hello everyone. I'm new to porsche and am looking at 911's. I've been strictly chevrolet all my life, and know the good years from the bad years, what details to look for when buying used, etc. So heres your chance to mold a fresh , new enthusiast. I'm interested in power and handling but would prefer an older model. What are the good years to look at, or is there much difference? When looking at used models, what are the important things to look for as far as mechanical details? What, if any, are continuing problems that I may encounter? When I say older models, I'm talking late 60's, 70's, maybe early 80's. Any help that will keep me from making a stupid first purchase would be deeply appreciated. Thanks

 

Hello geebee400 and welcome to the forum.

Well, there's a lot of info to cover when you're talking early pre-impact bumper 911s, but here's some things you should look for in an early 911 (1963-1973). RUST! Yes, early 911s can rust quite badly, check for rust around the headlamp bowls, fuel filler flap, (if it's left to long you'll have to replace the wing/fender) rust beneath the rear window trim, (on Targas) B pillar rust, (look for bubbling near the door lock) the sills, (look for bubbling behind side trim) and the bottom of the doors.

ACCIDENT DAMAGE! Look along the tops of the rear wings/fenders, accident damage will show up easily, doors should open and close easily (sticking or sagging could point to earlier accident damage) and look closely at the gap between the bonnet/hood and the wings/fenders. It should be consistent along it's length (if not it's a sure sign of earlier accident damage).

FACTORY OPTIONS! Factory options such as rear screen wiper Fuchs wheels and rare exhaust trim will add to the value of any older 911.

Do your homework, don't buy the first one you see (take a friend with you to stop you getting carried away) and when you think you've found the right one get a Porsche specialist to inspect it before buying!

Happy hunting and when you get your 911 come back and post some pic's in the gallery!!

[sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Welcome. Price has a lot to do with what you should look for. I would recommend just looking around and paying attention to this forums for a while to pick up cues. You might think of joining the PCA (Porsche Club of American, too). Their monthly magazine (Panorama) has gobs of articles on ownership experience, and more Porsche ads than I have seen anywhere else - enough that you can get a good statistcal feel for what's hot and what isn't and what prices are for different models.

 

You can't join the Porsche Club (PCA) unless you own a Porsche.

 

Maybe you should not, but I did - told them I owned one (got a VIN# off a car on the dealer's lot - not the one I bought eventually, but . . .)