withers Posted 9September, 2012 Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 So I went and looked at the 964 Cab at the Healey Factory yesterday. It seems like a very nice original 964, that has had several very careful previous owners. The car is straight. Paint is in original condition, has a few light marks on it.. a few stone chips, just nice honest original paint work. Interior has been very well looked after, glove box and side pockets all looked unused. Has a newish canvas top that was fitted about 5 years ago. A book full of receipts and full service history (bah maybe one year that I noticed late 1990s but to be expected on 20yr old car I think) Some of the previous service bills were around the $5000 mark.. lots of components changed out. So on the surface it seems like a nice honest car. Russell from HF took me for a nice long drive in it. He drove it first, so was nice to be a passenger and get a feel for how it rides. I then drove it and found it a very easy car to drive. Clutch and shifting were nice and smooth, no notchiness. Getting it into 2nd gear required a bit more effort but apparently that is normal (I'm used to the GTI don't forget and this is the 3rd P I've driven, 2nd 911 other a 986 S) I can get a good comfortable driving position without needing to modify anything. Car sounded great.. but I'm not a mechanic (obviously). Roof worked.. all elecs worked but I did forget to test out the rear spoiler.. which is interesting given that is something i think is really cool! Its one of just 28 Cabriolet 964s delivered to Aus (Russell said that) and the very last one delivered prior to the 993 release. So makes it a rare car. I must say tho, I woke up this morning seeing all the receipts $ for the work performed on the car over the years and that's freaked me out a bit today. I need to come to terms with that. I think the best thing for me to maybe do is speak to the car's previous mechanic and ask him about the car. The things replaced, were they absolutely necessary or things that I could do over time if $ were an issue?? Obviously I have to make this decision as to whether this is for me or not. I don't feel like I'm just making a decision to buy a Porsche, I'm making a significant decision to spend more money than the simple purchase of the car! Russell and I also talked about Boxsters and the IMS failure. As he said to me that is a real potential issue. But he also said his mechanic Phil Hearne (sp? he's in Eltham I believe) I think he said, can actually rebuild these 986 engines.. and doesn't just throw them in the bin, stating you must exchange the engine out. Russell and another gent at HF use Phil to service their Porsches and have known him many years. He sounds like a decent mechanic. Overall I have to say I was very impressed with HF. They weren't all about signing me up on the spot, understood I was making a huge decision and were really helpful. Ok enough of my rambles. Feel free to throw your 2 bobs worth in ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM911T Posted 9September, 2012 Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Hi Amanda, I wouldn't be freaked out by lots of receipts, I'd be grateful the car has been substantially maintained. Don't know who did the work but Phil Hearne is well known and respected as an early Porsche specialist and restorer. His workshop is in Eltham and is full of Carrera RS models at the moment. TYP901 Register guys in Melbourne hold him in high regard, so if you're serious, he's a busy guy, give him a call. If he has maintained the 964 it should be in good nick. Can't say a cab is my favoured model though. Cheers Paul M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 9September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Thanks Paul, it wasn't the amount of receipts. It was the cost of maintenance that I saw on them. Hope that makes sense. I'm thrilled to see the car has been looked after. I'm just scared of a $5000 service bill next year! As for it being a Cab. I can't afford a manual Coupe! At the end of the day I'm on a budget. You might all see me In a Boxster yet if you do tho, it will be because I've done my homework and made the best possible decision to suit my situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM911T Posted 9September, 2012 Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Hm, my rebuild and maintenance costs have averaged out at about $1000 per year, mainly gradual improvements on a 42 year old car to keep it in "best" condition. Provided you get a good mechanical and body condition car, much of the maintenance could be carried out by any competent mechanic (talking about the older cars, later ones will need Porsche specialists and there are good factory and independent workshops). I wouldn't write off a Boxster as they are becoming rather cheap and are rated as easy to drive and good handlers. Classic Porsches will continue to rise in cost in my opinion because they are becoming fewer, in comparison to 996s etc, they will go the way of the 356. I guess the question for you is "Is this car better than Golfie??" because they are a great little package. Cheers Paul M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 9September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Well that doesn't sound scary at all Paul I have a free mechanic.. but he comes at a cost tho, little brothers are like that! Funnily enough, the SC I looked at is now $5k cheaper than when I first drove it. Nick Theodossi is obviously wanting it off their showroom floor as time is getting away. I'm seriously thinking of seeing if I could take it out for a 2 hr drive, try it at all speeds.. bumpy country roads and just see how I feel about it. From there, I'll also drive a Boxster 986 S and maybe the 911 964 Cab again. I just need more time in these cars I think. I also don't expect these cars to be better than Golfie. I don't think its wise for me to compare the cars at all. They are just too different to compare. It's a case of me working out what I can live with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted 9September, 2012 Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Have you seen the SC at Weltmeister? Looks OK and it's a coupe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stepo Posted 9September, 2012 Report Share Posted 9September, 2012 Thanks Paul, it wasn't the amount of receipts. It was the cost of maintenance that I saw on them. Hope that makes sense. I'm thrilled to