911 3.2 (URGENT) question ref pssible purchase

[llanelli-rob]

Hi All

After selling my TVR Griffith I'm now in the market for a late 3.2 carrera.........

Researched various websites for buying tips etc and have looked at a few so far.........

My concern however is this..........

If a car has superb history detailed etc plus is in great condition with good readings on all dash guages should you walk away if its a circa 90,000 miler that has not had any top end work???

Supposed to be going to see one tomorrow with cash and its 5 hrs away by train so you see why I would appreciate very quick answers here....

Thanks all in advance
Rob

[Geneve]

There are a few nice, late, lowish mileage 3.2 Carreras in the latest Porsche Post classifieds.

People might say "buy on condition", but it's still mileage that seems to have the biggest influence on values.

[g7jhp]

I'm currently on my 3rd 911 and second 3.2 Carrera.

A 90k+ mile 3.2 could be an excellent buy as it'll have taken most of it's depreciation, it's just down to the condition and what has and hasn't been replaced/repaired.

Buy on condition first and foremost. My local independent gave me some good advice in that it's cheaper to sort out mechanics than it is bodywork. That said the £££'s soon add up if you have alot to do.

Firstly get it checked by a specialist. This will cost you circa £200 and should tell you what condition the cars in.

The main areas I'd check:

1) Bodywork - any sign of rust/damage
2) Oil pipes - always need replacing unless they've already been done
3) Shocks - As it'll be getting on for 17+ years these will need replacing if they haven't been done
4) Clutch
5) Gearbox
6) Exhaust & heat exchangers

Good luck

[llanelli-rob]

Geneve said:

There are a few nice, late, lowish mileage 3.2 Carreras in the latest Porsche Post classifieds.

People might say "buy on condition", but it's still mileage that seems to have the biggest influence on values.

Is this the PH Porsche sales you mean?

Or can you provide me with a link to view if another site?

Thanks so far chaps

[domster]

llanelli-rob said:

Geneve said:

There are a few nice, late, lowish mileage 3.2 Carreras in the latest Porsche Post classifieds.

People might say "buy on condition", but it's still mileage that seems to have the biggest influence on values.

Is this the PH Porsche sales you mean?

Or can you provide me with a link to view if another site?

Thanks so far chaps

No, Porsche Post is PCGB magazine. They have club member classifieds. Normally well maintained but members have kite flying as hobby so prices can be optimistic. Worth having a look and bargaining a good one down.

90k miles not necessarily anything to worry about; may last a lot longer before rebuild required. If it all checks out buy it and have poss big bill in the future as bargaining chip; I have known 3.2s to cost next to nothing to run - or a fair bit when heat exchangers have seized, clutches go, oil leaks, etc. Buy at sensible price and be realistic - it's an old car and something may need doing, so do lots of preventative maintenance and keep a few grand back for running it every year.

[Bobfrance]

llanelli-rob said:

...Supposed to be going to see one tomorrow with cash and its 5 hrs away by train...

All I'd say is make sure you don't put yourself under pressure to buy it.
If it's not quite as good as you hoped, the prospect of another 5 hours on the train and returning home empty handed, having wasted a day can easily temp a man to say b*gger it and buy it anyway and hope for the best.

I long journey when buying a car can do strange things to a man's mind.
I speak from experience.

[llanelli-rob]

Bobfrance said:

llanelli-rob said:

...Supposed to be going to see one tomorrow with cash and its 5 hrs away by train...

All I'd say is make sure you don't put yourself under pressure to buy it.
If it's not quite as good as you hoped, the prospect of another 5 hours on the train and returning home empty handed, having wasted a day can easily temp a man to say b*gger it and buy it anyway and hope for the best.

I long journey when buying a car can do strange things to a man's mind.
I speak from experience.

My thoughts exactly.......its gonna be bloody tempting even it is a tad ropey!

[Yex]

llanelli-rob said:

Bobfrance said:

llanelli-rob said:

...Supposed to be going to see one tomorrow with cash and its 5 hrs away by train...

All I'd say is make sure you don't put yourself under pressure to buy it.
If it's not quite as good as you hoped, the prospect of another 5 hours on the train and returning home empty handed, having wasted a day can easily temp a man to say b*gger it and buy it anyway and hope for the best.

