911 SC 1980 - thoughts/views?

[andyb]

supersport said:

You have to laugh, the original car posted up is worrying because it has only done 2K miles a year in its 38 year life, this one is too high at 4.5K yearly miles in its years.

Really, mileage on a 35+ year old car is largely irrelevant, it's not GT3 or a Ferrari, condition is king and they are great cars for actually driving, especially in LHD which is better in my opinion. There was a time when LHD was cheaper, but I am not so sure that is the case any more.

I will declare a vested interest, I have known this car for the last 14 years, it's stunning and sounds amazing. It's also VERY fast

Is that dugsud's car? Looks very similar... I know that sounds 'stalkery' but stands out for me as its also almost identical to mine (albeit different interior).

PS LHD used to be cheaper (certainly was when I bought mine), but with the exchange rate, last time my car was revalued, there was actually a premium for it.

[PGNSagaris]

Gio. Speak to Greig at RPM Technik. They have or have incoming a very sorted SC - trick diff, suspension etc...

[garyrich]

I have one currently in the classifieds having had a body refurb. More pictures on the DDK forum restoration threads under it’s just a little hole. The car has 149000 miles on it and never had any issues mechanically in the 15 years I have had it, just get in start it up and drive off. Took it to Spa last May after putting it back together and it never missed a beat even in all the rain. I wouldn’t think twice about doing another European trip in it and hope circumstances change in July to take it to CLM again. I was told that with the epoxy primer the car was waterproofed enough to last the next 35 years. I used the car as much as I could before the refurb and made going to work on the back roads around Durham a pleasure. If you have any questions ring me on the number in the advert as I am away in the Lake District till Saturday.

[ClaphamGT3]

I ran a 1981 SC Targa as my daily for 18 months in the early 00s. They'll happily do it but, as always, it's the little things that will get to you. In winter the heating and demisting isn't up to modern standards, the wind noise on long journeys is intrusive, the 915 gearbox is an acquired taste in traffic and you will need to set aside an hour or so each week for minor fettling to keep on top of things that come loose/need lubricating/stop working and to keep it clean on top and underneath.

That said, they are an absolute hoot to drive, comfortable reasonably economical (I averaged about 25-30mpg from mine).

In terms of that car, the advert doesn't tell me anywhere near enough to know whether it's a gem, a lemon or somewhere in between. You need to get to it and go over it with a fine tooth comb.

I don't believe any 1980 Porsche won't have had some paint and some structural work so find it and assess its quality. As others have said, they hide their rot well, so take a magnet and download a guide to the big rot-spots. As others have said, that engine work sounds odd. Why at an OPC for a car of that age? What was actually done? Why was it done? Don't let a big invoice from an OPC and sales patter about 'basically a new Porsche engine' blind you to the basics around oil pressure, head stud condition etc, etc

[Gio G]

Would anyone have any thoughts on this 911 please...? I think the wife likes the idea of a non wide-body car, as she feels it looks more classic, I prefer the sport wider body

I suspect the colour is not that common. I appreciate that the price is probably on the higher side, however appears to have some decent history. I know the wheels are period, but does not look right to me... thoughts/comments? This indy is very local to me, so tempted to take a look in person..

https://www.jzmporsche.com/used-vehicle-details/Po...

Thanks G

[jonny996]

looks nice but I would be all over the 912 they have for same price.

[ClaphamGT3]

Gio G said:

Would anyone have any thoughts on this 911 please...? I think the wife likes the idea of a non wide-body car, as she feels it looks more classic, I prefer the sport wider body

I suspect the colour is not that common. I appreciate that the price is probably on the higher side, however appears to have some decent history. I know the wheels are period, but does not look right to me... thoughts/comments? This indy is very local to me, so tempted to take a look in person..

https://www.jzmporsche.com/used-vehicle-details/Po...

Thanks G

Looks a nice enough car but, then, they all do in the sales pics. Go and see it, get all over it and examine its history carefully. Remember that, whilst it's a £50k car now, it had years of being a sub £10k 'shoe string 911' and you need to be clear whether in that 15 year period it was lucky enough to be cosseted by a couple of enthusiast owners who looked after it or whether it rattled through a succession of potless dreamers who wanted to impress the blokes down the pub with their 911 ownership and who punted it on at the first hint of bill above cashpoint money. If the latter, you need strong evidence that all the neglect has been put right, not just blown over with a couple of coats of two-pack

[Gio G]

jonny996 said:

looks nice but I would be all over the 912 they have for same price.

Not shown the wife the 912.. I think she would be all over it, but LHD for daily is probably not recommended.

G

[Gio G]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Looks a nice enough car but, then, they all do in the sales pics. Go and see it, get all over it and examine its history carefully. Remember that, whilst it's a £50k car now, it had years of being a sub £10k 'shoe string 911' and you need to be clear whether in that 15 year period it was lucky enough to be cosseted by a couple of enthusiast owners who looked after it or whether it rattled through a succession of potless dreamers who wanted to impress the blokes down the pub with their 911 ownership and who punted it on at the first hint of bill above cashpoint money. If the latter, you need strong evidence that all the neglect has been put right, not just blown over with a couple of coats of two-pack

Never really thought about it in that way, great advice thanks. It seems the car is known to the dealer for a period of time. I suspect some sort of pre-inspection on these are a must if serious about purchasing?

