waizone

Had the opportunity to meet up w/ fellow rennlister who has an 86 turbo for sale. While I'm fairly knowledgeable about 80-90' air cooled cars don't know too much about 80's turbos except for what sets 89 apart from 86-88. This car was in great shape and had some pretty good records. Guards Red w black interior, original Fuchs. After market exhaust (believe SSi). Some deferred maintenance including rear main seal leak (minor) f/r hood shocks were bad and few other items. My questions are:
1. How reliable are these cars? I plan on driving 2x per month/3000 mikes per year
2. Will it pass CA smog?. Believe O2 sensors may need to be replaced but other than exhaust car is stock
3. What major maintenance items can I expect. Believe synchros and clutch were done recently
4. What's a fair price for a car in good+ condition w no rust, under 60k mikes and original guards red paint and interior?

Believe the addition of a late 80s turbo would compliment my 95 993 and 09 997 turbo well. Thanks

Igooz

First of all let me say that I would recommend buying one of these as they are just great cars.

My 1987 Turbo has been very reliable. I do not think that they are any less or more reliable than any 30 year old car. Mine has had the engine completely rebuilt ($20K), 3rd. gear synchro and clutch ($3,500), A/C system ($2.5K), Body/Paint Correction ($1.5K), slow power windows ($500), .... Should I keep going? Like I said, VERY RELIABLE!!!

I keep this car in CO which is very emission stringent. I had to purchase another Lambda box (The ECU under the driver seat) to make it pass smog. But CO DEQ does not do visual on the engine components, whereas they do that in CA.

IMO: 60K miles 1986 Turbo = $70K.

FYI: I drove a 1991 Turbo (basically same car as these, from 1993-2001 and it costed me about $500/mo. for general up keep. And I also have a 1994 now which I never drive, so it is very reliable!

I see in your signature that you have a 7TT, I had mine from 2007-2013 and drove it almost every day with absolutely ZERO problems. 930 will not be the same from reliability but a much much more fun car.

PM me if any Q's.

bweSteve

Holy CRAP Bateman!!

Igooz

^LOL...yeah...I know! Should I keep going with that list?

I like things to be "perfect" which means that I end up spending too much...But my car is perfect.

bweSteve

Your household procurement department is a SAINT!!

Kudos to all dedicated enthusiasts!

Hopefully waizone joins the ranks. The only input I can give, is that once you either find-&-pay-for a sorted example,... or spend years sorting it yourself, YES they can & are VERY reliable cars. My "spend" list wasn't anywhere near Igooz, but then again I bought a very nice, well maintained 964 example 11 yrs ago. So I am not a good comparison to a '86 930. But obviously the 3.3 engines are very similar. Mine was rebuilt to the tune of $15k back in 2002 & is still dry & pulling hard today.

You also have to deal with CA smog,... which is a much different animal than here in MD. Ours are all exempt from any emission testing (25 yrs & older). So I run a GHL exhaust guilt free.

Your 4th question is a big "depends". Are you considering a Euro too? Cuz that could bring things down some. There was a '87 Euro that sold in the next town over, last year, for $65k on eBay. It was a driver & needed some TLC, but nothing that would break the bank, and I'm sure the guy who bought it is loving life right now.

GL w/ your search!!
=S

MUSSBERGER

If you end up jumping in the pool make sure your drives are long enough to get it up to operating temp and don't put it away without giving it a "cool down lap" so to speak. An original California car that has a passing history will put you way ahead of the emissions game. There's a lot of cars for sale that have had the smog equipment removed for good reason (they run a lot better) and would probably pass the tail pipe testing but taking one of those to a ball busting smog shop that looks for all the physical stuff that's supposed to be there could end in tears.

Good luck in your search. They are a lot of fun.

mel_t_vin

How many miles were on your motor prior to the rebuild? Isn't 2nd gear syncro usually the first to need attention? 3rd gear syncro is a bit unusual, no? Which vendor did you use to refurbish your hvac system...Rennair?

turbodave930

I use my '86 930 primarily as a track car. First, the engine is bullet proof. I've probably done 120 track days on the engine and all the leak downs are <5%. On my third turbo however.......

Also, if you are using the car on track, third gear synchro is the first to go. I've done it twice now. Only way to avoid it is to count one .... two while shifting up front second.

Dave Martin
'86 930 turbo
'04 996 GT3

Igooz

You are absolutely correct. 2nd. gear synchro, my mistake. And even though I could double clutch it and be OK, it never felt good. Tranny was shipped to Steinle's did the transmission per my friend who thinks that they are the air cooled kings.

I could have/should have bought a perfect car, but I bought this particular '87 Turbo becasuse: 1) It was a 1-owner car from my little home town in CO. 2) Even though I am never a "cheap" shopper, I was driving around town and saw this car and the deal was really good. 3) I called my friend "TTSurgeon" who has often instructed me on what I should offer on cars. Of course, without his input I would not have the style (or guts) to low ball anyone. I ended up with the car...and the work the started.

The car had ~70K miles on it and now it is almost perfect.

mel_t_vin

True...pay now, or [usually] pay more later.

While on your journey, did you elect to customize or maintain originality?

Igooz

^original

TT Surgeon

Glad the car worked out!
They all need rebuilds, just a question of when not if, but the car is perfect now.
C