mbintx

Looking at an '88 911. During the test ride, the owner shifted from 3rd to 4th under moderate acceleration and the gearbox bit back. He mentioned that on occasion, the 3-4 shift can be balky. Doesn't happen all the time, but just the fact that it DOES happen here and there is a bit worrying.
Am I looking at a bad syncro? How big of a red flag is this, potentially? I'd hate to purchase this car at a fair price only to find out a short time late that a tranny rebuild is staring me in the face. Car has 132K miles, and I have no history on the tranny.

TIA!

KaiB

Could be fluids, but I'd bank on a tranny refresh.

If the rest of the car is right, and a decent price can be negotiated, why not.

This also opens doors for all kinds of good modifications!!!

mbintx

That's not a cheap unplanned fix...

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Nossir, its sure not, but what on a 911 IS inexpensive?

These are VERY good cars and one should be prepared to fix things on a 26 year old car. I don't what that is in dog years, but this does happen and shouldn't discourage anyone from buying a good example, provided they are realistic about ownership costs.

mbintx

Fully agree. It seems buying a 911 "right" is a dark science. Most owners won't discount their asking price based on potential issues, but the buyer needs to factor these issues into a fair offer price. A well-bought 911 can easily become a bad choice if a few expensive gremlins pop up right after the previous owner hands you the keys.

Full disclosure: this will be my first 911, so I'm a bit nervous about potential issues.

Amber Gramps

Do you like everything else about the car? Is the price right otherwise? Is it a couple grand below the market?

Buy it, drop the tranny, send it to steve, tell him to stop when he gets to $5,000.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

I can fully appreciate your point and this is precisely why a proper PPI is SOOO very important. If this is done by competent and experienced personnel, it protects you against unplanned expenses and unpleasant surprises.

I'd strongly recommend finding someone who can do a good PPI for you so you minimize your risk exposure.

theiceman

Also get a quote on said repairs BEFORE purchasing car. From what i have read the G-50 is very expensive to fix/rebuild when comapring to 915 so be specific when getting quotes.

mbintx

Pre-PPI test drive revealed that the 4th gear synchro is indeed bad. So it sounds like a tranny refresh at best, tranny rebuild at worst. Plus, it's the perfect time for a clutch job.

Waiting for seller to confirm potential costs ($3500-$6000?) before moving on to a full PPI.
Fun...

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Things are pretty close to the same; 915 stuff isn't cheap any longer so the net costs are almost equal.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

I'd budget $3K to $3500 for a transmission rebuild.

Amber Gramps

Like I always say Steve is our God!!!! Buy it, drop engine and trans, wrap the tranny in EPS foam a couple inches thick, drop it into an Igloo, wrap that in stretch wrap, ship it to Steve.


....or go easy on 4th. Simple.

JCP911S

Get the guy to knock this off the price, and then you have a new tranny.

PPI can indicate whether something is bad now, but not insure that you won't have a problem 6 months after you buy the car.

Mileage is no help either... a ham-fisted driver can destroy a gearbox, and trash a clutch in 50K miles.

A skillful driver can get 100k out of a clutch, and the tranny will outlast the car...

IMHO, buying the car at some discount and putting that money into a new clutch, rebuilt box, and all the other odds and ends such as drive-shafts, etc, etc is not a bad deal.

As was pointed out, these are still 26 year old cars... stuff wears out, deteriorates and breaks.... so you'll have to do this at some point anyway... better do it right up front.

Then you know you have a drivetrain that will give you 100K of reliable service.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Less,...I've had such people utterly destroy a transmission in under 25K by such abuse.

Easily. I typically get 150-160K from a clutch and well over that for a transmission and I drive cars like they were meant to be. Many of my clients do the very same things, too.

Totally agree with that. Properly done, these cars are pretty bulletproof and capable of 300K miles with good maintenance.

theiceman