If you’ve sold your 911, would you consider getting another if…

cantdrv55 · 08-18-2022, 08:01 PM

what? If they become affordable again? If you regain the desire to wrench? If your body can still get up and down with relative ease? Or would you not ever own another air cooled 911?

For me, if I can find one that’s reasonably priced AND if I can find a mechanic who can help me pass CA smog, I’d be in a 911SC again in a heartbeat. For now though, I’m enjoying wrenching on my cheap ‘69 bug.

look 171 · 08-18-2022, 08:04 PM

I still have my cars but I am buying no more, ever. I don't drive them as it is when I do, it a chore jsut to move them around. Thought about selling now and then but when I get in it, they are fun. No more wrenching for me. Been there done that. Plus, I am not a good mechanic.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 08:13 PM

If I could easily afford an air cooled 911, I'd be in one in a min. In the mean time, my '08 Boxster S is pretty fantastic.

My boxster is a special edition, Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder. It was the first boxster/cayman with >300hp (303hp, when the Cayman still had 295) It mostly just a fancy option package with some unusual options. I love it.

I sold my old '88 911 and got a '97 Miata. I sold the '97 miata and got an '04 Mazdaspeed miata. I sold the MSM and got the Boxster.

As far as the experience (IMO) when driving them '88 911 > '08 Boxster > '04 MSM > '97 miata.

I miss the gauges/dash of the 911. I miss the bottom hinged pedals of my old 911. And while the boxster exhibits amazing handling, there's something about the 911 (from memory) that was just better.

cantdrv55 · 08-18-2022, 08:20 PM

I know what you mean. I had a ‘79 and a ‘87 911 at the same time. I sold both and bought a ‘95 Miata. Very fun and reliable car but slow. Sold that and bought and still have a ‘00 Boxster S. As excellent as the Boxster is and in every way superior to my 911s, it’s just missing something I can’t put into words.

LWJ · 08-18-2022, 08:21 PM

I LOVED my SC. I really liked my 930. I use my Boxster.

If I had a couple million more I might buy an air-cooled 911. I would have the wrenching done by others. And have a better garage.

It is a matter of convenience and dollars. We all know they are great cars.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I still have mine and have gone back and forth about selling.

But as i get closer to retirement and can take it with me out of a state that costs me $$$$$$$ to get it smogged every 2 years, i think I might hold onto it.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I know what you mean. I had a ‘79 and a ‘87 911 at the same time. I sold both and bought a ‘95 Miata. Very fun and reliable car but slow. Sold that and bought and still have a ‘00 Boxster S. As excellent as the Boxster is and in every way superior to my 911s, it’s just missing something I can’t put into words.

Exactly.

look 171 · 08-18-2022, 08:45 PM

Funny how many of us say the same thing about the G body cars. There's just something about them but can't describe what it really is. I have a 930, slightly lowered with engine mods that was a fire breather back 20 years ago, now its slow compared to the modern cars yet there's something about the feel of that car. I don't know how to describe it to people. It can be summed up in one sentence or I can talk about it for 5 min none stop.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 08:48 PM

If funds weren't an issue, I'd have a long hood. I've never driven one, but I think I'd like it. I'd also have a 930, not sure if it would be a 70's 930 or maybe an '89 with the 5 spd (or I suppose as long as we're dreaming, it may as well be a Ruf CTR!). And then I tell myself that I'd also have a 3.2L G50 car, but I wonder if I had a 930 and an early car, if I'd want one. Maybe I'd have a 964 or 993 instead. If I had Leno/Seinfeld/Gates/Bezos money, I'd have a large car collection.

A930Rocket · 08-18-2022, 08:49 PM

Had a good time with my 81 911SC, but had a great time with my 87 930. If I could swing it, I would be back in one or the other.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Funny how many of us say the same thing about the G body cars. There's just something about them but can't describe what it really is. I have a 930, slightly lowered with engine mods that was a fire breather back 20 years ago, now its slow compared to the modern cars yet there's something about the feel of that car. I don't know how to describe it to people. It can be summed up in one sentence or I can talk about it for 5 min none stop.

