Tried a 1985 911 Carrera today - looking for guidance
Discussion
Its been a long time since I drove a 911, (about 20 years), they were late 70's models and didn't float my boat back then.
I had a drive in a 1986 carrera 3.2 targa this afternoon.
It has 125k miles or thereabouts and a huge service record loads of receipts etc, body not concours but damn good or so it seems, couple of advisories about rust on sub frames,(couldn't get underneath today but can get it up on a ramp) interior has a 125k miles patina (bit worn). Brakes decent, steering ok. seemed like a lot of scuttle shake (targa problem?) but my main concern was that the clutch seemed very heavy and the gearchange could only be described as clunky. Are they all like that? Car reg was C"""RRR if anyone knows it.
I had a drive in a 1986 carrera 3.2 targa this afternoon.
It has 125k miles or thereabouts and a huge service record loads of receipts etc, body not concours but damn good or so it seems, couple of advisories about rust on sub frames,(couldn't get underneath today but can get it up on a ramp) interior has a 125k miles patina (bit worn). Brakes decent, steering ok. seemed like a lot of scuttle shake (targa problem?) but my main concern was that the clutch seemed very heavy and the gearchange could only be described as clunky. Are they all like that? Car reg was C"""RRR if anyone knows it.
MOT advisory of rust would have me running, unless it was cheap so that it was worth fixing.
I don't think any two of these cars drive the same and one mans clunky is another's ok. The 915 is cheaper to fix than the G50 but is still an investment.
At the end of the day these cars are 27 years old and the galvanising wasn't that good. The majority are going to need work at some point so not everyone can buy a perfect one. It all comes down to price and what you're prepared to spend.
Unless you really want to build something yourself
, this sounds like a walker
I don't think any two of these cars drive the same and one mans clunky is another's ok. The 915 is cheaper to fix than the G50 but is still an investment.
At the end of the day these cars are 27 years old and the galvanising wasn't that good. The majority are going to need work at some point so not everyone can buy a perfect one. It all comes down to price and what you're prepared to spend.
Unless you really want to build something yourself
, this sounds like a walker
From your description it sounds like a dog. These cars did not suffer from scuttle shake. The cabs and targas had additional stiffening on either side of the footwells ro prevent this. This stiffening was carried forward into the 964 model. Same floor pan then shared by the coupes, targa and cabs.
Thanks folks
Re the advisories, I have seen these before and they can just mean there is surface rust or some minor problem that the inspector wants to raise to "justify" his check, I had a car with advisories for years that didn't warrant any work. Some years they weren't recorded.
The bodywork (I'm 60 and been into cars since the age of 17), was solid in all the usual places, there was a bit of surface rust on the floor at the bottom of the B pillars, which could have been targa leak or "forgot to put the roof up", I would definitely get it up on a ramp to give it a thorough going over before proceeding. The sound deadening was missing from under the rear carpet on one side. Removed due to damp/deterioration?
Have to say that in all my years of convertibles (Caterham, Lotus, MG Midget & B, Stag, TR, TVR) I have not experienced scuttle shake like this before (country road at 50mph) but this is possibly typical of a fixed head car design having its roof removed?
It was the very heavy (alright I have a bit of a sore ankle at the minute) clutch and the gearchange which didn't flow like a front engine/gearbox layout, (thereby probably lies my problem). Had a Lotus Excel recently with a superb box.
Thanks for all your replies, trying to have a look at a 968 Cab this weekend but the seller seems to be away. Newer, cheaper, maybe more my type of car.
Re the advisories, I have seen these before and they can just mean there is surface rust or some minor problem that the inspector wants to raise to "justify" his check, I had a car with advisories for years that didn't warrant any work. Some years they weren't recorded.
The bodywork (I'm 60 and been into cars since the age of 17), was solid in all the usual places, there was a bit of surface rust on the floor at the bottom of the B pillars, which could have been targa leak or "forgot to put the roof up", I would definitely get it up on a ramp to give it a thorough going over before proceeding. The sound deadening was missing from under the rear carpet on one side. Removed due to damp/deterioration?
Have to say that in all my years of convertibles (Caterham, Lotus, MG Midget & B, Stag, TR, TVR) I have not experienced scuttle shake like this before (country road at 50mph) but this is possibly typical of a fixed head car design having its roof removed?
It was the very heavy (alright I have a bit of a sore ankle at the minute) clutch and the gearchange which didn't flow like a front engine/gearbox layout, (thereby probably lies my problem). Had a Lotus Excel recently with a superb box.
Thanks for all your replies, trying to have a look at a 968 Cab this weekend but the seller seems to be away. Newer, cheaper, maybe more my type of car.
These cars rot from the inside out and once the expensive bits rot, expensive to replace not buy, the flex like buggery.
I talk from personal experience and have had a full body restoration to fix it, although I did drive it for 7 years before it needed doing. But it will only go in one direction.
I talk from personal experience and have had a full body restoration to fix it, although I did drive it for 7 years before it needed doing. But it will only go in one direction.
I'm getting the impression that you'd hoped by starting this thread the replies would have been 'they all have scuttle and shake like that, nothing to worry about'. Instead, the replies are very much along the lines of 'walk away'. Sometimes when we have our heart set on something we try to convince ourselves that it will be alright despite what people are telling this. In this case I would listen to the majority and look for another one.
graemel said:
These cars did not suffer from scuttle shake. The cabs and targas had additional stiffening on either side of the footwells ro prevent this. This stiffening was carried forward into the 964 model. Same floor pan then shared by the coupes, targa and cabs.
I often felt scuttle shake on my previous 964 Targa. It was reduced when the roof was fitted.graemel said:
From your description it sounds like a dog. These cars did not suffer from scuttle shake. The cabs and targas had additional stiffening on either side of the footwells ro prevent this. This stiffening was carried forward into the 964 model. Same floor pan then shared by the coupes, targa and cabs.
10 years ago a chap I know had a 3.2 cab. The scuttle shake was horrendous.The car was spotless and totally rust free.
I has a 3.2 carrera tin top, so no scuttle shake that I remember, heavy clutch and agricultural gearbox, yep, definitely.
I would go look at a couple of others so you have a basis of comparison and then if you still like it, go back for a second viewing.
You could always get it independantly inspected?
I would go look at a couple of others so you have a basis of comparison and then if you still like it, go back for a second viewing.
You could always get it independantly inspected?
I have an 88 targa with 65K miles on solid original bodywork, 16" wheels and sport shocks. There is some scuttle shake but not enough to be particularly noticeable, much less objectionable. There's obviously a subjective element to what you're describing so see if you can driver another car that's known to be a good one.
Skyedriver said:
Don't believe this car is anything as bad, the rusty bits inside/on the floor, were surface rust more akin to having damp carpets.
In all honesty the body looked very good for a 27 year old car. Would need to get underneath to confirm that though
Is this the red one in Darlington? I was going have a look at that. At 12k it sounds expensive. I spoke to the seller and he advised it had had a repaint. He mentioned overspray a few times. Repaints can hide all manner of sins.In all honesty the body looked very good for a 27 year old car. Would need to get underneath to confirm that though
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