Which Would You Buy???
 

I've been shopping for another 3.2L 911. Until now, I've only looked at ones with spoilers because I definately prefer them. Now that I've found one in the area to look at, I've found yet another with 18K fewer miles...

Both cars are comparable in most aspects except the following:

The car in Baltimore has 82K miles, front and rear factory spoilers and Euro lighting, which is something I'd planned to do eventually. The synchros have been replaced but it's the original clutch.

The other car has 54K miles and is completely stock. Even the steering wheel is stock. Not even a 930 steering wheel. Not that I'd want the 930 wheel anyway, I'll be putting in a Momo... I don't get the impression that the goal of the previous owners was to maintain the car as strictly stock. The dealer didn't make any mention of it; it's just that every time I asked if something was upgraded, it hadn't been. (That's not necessarily a bad thing because that's one of the things I love best about owning these cars -- all the various little projects that really is one big ongoing project.) It's the original clutch, transmission, alternator....

I'll certainly have a PPI done, including a compression/leakdown test. But say the PPI turns out comparable. What if the compression/leakdown test results are basically the same. Considering I'd have to spend (very roughly) about $2,500 - $3,500 to equip the one with 54K miles like the Baltimore car do you think that 18K miles is worth the $3K I'm saving? Or would it be better to get the one with the lower miles and spend the money???


--- Yeah, I know, it's how a car has been taken car of (or abused!) that really is the determining factor... and the compression/leakdown will help give more info about how much wear there is on the engine, but if you were really pressed, what is the effect of 18K miles? Does 18K miles really matter in the long run? Is something like 40K miles more relevent?

Well, considering both are a bit long in the tooth, 18,000 miles is not that much. I have an '87 Targa that I bought new and it has 160,000 on it. While I have spent a fair amount over the past five years (rebuilt transmission, calipers, rotors, among other things), I have never had to do anything major to the engine. I DE my car about 20 days a year (last three years) and I figure it is just now getting broken in.

I personally would go with the car that is set up as you would like it.......an engine can crap out at 75,000, 125,000, or maybe in my case, 200,000. These things are built for mileage.

Its just one data point, but I bought my 85 Carrera with 134K miles. I rebuilt the engine a year later, not because it had ANY problems, but because I wanted it fully refreshed and ready for lots of track time. The engine had never been touched, and it was close to prefect. Lots of carbon, but the pistons and cylinders were well within spec. The 3.2 engine is a rock!

OK, lets try this:
Assuming everything else is equal, should you buy the car A with 18K more miles and lots of upgrades that you want, or the bone stock car B and add the mods yourself?

Both cars are babies. Less than 100K on a 3.2 is low mileage. Are both cars pre-1987? If either is 1987+, then that's the car to buy, period! The G50 gearbox is worth more than anything else you are considering.

Take the value of everything on A
- rear spoiler with paint, maybe $1000
- front spoiler, around $350
- Trans refresh around $1200 [really strange that the clutch was not done at the same time. Make sure you see receipts to prove that the synchros and shift rings were done.
- Euro lights, around $450

Around $3,000. You should be buying this at 50c on the dollar, tops. So the difference in the cars is actually more like $1500. Unless you have a clear personal preference [color, wheels or something similar] then the cars are very close.

My take is go have BOTH cars PPI'd by a reputable shop that knows these cars, and buy the car that the shop recommends. Its more than the raw number of miles, its also ho the car has been treated and maintained. You might find that the 84K car is a cream puff, and the 54K car has been a little neglected. It happens. Invest a couple hundred in PPIs, and take the advice you've paid for.

The only thing that matters is what's important to you. If you want a car that is set up a certain way then buy it, if it's a particular color go for that one, it all depends on your priorities. For me it was 50k or less, decent history, and have a G-50. It took almost a year but I found one that I liked enough to buy. What I did not limit myself to was location of the car. I talked with guys from all over the states looking for my car. Good luck, both cars I'm sure will do you well.

P.S. you may want to put your name in and give us a small introduction, Jase can be a little straight forward with new members of the group that don't give up a name.
(I never could figure out the aninimoty thing on this message board, maybe guys get beat up too much from the Pelican bunch)

Do you plan on eventually tracking the car? If so, you may find the added weight of the tail 'outweighs' the aero benefits, thus making the 'stock' car a little more attractive.

Your posting indicates a dealer is telling if things are stock. I would have doubts about most dealer's familiarity with 'older' 911s. See if you can get someone from the BB who lives near you (you don't list where in MD you are from) to check out the cars with you.

All else equal, I don't think mileage is a major concern as time will start to take over and things will break accordingly.

I purchased my 89 with 80K miles on it (it has 87K now two years later) and it is basically a new car. It is completely untouched (with the exception of the few things I have done to it). Everything works, no issues (no jinxing).

Just get the best car in the best shpe that has what you want on it.

DD I would beg to differ. Since I just finished the aero stuff on Lanna I will say I will never again own a bobed-tailed 911. This thing is night and day. Now it is a speeding ticket on the way to happen without realising it. I LOVE IT!

I think the duck tail is much more beneficial -- and lighter -- then a Carrera tail...

It's lighter, but less effective in reducing lift.

Plus, the Carrera tail can serve as a table for several dozen beers.

You should buy Mackpipes's car.

Best of all the issues you're talking about.

NOT stock, incredibly maintained/updated/refreshed - AWESOME track set up - great daily driver as well.

If things were slightly different in my present situation - you'd have to kill me for it.

my .02

michael