Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to Porsche's but have experience working an many other machines. I'm looking at a 911sc for sale and would like some advice from some of you guys who are more experienced with 911's.

Here's the link: http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/3701068653.html

After talking to the guy today, I learned that he bought the car as a project from an older guy a year ago and never got around to fixing it. It currently doesn't run nor has he tried to get it to run. According to the owner, he has everything to get it back together and running.

I'm going to check it out this weekend, and will see if the engine will turn over. I'm just wondering what else I should be looking for and if is asking price is fair.

Thanks.

 

Since you dont have mch time to act i would prin out and read the prepurchase inspection article at the very top of this forum. Not knowing anything else i would just say a cheap not running Porsche could end up way more expensive than if you had bought a good running one...

Large margin for error either way ..

i just looked 13K for a NONE running one ? lol ... you can get running completed SCs for that ..

 

i looked at that article and was planning on bringing it when i looked at the car. also i forgot to mention the car has about 87k on the odo, so altough i've found a few sc's for around 13-15k they usually have higher miles. My plan is to get him down to about 10k. If the engine was actually gone through a year ago (and the owner can prove it), it should want to run after some quick refreshing.

 

Buying a Porsche from someone who's owned it for a year without even trying to get it running says a lot about the person you're buying it from ...
If the guy realized it would be too expensive to make it roadworthy because it has major undisclosed issues and is trying to get rid of it,don't be the one holding the leaking bucket in the end.

Like Ice says,you can get a real running one for that price !

Cheers !
Phil

 

That makes a lot of sense, looks like the search will continue.

 

also, i dont know where you guys are finding these cars, but i have yet to find a 911sc for under 14500 with less than 160k on it.

 

this .....

keep looking and keep the faith .. remember its spring so the prices will be higher ..

 

well... i heard a rumour it is spring .. snow forcassed for Friday ...

 

First, miles aren't the end-all, be-all. I'd take a properly reconditioned 200K miler over an 80K'er that's merely had services and oil changes over the years, cosmetics being equal. (Which is the tough part.) And of course, not at the same price point.

The '80 Weissach that dropped back in my lap last year is an honest ~130K car that was $7500. The cars are out there, decide what YOU really want and don't buy a dog for the sake of buying something.

 

You will pay more due to spring time. Also, prices are rising as it is becoming more difficult to find examples. I paid $10,250 for a 1981 euro with 72k miles back in 2006, fresh guards red paint 9/10 cosmetics with the only mechanical issue being the gearbox. Today, that car would be at least $16k to $18k based on what I have seen. As others have posted, go for he one with fresher mechanicals and strong leak down numbers. If the top end has to be redone you are looking at $6k probably. Gearbox is probably close to $3k with parts on average. If you plan o keep it just buy something worthwhile. I just bought my '89 and have pumped $12k into her in less than a month. Good motor, clutch and gearbox just lots of little bits that add up quickly. Also, many fun bits that were not required.

 

keep looking, you'll find it. and be ready to act on it quickly. i bought my 87 with 135k miles on it for less than that amount last year. a friend picked up an 89 targa for even less than i paid. both cars needed some work, but were complete.

 

That's actually a good looking car. I'd be warry too with the owner's story, especially with the lift in the picture, but it is a nice looking car. Owner may have honestly not been up to the task, and not actually trying to dump a turd.