buying advice for 1988 carrera
 

looking to buy a 1988 911 carrera (my first porsche!!!) what tests can i have performed on engine to help from getting hosed on my first porsche????

PorscheDoc will probably know a few things specific to that model. However, I'd recommend have it thoroughly gone over by a pro. Then, in spite of that, I would assume about $5000 in expenses to put it/keep it in the shape you want. Any 1988 car is an old car -- over two decades of running around or just sitting with rubber and grease hardening, etc. -- and a lot of minor stuff (and some major) is just old. Unless the car has been restored or completely renewed, even if things are in good condition, there tend to be seals and parts, etc., that are old and fail, almost routinely, and stuff that runs today but wears out tomorrow.

At least with this model, it is only 20 years old and potentially still a daily driver if in good shape, and you can dependably get parts for it so you can keep it in good shape. Imagine the poor bloke who has fallen in love with a Daimler SP250 (called Dart in the UK, a 2.5 liter V8 roadster made in England in the early 60s, who main claim to fame besides its V8 was that it was just butt ugly): that's nearly a hopeless case, but I know people who have that particular addiction.

Definitely get a PPI done by someone who knows the cars very well and have them do a leakdown and compression test. The mid 80's carrera's had some valve guide issues that will show up in a leakdown test. Other than that, the cars are pretty bulletproof. The PPI should be a top to bottom inspection with a written report and pictures of any problem areas.

thanks for the advice, somtimes my heart thinks louder than my head!!!

I agree it happens a lot