see the car has been looked after. I'm just scared of a $5000 service bill next year! As for it being a Cab. I can't afford a manual Coupe! At the end of the day I'm on a budget. You might all see me In a Boxster yet if you do tho, it will be because I've done my homework and made the best possible decision to suit my situation. Just what I would expect Amanda; Russell and the HF are a reputable operation. All cars go the Phil Hearne for a full check prior to going on the market and any issues are corrected. You won't find budget pricing, but you pay for what you get. As far as maintenance costs go, I think the $1000 / yr is about right. You get the odd spikes at major services, but the minors are beareable. It all depends on how much driving you do. I checked back through 14 years of mechanics bills and averaged $1500 / yr for maintenance and a few upgrades as required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nick987 Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 Can concur that servicing for both of mine have run about what the guys above have quoted. From my readings, servicing golf gti's about the same at the dealer or 15-20% cheaper at independents unless a motor or tranny or some serious issue arises? And where there is an IMS issue with P's, there was a tranny/DSG issue with golfs? So you have really been living with similar issues already and seem 'happy and well adjusted' Even new fords run about $650 per service and about 2 or 3 needed a year... If you want 'cheap' a fixed price service deal for a Hyuntoyohondaru is the way to go IMO...uurrggghhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 $50K will get you into a brand new Hilux SR-5 with fixed price $170 services twice a year. It's very cheap to run..............but not as much fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 On average you get barely any change from $700 for a GTI minor service. At VW of course. I'm not worried about spending that coin. I was at the $5000 services I saw on some receipts. I just spoke to Spencer Harrison who has been servicing this Cab. Nice guy. The car sounds good. Might be a leaky O ring tho.. but he said it's been like it for a long time and hasn't gotten any worse. A drip of oil here and there. But the engine will require a rebuild in the future. But that would need confirming via a PPI. I will be contacting Phil Hearn shortly to see if he can fit it in for an inspection this week. If I could get a year or a bit more driving it, can squirrel away engine rebuild $.. then that would be ok. Just need to see if it is present and how bad it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 And where there is an IMS issue with P's, there was a tranny/DSG issue with golfs? So you have really been living with similar issues already and seem 'happy and well adjusted' Nope I bought a 6spd manual.. did my homework Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 $50K will get you into a brand new Hilux SR-5 with fixed price $170 services twice a year. It's very cheap to run..............but not as much fun! Yuk... Would get me into a brand new MX-5... that sounds better but not good enough to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 Dunno ‘bout that Toto. Once you those Hilux’s with the tail out and keep it there on the throttle they are a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 Dunno ‘bout that Toto. Once you those Hilux’s with the tail out and keep it there on the throttle they are a lot of fun. Have to agree. They are a lot of fun in the mud and bush. As far as the tail hanging out, only until the traction control comes on. Even if you turn it off it comes on after a certain speed. Love my Lux!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 A drip of oil here and there. But the engine will require a rebuild in the future. But that would need confirming via a PPI. $50k cab plus potentially $20k rebuild? That's starting to look like a lot of $$$ for what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.J. Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 $50k cab plus potentially $20k rebuild? That's starting to look like a lot of $$$ for what it is. that's what i was thinking.. if that car needs a re-build you'd be crazy to buy it for 50k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 We will see what the PPI says guys. Spencer was simply rolling this from memory, he might be wrong. Also Spencer said the rebuild would be more like $6k.. not 20k. If it needs anything like that doing to it.. I won't be buying the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nick987 Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 70 gorillas? That's tasty P money right there! You get some NICE nice for dem biscuits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 There'll be no 70 gorillas... I don't have 70 gorillas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnr356 Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 Russell and the HF are a reputable operation. All cars go the Phil Hearn for a full check prior to going on the market and any issues are corrected. not all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 10September, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 not all I must agree with jnr356, I don't think this Cab did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 For $6K it would be a light freshen up. If you like the car Amanda negotiate a price subject to PPI and if Spence says rebuild then walk away or negotiate some more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 For $6K it would be a light freshen up. If you like the car Amanda negotiate a price subject to PPI and if Spence says rebuild then walk away or negotiate some more! I met Spencer early on my Porsche quest, best person you could be in contact with - very good man. Would suggest getting him to do your PPI on any car you are interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnr356 Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 he'd rather an independent test on any of his customers old cars just a more honest approach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnr356 Posted 10September, 2012 Report Share Posted 10September, 2012 For $6K it would be a light freshen up. If you like the car Amanda negotiate a price subject to PPI and if Spence says rebuild then walk away or negotiate some more! 6k is just a reseal,down to case with through bolt o-rings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.