help me evaluate this car, please - Dorkiphus.net
Navigation » Dorkiphus.net > Miscellaneous Discussions > Miscellaneous Discussions » help me evaluate this car, please

Miscellaneous Discussions Off Topic (OT) items that really don't fit into any other Category

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-25-2005, 08:23 AM
Kgear Kgear is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 22
Kgear
Default help me evaluate this car, please

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4551698600

I know this is tough but please take a look at this car for sale on ebay. I am considering making a bid but would appreciate the critical eyes of the group. Do you see any red flags from the pictures? How reliable was this year?

The car is in the Richmond Area, does anyone here have personal knowledge of it?

I appreicate your help
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-25-2005, 08:57 AM
87turbolook911's Avatar
87turbolook911 87turbolook911 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Clarksville, MD
Posts: 2,704
87turbolook911
Default

Car looks clean to me, but seeing those crossovers just laying int the trunk makes me wonder "If they didn't take the time to do that properly, then where else did they cut corners"

I would try to see the car in person to make sure the body work fits well and that it's not hiding any issues that lays beneath the skin.

And of course gotta PPI.

Good luck!
__________________
Vu
It's not just the cars...It's the people!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-25-2005, 09:42 AM
Lucky's Avatar
Lucky Lucky is offline
nothing here, move along
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Fairfax County, VA
Posts: 1,666
Lucky has three HoF threadsLucky has three HoF threadsLucky has three HoF threads
Default

While the car looks very nice... I highly recommend a PPI to ensure everything is in order (especially that there are no broken head studs). What starts as a good buy could quickly surprise you with a $2500 to $3000 repair bill. The peace of mind is worth the $200 or so it will cost.

Unfortunately, even a clean PPI won't guarantee that a head stud or two won't break in 2 months. It is widely suggested that you hold $3000 in reserve for "surprise" repairs and upgrades over the next year or two. So if your budget is $15k, try and buy a car for $12k.

Any upstanding seller will happily allow a PPI as a condition of purchase. If this seller refuses, consider that a RED FLAG.

Good luck.
__________________
-- John

Slowly shopping for a 991 or 981...
'20 RAM 1500 Laramie
'19 X3
'16 Camaro RS
'00 Boxster S
'86 Carrera Coupe
'85 Jaguar XJS v12
'88 Integra RS
'74 Toyota Celica GT
'69 Camaro
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-25-2005, 09:46 AM
cmartin's Avatar
cmartin cmartin is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Pasadena, MD
Posts: 7,648
cmartin
Default

The cars looks nice. I would be a little concerned about the update, although it does look nice. Was the car wrecked and then updated, or just updated due to the all too common LeSchanderitous?
__________________
78 SC, the 'Red Car'
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-25-2005, 11:30 AM
sccaracer
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

How realistic is 76K miles on a 26 year old car? I'd do a CarFax search. But is sure looks shweeet!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-25-2005, 12:23 PM
racer's Avatar
racer racer is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: South Riding, Va
Posts: 7,237
racer
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sccaracer
How realistic is 76K miles on a 26 year old car? I'd do a CarFax search. But is sure looks shweeet!
My 1978 SC has 75,625 miles on it...

Not sure what to think. Sure someone spent some time and money to "update" it, but why? For the amount put into the car they could have found a 1990 C2 Targa and had a bigger motor and brakes.

The rear "spoiler" looks fake, in that it doesn't open like a real 964. Front bumper cap / rubber / trunk fitment looked poor in the first pic.

A dime size leak when driven? Drive it everyday and it sounds like a pretty bad leak.
__________________
Dave
- 1970 914-6
Past
- 2000 Boxster
- 1987 944
- 1987 924S
- 1978 911 Euro SC
- 1976 914 2.0
- 1970 914 1.7 / 2056cc
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-25-2005, 01:26 PM
Jazzbass's Avatar
Jazzbass Jazzbass is offline
Site Admin
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Germantown, MD
Posts: 11,820
Jazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threads
Default

My personal $0.02:

I wouldn't buy this car on eBay. The fact that body kits on cars aren't my thing not withstanding, I'd only buy something with this much work done on it from someone I knew personally and could get some gauge on the quality of work.

Also, if you've owned a 911 or two in the past, it might not be a bad thing as you know what to expect and what to look for. If this is your first, then you have a tendency to get sucked into the dream - the prettiness, if you will - and look past the fact that its eaten up with rust, has a bent tub, or needs a top end rebuild.
__________________
Chris M
1985 911 Carrera with a couple cosmetic only mods
2006 E90 330i
1999 E46 328i
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-26-2005, 08:41 AM
Kgear Kgear is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 22
Kgear
Default Thanks

I appreciate the input, as a mercedes-benz guy I'm not as informed as I need to be about 911's so I appreciate all of the help and advice.

BTW, I've decided to pass on this car
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump