Considering a 911 - need advice

[aigel]

Originally Posted by KC911

Boxsters are a dime-a-dozen, and I for one don't give 'em a second look (despite how they might be performance wise). The Cayman, on the other hand, is the only new Porsche since the 993 that does "IT" for me, and I rarely see 'em. I think the secondary market that think like I do will keep the price above 20 for a while. Down to the teens eventually...sure (particularly if not in good condition), but I don't see that happening anytime soon for well kept examples. Time will tell...

Apparently you don't live in CA. I see a Cayman or three every day. What's interesting is that I start seeing them in lower middle class neighborhoods, parked on the side of the road together with other fast depreciating German iron. I don't see an indication that these are treated as collectors items or special cars by their second / third owners.

G

[speeder]

That 1993 coupe in the link does not look like a bad example of the model. Each series has their ups and downs, it's important to buy the best example you can find/afford.

[javadog]

Au contraire, Pierre... c'est horrible

Bad paint, that has clearly not been cared for. It's seen a lot of daily driver use.

An owner that couldn't be bothered to properly wash and wax his car before shooting photos of it.

Missing parts.

Evidence of not-quite-steller maintenance.

Recent ownership and use, by a kid.

And, it's black...

Pass.

JR

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Steve,

I have NOT read the responses and I am sure there are some very good ones.

Make sure whether you desire a G50 or a 915 transmission first and foremost! Drive both of them, they are different beasts. I prefer the 915 in my '83, Wife prefers the G50 in her 993. We both HATE having a six speed as the sixth gear never gets used and the fifth gear only once or twice in several years. I do not remember using fifth in my '83 more than once.

Look more for condition and care of the vehicle rather than a garage queen with low miles. My '83 required ALOT of work to straighten out after being a garage queen. Now she has been one again for the past five years so i might have to start over again. The cars do better with regular driving and proper maintenance. Sank thousands into the in-laws Model 400A after it sat for years in a museum (had to redo every line, gasket, anything rubber, and regrease EVERYTHING) but it was still an almost completely original 400A including paint but with new material over the horsehair.

Break the years up. 78-79 SC, 80-83 SC, 84-86, 87-89, 89-94 (964), 95 (993), 96-99? (993)

Find the best example. For my opinion: 80-83SC, 87-89, 89-94, and 95 would be my targets. each have their pluses and minuses. Do not be scared of high mileage on a well maintained vehicle.

If you are keeping a garage queen then buy one but be prepared to pay premium money for them.

Heck, didn't even charge $.02.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Originally Posted by javadog

Au contraire, Pierre... c'est horrible

Bad paint, that has clearly not been cared for. It's seen a lot of daily driver use.

An owner that couldn't be bothered to properly wash and wax his car before shooting photos of it.

Missing parts.

Evidence of not-quite-steller maintenance.

Recent ownership and use, by a kid.

And, it's black...

Pass.

JR

Hate to say it but other than some interior parts that 1993 makes our '95 993 look pristine for more money than we value our car. Heck, our 1983 looks better and my Wife wants to repaint the SC.

It really comes down to maintenance and what your use will be for the vehicle. Nothing more in my mind.

[techweenie]

I know of a very well sorted '91 C2 coupe for sale under $20K. It has a LOT of miles, but will PPI very well.

In the real world, the difference between an '84-86 and an '87-89 Carrera is minimal. There's a premium being asked for G50 cars at the moment that is not entirely justified, IMO.

A long hood at $30K could be a very good car, if you are into minimal creature comforts and maximum "tossability."

As has been said repeatedly: drive a range of cars. Decide for yourself.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

I prefer the 915 in my '83 . . . I do not remember using fifth in my '83 more than once.

That is one of the most bizarre driving-related things I've ever read.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by McLovin

That is one of the most bizarre driving-related things I've ever read.

Must be too many of these in his way.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by aigel

Apparently you don't live in CA....

I'm northeast of LA (Lower Alabama)...see occasional 911s of all vintages, LOTs of Boxsters, and you see more Caymans in one day than I have ever .

Originally Posted by McLovin

That is one of the most bizarre driving-related things I've ever read.

I'd bet my Carrera has only seen 5th maybe a dozen times in ten years, and those Interstate trips are rare for me in that car. Heck, grabbing 4th means I'm seriously above the posted speed limit and that's not something I do on a regular basis. Most times out, I never get beyond 3rd...how's that for bizarre ?

ps: At 60-65 mph what gear are you in?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by KC911

I'm northeast of LA (Lower Alabama)...see occasional 911s of all vintages, LOTs of Boxsters, and you see more Caymans in one day than I have ever .



I'd bet my Carrera has only seen 5th maybe a dozen times in ten years, and those Interstate trips are rare for me in that car. Heck, grabbing 4th means I'm seriously above the posted speed limit and that's not something I do on a regular basis. Most times out, I never get beyond 3rd...how's that for bizarre ?

ps: At 60-65 mph what gear are you in?

4th or 5th gear. If you're driving along on the freeway at a steady 65 mph in 3rd, or even 4th, you're being an automotive moron. What do you think the other gears are for?

[speeder]

I used 5th gear in my SC every time I got on the freeway. WTF would you waste fuel rolling along at a steady 65-80 mph, (80 is a typical L.A. freeway speed when not congested), in 4th gear? Does it make you feel like you're being "racy" to wind the piss out of your engine on the freeway?

These cars need to come with a driving manual and a quiz before you take the controls.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by speeder

I used 5th gear in my SC every time I got on the freeway. WTF would you waste fuel rolling along at a steady 65-80 mph, (80 is a typical L.A. freeway speed when not congested), in 4th gear? Does it make you feel like you're being "racy" to wind the piss out of your engine on the freeway?

These cars need to come with a driving manual and a quiz before you take the controls.

I think this thread has officially jumped the shark.

[Laneco]

This was my work car for a couple of years while I was traveling in the western US. Probably not alot of "blue collar" 911's out there, but this one saw about 25,000 miles in Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Idaho. This was a cheap car so it's actually paid for itself and then paid for upgrades through reimbursed mileage while on work travel. PLENTY of time in 5th gear - LOL!

Dead nuts reliable car. I did have a flaky voltage regulator one time, but made it home OK. Saw PLENTY of 5th gear - LOL!

Drive different vintages, pick what you want and then buy the nicest one you can find. I'm flat out prejudiced as I'll point you out to an SC or an 84-89 Carrera every time so DONT LISTEN TO ME!

angela

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Halm

I think this thread has officially jumped the shark.

How so?

[masraum]

At 60-65 mph what gear are you in?

Absolutely, fifth. The great thing is that there's this lever right next to the seat that allows me to change back into any other gear in a fraction of a second if I want. As a mayor of fact, I think I've seen fifth when going even slower.

[masraum]

Quote de Halm

I think this thread has officially jumped the shark.

How so?

Because of the silly gear use posts.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by KC911

ps: At 60-65 mph what gear are you in?

5th.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by speeder

How so?

When a long time enthusiast is lectured about what gear to drive in, IMHO it is time to shut down the thread.

[Head416]

Originally Posted by KC911

ps: At 60-65 mph what gear are you in?

I'll get most of the way there in 2nd, shift to 3rd just before, then put it into 4th to cruise. I think 60 is a little too slow for 5th for me.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by speeder

4th or 5th gear. If you're driving along on the freeway at a steady 65 mph in 3rd, or even 4th, you're being an automotive moron. What do you think the other gears are for?

Originally Posted by speeder

I used 5th gear in my SC every time I got on the freeway. WTF would you waste fuel rolling along at a steady 65-80 mph, (80 is a typical L.A. freeway speed when not congested), in 4th gear? Does it make you feel like you're being "racy" to wind the piss out of your engine on the freeway?

These cars need to come with a driving manual and a quiz before you take the controls.

Go back and REREAD my post. Of course I'd be in 5th if I were on an Interstate (or any highway) and in the scenario you describe...but I VERY rarely drive on those. It's been at least 5 years since I've been on an Interstate in my 911. Twisty, curvey, hilly, country back roads are another matter entirely. Never at a steady speed for more than a bit and in the appropriate gear for the speed I'm at. I keep the rpms above 3K and run up near redline on every shift (after proper warmup). Maroon you say...I think not