Need advice buying my fist Porsche 911

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Magnus - 08 Sep 2003 18:23 GMT

Hello!
I am planning to by Porsche 911 1976 or older (this is due to
Norwegian tax system). I have no experience with this car, and am
seeking all kind of advice to try to avoid future problems. I would be
grateful if anyone would share experience regarding which model I
should go for, and what I should look for when inspecting the car. I
am planning to buy the car in Europe, probably Germany, Sweden or the
neighbouring countries.

Thanks!

Magnus

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jankemi(remove) - 09 Sep 2003 03:06 GMT

> Hello!
> I am planning to by Porsche 911 1976 or older (this is due to
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Magnus

In the USA we use salt on the roads in winter, so rust is the biggest
problem. Anything mechanical can be fixed. Rust cannot.

Have a Porche mechanic verify the mechanical condition of the car before
purchasing. Major mechanical repairs can exceed the purchase price of
the car.

Spend about 20 hours searching and reading posts on this site:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/

This forum has been very helpful to me.

Have fun. :)

--Mike

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The Dead Senator - 09 Sep 2003 06:15 GMT

> In the USA we use salt on the roads in winter,

Not entirely true. Traditionally, in the north-central and eastern portions
of the U.S. the roads get salted. Out west they typically use sand, gravel
or cinders (still not good news for paint!). Although now, in some western
states, they seem to be using new chemical compounds intermixed with the
traditional solids that may sometimes include a salt variant or a derivative
brine. So, perhaps you're right after all! Yikes!

Check out this link:

http://www.betterroads.com/articles/brapr01c.htm

DS
95 993 Coupe

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John Bradley - 09 Sep 2003 13:42 GMT

Out in the American West, many state road departments spray magnesium
chloride on highways before snow. At the outset - as with many 'easy
answers' - this method was praised as easing snow removal and preventing
icing . Over-the-road truckers were especially supportive. Now we find that
MgCl is eating away wiring insulation and effecting under-chassis
electronics. In addition, reports are starting to come in that airborne MgCl
spray is eating the insulation off of overhead electric wires. In Washington
DC a series of manhole explosions have occurred in areas where MgCl has been
sprayed on city streets.
Just some technical thoughts, as most Porkchoppers don't take their cars out
in snow here in the USofA.
john
83 911SC

> > In the USA we use salt on the roads in winter,
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> DS
> 95 993 Coupe

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jankemi(remove) - 10 Sep 2003 04:16 GMT

> Not entirely true. Traditionally, in the north-central and eastern portions
> of the U.S. the roads get salted. Out west they typically use sand, gravel
> or cinders (still not good news for paint!). Although now, in some western
> states, they seem to be using new chemical compounds intermixed with the

You are correct. Many states don't use salt in winter. Some states don't
even have winter! Around here (MN-WI) the salt trucks are parked on the
side of the road just waiting for the snow to start so they can start
dumping the salt on the roads. Years ago road salt was the biggest
import into the port of Milwaukee. My dark blue pickup is white with
salt film most of the winter.

My point was that rust problems not fixable, other problems are. A
rebuild is a long term repair, a rust-fix, no matter how well it is
done, will fail again, so rust is a more important factor that anything
mechanical when buying a car. I speak from experience. :(

But wait.....From your URL:

"The Californian Department of Transportation built a customized spray
bar that is capable of applying 25 gal. of solution per lane mile at
speeds up to 3 mi./hr."

and

"used by some highway agencies, including the Nevada Department of
Transportation and the Colorado DOT."

In reference to the chemicals:

"sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium
magnesium acetate, and potassium acetate."

So the salt problem is moving west?

Too bad. If people would learn to drive.........

Cheers.

-Mike

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