Pelican Parts
Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > Porsche Forums > Porsche 911 Technical Forum


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
Author
Thread Post New Thread    Reply
Registered
 
ishmeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cock Country
Posts: 313
mid year and SC's

Do mid year bastards (w/3.0 swap) or SC made good daily drivers? Early cars are simply too expensive and prone to rust.

These cars seem to be good value/buys cause they're not as valued as early cars, yet are a great bang-for-the-buck cars.

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

__________________
minivan - all stock
Old 09-21-2005, 05:36 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #1 (permalink)
Registered
 
Kirk911SC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 605
I drive my SC everyday while the weather is good (commute about 35 km each way) and never had a problem with reliability. Mileage isn't the greatest with stop-and-go traffic, and the clutch can get heavy after awhile, but otherwise no problems.

Kirk
__________________
- '00 Dodge Viper GTS - Steel Grey - Yep...a domestic.
- '87 930 - Guards Red - Sold
- '82 911SC - Grand Prix White - Gone
- '78 928 - Silver - Long gone
- '04 Subaru WRX wagon - Sold
Old 09-21-2005, 05:40 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #2 (permalink)
Registered
 
IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 11,475
Garage
My '76 with a 3.2 is a butt-kicker. I love it. With the exception of the rear flares and the engine, mechanically a '74-'77 911 is very similar to the '78-'89 911s. I would think that whether or not it would make a good daily driver would depend on the particular car - you're still talking about 30 year-old cars, here...

Mike
__________________
Mike
1976 Euro 911
3.2 w/10.3 compression & SSIs
22/29 torsions, 22/22 adjustable sways, Carrera brakes
Old 09-21-2005, 05:41 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #3 (permalink)
Registered
 
ishmeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cock Country
Posts: 313
As long as I can fix it in my garage, I'll enjoy fixing and driving it (latter moreso).
__________________
minivan - all stock
Old 09-21-2005, 05:55 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #4 (permalink)
Designer King
 
Paulporsche's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Toronto, ON Canada
Posts: 5,499
My 77 w/3.2 has been a great daily driver since '89, from about 20 Mar through 20 December.
__________________
Paul
Yellow 77 Sunroof Coupe/cork interior; 3.2L SS '80 engine/10.3:1/No O2; Carrera Tensioners; 11 Blade Fan; Turbo tie rods; Bilstein B6; 28 tube Cooler; SSI, Dansk; MSD/Blaster; 16x7" Fuchs/205/50 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s; PCA/UCR, MID9
Never leave well enough alone
Old 09-21-2005, 05:58 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #5 (permalink)
Registered
 
na2ub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,011
I daily drove my SC for 3 years. I broke down once when the fuel pump quit, once when the alternator bearings gave out, and once (in my driveway) when the distributor cap and rotor needed replaced. The latter was a product of my own maintenance neglect.

Doug
__________________
Doug
79 SC Targa w/ ITBs, 2004 Cayenne Turbo
Old 09-21-2005, 06:21 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #6 (permalink)
 
Unregistered
 
sammyg2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
They are better daily drivers than just about any other 25+ year old car will be.
Because of the age you will have occasional issues and the only way around that is to buy a new car and even then there is no guaranty, just a warranty
Old 09-21-2005, 06:32 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #7 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 37
Garage
I drive my 76 with a 3.0 all year, rain, shine or snow.
The only problem is during the colder months it can't warm up properly as my daily commute is too short. Well that and the leaks

Tim
__________________
76 911 3.0
09 Cayenne GTS
Old 09-21-2005, 06:33 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #8 (permalink)
Registered
 
bigchillcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 8,425
Garage
i agree with the above statement about condition, because that's what you're buying, as these cars are 15-30 years old. i've seen mid to late 80's examples i wouldn't swap for my '74 based upon condition. i bought a '74 in good condition and have steadily improved it. reliable now? hell yeah..i'd drive it anywhere.
ryan
__________________
To the memory of Warren Hall (Early S Man), 1950 - 2008
www.friendsofwarren.com
1990 964 C4 Cabriolet (current)
1974 911 2.7 Coupe w/sunroof 9114102267 (sold) 1974 914 2.0 (sold)
Old 09-21-2005, 06:34 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #9 (permalink)
Registered
 
ishmeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cock Country
Posts: 313
I've tried other cars, but only a porsche will suffice!

Edit: What's easier to work on? SC or G50 car?
__________________
minivan - all stock

Last edited by ishmeal; 09-21-2005 at 06:45 AM..
Old 09-21-2005, 06:36 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #10 (permalink)
Registered
 
evill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 539
Garage
My 77S has a rebuilt 2.7 with all the right upgrades. I love this car. I never hesitate to drive it anywhere, anytime. It is very reliable. Lately I drive it more than my 2005 Dodge Truck.

