My first 911....maybe

Randy63 · 11-06-2009, 05:17 PM

Hello all,

I've been here reading about 911s for many months. I'm really trying to justify purchasing this 1985 911.

http://www.raycoeuro.com/vehicledetails.php?vid=120976

I've been driving 3 series Bimmers for years. At this times my BMW of choice is an 03' 330Ci. I've been very lucky with all of my previous BMWs. No major mechanical problems to speak of.

An air cooled 911 has been my dream car for years. I do understand that 911s are much more raw than a modern 3 series and there in lies the appeal for me. Having said that I don't want a money pit. I do have a Jeep wrangler that is my everyday driver.

I'm going to have a PPI done on this car at our local Porsche dealer.

I would greatly appreciate any opinions about this specific 911 (price/condition) and 911 ownership in general.

Thanks,

Randy

rusnak · 11-06-2009, 05:29 PM

Ask them to check the condition of the lines to the front oil cooler. Make sure they are not crushed by running your hand, actually touching the lines themselves with your fingers, the full length of the lines. Test drive, check for brake dragging or squealing, listen for knocking sound coming from the rear axle while turning. Listen for ticking sound coming from the engine valves. Check service records for recent parts replacement.

Even if it's clean I would offer a few grand less. 26K is a tad on the high side.

MUSSBERGER · 11-06-2009, 05:54 PM

Make sure the records prove out the mileage. I looked at a "low mile" car that had sketchy records and when I popped the speedometer out it had a "North Hollywood Speedo" sticker on it. "Thats all I'm say'n"

Looks nice in the pictures though.

wpriller · 11-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Very clean car but agree with above posts; PPI is a definite and I would hope that the $25,000 is negotiable.

ricster · 11-06-2009, 06:21 PM

I own a 3 series and a 911 from 86 as my "toy". The 911 is much more raw and the build quality is much higher than that of the 3 series.

kevjandon · 11-06-2009, 06:25 PM

Make sure you know that this is not a 3 series.

Very raw. If this is your daily driver, you may not like it.

If it is a 2nd or 3rd car, then now worries. You'll love it.

this appears to be a very nice example. Have a ppi at your local Porsche shop, not the dealer.

If it has records and passes a ppi the price isn't that bad considering it is at a dealer.

cali4sun · 11-06-2009, 06:42 PM

I'd agree that it's a world of difference than your Bmer experience, not as comfortable as a daily driver....

'89 928 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

84 cabriolet · 11-06-2009, 07:28 PM

I also drive a 3 series as my daily ride. Great car,but the weekends are for the 911 cabrio.....still German engineering and you won't be disappointed. GO FOR IT!

GothingNC · 11-06-2009, 08:38 PM

I like the color combo.

Have you seen it in person?

Photos can hide a lot of flaws/chips of metallic paint depending on the lighting.

John

theiceman · 11-06-2009, 10:22 PM

that price seams a bit steep , but it is a nice car .. just as important in the carrera as the oil lines ( which are easy to check ) is the fuel lines up by the engine . They can fail in this car and if you have records look for signs orf replacement.

rusnak · 11-06-2009, 10:43 PM

Yeah, the fuel lines are not cheap to replace. The oil lines are about $800 each, and they usually get smashed as a pair. CV joints are also expensive, so see if they have been re-packed. If not, then budget for that soon. Brakes are inexpensive unless you spring for the super nice ceramic ones, such as the Axxis Ultimate pads. Ask for a written result of the leakdown test, and any recent smog test numbers.

Randy63 · 11-06-2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks so much for all of your comments and insight. I have seen this car in person and it's absolutely stunning. The paint is fantastic. It's obvious that this car has not spent much time exposed to the elements. It does show a few paint chips on the hood that have been touched up.

This is the first 911 I'm interested enough in to spring for a PPI.

I'm old enough to know that many times in life the getting is better than the having. I want to enjoy having a Porsche just as much as I am enjoying looking the right one.

