78-83 911sc - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

thstone · 10-17-2014, 01:41 PM

Once again, I am turning to my brothers and sisters on the 986Forum for advice on buying another Porsche - this time I am considering a 78-83 911 SC. I plan to use the car mostly on the weekends and no track duty.

I have been wanting to own an air cooled 911 for quite some time and now might be a good time to make it happen.

I am going to test drive and inspect the '78 Targa below tomorrow. Seller is asking well under $20K with 155K miles.

Your thoughts? All feedback welcome!

coreseller · 10-17-2014, 02:13 PM

Being an air cooled convert my opinion is totally biased, having said that I know there are a few common areas of concern for the original 911's; head studs, hydraulic chain tensioners, valve guides, etc. If it were me, a PPI with a leakdown test after much research into the series' general strong points and common maladies;

The Pre-Purchase Inspection by Peter Zimmermann - Rennlist Discussion Forums

911 Forum - Rennlist Discussion Forums

coreseller · 10-17-2014, 02:29 PM

WARNING!!!!! I had forgotten that in the second video I linked above that there was something mentioned around the 30:20 mark that could be construed as derogatory to the Boxster. If that sort of thing gets you all worked up and offended please jump from there to the 31 minute mark and save the pantie wadding for something worthy......

TeamOxford · 10-17-2014, 02:44 PM

Well, that was eye-opening.

In the "Here's Why You Must Buy A Porsche 911 Today" video, check out what these two 911 experts have to say about the Boxster. Fast forward to the 29:57 to 30:30 minute mark.

TO

p.s Just saw coresellers last post. No pandie wadding here, just an eye-opening, as mentioned before.

FormulaReed · 10-17-2014, 02:44 PM

Head studs are the big weak point on this car, but your PPI should catch that.

Another thing is, Targa tops can be really bad leakers. Mine was really bad and the seals and rebuilding the top is really expensive. Even after all that it would still leak a little until I got a saratoga top for it.

Other than that, they are great cars. Replace the stock exhaust with some pre 74 heat exchanges and a free flowing muffler and the car will really come alive. The CIS fuel injection does not have the best throttle response, but replacing the exhaust system really helped mine.

Super fun cars, I sometimes regret selling mine.

BIGJake111 · 10-17-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Well, that was eye-opening.

In the "Here's Why You Must Buy A Porsche 911 Today" video, check out what these two 911 experts have to say about the Boxster. Fast forward to the 29:57 to 30:30 minute mark.

TO

p.s Just saw coresellers last post. No pandie wadding here, just an eye-opening, as mentioned before.

If I remember correctly, the instigator of this drives a late model mr2.... Hrmmmmmm

As for op, looks like a great car, I've always loved targas! Hope you snag a good one.

Porsche9 · 10-17-2014, 02:58 PM

Don't forget about installing a pop-off valve on the airbox. The 3.0L is well known for back firing and blowing the expensive airbox. If the one you are looking at has it already you are set otherwise its a fairly cheap and easy mod.

These are old cars and you can expect little things to come up. Mine got me stuck a couple times in the first few months until I got throught the age related crap.

The exhaust recommendation is a really good one. It really changes to character of the car.

coreseller · 10-17-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Well, that was eye-opening.

In the "Here's Why You Must Buy A Porsche 911 Today" video, check out what these two 911 experts have to say about the Boxster. Fast forward to the 29:57 to 30:30 minute mark.

TO

p.s Just saw coresellers last post. No pandie wadding here, just an eye-opening, as mentioned before.

You have to keep in mind, these guys are co-owners of Classic Car Club Manhattan (Classic Car Club Manhattan) where members spend stupid money to drive cool exotics, like it or not the Boxster isn't quite in that category.

cas951 · 10-17-2014, 03:03 PM

I've considered one of these too. The last time looked prices were way high for these for a decent shape car. If asking price is under 20k buy it and run. Just make sure engine and body is decent. I've seen 30-50k for these cars lately and I've followed 911SC's for awhile. Buy it...

