Virgin!

[TVRIK]

Hello chaps... I'm just dipping my toe in the world if Porsche!
I'm a TVR man at the moment, but potentially looking to buy a 911 circa1980s
I'm looking around 14/15k can't go above that!

What should I be looking out for as potential problems? I don't mind cosmetics Infact I quite enjoy reviving a car that's looking a little sad..but I I of course don't want to but ya money pit.
Hope you can help

Rik

[mollytherocker]

15k means a tatty 3.2 Carrera in need of much work I'm afraid.

But if you are ok with some mileage, you could get a reasonable one. But much care is required, many are rotten.

Do your research, use a bit of common and you will be fine.

[TVRIK]

Thanks Peter, yeah mileage doesn't bother me too much, it will be a toy that I will put very few miles on myself, tatty is ok, I like making things look nice, my TVR was a terrible mess, but over the last year I've got her looking nice, on the inside..
But yeah, I'm looking for solid chassis as little rot as possible, and the engine sounding smooth.
I have my eye on a few..and I will take a mechanic to make sure the fundamentals are all good.

Thanks again peter

Rik

[tvrdavid]

I went from a chim to a 1982 928 and no regrets. Both great cars but the 928 just feels rock solid. I considered 911s but you could pick up a superb 928 for your budget!

[TVRIK]

tvrdavid said:

I went from a chim to a 1982 928 and no regrets. Both great cars but the 928 just feels rock solid. I considered 911s but you could pick up a superb 928 for your budget!

I love 928's and if I'm honest I'm torn between that and a 911 as I ha a passion for V8s
I have a wedge, which sounds out if this world.

I'm am thinkin investment as part if this, just feel the 911 may have a better investment quality.?
But, it's a tough one, you have me thinking again now!

Rik

[rubystone]

TVRIK said:

Thanks Peter, yeah mileage doesn't bother me too much, it will be a toy that I will put very few miles on myself, tatty is ok, I like making things look nice, my TVR was a terrible mess, but over the last year I've got her looking nice, on the inside..
But yeah, I'm looking for solid chassis as little rot as possible, and the engine sounding smooth.
I have my eye on a few..and I will take a mechanic to make sure the fundamentals are all good.

Thanks again peter

Rik

The fundamentals are the cheapest bit to sort. Get it up in the air and root around the kidney bowls and door shuts for starters. If you don't, that leggy but shiny Carrera that you found for a "bargain" £12,000 is going to cost you a further £12,000 to "get looking nice".

You'd always tell me to get my screwdriver out and poke around the chassis on a TVR, right? I'm telling you that you need to do the same thing with a 911. But unlike a TVR, a 911's body also rots too....scuttle, round rear side windows, under headlights, bottoms of doors, around sunroof, around rear lights, doorshuts...etc etc etc.

Do think about finding a decent SC too. Yes they are a bit older, but you buy these cars totally on condition and to be honest, even a Carrera won't feel quick to you, coming from a TVR.

[IMI A]

I know this sounds off the wall but try a bog standard 996 Carrera 2. Honestly one of the best sports cars I've ever driven and in your budget you will get one of the best out there. 996 should appreciate one day when people realise how good they are. It was a better steer than all the sports cars of its time which include some special cars like Ferrari F355, NSX, Skyline R33, Mazda RX7, Toyota Supra etc etc.

[mollytherocker]

IMI A said:

I know this sounds off the wall but try a bog standard 996 Carrera 2. Honestly one of the best sports cars I've ever driven and in your budget you will get one of the best out there. 996 should appreciate one day when people realise how good they are. It was a better steer than all the sports cars of its time which include some special cars like Ferrari F355, NSX, Skyline R33, Mazda RX7, Toyota Supra etc etc.

with your budget of 15k you should be able to get one with a reworked engine too.

[TVRIK]

Hmmmm I'm a bit of a classic man, 80s as new as I want to go really, if I could afford I'd be after more 70s era,
It's not the technical brilliance it's more the look and feel of the older cars.