Thanks again,

Randy

theiceman · 11-06-2009, 10:59 PM

..wanting ....

whalebird · 11-07-2009, 02:15 PM

Beautiful car. Having owned and driven numerous 3 series and hundreds of air cooled cars, I can say that a 3-car is one that can fit like a glove. Only an air cooled car can fit better. They are a little less user friendly, but that becomes a virtue after you get used to it. A 911 will become your best friend and your 3 series will seem less after a short time in a 911.
Air cooled cars are remarkably cheap to own and brutally reliable, just get a well maintained and cared for example.
I really like the car you are looking at, but be sure to maintain an open mind. I strongly suggest driving every 911 you can. Look at many and never buy the first one you look at without considering others. The hunt can take years sometimes.
Get a PPI at a reputable shop. Not neccasarily the dealer. The dealer sees very few of these cars anymore and can have little experiance with them. There are exceptions like stoddard, Brumos, Vasek Polak, and others.
Not all PPI will include compression and leakdown, but can be at an additional cost. Sometimes it is easy to tell if a car needs a leakdown/compression test.
Look for valve guide wear issues with this car in particular. Low mile cars may not display it at first, but when put into service they will go south quick.
Good luck and welcome to the list

wwest · 11-07-2009, 02:56 PM

Way, 'way over-priced. Find an equivalent for 12-14k and spend ~2,000 for upgrades and a good, STELLAR detail.

11-06-2009, 05:17 PM	#1
Randy63 New User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	My first 911....maybe Hello all, I've been here reading about 911s for many months. I'm really trying to justify purchasing this 1985 911. http://www.raycoeuro.com/vehicledetails.php?vid=120976 I've been driving 3 series Bimmers for years. At this times my BMW of choice is an 03' 330Ci. I've been very lucky with all of my previous BMWs. No major mechanical problems to speak of. An air cooled 911 has been my dream car for years. I do understand that 911s are much more raw than a modern 3 series and there in lies the appeal for me. Having said that I don't want a money pit. I do have a Jeep wrangler that is my everyday driver. I'm going to have a PPI done on this car at our local Porsche dealer. I would greatly appreciate any opinions about this specific 911 (price/condition) and 911 ownership in general. Thanks, Randy

11-06-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
rusnak Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 4,173	Ask them to check the condition of the lines to the front oil cooler. Make sure they are not crushed by running your hand, actually touching the lines themselves with your fingers, the full length of the lines. Test drive, check for brake dragging or squealing, listen for knocking sound coming from the rear axle while turning. Listen for ticking sound coming from the engine valves. Check service records for recent parts replacement. Even if it's clean I would offer a few grand less. 26K is a tad on the high side. __________________ I run from earth-crossing asteroids...or from cross, earthy women on steroids.

11-06-2009, 05:54 PM	#3
MUSSBERGER Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: close to the edge of Middletown NJ Posts: 4,447	Make sure the records prove out the mileage. I looked at a "low mile" car that had sketchy records and when I popped the speedometer out it had a "North Hollywood Speedo" sticker on it. "Thats all I'm say'n" Looks nice in the pictures though. __________________ 1981SC black metallic,no sunroof, departed.(bonehead move) 2004 Cayenne, base, departed. 2005 987S Boxster, guards red, Stuttgart built, departed. 1978 SC E track car. 2005 997 black, pollen magnet.

11-06-2009, 10:22 PM	#10
theiceman Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cambridge Ontario Posts: 9,193	that price seams a bit steep , but it is a nice car .. just as important in the carrera as the oil lines ( which are easy to check ) is the fuel lines up by the engine . They can fail in this car and if you have records look for signs orf replacement. __________________ 78 SC Targa 76 XS360 95 Audi 90 Sport 09 Maxima Gone but not forgotten 87 944S " I'm not very smart but I know how to google "

11-06-2009, 10:43 PM	#11
rusnak Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 4,173	Yeah, the fuel lines are not cheap to replace. The oil lines are about $800 each, and they usually get smashed as a pair. CV joints are also expensive, so see if they have been re-packed. If not, then budget for that soon. Brakes are inexpensive unless you spring for the super nice ceramic ones, such as the Axxis Ultimate pads. Ask for a written result of the leakdown test, and any recent smog test numbers. __________________ I run from earth-crossing asteroids...or from cross, earthy women on steroids.

