OT. thinking about getting a 911, What can you tell me, I don't know squat about a 911 Options

[john grier]

As the title says, I am thinking of going to the dark side.
This would be my first 911
Car is local and seems a good price.
911 is a 1980 sc
Please what can you tell me about it and what to look for?
John

[Nick]

I have an '81 SC as a DD. Currently it has ~140,000 miles on it . I bought it with 108,000, Here is my history:


Purchase $11,500 in 2000

Rebuilt tranny @ 118,000 miles. Sent it to Garry Fairbanks and he said he had never seen anything like it. 2nd gear had just come apart and destroyed other parts of the tranny. ~1800 for the rebuild. Did a clutch while the tranny was out.

135,000 miles Shocks tie rods wheel bearings. All looked original to me. No wrench marks on any of the fastners. New elephant lines to front cooler and new cooler. Replace WUR in CIS. All in ~1500 in parts plus my labor.

136,000 replace original spark wires ~$200

Thats about it for major repairs. It burns about a quart per 750 miles so the top end will need doing at some point. I figure 5K by the time the while your in there is done plus upgrading to 964 cams etc. The two annoying things about using it as a DD is weak AC and leaky sunroof. Keep the drains clear and all is well with the sun roof. Every July Auguist here in DC I start thinking about a major AC up grade.

As for cost I think its cheaper to run than a regular car. Say all in I have 20K in the car. If I had bought a civic for 20 K it would be worth 5K now. I bet I could find a buyer for the SC ~10K, so I look at it as I'm ahead. PLus I would rather drive it than a civic. So far it has never stranded me. Starts every time from the hotest day to the coldest and in the winter the instant heat is great.

Nick