Need Help! (Please)
 

I have started my search for my first 911. I was first interested in the 90-94 because of the price until a local dealer told me to stay away from those years due to reliability problems.

Could anyone give me some advice for a good 911 under $25k? I am really looking for something that I can really "tweak" the motor with a aftermarket turbo system.

If anyone knows of a good deal in the Southern California area please let me know.

Also, are there any local Porsche shows in the So.Cal area?

Thanks for your help in advance,

Jim

I am on the other coast but I understand from this board that CA has strict emissions test. If you want to drive on the road you probably couldn't "tweek" the car with a turbo and pass emissions. Way not buy a factory porsche Turbo. Don't know the cost out there but it would give you want you want and be legal in CA. You will not be disappointed. Good luck.

Jim,

Welcome to the Forum. You will find lots of good information and advice here.

Where an SoCal are you? – it’s a big place. You will find dealers and independents almost everywhere. The best may not necessarily be the closest. Even before you start seriously looking at 911s, interview shops and find some that can represent your interests in a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI). I recommend you find other local Porsche owners and listen to their experience and advice. Going to PCA, POC and other gatherings is instructive.

Finding the right 911 for you requires patients and some serious leg work. Don’t let the money burn a hole in your pocket.

Best,
Grady

Jim,

I second the notion that if you want to end up with a turbocharged 911 in the long run, you are much better off just buying a turbo in the first place. The early ones can be had for under $25K and the later ones can occasionally be found for that price as well.

JR

Frambo, Anything can be done with enough money but I agree with the opinion that if you want a turbocharged Porsche and you live in California, you'd be WAAAY ahead to buy one that has been properly maintained, has full records and passes a PPI.

For $25K? - Maybe, but I don't think so. Do NOT fall into the trap of buying one and "fixing it up". For that budget and if MUST be a turbo, consider a 944 Turbo with full records (951). Otherwise, perhaps if you are super mechanic...but if not follow Grady's advice (he's one of the most knowledgeable guys on this BBS) and locate a good shop you can trust -TRE in No. Hollywood for example) and THEN look for a 911 of your dreams

By the way, do a search on the issues with 90-94 911's (964's) You MUSt become conversant with the models and their various issues, most all have some generic issues. Nothing beats owning a 911, but you'd better be prepared for ownership by doing your homework.

Thanks for all the information. I am located in Rancho Santa Margarita close to Mission Viejo. What shop/s would you recommend?

Thanks again!

Jim

One more question: The Tiptronic vs. Manual....does either have a performance advantage or is it just a personal preference?

The tip is a girls' car...If you have female tendancies; go for it :-)
Just kidding of course, but a manual trans is what a sports car is all about.
Go with the factory Turbo, if you can find one that has the proper records, passes a PPI, and fits your budget. The first two criteria are MUCH more important, and will have a distinct impact on the last.

There is a 930 in Columbus Ga. that has Andial tags on it. My brother passed on it at 22K. Runs good and turbo comes in at 4K. It gets really angry after that. Hold on. If they could have come up with papers, history we would bought it. If interested call Sports and Imports at 706-660-1900. I have no interest in either. Car is a 84 Euro.

I think it's funny that folks are still avoiding the 964's due to all of the "problems". These cars are now 12-16 years old. I dunno, but it would surprise me if there are still cars driving around with the cylinder head leak, the clutch issue, no distributor vent kit, etc. There may be a couple garage queens, but I'd suspect most issues have been dealt with. IMHO, the 964 is a good bang for the buck. There are quite a few folks who have transplanted 964 motors into their earlier cars and have pounded thousands of track miles on them with no issues. Does not sound like reliability issues :) As it's been mentioned, any variant of thet 911 is gonna have its issues and nuances. It just depends on how those issues have been dealt with.

Frambo,

If you are in the area and would like to stop to just chat about what you really want to do with the car, options available and what makes sens $$ wise, stop by the shop and we can talk.
www.hergesheimer.com 888 4PORSCHE

I have collected these reccomended shops from varius threads here on Pelican over the last few years. I am not in Orange County so I can't give you first hand experiences but they were well-spoken of in the past:

Hergemeister - in Lake Forrest and as commented on above.
Vision Motorsports in Lake Forrest also
Precision Motorwerks in Anaheim 714/879-9072
and further north, Image Imports in Santa Ana

Hope this helps some. Gotta give at least a little extra "due" to Hergemeister since they're here on the board!

Dan - its Herge "sheimer", not "meister"...could you have been recommending some other shop in CA with "meister" in it's name...:)

Hmmm...yeah, possible. The name I used came from a listing of strong Porsche references I have been collecting over the years ever since I bought my first 944. The name I have had the "meister" in the name and was in Lake Forrest. I could have the name wrong but I notice in Laura's signature above that she references Dana Point. So I am unclear on this. I guess call 411 for both their numbers and see what kind of vibe Frambo gets from either shop.

thanks!

Hergesheimer..no meister .. shop is in Lake Forest, I hibernate in Dana Point.

Never what to be even remotely associated with a shop that may have meister in its name that is located in So Cal ;) ;) ;)

And if you look up Vision Motorsports, it is in Laguna Hills.

Dan, to be fair, you should add Prestige Motorsports in Huntington Beach and Andial in Santa Ana. Prestige sells cars as well, Andial does not.

Alright everyone...geez, I didn't represent myself to be some kind of authority on shops in OC. Not trying to be fair or unfair I just gave the man a few shop names that were previously mentioned positively by other here and on Rennlist. Actually Andial is -of course - on the list I just forgot to add them.

Signed, Dan in Pasadena-meister!