11-06-2009, 06:05 PM	#4
wpriller Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 699	Very clean car but agree with above posts; PPI is a definite and I would hope that the $25,000 is negotiable.

11-06-2009, 06:21 PM	#5
ricster Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 329	I own a 3 series and a 911 from 86 as my "toy". The 911 is much more raw and the build quality is much higher than that of the 3 series.

11-06-2009, 06:25 PM	#6
kevjandon Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vegas Posts: 168	Make sure you know that this is not a 3 series. Very raw. If this is your daily driver, you may not like it. If it is a 2nd or 3rd car, then now worries. You'll love it. this appears to be a very nice example. Have a ppi at your local Porsche shop, not the dealer. If it has records and passes a ppi the price isn't that bad considering it is at a dealer.

11-06-2009, 06:42 PM	#7
cali4sun User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 116	I'd agree that it's a world of difference than your Bmer experience, not as comfortable as a daily driver.... '89 928 S4 GP White/Black '76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

11-06-2009, 07:28 PM	#8
84 cabriolet User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 13	I also drive a 3 series as my daily ride. Great car,but the weekends are for the 911 cabrio.....still German engineering and you won't be disappointed. GO FOR IT!

11-06-2009, 08:38 PM	#9
GothingNC User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,604	I like the color combo. Have you seen it in person? Photos can hide a lot of flaws/chips of metallic paint depending on the lighting. John

11-06-2009, 10:54 PM	#12
Randy63 New User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks so much for all of your comments and insight. I have seen this car in person and it's absolutely stunning. The paint is fantastic. It's obvious that this car has not spent much time exposed to the elements. It does show a few paint chips on the hood that have been touched up. This is the first 911 I'm interested enough in to spring for a PPI. I'm old enough to know that many times in life the getting is better than the having. I want to enjoy having a Porsche just as much as I am enjoying looking the right one. Thanks again, Randy

11-06-2009, 10:59 PM	#13
theiceman Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cambridge Ontario Posts: 9,193	..wanting .... __________________ 78 SC Targa 76 XS360 95 Audi 90 Sport 09 Maxima Gone but not forgotten 87 944S " I'm not very smart but I know how to google "

11-07-2009, 02:15 PM	#14
whalebird Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains NC. Posts: 771	Beautiful car. Having owned and driven numerous 3 series and hundreds of air cooled cars, I can say that a 3-car is one that can fit like a glove. Only an air cooled car can fit better. They are a little less user friendly, but that becomes a virtue after you get used to it. A 911 will become your best friend and your 3 series will seem less after a short time in a 911. Air cooled cars are remarkably cheap to own and brutally reliable, just get a well maintained and cared for example. I really like the car you are looking at, but be sure to maintain an open mind. I strongly suggest driving every 911 you can. Look at many and never buy the first one you look at without considering others. The hunt can take years sometimes. Get a PPI at a reputable shop. Not neccasarily the dealer. The dealer sees very few of these cars anymore and can have little experiance with them. There are exceptions like stoddard, Brumos, Vasek Polak, and others. Not all PPI will include compression and leakdown, but can be at an additional cost. Sometimes it is easy to tell if a car needs a leakdown/compression test. Look for valve guide wear issues with this car in particular. Low mile cars may not display it at first, but when put into service they will go south quick. Good luck and welcome to the list

11-07-2009, 02:56 PM	#15
wwest User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: redmond wa Posts: 1,244	Way, 'way over-priced. Find an equivalent for 12-14k and spend ~2,000 for upgrades and a good, STELLAR detail.