steam_mill

Car is a canadiancar. I'm in Canada. Service history from 1982 to 2001: 67km to 190000 km. Currently has 225000 miles. Car is a TARGA. Silver and in much better cosmetic shape than later vintage cars.

I've been looking for an '84 to '89 Carrera coupe. The one car I found was sold the next day. Most cars in Toronto sit on the lot for months.

Will do a ppi at a reputable (non dealer) Porsche specialist following closer inspection tomorros.

Car is priced way below what I expected to spend. Yet I like this car not because of price but because it is in very nice shape. I've looked at Carreras with half the mileage in bad shape. This car is clean.

Car is not perfect but it is a car that appears to have been taken care of. It looks used but gently used just like I take care of my cars.

How bad are targas? Should I wait for my '84 to '89 non-red coupe?

NOBLEGT3

is that mileage on the original engine?? if yes forget it

thedyingiraffe

Don't they say the SC's engine is bulletproof? If the PPI checks out and maintenance records are complete, I wouldn't worry too much.

M-A
'91 964

thedyingiraffe

I think targa's require a particular taste. My current 964 is a targa, but my next one will be definately a coupe. I find it noisy on the highway and it leaks. I like things to be perfect (especially on the P-Cars) and this drives me nuts sometimes. The good thing is that I have a 993 engine and 6 spd transmission!

If it's the right car for you at the right price... Just buy it like I did!

M-A
'91 964

steam_mill

The mileage is 225000 km. I posted this on the 911 forum an converted it to miles. Do the targa really leak all that much?

How about getting an aftermarket hardtop?

JOe

NOBLEGT3

you said miles not KMs...225 Kms isnt so bad for that year

thedyingiraffe

Well, not that much. A few drops when the car is parked in the rain. When the car is moving, it's okay though. Targas are nice weather cars IMHO.

Marc

steam_mill

The dealer is jerking me around. I've only seen the car briefly. Car is buried in the back, parked closely to other cars indoors. Dealer is large specializing in late model high end cars (Merc, BMW, Porsche, Land Rover etc.) Have 3 air cooled 911's. 1 Red Targa, 1 Cab, and this silver SC.

Try to see the car yesterday as per the email from sales guy. He's not there. Car is still buried and the other sales guy does not appear enthusiastic about pulling it out. There's only one car in front of it!

Review history. All oil changes etc. No evidence of poppit valve, clutch or tensioners. Thinking they would have to have been done (at least the clutch).

Car is to be sold uncertified. They have not checked it to find out what is wrong with it. I expect to buy a car certified and emissions tested. I will still PPI it but expect the dealer to take care of the best.

Why am I upset?

Only have come across a few cars. I don't want a red one! Only one other car has interested me(I'm picky). It was sold the day after I saw it.

I'm not sure about getting a Targa but the car looks good. It looks used but not abused which I think is better than a pristine model that was restored.

I like the car but I want the chance to see it properly! I'm use to car dealers being all over you bending over backwards to show you a car or answer questions. These guys don't seem to care.

Thanks for listening!

951North

I went through the same thing buying my 951...

Can be very frustrating... I feel your anguish!

at 12-8 it's likely taking up space on his lot, that's why it's cheap IMO, the salesman would rather move a 50k+ BMW/MB, etc...

jason.

steam_mill

I think the car is quite inexpensive also. Actually it is below what I was willing to spend..

What really ticks me off is that these guys don't get it. I've only ever bought one brand new car. Sold it a year later because it was not what I wanted. I buy used vehicles where some one else takes the depreciating hit.

I'm looking at this dealer thinking my next car is going to be a Merc 4matic wagon(currently run a subie outback). Take care of me now, I'll be back again.

I don't think I'll go back again...

When I was in my twenties buying my first house, alot of the real estate agents at open houses snubbed us because of our age and appearance(we're not Rodeo Drive people, we're more like L.L. Bean). One agent told us to ask our parents for the money....We bought that house.

I supported a sales team for software at one point in my career. We always made it a point to stay in touch with the deals we got and those we lost. The attitude was 'They'll be back'. They usually were. Not because we were better, but because we were professional.