Right, it's tough to nail down. I could wax poetic on them, but it still wouldn't really define the je ne sais quoi.

cantdrv55 · 08-18-2022, 08:51 PM

That video, The Problem With Porsche, got me thinking about 911s again. Dammit.

look 171 · 08-18-2022, 08:52 PM

Talk about slow. I had an NA. Got beaten by a tow truck going up a hill as I was trying to beat him to a red light due to merging into a single lane. Bought that after a test run in my 930 after engine work for more hp only to get my ass handed to me by a white hair middle age dude (I was 33 then) in his NA up in the tight hairpins along Mulholland. He was in second gear most of the time and blew me out of the water out of every tight turns.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I loved my 86 Cab and my 964T, if they were reasonable priced I would buy another one. I would not get another 996TT as it did not have the “it” factor of my earlier 911’s. One of the reasons I really enjoy my 997.2 RS is that like the 964T it tries to kill you if you don’t pay attention all the time driving.

For me that’s part of the driving dynamic. I will say when I drive my Westy the pedals remind me of the older 911’s and I smile.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

Talk about slow. I had an NA. Got beaten by a tow truck going up a hill as I was trying to beat him to a red light due to merging into a single lane. Bought that after a test run in my 930 after engine work for more hp only to get my ass handed to me by a white hair middle age dude (I was 33 then) in his NA up in the tight hairpins along Mulholland. He was in second gear most of the time and blew me out of the water out of every tight turns.

I really loved my NA. I upgraded the springs. If I had it to do again, I'd probably try just sways, or maybe go with springs from an MSM. The MSM was great, a better car, but the NA modded a little differently would have been tons of fun. The power in the turbo was nice, but naturally aspirated power delivery is also nice. Maybe I'd really love an NA with a supercharger! I could see having another miata, maybe as a toy.

masraum · 08-18-2022, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911boost

I loved my 86 Cab and my 964T, if they were reasonable priced I would buy another one. I would not get another 996TT as it did not have the “it” factor of my earlier 911’s. One of the reasons I really enjoy my 997.2 RS is that like the 964T it tries to kill you if you don’t pay attention all the time driving.

For me that’s part of the driving dynamic. I will say when I drive my Westy the pedals remind me of the older 911’s and I smile.

I REALLY loved the bottom hinged pedals.

Bill Douglas · 08-18-2022, 09:09 PM

I sold my 1966 Triumph 650 Saint when I was a teenager and have regretted it ever since.

So I'm NOT making that mistake wit the SC, which I love even more than the Triumph.

McLovin · 08-18-2022, 10:23 PM

I’ve had quite a few 911s. Mostly 78-88 models. Coupe, cab and targa versions.
Sold my last one in 2018.
Would I get another one?
Highly unlikely. It’s not the cost, as I don’t think the cost is significant (because you get it back when you decide to sell it, and it’s insured, so I basically view it as a free car, instead of the money sitting in the bank, it’s sitting in the car).
It’s not maintenance worries, as they are cheap to maintain and I have 30 years of experience working on them.
Just no desire to own one again. I can’t really explain why, as I still think they are great cars. And I had many great years and memories made with them. I guess great cars, but just not for me anymore.

pwd72s · 08-18-2022, 10:39 PM

Nope...not for me. Many fond memories, but now it's time for others to build their memories. Guess it's a been there done that thing.

Robert Coats · Robert Coats's Garage

Sold my '91 C4 coupe after struggling to keep up with the maintenance. I did as much wrenching myself as I could, but after a $6.5k bill to fix oil leaks and fit a new clutch, it just got too expensive, and I've been driving a series of Honda/Acura cars since 2005. I'd love to get into another P-car, but would shy away from anything air-cooled (mostly due to entry cost) and fear of costly repair bills. I'd go for a water-cooled 911 or Cayman, with a better A/C system (I live in Atlanta).

Ironically, I never got a ticket with the 911, but have managed to rack up two speeding infractions in < 3 years with my '15 Accord. Maybe it is the 278 hp and six-speed...I should pay closer attention to the speedo, but the V6 engine is so damn smooth and pulls with no effort...