Best year for a pre G50 Carrera?

[ianc]

Hi folks,

Let me pose a question to you all. Let's just suppose that a certain rat bastard fink (who shall remain nameless) was considering moving from an SC Targa to a Carrera coupe.

I've heard people saying 84's are the most desirable, but some say the 85's have them beat. Haven't heard too many votes for the 86-87's.

If you were that certain nameless individual, and wanted to indulge your fantasy in a silver w\ black interior sunroof Carrera coupe, which year would you pick and why?

The emphasis should be on performance, weight, handling, and reliability, and not whether the A\C works better or the cigarette lighter is less prone to failure.

Thoughts? Thanks for the input,

ianc

[BottleNose]

In 1987 you could only buy a G50 transmission, so you're limited to '84-'86. '86s have better ventilation and AC. A lot of '85s seem to come with the Carerra-style big-bolstered sport seats, which were newly offered that year (the '84s still had the '70s style sports). I guess Porsche wanted to show them off. If I had my pick though, it would be the '86 which is the last of the old-school 915 and which has the option of the great Carerra sport seats. Other than that there's not much difference in those three years.

[livi]

Hi ianc,

Among the factors you put emphasis I donīt think I would notice any much difference in the 84 - 86 range (87 had G50, right ?).

Personally I like the antenna in the windshield as opposed to sticking out of the fender and the 4-spoke wheel rather than the 3-spoke. Thats why I skipped the 84 and went directly for the 85 but not the 86 where I think they updated a tiny bit of the dash board, air outlet etc - which must have gained at least 4 pounds of dead weight.

Seriously, I canīt imagine there is a noticeable difference 84-86.

[ianc]

Hi guys,

I guess you're you're right: 87 was the first year for the G50, so the choice comes down to 84-86. I don't really care about the seats, since I would probably swap my existing Recaros in. The ventilation and A\C are also not important (as mentioned). I do kind of prefer the 3 spoke wheel to the 4 spoke (like an old friend by now), but it's not a big deal.

It just seems to me that I've read in some previous threads (that a search doesn't seem to turn up) that some people had a very vociferous preference for one of these years vs. the others, and I want to hear (again) why. Thanks for the comments,

ianc

Edit: Markus, you must be laughing now, considering my post the other day in your badge replacement thread.

[livi]

No I am not, ianc. I crying from hurting myself when I fell of the chair hysterically giggling.

However, I also remember such posts and I think there where a few members that seemed certain there were a bit a of weight gain for every year in the Carrera series. Canīt imagine it would be noticeable though.

Then again, perhaps the cars for the US market was a bit different compared to ROW. Donīt know.

[KobaltBlau]

I'd say 80 is a good year for the super Carrera

[livi]

Donīt wanna rub it in ianc, but why all of a sudden are you contemplating UPGRADING to a Carrera ?

[ianc]

Well... For me it's not so much about SC vs. Carrera, it's about getting the color I want. I've always been a major silver devotee. I came from a 914, so the Targa was a natural for me, and I found a good Indischrot one, so that's the way it is.

I've got that silver thing though. And, although the Targa is great to have, SF is not the best place for one. Overcast most of the time. Who knows, in SF?

Lately, I'm considering larger torsion bars and bushings. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better (ultimately) to put these in a coupe than a Targa. Then there's that silver thing...

Also, with gas prices these days, the (incrementally) greater fuel economy of the DME vs. the CIS is something to think about. Not to mention 3.2 power.

The A\C's right out on the floor though.

ianc

[livi]

Canīt argue with that.

Speaking of torsion bars - I think they got larger sometime during the 3.2 era, but not sure what year (but maybe thats what you meant).

I can only say that I truly love my car.

Today, here its 10.30 am, and a beautiful late summer day - I am going for a long ride to try out my new front shocks I installed yesterday (with the generous help from you guys). Wright side took 5 hours - left side 40 minutes - perhaps I should post a little description to let other newbies know what mistakes I did and how I finally solved it ? But then again - its been written several times before by people here who actually know what they are talking about.

[Wil Ferch]

I like the 85's since the rear axle flanges are bolted on both ends of each half-shaft. Makes for an easy repair when necessary. Later versions are bolted on one end and friction welded on the other.

Wil

[Paul L]

If I were you, I'd get the 87-89 version of the Carrera and not fret over the minor differences between 84-86. The weakest link in my 85 I believe is the transmission.

[creaturecat]

go big - get a ROW - less weight (usually) more horsepower, and the trans cooler - not to mention superior looks. The ROW will embarrass the 87- 89's - which are supposedly the high water mark.

[Wil Ferch]

Hey PaulL:
The weakest link of ANY pre April '89 G50 is the transmission too...that's when the factory upgraded the pivot shaft bushings/bearings. Or better make sure your pre-89 got the "fix".

Otherwise...there "will" be problems....much worse than a badly set up 915.

See here for more---> G50 Cross-shaft Update

Wil

[sammyg2]

I think Cobaltblau nailed it
seriously, it prolly goes back to the saying, "buy the newest (and in best condition) 911 you can afford".

[DW SD]

I think an '86 has larger sway bars, too (or at least one of them is larger). These are small issues, though. Why not a G50 car? Seems like color and condition should override.

Doug

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
Hey PaulL:
The weakest link of ANY pre April '89 G50 is the transmission too...that's when the factory upgraded the pivot shaft bushings/bearings. Or better make sure your pre-89 got the "fix".

Otherwise...there "will" be problems....much worse than a badly set up 915.

See here for more---> G50 Cross-shaft Update

Wil

More drama - mine drove for 57.000 miles with an original clutch non-upgraded pilot shaft and ZERO issues - oh and zero mishifts too...

That being said - for a track car someday - i will probably look for a nice euro carrera. 1985 or 1986. I kinda like the cloth insert seats - the euro has the built in 915 cooler... smaller bumper pads - neat side light - and usually just a smidge cheaper.

[Jeff Alton]

I have an 84 and a few years ago had a 86 factory turbo body. The only real difference is that the 86 has better dash vents. I like the 915 trans. Wil makes a good point about he CV joints, although late 85 may have the newer welded ones. Steering wheels can be replaces though I think the 4 spoke one may be the wost one ever made..... 86 had 22/21 sways while the 84/85 had 20/18 IIRC. Once again these are easily and cheaply swapped.

Cheers,

[ianc]

Why not a G50? A couple of reasons: I think that late of a car is probably more money than I want to spend right now, plus, everything I've read sort of points at the late cars as being kind of bloated and losing that light feel that I love so much about my SC. I know even the SC feels worlds apart from my room mate's old T, but still... ;-)

Pity about the CV's. When were power seats introduced?

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

ianc

[livi]

I have power seat driver side in my ī85.

Since it looks like you should be going with the 84 - 86 range, might as well pic something in the middle.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by ianc
Why not a G50? A couple of reasons: I think that late of a car is probably more money than I want to spend right now, plus, everything I've read sort of points at the late cars as being kind of bloated and losing that light feel that I love so much about my SC. I know even the SC feels worlds apart from my room mate's old T, but still... ;-)

Pity about the CV's. When were power seats introduced?

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

ianc

When I went looking - I found more 87's sparsly appointed than 1988 and 1989's. Seemed that Porsche in 1989 was set to introduce the 1989 C4 (964) and started loading the 1989's with tons of options. I also think that there is a fair amount of internet BS associated with the difference in carrera and SC weights. I think that you will find like appointed cars pretty similiar in weight.