I long journey when buying a car can do strange things to a man's mind.
I speak from experience.

My thoughts exactly.......its gonna be bloody tempting even it is a tad ropey!

Couldn't you take £500 as a deposit subject to an independent inspection. Then negotiate a price after inspection or walk away (with refunded deposit) if it came up with too much work to do. If the current owner isn't happy for an inspection you should walk away anyway. If they are happy and you are prepared to take the cash to buy it with you tomorrow perhaps you can work something out that prevents both of you being disappointed.

Only my 2p worth but I would try to protect my hard earned if I was buying a used car.

Yex

Edited by Yex on Tuesday 27th June 16:18

[Fugatso]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/70909.htm

Excellent Mechanically, few cosmetics required, priced to sell.

Agree with other comments on tips of what to look for etc.. Take your time and be prepared to walk away. There are a lot about and personally I saw several before buying this one and was as picky as my budget would allow

[ettore]

If the car has been well maintained there is nor reason to worry at 90K. If it has been properly maintained it will have new shocks, clutch etc etc and should have had a relatively recent leakage test which should give you some comfort (or not)

[scruffy101]

If you love the car put a small deposit down(£50-100) then get it inspected .DO NOT BUY a 911 without getting it inspected, especially when faced with a crappy train ride home.I did this and so have other people on this site,it cost me the best part of £10,000 to get out of the mess i bought myself into.Like the previous guy said join the porsche club or i will send you my membership no and you can access the site.PCGB members can be obsessive and think their cars are worth a fortune so there is room to bargain .Do not rush into it though or like me you could be stuck on top of the cat and fiddle with a broken,blown up engine 15 minutes after i paid £10,800 for it at the H and H auctions in Buxton,what a day out that was!!!

[Joe911]

llanelli-rob said:

After selling my TVR Griffith I'm now in the market for a late 3.2 carrera.........

Hey - I did exactly that move - I actually had the Griff and the 3.2 at the same time for a couple of months. Was very happy to move from TVR to Porsche - never looked back. Best of luck to you.

[ICSD]

90k is not a problem. I recently had this discussion with someone else looking at 3.2s. It seems ridiculous to me that buyers expect this work to have been done irrespective of whether or not it's required which will come down to how it's been maintained and driven. There are plenty of 3.2s out there that have considerably higher mileage and have had no top end work done.

Get a good buyers guide and concentrate on the quality of the car as a whole and it's originality. If you then get it inspected and find that it's low on compression then negotiate the price but don't dismiss good cars on the basis of what's not been done mechanically when there's a good chance that it may not need doing yet.

I am currently selling a nice black coupe if you're interested.

[llanelli-rob]

ICSD said:

90k is not a problem. I recently had this discussion with someone else looking at 3.2s. It seems ridiculous to me that buyers expect this work to have been done irrespective of whether or not it's required which will come down to how it's been maintained and driven. There are plenty of 3.2s out there that have considerably higher mileage and have had no top end work done.

Get a good buyers guide and concentrate on the quality of the car as a whole and it's originality. If you then get it inspected and find that it's low on compression then negotiate the price but don't dismiss good cars on the basis of what's not been done mechanically when there's a good chance that it may not need doing yet.

I am currently selling a nice black coupe if you're interested.

Thanks all great info there!

Iain cheers mate but based on your valuation figure as per your profile its over my budget sorry.

Rob

[ICSD]

said:

llanelli-rob

Thanks all great info there!

Iain cheers mate but based on your valuation figure as per your profile its over my budget sorry.

Rob

Try me, it's been up for a while. E-mail me privately if you wish.

Edited by ICSD on Wednesday 28th June 15:55

[llanelli-rob]

ICSD said:

said:

llanelli-rob

Thanks all great info there!

Iain cheers mate but based on your valuation figure as per your profile its over my budget sorry.

Rob

Try me, it's been up for a while. E-mail me privately if you wish.

Edited by ICSD on Wednesday 28th June 15:55

Iain,its a nice car mate that you have and I seriousley would not like to insult you with an offer based on my budget......

I do however have cash and want to agree a deal and collect a car this week! (if its a goodun!)

feel free to email me with your very best shot what i mean by that is lets not haggle done enough of that this past fortnight.

[e-mail]

thanks