#1-Thanks John! #2 Pro's Con's on '85 Targa
07-09-2002, 12:10 PM
#1
Track Day
Thread Starter
#1-Thanks John! #2 Pro's Con's on '85 Targa
#1 I had run across this website this past Saturday.And I want to say to everyone I've read posts from.You have a Great Group of folks here.I was knocked out by the courtesy given and the outpouring of help and advice.You people outshine any other forum I've been on (mainly track and field, olympic weightlifting and sculpture forums).
John came to my aid to help get me lined out so I could participate and learn.Another PLUS fo you fans!Don't know him,but he seems like a Super guy.
#2 I'll tell you what I wrote John.I hadn't given much thought to cars since getting married, (21 yrs), being anything other than a way to work.
As a youngster I had the typical muscle cars, but that was about it.I had once looked at the 911's, back around '72?? An thought some day I'd like to have one.Well 2 weeks ago my friend let me drive his '97, 911 cabriolet.It was an experience that took me by surprise compared to the old days.
As I told John, I tried to explain to my fiends at work, the feeling/rush, I got from behind the wheel.But I don't think words can describe what it was like to those that haven't had the opportunity to share this.
So now I'm alive and breathing.Searching for a 911 I can afford- 5 kids, 7 dogs, and a horse.Not to mention my wife that deserves better??
I have found a 1985 Targa, wide body (not a Turbo), with the 3.2 and 5 spd.90k miles.The body and other outside sites look great.Lot's of new things, spider gears installed, new clutch, new top, new brakes, new tires, new windshield.BBS wheels.And he's asking $20k.Can you folks give me some feedback on the pro's and con's of the '85's?Plus what is the "leak down Test". And what do you look for?
Sorry to be so long winded.But honestly, I feel like a kid at christmas time, and the fact that I'm not alone trying to figure this out by myself.
Thanks to you all!
Gary
John came to my aid to help get me lined out so I could participate and learn.Another PLUS fo you fans!Don't know him,but he seems like a Super guy.
#2 I'll tell you what I wrote John.I hadn't given much thought to cars since getting married, (21 yrs), being anything other than a way to work.
As a youngster I had the typical muscle cars, but that was about it.I had once looked at the 911's, back around '72?? An thought some day I'd like to have one.Well 2 weeks ago my friend let me drive his '97, 911 cabriolet.It was an experience that took me by surprise compared to the old days.
As I told John, I tried to explain to my fiends at work, the feeling/rush, I got from behind the wheel.But I don't think words can describe what it was like to those that haven't had the opportunity to share this.
So now I'm alive and breathing.Searching for a 911 I can afford- 5 kids, 7 dogs, and a horse.Not to mention my wife that deserves better??
I have found a 1985 Targa, wide body (not a Turbo), with the 3.2 and 5 spd.90k miles.The body and other outside sites look great.Lot's of new things, spider gears installed, new clutch, new top, new brakes, new tires, new windshield.BBS wheels.And he's asking $20k.Can you folks give me some feedback on the pro's and con's of the '85's?Plus what is the "leak down Test". And what do you look for?
Sorry to be so long winded.But honestly, I feel like a kid at christmas time, and the fact that I'm not alone trying to figure this out by myself.
Thanks to you all!
Gary
07-09-2002, 12:27 PM
#2
Intermediate
Gary,
20k seems a bit expensive. I just bought my 83SC targa for about 15k. Bear in mind that it is the earlier model with the 3.0 liter instead of the 3.2 liter, but the price difference should not be that high. However cars in UK usually are a bit more expensive and the turbo-look cars command a premium, so 20k might be ok if the car is very well kept and it is a RHD.
For example you may find a similar car in Spain for 15k:
<a href="http://www.autoscout24.es/search/detail.asp?id=13145337&language=spa&mediacode=&sc=EUR&make=57&pricefrom= &priceto=&zip=" target="_blank">http://www.autoscout24.es/search/detail.asp?id=13145337&language=spa&mediacode=&sc=EUR&make=57&pricefrom= &priceto=&zip=</a>
1984 is the first year of the 3.2 it has the old 915 transmission which is a bit "rough". they changed it to the G50 in 1987. Otherwise the car should be solid and last long if it is well cared of.
Nevertheless do a PPI before you buy the car.
