911 Questions

[Dangerous Dan]

I seem to moving up in time through the Porsche cars. I started with a 65 356C, then bought a 84 944 na, which I am trying to sell and am wondering about purchasing a 911. The 944 was my daily driver in SW Wisconsin (even in winter).

So now I'm thinking about a 911. Is it stupid to think a 911 would make a decent daily driver year round where it gets cold and snows and everything?

I know there are some good years and bad years to watch for but don't remember which they are. Any advice on models, motors, years that are more reliable than others? How about maintenance? The 944 is a great car but it seems I'm always fixing something or the list is getting longer. I'm tired of sticking money into it. Can a 911 be relatively maintenance free aside from routine items? What are the routine items?

Any advice or encouragement you can give will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

[speedracer]

Welcome to the board Dan! The search function is your friend......try searching "maintenance" to answer some of your questions. As for which are good and bad years......all 911's can have problems. Your best bet is to get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) from a reputable shop prior to buying so you won't be spending thousands more than you expected.

As for winter driving - 911's were built for all seasons and it helps that the engine is directly over the rear wheel for weight distribution.

[bigchillcar]

as you can imagine, it isn't the snow..it's the salt you have up there that eats cars in a hurry..look for galvanized bodied cars (pretty much '77 and later)
ryan

[86 911]

Dan,

Welcome to the board. This FAQ is very helpful for first time 911 buyers. It should answer a lot of questions:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

[FrayAdjacent911]

911 questions? I only counted 5!

[kenikh]

SNOW? Try a Carrera 4...

[randywebb]

911s are good in snow - use narrow wheels and thank Ferry for putting 60% of the wt. on the rear

I'd go with a fully rustproofed one - an SC or Carrera -- depite the fact that they are far uglier than the beautiful early cars, and heavy pigs too. Natually, I am completely unbiased...

[bigchillcar]

yeah, in case i was misunderstood..or just forgot to state it..i agree they do well in snow. but i live in arkansas where we don't get heavily salted roads. from the stories i've heard, i might have to have a beater car up there when the salt gets heavy..but then again my car is a '74.
ryan

[randywebb]

How about maintenance?

- They are basicly simple cars. The newr the 911 the more luxury crap the factory hung on it - you know things like air conditioners, and an outside mirror on the right side. ....

You can strip off the things you don't want or just not fix them, or convert back to manual (e.g. window lifts, elc. mirrors, etc.). Labor and parts rates are no more than a 944.

I think you need to get a book and study it well, then ask specific questions here. Pete Zimmerman has a book on what to buy - tradeoffs, etc.

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks guys. That will get me started.