JayG · 10-17-2014, 04:24 PM

I don't know much about the older cars, but is one fine looking 911

Deserion · 10-17-2014, 05:33 PM

Have you checked out 964s?

itsnotanova · 10-17-2014, 06:16 PM

Buy it before the price doubles in 6 months! Everything air cooled is going for crazy prices.

cas951 · 10-17-2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

Buy it before the price doubles in 6 months! Everything air cooled is going for crazy prices.

Prices have more than doubled here in the Bay Area.

Deserion · 10-17-2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas951

Prices have more than doubled here in the Bay Area.

What's crazy is that my dad bought his '91 964 Targa (C2) w/ 145k miles in mid-2011 for about $17k, and that's after the previous owner sunk $13k into it in the three years before he sold it.

Also included an engine re-seal as well.

I know some dislike the old targas, but I think they're fantastic. He does need to have the roof on his rebuilt, however (to eliminate wind and water leaks).

BIGJake111 · 10-17-2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Well, that was eye-opening.

In the "Here's Why You Must Buy A Porsche 911 Today" video, check out what these two 911 experts have to say about the Boxster. Fast forward to the 29:57 to 30:30 minute mark.

TO

p.s Just saw coresellers last post. No pandie wadding here, just an eye-opening, as mentioned before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06piJBFmFoY

Despite an ims crack, they are hard core loving on the cayman S in this video, i guess the cayman>boxster strategy works on even the most well versed enthusiast.:ah:

thstone · 10-17-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deserion

Have you checked out 964s?

Yes, I have looked at and driven some 964's. Great car, but almost too modern for me (coil suspension, ABS, power steering, rising rear spoiler, etc). Looking for something more raw and basic.

thstone · 10-17-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas951

If asking price is under 20k buy it and run. Just make sure engine and body is decent. I've seen 30-50k for these cars lately and I've followed 911SC's for awhile. Buy it...

+1 This is same advice that I received from a friend who owns at least 12 air cooled Porsches. He thought the price might be too good to be true.

Coreseller, thanks for the videos!

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

coreseller · 10-18-2014, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thstone

+1 This is same advice that I received from a friend who owns at least 12 air cooled Porsches. He thought the price might be too good to be true.

Coreseller, thanks for the videos!

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

No problem Tom, Good Luck......

The attention that the air cooled 911's have received over the past couple of years (Magnus Walker, Singer, Rauh Welt Begriff, Drive Channel, etc.) has definitely affected values. Many articles and blogs espousing the Zen-like attributes of whichever pre-996 series can seem to be a bit much and make many eyes roll (mine too), BUT, they are a completely different animal to drive and there's a reason for the aforementioned hype.

keysguy · 10-18-2014, 05:35 AM

I would love to have mine back. The targa top is a leaker, not as comfortable to drive as the newer cars but a big head turner.

thstone · 10-18-2014, 03:03 PM

Hey guys, I drove the SC this morning and the car is in very good shape. The worst that I could find was some minor rust around the left rear window sill and a few spots on the edge of the passenger door. Other needs are the seats need re-leather (hence the seat covers) and there are a few oil drips underneath (but then what old 911 doesn't leak a little?).

Otherwise, very good. Paint is very good, tires new, brakes/rotors new, engine all original. Except for the seats, the interior is in very good shape. Targa doesn't leak. Everything is stock except the aftermarket steering wheel which the original owner had installed around 1979.

It rode and drove perfectly. Engine pulled strongly and the trans shifted smoothly. Clutch felt fine. No rattles. I had a blast on just the test drive.

Current owner bought it in 1980 and has owned it ever since. Seller said three times that the price was negotiable. PPI scheduled for Monday morning. If everything checks out ok, it will probably be in my driveway on Monday evening.

Here are a pair of pic's from this morning;