And the fact ya can have play yourself with pretty much anything.

Rik

[uktrailmonster]

TVRIK said:

looking to buy a 911 circa1980s
I'm looking around 14/15k can't go above that!

....but I I of course don't want to but ya money pit.

Budget is really too low for a classic 911 in today's high flying market, lots of money pits in that price range though!
You might get a reasonable condition highish mileage SC for £15K, which would be a fine choice as it is a classic early 80's 911. Not many around though and most will be tired looking in that price range. If you could stretch to £20K you would have more choice of decent cars and most of the sub £15K cars will need £5K+ spending on them immediately anyway. There is some serious rubbish out there, so keep your eyes open!

[Glaston]

20K might get you a decent Tip/ annual Targa/Cab. Unlikely to get you a manual Coupe that isn't a basket case.

[IMI A]

Yes a targa may be the way to go then as they don't seem to be loved as much. I think they're gorgeous.

[TVRIK]

Yeah I like the targa, if I can get mid 80s 911 which ever solid maybe TLC I'd be over the moon...
Goona keep my eye out, and will defo get an expert to check over before purchase is made!

Rik

Anyone want a thunderous TVR 350i ? Ha ;-)

[BeeGT]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Be patient, there are decent and "good value" cars out there with owners who aren't getting carried away with the inflated market, and don't be put off by high miles, a look at this old thread will highlight plenty of good condition cars carrying well over 100k miles. Get the basics right with a solid service record and a pre-purchase inspection and you won't go far wrong.

[TVRIK]

BeeGT said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Be patient, there are decent and "good value" cars out there with owners who aren't getting carried away with the inflated market, and don't be put off by high miles, a look at this old thread will highlight plenty of good condition cars carrying well over 100k miles. Get the basics right with a solid service record and a pre-purchase inspection and you won't go far wrong.

Thanks for this Stu, and this is the kinda thing I'm thinking, I won't be putting many miles on it, as I work all week and have a car for that, the misses has a Discovery as we have twins on the way

So it's gonna just be the pleasure of owning one and getting out in it as and when!
Incidentally does anyone know if you can get PCP finance on classics??

[TVRIK]

What's the opinion I. Air cooled and water cooled?
I've heard some early water cooled had issues with oils seals?

[mollytherocker]

TVRIK said:

What's the opinion I. Air cooled and water cooled?
I've heard some early water cooled had issues with oils seals?

Thats a HUGE subject! Best to do a search.

Air cooled and water cooled cars a very different. Ultimately, it comes down to what you want out of a car.

[TVRIK]

Well I won't be doing a great deal if mirs at all, it will be part investment, but mainly the joy of owning a classic 911, of course people have different ideas of what a classic is, in my book, mid 80 back is classic.

I have to say, I'm concerned , I've found a couple that look to be good, from the wright up, but could potentially cost me more than I can afford.. Maybe I'm dipping into a market that's beyond me and I should stick around the Triumph markr Tr 6 GT6
Type car... However I don't wanna not buy a 911 and it be fine!

If course I will get a full inspection off a specialist, and I guess that shoulda put my mind at rest..

I guess we will see.

[uktrailmonster]

TVRIK said:

What's the opinion I. Air cooled and water cooled?
I've heard some early water cooled had issues with oils seals?

As you dismissed the 996 option earlier, I presume you mean 928/944 water cooled v 911 air cooled?
Or have you changed your mind?

I don't know much about the classic water cooled Porsches, but the 996 does have some quite serious engine weaknesses - search Hartech for the best info on these. Still well worth buying one though.

[TVRIK]

Sorry that was my lack of knowledge, for some reason I thought the water cooled engines on the 911's started earlier, and apologies for not responding on your 996 comment, but I'm actually looking at mid 80s back to 79 ish
It's not necessarily what's technically the better car for me, just a sound one!

928's will always be in my list... But I think I'm gonna do a bit more digging on the viability of a 911..... He says terrified to death of buying a nightmare!!!