20k seems a bit expensive. I just bought my 83SC targa for about 15k. Bear in mind that it is the earlier model with the 3.0 liter instead of the 3.2 liter, but the price difference should not be that high. However cars in UK usually are a bit more expensive and the turbo-look cars command a premium, so 20k might be ok if the car is very well kept and it is a RHD.
For example you may find a similar car in Spain for 15k:
<a href="http://www.autoscout24.es/search/detail.asp?id=13145337&language=spa&mediacode=&sc=EUR&make=57&pricefrom= &priceto=&zip=" target="_blank">http://www.autoscout24.es/search/detail.asp?id=13145337&language=spa&mediacode=&sc=EUR&make=57&pricefrom= &priceto=&zip=</a>
1984 is the first year of the 3.2 it has the old 915 transmission which is a bit "rough". they changed it to the G50 in 1987. Otherwise the car should be solid and last long if it is well cared of.
Nevertheless do a PPI before you buy the car.
07-09-2002, 01:24 PM
#3
Track Day
Thread Starter
Thanks for the response,
the car is in Colorado.I wondered how much of a potential problem there might be with the 915.Are they hard as for as shifting goes or??
Gary
the car is in Colorado.I wondered how much of a potential problem there might be with the 915.Are they hard as for as shifting goes or??
Gary
07-10-2002, 01:58 PM
#4
Intermediate
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Gary--
I got a car similar to yours (85 Targa) four months ago for $18,000 after shopping/pricing for about 3 months. 88k on the odometer (verified). It was not in quite as good condition as you describe, as it needed the trans rebuilt and brakes all around. That added $4,000, so for about $22,000 I had a car like the one you're considering. I don't know about the UK market (are you in England or Ontario), but in the US $20K for the car you describe, unless there is an unknown problem, is not a great price but is reasonable.
A leak down test measures the full compression of a cylinder initially and then at a later period of time, to see how much compression is lost--obviously, it gives a good indication of the condition of the cylinder/piston/rings.
I love my car, but the Targas can have problems with the roof sealing, causing wind and rain leaks. You might want to think about this if you live in London, England. A coupe might be better suited to that climate--but then you don't have that Targa experience on the nice days.
The G50 is definintely a better transmission that the 915--I have driven both. But it's not like the 915 is a terrible transmission. Mine's a litte sticky going into second, but that is the only problem it has, and that's partly due to its just being rebuilt. There are thousands of these transmissions being driven today, many with over 100k original miles on them, so they can't be that bad. You will probabaly pay $5-6k more to get an '87 w/G50 in the condition of the '85 you describe.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
I got a car similar to yours (85 Targa) four months ago for $18,000 after shopping/pricing for about 3 months. 88k on the odometer (verified). It was not in quite as good condition as you describe, as it needed the trans rebuilt and brakes all around. That added $4,000, so for about $22,000 I had a car like the one you're considering. I don't know about the UK market (are you in England or Ontario), but in the US $20K for the car you describe, unless there is an unknown problem, is not a great price but is reasonable.
A leak down test measures the full compression of a cylinder initially and then at a later period of time, to see how much compression is lost--obviously, it gives a good indication of the condition of the cylinder/piston/rings.
I love my car, but the Targas can have problems with the roof sealing, causing wind and rain leaks. You might want to think about this if you live in London, England. A coupe might be better suited to that climate--but then you don't have that Targa experience on the nice days.
The G50 is definintely a better transmission that the 915--I have driven both. But it's not like the 915 is a terrible transmission. Mine's a litte sticky going into second, but that is the only problem it has, and that's partly due to its just being rebuilt. There are thousands of these transmissions being driven today, many with over 100k original miles on them, so they can't be that bad. You will probabaly pay $5-6k more to get an '87 w/G50 in the condition of the '85 you describe.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
07-10-2002, 02:09 PM
#5
I just bought a 1984 Targa with some miles (120k) in Oklahoma for $14500. It is in excellent condition with all records and even the original window sticker. It passed a PPI and I felt pretty good about the price. I think the G50 tranny is a fair amount easier to drive than the 915, but I've seen no indication that they last longer. In my opinion, it is not worth the extra that you have to pay. The 915's are fine as long as the synchros are good. Don't expect this car to compare in any way to the '97 993 that you drove, they are like day/night.
Best of luck!
Paul <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
Best of luck!
Paul <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />