Johnm1

Hi all,
Recently found an 83 SC. Test drove it. Everything so far has checked out. Seems like well sorted out with 116k miles. Owner seems super nice and accomodating. Has service records since 85, and recent (last 5yrs) 10k miles on complete engine rebuild. Have not seen receipt for it yet, so not exactly sure what "complete" means to him. Has had all usual upgrades, including clutch replacement. Thinking of making an offer upon reviewing the service records and contingent on PPI. Seller asking 24k. Says his rebuild cost him 19k, (that seems really high, but said the rebuild was done by very well respected area mechanic). Not sure what my offer should be if everything checks out. I'm thinking around and 22k. You guys have any thoughts on this?

theiceman

Wow thats unbelievably high for an sc. Sounds like he is trying to get his money back. Anyone who spends 19k on an engine rebuilt for an sc has to have more than his porsche head examined imo. You can buy really nice sc s for 19g or less.
Anyway just look around. If you think its worth it then go for it. Thats all that matters anyway

Johnm1

Thanks Iceman. Based on ebay listings it's been hard for me to gauge an offer. Some asking 16k, unrebuilt motor, and some asking 26k for rebuilt.

Johnm1

Thanks Iceman. Based on ebay listings it's been hard for me to gauge an offer. Some asking 16k, unrebuilt motor, and some asking 26k for rebuilt.

Reiver

I thought you guys said there is nothing less than a 20k 911......buy for 12k then the rebuild etc and you're at 20. If it has a total rebuild then he's in the ballpark...and, the prices have risen recently everywhere on nice SC's.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

"Rebuilt" engines can be comprised of many things and the Devil is in the Details.

$19K tells me that other things were addressed at the same time so be sure to maintain context here!

I'd want to review all the paperwork in detail as well as checking out WHO did all the work (thats as important as everything else).

Might be a great car,.......

HFDesignworks

As a former owner of an 83 911sc (I sold it to help fund my 1995 993) I will throw in my 2¢. They are all $20K cars by the time you are done as many on here will tell you. Whether you want to pay now for a good example or pay later with a fixer upper you will eventually pay. Aside from the engine how is the tranny and clutch? If they are in good condition this might be a $20k car. If they have recently been rebuilt/replaced too the this could be a $22k car. $24k with those miles is high though. Ultimately though you need to factor in how much you like the car, its options, its proximity to you, your budget, etc.
A well sorted out 911sc is a blast to drive and own. Best of luck!

Reiver

116k miles is high on a 30 year old car? Not hardly...especially if it has been maintained properly. My 224k car drives like new

ivangene

yea, I have nearly 200k and I dont think of my car as a high mile car either - just a "driver"

that's < 8k miles/year
My guess is it could have almost never been driven in the rain.....in Seattle even!

Reiver

It all depends upon the maint, when wear out items were changed etc. I know my 915 has been redone, and at sometime the rack/pinion must have been serviced and everything else...I know the shop that maint the car for 25 of it's years and they regularly checked replaced whatever needed done....and it drives like new (prof opinion not mine).
So, if that 116k car has been maint, with a full engine rebuild then 20 + k is not unreasonable at all.
Delve into the paperwork and still have a PPI done with leak down....cheap insurance.

Johnm1

Thanks guys. I think he's pretty sentimentally attached to the car. I really enjoyed talking to him. He drove the car first so I could focus on what the car was doing. Then I drove it. I believe he spared no expense on the maintenance and doesn't seem like money was ever an issue. I really like the car and am trying not to be emotionally attached to it. I was planning on making an offer after reviewing the records and contingent on the PPI.

Tremelune

Good luck with that--It's a classic Porsche.


Everyone who sells these things says "Over $50k invested! Billions of receipts!" It's not always an endorsement. That said, if the motor and tranny was rebuilt by a quality tech for nearly $20k, you could be looking at a new car for used car prices. The PPI with leakdown will run you ~$400 and tell you a great deal. Get it done by a respected independent shop.

I can't think of a car that I've loved that caused me to think "I paid too much for this thing." If you drive it for a decade, I guarantee you'll get what you paid out of it.

Shannon123

Go to ownster.com

Type in 1978 porsche (then look at 1979 etc) into the search area......there areliterally TONS of these cars available, at the very least you can use the search as a price check. I think you are talking about a car that is on the VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY HIGH end.

teleski42

The key is to get a qualified PPI. Until you know from a Porsche expert that the systems are in good working order it is all conjecture. Then you can negotiate the price or buy it as is. Best of luck!

Johnm1

Thanks for the advise guys. Bought Zimmerman's book, and woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking about trans rebuilds...(well, not really). So, a little up date on this Porsche virgin's saga. Got a verbal agreement on the price, pending the PPI and review of receipts for engine rebuild and all service records. Scheduled PPI for next week. Spoke with tech at Zims Autotechnik. He asked about what I knew of service history and advised if he found that looked correct that a leak down test might not be needed, but was up to me. I'll probably have it done anyway. Well, gotta wait until next week to see how this goes. I'll see if I can post some pics from PPI experience.