I'm still ticked that I didn't by the '86 Blue Carrera that was the exact car I wanted!

YYC930

Go back and talk to PETER SANTOS who is the owner of WORLD FINE CARS which is where the Targa is located IIRC.

Tell him you are unhappy with the salesperson. I buy 5-6 cars a year from him. Say that I sent you.............KEITH SAWATSKY from RENNSPORT CALGARY...........I am the board sponsor. Peter is a great guy and will look after you.

You are looking at a very cheap car being sold wholesale "as is"..........don't expect to be treated like you are taking delivery of a CGT. Dealers will blow off anyone on a car like this if they are expecting a perfect retail car and the retail experience....it's the way the business is, and a $12K 911 brings all types into the showroom......you were just stereotyped. No big deal......it won't be the first time in your life this happens.

At the $12,800 purchase price you can spend $10K in maintenance over the next 3 years, sell it for $15K later on and have had a very nice driver if that's what you are looking for.......

Best of luck....!!

steam_mill

Keith:

Thanks for the information. I was actually looking to spend in the mid twenties. So far, except for the one blue coupe that I did not jump on, all I've seen is not very nice. From the looks, it seems acceptable. I just want to take a good look at it.

I agree with you that I'll probably spend a significant amount on maintenance over the next few years. I'm prepared for that.

Heck, if an '88 blue or silver carrera showed up at World Fine Cars, I would jump on it. My interest in the SC is two fold: It is the second cleanest car I've seen and the other reason is that I it is probably a good way to get my feet wet with porsche ownership.

Thanks for your advice though. I'm going to wait to see if the sales guy follows up with me.

Today was our first really cold day. Reality is that this or any car will leave the seller and go straight into the garage 'till spring. Giving me the winter to address any issues.

I really appreciate your support.

Joe

YYC930

Joe............

FWIW.....one of my 25 year Porsche mechanics has a 1986 911 Targa with 125,000 miles.....with a stack of records a mile high from the last 10+ years (new clutch, heads rebuilt at 95,000 miles, etc, etc).....it's black on black and one of the best higher mileage cars out there.

He wants $28K and there is no GST (but he is flexible).........if you want more information PM me and I'll give you his telephone number. His reason for selling is that he has two 911's and he is keeping the blue one.

Food for thought.

Best...........

Edited to add......

Joe.....

If you are serious and want to look closer at the car at World Fine Cars DO NOT wait for the sales person to follow up with you....he probably won't.....I wouldn't.....sales people have bigger fish to fry than a $12K wholesale car.....that's management's responsbility to deal with.

Once again.....it is a wholesale piece.......you have to go there yourself and make the deal happen. Go and talk to Peter........he is the owner......if you talk to a salesperson a commission is involved which makes the car $3-500 more expensive for you. If you want a PPI you must say that the only reason you are doing one is to make sure that the basic integrity of the engine and transaxle is sound.......I guarantee you that the car will come back with a "grocery list" but if the engine leaks down OK....and it does not have any case leaks or blown out head gaskets or is burned thru where the P+C meets the case you are OK. If the transaxle shifts OK and is deemed sound along with the clutch......whatever else is wrong is irrelevant if you can buy the car for $12K......They do not get any cheaper than this.

Good luck !!

steam_mill

Keith:

Thank-you for the information. If you were not so far away, I would definitely be interested in looking at the vehicle. Actually, the first 911 I went to go see was a similar car to the blue coupe one currently on your website. It had the rear wing and had 140K. It was beyond clean. Saw it on a Thursday evening in August. Was leaving the nite for the cottage. Called Monday to arrange a PPI and it was gone. Car was spotless. This was the car I should have bought. Were asking $23999. I kick myself constantly.

This silver one although a targa, appears very clean also. I'm expecting to have work done on it . I just want to get checked out to make sure the leakdown is good and there is nothing else that appears completely done making the car worthless.

I realize that at $12K, the price of this car has probably bottomed out. I'll probably be able to get at least $12 for it in the future if it runs.

I do appreciate your comments. I'll go to dealer and speak to Peter.

Tx.

Joe

YYC930

Good luck !!