Ed
__________________
Basically, I'm One Giant Train Wreck.


http://community.webshots.com/user/evill914
Old 09-21-2005, 06:50 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #11 (permalink)
Registered
 
ishmeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cock Country
Posts: 313
I wonder if an SC will be a lotta car for the money or if it's better to go straight to a G50 car. I tend on the side of paying less for a car valued less, even though it's 90% of the G50 cars, then paying double just to get a G50 car... Any thoughts?
__________________
minivan - all stock
Old 09-21-2005, 06:57 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #12 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: trumpistan
Posts: 9,916
My SC is my daily driver for a 150 mile round trip commute. I've put 17,000 miles on it since April but plan to park it for the winter and find a fwd beater for my drive. The SC has been completely reliable. I've replaced a wheel bearing besides routine maintenance.
__________________
Enemy of the State

Brandolini’s Law: It takes hours more time, research, and writing to debunk misinformation than it takes to spread it.
Old 09-21-2005, 06:58 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #13 (permalink)
Friend of Warren
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,496
G50 is for people that think a 911 should shift like a Honda. I sure wouldn't pay extra for it.
__________________
Kurt V
No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles.
Old 09-21-2005, 07:02 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #14 (permalink)
Registered
 
bigchillcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posts: 8,425
Garage
amen, kurt..
ryan
__________________
To the memory of Warren Hall (Early S Man), 1950 - 2008
www.friendsofwarren.com
1990 964 C4 Cabriolet (current)
1974 911 2.7 Coupe w/sunroof 9114102267 (sold) 1974 914 2.0 (sold)
Old 09-21-2005, 07:04 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #15 (permalink)
Registered
 
ishmeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cock Country
Posts: 313
I think you know what I'm getting at, but it's like fast food stores, you gotta pay $.40+ just for cheese (and sometimes lettuce). But you get most of the meat w/the standard package.

Just confirm that an SC is 80% of the hoot in a 911.
__________________
minivan - all stock
Old 09-21-2005, 07:08 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #16 (permalink)
Friend of Warren
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,496
No it's 100% of the hoot. Personally I think the G50 adds nothing to the sandwich.

Quote:
Originally posted by ishmeal
I think you know what I'm getting at, but it's like fast food stores, you gotta pay $.40+ just for cheese (and sometimes lettuce). But you get most of the meat w/the standard package.

Just confirm that an SC is 80% of the hoot in a 911.
__________________
Kurt V
No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles.
Old 09-21-2005, 07:27 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #17 (permalink)
Registered
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 29
Ish

I have had two Porsches, an '85 Carerra and a '76 911S. Both were reasonable in price (less than 11K) and reasonable in mileage (less than 150K). My 76 S,which I still drive had been rebuilt with all the applicable upgrades, but otherwise is stock and is a great daily driver.
The 85 Carerra had a lot more power and speed, and the shifting was a little better than S even though they were both 915 transmissions.
Recommend (if you are on a budget) to pick up something from 76-86, you will find a good deal. Take into account, the 76-83 will be a little easier to work on (IMO) than the Carerras. The DME system is more complicated than the CIS. However, the 3.2 Carerra was probably one of the best motors Porsche ever made, and all of the problems from the S and the SC were fixed. But, when a Carerra needs a transmission rebuild or a top end job, it is just as costly and not as easy to do at home.
If you find an SC with less than 120,000 miles for about 10K, check it out, it might be the steal you are looking for.

Whidbey911s

1976 911S Coupe Light Yellow
1985 911 Carerra Targa Guards Red (SOLD)
Old 09-21-2005, 07:36 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #18 (permalink)
nice doggie
 
Hetmann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,478
When they're good, they're really really good and when they're bad, they're expensive. My car has been down for the count all summer.
__________________
Jerry

78 SC hotrod
02 Mini Cooper S
Old 09-21-2005, 08:28 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #19 (permalink)
Registered
 
vash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: in my mind.
Posts: 31,859
Garage
Send a message via AIM to vash
honestly, i wouldnt mind a G50 car for my girlfriend. she hates my shifter action. altho she drives it perfectly.

i midyear, is a fantastic bargain. not one day goes by that i dont regret giving my 75 to my bro. especially since california froze the smog exemption at that year. if a clean 75 coupe comes rolling my way, i am buying it. i want something i can hotrod. my SC has had some hiccups, but it is a fantastic car that is easily the funnest thing i have ever driven.

my 75 got way better gas mileage than my current SC.

__________________
poof! gone
Old 09-21-2005, 08:36 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #20 (permalink)
Reply


 


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:37 PM.


 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page
 

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.