, but look more at the comparative cylinder-to-cylinder variances.
Search the 964 forum archives for additional information.
You may want to look at the in-process 964 FAQ <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/jfk964/porsche_964_faq.htm" target="_blank">here,</a> which may answer some questions. Porsche spec on 964 oil usage is 1.5L per 1000km. Normally a quart every thousand plus seems more the norm. With 121K, you want to check for valve guide wear. As a 1990, Look for cylinder leakage (covered in the FAQ) and confirm in the service records that the flywheel has been upgraded to the LUK unit. Look for when the distributor belt was replaced recently. It should be replaced every 50K-60K miles. The distributor should have a vent kit installed - look for a white hose coming out of the distributor and going into the black air pipe on the left side of the engine. If not there, it's only $15 in parts, however, it would raise a flag to inquire about who has been doing the maintenance.
On prices, they've come down a bunch in the last year. I'd expect the price reference point on a 90 cab with 121K (while normal Porsche mileage is 7K-9K/year, there are many with lower mileage) to be in the lower 20's, so the asking price makes it worth a look. However, based on your description, I'd want to look over the records and engine carefully - it shouldn't have been failing emissions if reasonably well maintained. I would want to do a compression and leakdown test on this one - make sure someone who knows what they're doing does the tests. Leakdowns on 964's can have some flakey results, but look more at the comparative cylinder-to-cylinder variances.
Search the 964 forum archives for additional information.
01-01-2003, 11:27 AM
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I would suggest you pick up a copy of Peter Zimmermann's "The Used 911 Story".
Short and sweet vers., the early C4/C2's had a lot of teething pains and some say they were introduced before they were ready. This book and others suggest the cars require a lot of maintenance.
I started off looking for a '90 -92 C2 but after doing quite a bit of research decided to look for a '87 - 89 911 for my first Porsche.
Disclaimer: I'm NOT a Porsche expert, I just like to tinker. I'm quite certain there are many C2/C4's that require little in the way of repair work but do your own research.
JMO,
Bill W.
Short and sweet vers., the early C4/C2's had a lot of teething pains and some say they were introduced before they were ready. This book and others suggest the cars require a lot of maintenance.
I started off looking for a '90 -92 C2 but after doing quite a bit of research decided to look for a '87 - 89 911 for my first Porsche.
Disclaimer: I'm NOT a Porsche expert, I just like to tinker. I'm quite certain there are many C2/C4's that require little in the way of repair work but do your own research.
JMO,
Bill W.
01-01-2003, 12:20 PM
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[quote]<strong> the early C4/C2's had a lot of teething pains ... This book and others suggest the cars require a lot of maintenance.</strong><hr></blockquote>
There are a finite set of well known issues with the early 964's. Assuming relevant ones have been addressed (cylinder leakage, for example, isn't rampant,and may not be applicable to a particular car), 964's make fine daily drivers. No question they are more complex than the previous 911 series, but they are a more modern update too.
I think some of the thought that they require more maintenance is left over from the early to late 90's when the maintenance community was still learning what was needed to maintain the new systems introduced on the 964.
There are a finite set of well known issues with the early 964's. Assuming relevant ones have been addressed (cylinder leakage, for example, isn't rampant,and may not be applicable to a particular car), 964's make fine daily drivers. No question they are more complex than the previous 911 series, but they are a more modern update too.
I think some of the thought that they require more maintenance is left over from the early to late 90's when the maintenance community was still learning what was needed to maintain the new systems introduced on the 964.
01-01-2003, 12:59 PM
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Great info guys.
Appreciate the time on this one. Always have to go with your gut feeling but its nice to get feedback from other owners.
I will have one of our local porsche expert mechanics check out the car for me. And have him make sure those 964 issues have been addressed over the years.
Happy New Years
Appreciate the time on this one. Always have to go with your gut feeling but its nice to get feedback from other owners.
I will have one of our local porsche expert mechanics check out the car for me. And have him make sure those 964 issues have been addressed over the years.
Happy New Years
01-01-2003, 01:27 PM
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Bill G. will know far more than I about most if not all Porsche issues. But I think you're making the smart move to get a PPI before you commit one way or the other.
Good luck,
Bill W.
Good luck,
Bill W.
01-01-2003, 01:56 PM
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[quote]<strong> I think you're making the smart move to get a PPI before you commit one way or the other.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Absolutely the right thing to do when buying any Porsche.
Absolutely the right thing to do when buying any Porsche.
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01-01-2003, 02:40 PM
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quote:
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I think you're making the smart move to get a PPI before you commit one way or the other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely the right thing to do when buying any Porsche.
whats a ppi?
sorry for the obvious but im new around here
thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you're making the smart move to get a PPI before you commit one way or the other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely the right thing to do when buying any Porsche.
whats a ppi?
sorry for the obvious but im new around here
thanks
01-01-2003, 03:02 PM
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PPI is Pre-Purchase Inspection. Don't worry, I'm sure you and I aren't the only ones who needed this abbreviation explained when we were first lurking on this site.
Bill W.
Bill W.
01-02-2003, 06:32 PM
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all checked out well with this C2...can't wait to get the car tomorrow. super sharp black/black cabriolet. hope to see you guys around while driving in style!
