[jmohn]

Welcome aboard, Brian.

As to price; $12K should buy a pretty nice early SC, prices are down on these cars but, the nicer examples still bring a premium. For example, I paid $15K for a very nice '78 SC two years ago when the "average" SC in my area was bringing $11K-$13K. It is a truism that it "pays" to take the time to find the best condition car you can afford and, personally, I would always buy a better condition older car than a poorer condition newer car.

Reliability; my '78 is my summer daily driver, the only problem I've had was a failed alternator, which I removed and had rebuilt locally for about 70 bucks. Over-all, the reliability of a 911 (as with any vehicle) is very much a factor of it's condition and level of maintenance. You must realize, however, that the maintenance needs of a 911 are more expensive and extensive than the average Oldsmobile or Toyota. Properly maintaining one of these demands some mechanical skills (basic mechanical skills are a must, but you can "learn as you go", most of us do) or a very deep checkbook. Repairing (at least the more basic repairs) them is also within the capabilities of most, reasonably able, home mechanics, but if you're more familiar with American iron be prepared for a bit of a "learning curve".

The bottom line is, all of the cars you'll be looking at are "old" so find the best one you can; they demand more maintenance than an average sedan (and did even when new, these are, after all, high performance cars) so find the best maintained one you can.

Finally; they're a blast to own, which makes it all worthwhile; the more you drive (and work on) one of these, the more you'll appreciate (and occasionally be frustrated by) the design, the precision, the over-all "feel" of a Porsche. Even now, in the winter, when I get home from work, I occasionally pull the cover off of it just to admire it sitting there ... in MY garage. "There is no substitute".

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC