john bono

I tried (emphasis tried) to have a PPI done on an 86 tomorrow. All but one of the Porsche dealerships within an hour are closed on Saturday. The one that's open? Won't look at anything over 20 years old, and won't go near Porsche's red headed stepchild, even for a PPI. The two specialty dealers that are in the area? One's closed, the other is booked solid.

I think I'm going to buy a Sentra, and paint Porsche on the back bumper. Nobody will notice, right?

Leon Speed

Why don't you do it yourself? There must be a PPI-list somewhere around.

john bono

There are, and I've read through them, but I want someone with more knowledge than me doing it. I may miss something that a mechanic would find. A few hundred now might save me a few grand later.

76FJ55

I believe there is a PPI list burried in the "NEW VISITORS" thread at the top of this forum.

Post #4 HERE

cali4sun

As an owner of a Sentra (commuter car 90 miles a day/5 days per week) no one will notice you at all. I'm lucky to be alive driving that thing (it's practically invisible).... Now, if you buy a Hyundai Genesis Coupe and paint Porsche on the back, some might think it's a 928?

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

76FJ55

Where are you located? You may be able to find an owner in your area that is willing to help out.

JHowell37

A lot of info can be had just from looking at an ad. Maybe you can give us a link, or a better description of the car.

Mike B

Yup, John...where are you located?

dr bob

More important, where's the car located?

john bono

I've already test driven the car, and it drives pretty well. Taking it to a mechanic is my sanity check, to make certain my impressions are correct and that I'm not looking at the car through rose colored glasses. There is about a quarter sized ding on the driver front fender. The dash is intact, but the pod has a single crack, top dead center. Seats are good. Electronics that I checked so far seem ok. AC is unknown. Anyway, if someone in North Jersey, Westchester or Rockland is comfortable going through a PPI, PM me. I canceled my meeting with the guy Saturday, but I'll see if I can resched for Sunday.

Landseer

I understand holding certain details close.

On the other hand, sharing some photos or other information could be useful to you to establish a rough range of value of the acquisition and the repairs.

The last two 32 valve cars for me were 2000 and 1700 respectively to buy.

One had a bonafide 71K miles, 2 owner, last for 20+ years.
Other had 70K miles, 1 owner, with all evidence pointing to original mileage.

The first needed intake rubber, crankcase vent hoses, distrib caps, Temp 2 sensor, wires, TB, pulley bearings, water pump, caliper kits / pads / rotors, 1 wheel bearing, MM's and pan gasket. Bunch of electrical contact cleaning. Plus 4 Bridgestones. And CV boots.

Second, almost exactly the same, plus more electrical gremlin hunting due to some chewy little rodents. And valve cover removal / plug seals -- inexpensive but much time due to a broken cover bolt.

I think the total is somewhere around $4800 for parts and tires. All labor is mine.

So, $8500 total for two. Same failure / wear points on each.

Budget money for maintenance if it isn't done. If no receipts or fuzzy recollection, then it wasn't done.
If you don't wrench yourself, double or double+ 1/2 my parts cost.

I watched an 86 1/2 five speed (above are autos, one with LSD) roll out of town to another buyer. It had most maintenance done and rolled for just under $4000.

What's the data on your target car, John?

john bono

I forgot I took some pics of the car. On the interior, not pictured, one of the speakers on the passenger door is missing. The b pillar speakers were replaced, and the install was so-so(I can see some of the perforations under the aftermarket speaker grill, which I think were the OEM mount for the rear speakers). Interior and engine bay are very clean.

Landseer

Gotta love the 5 speed, first of all.

So, some just plain observations. Am not a pro. Enthusiast only. But immersed.

Bent cross brace. I don't care for that, can indicate (as on one of mine) a fairly hard body hit from the side of the front clip. (one of mine had this / body was fixed but crossmember left / I bent it back and drove-on). Inquire about accident history. (Thorough inspection would include pulling front tires and fender wells to inspect repairs.)

Repainted front clip, red paint over top of the black rubber bumper/body seam

Perhaps another more recent tag on front left corner / side marker and turn signal fixtures need attention.

Interior looks good for the age, outwardly at least.

john bono

The one thing I noticed about this car was that all the black rubber had been painted over. Not just the seam, but the spoiler, the little black pads on the license plate, etc. The ding on the driver fender I did see. The current owner said he dinged it when he shifted to 2nd instead of reverse, and dinged something in his garage. There is no record of an accident in the title search.

Landseer

Parking light surrounds also painted over. Cheap overpaint job. Whole car that way?
Headlights sitting pretty deeply. Should be raised up and flush with fenders.

Why is hood painted black underneath? Seems to have original style hood liner, is it crumbly? Maybe black hood, painted over red, original hood liner left.

Engine compartment not clean, looks like car was well-used, certainly not pampered.

Aftermarket plug wires / should be ok.