G

[ClaphamGT3]

To your LHD point, having had LHD and RHD 911s, the LHDs are better in my view; much more comfortable because of the lack of pedal off-set and the cars are both narrow and nippy, so the LHD isn't an impediment to overtaking and manoeuvring. If LHD, just make sure that you understand the car's specification, as they could be very different for different markets

[ClaphamGT3]

This is my old one. Absolutely cracking little car. Wish I'd never sold it

[Gio G]

ClaphamGT3 said:

To your LHD point, having had LHD and RHD 911s, the LHDs are better in my view; much more comfortable because of the lack of pedal off-set and the cars are both narrow and nippy, so the LHD isn't an impediment to overtaking and manoeuvring. If LHD, just make sure that you understand the car's specification, as they could be very different for different markets

Thanks, no harm in looking at both of them. Bearing in mind your previous comments, what amount would be prudent to put aside annually for maintenance/repair of these types of cars? 5%/10% of their value? Also, would garaging it be absolute must? As I posted some months ago, the wife wants to use it for pleasure and getting to work, which is fairly local, within 10 miles.

G

[ClaphamGT3]

Gio G said:

Thanks, no harm in looking at both of them. Bearing in mind your previous comments, what amount would be prudent to put aside annually for maintenance/repair of these types of cars? 5%/10% of their value? Also, would garaging it be absolute must? As I posted some months ago, the wife wants to use it for pleasure and getting to work, which is fairly local, within 10 miles.

G

Hi, I have never garaged a 911 except, latterly, the GT3 and that's more due to lack of use. They have typically lived in the street in South London. As long as they are solid to start off with and you keep an eye on & deal with rust promptly, you'll be fine. If you go for a targa, it WILL leak. I used a bikini cover from Halfords which worked perfectly. If you have a hard top, make sure the sunroof drain channels are clear to stop them backing up and rotting out the C pillars. Remember that these were well-engineered, robust cars when new, not fragile supercars, so they'll take a lot of using.

When it comes to maintenance, little and often is the key. If you can, keep a couple of £k back for the odd rogue bill (gearbox rebuild, head studs, cutting out but a regular maintenance regime with the right specialists will keep the horrors at bay. You're more likely to be spending money on regular smaller things than the occasional whopper in my experience. If you are using it all year round, don't underestimate the effort of keeping on top of the heating and ventilation

[Gio G]

Appointment booked for Saturday morning. Indy mentioned a few people sniffing around it, which is fair enough..

G

[mudy]

Jzm have a very very good reputation; so there’s a high chance the car is top notch.
Personally I’m amazed that an 84 sc on teledial wheels makes 50 grand but it’s low mileage so that may be why and it looks mint.
I have daily driven my 88 turbo on and off for the last 10 years and it’s fine (I have a beater Saab for the winter months). Heavy clutch and steering and no air con or cup holders are more than compensated for by the sheer visceral noise, smell and feel of the car.

[mattb46]

I had a look at a car I fancied at the very plush showroom at JZM. I was absolutely appalled when sales director Rus stood by and allowed his engine builder employee to spend 2 mins libeling probably THE most highly rated 911 engine builder in the UK (who it is impossible to find a bad word said about online (PH, DDK, IB etc) and who is a genuinely great bloke) all for the sake of trying to persuade me that they should do any engine rebuild that I fancied. Walked out in disgust.

[SidewaysSi]

I had a few conversations with the sales team there. Suffice to say I didn't engage with them.

[g7jhp]

mudy said:

Jzm have a very very good reputation; so there’s a high chance the car is top notch.
Personally I’m amazed that an 84 sc on teledial wheels makes 50 grand but it’s low mileage so that may be why and it looks mint.
I have daily driven my 88 turbo on and off for the last 10 years and it’s fine (I have a beater Saab for the winter months). Heavy clutch and steering and no air con or cup holders are more than compensated for by the sheer visceral noise, smell and feel of the car.

Lovely looking car.

It's an 84 3.2 Carrera (non-Sport), so no front or rear spoilers. The earlier 3.2's have the older dash, older tombstone seats and 915 gearbox.

Teledials are easily stored if you wanted to run Fuchs.

At £50k I'd want a later 87-89 G50 Coupe with Sports seats and spoilers.

[Gio G]

g7jhp said:

Lovely looking car.

It's an 84 3.2 Carrera (non-Sport), so no front or rear spoilers. The earlier 3.2's have the older dash, older tombstone seats and 915 gearbox.

Teledials are easily stored if you wanted to run Fuchs.

At £50k I'd want a later 87-89 G50 Coupe with Sports seats and spoilers.

I have to admit, I am not a fan of Teledials and prefer Fuchs. The car has had a car bare metal respray at the cost of £10k, hence why is looks so great in the pictures, but that sometimes can deflect away from other issues. Also it is a stock car, as the previous owner part exchanged this and another car for a GT3 I believe. It has been on the market for two months and they lowered the price by £5k. Now that the sun is out, I suspect it is attracting interest. With respect to getting a later car, agree but it is finding the right one..

G

[majordad]

Sounds like Hardtotake that to me !! Please don't reply with other guesses, my point is only to make a little play on words which may or may not be wrong.