Is it reasonable to expect a maintained 3.2 Carrera to be a reliable daily driver?

[silvercar00]

I'm just getting mine sorted out and wil soon get it back after the shop-installed flywheel seal blew after a clutch and gearbox rebuild. I've had a real time with this car as far as stuff going wrong-probably mostly from buying a car that sat ( 59K on the clock)and hadn't been looked after properly. Now I've pretty much been through everything except the motor, which is running very strong and tests well ( leakdown/compression, doesn't burn oil or smoke)and I'm just wondering if there are guys out there who have had similar experiences with their cars and were rewarded with reliable cars once they got everything fixed. I know it's a sport car, but it's not like it's a Fiat,.......or is it?

[lateapex911]

Bruce Anderson swears that a well maintained 911, post '77 even can be a great daily driver.

Certainly if it's been gone through, there should be no issues with yours.

That said, it isn't a Toyota. I'm not a 3.2 expert, but my understanding is that they are well respected for solidity. I do think that you need to be "mechanically empathetic" to drive our cars though. Often something isn't quite right, but you can feel it, and fix it before it gets worse, and $$$. In that respect, I think you can drive it daily. Sure, you'll have the occasional odd thing go, power window switch or whatever, but it shouldn't strand you.

Caveat: Depending on your location. Alaska?? Uh...better choices..like Audi, LOL. Texas?? make sure the AC gets a good going through often. Newport Beach?? Drove my '73 there daily from 93 to 95...and had no heat or AC that I can remember ever needing, LOL

[paulgtr]

I drive my 75 911s with a 3.2l carrera motor spring summer and fall as my daily driver.
it's all back roads out here any way.
only time i need to go on the highway is when i take the LIE to the city or to connecticut.
I have no air conditioner, so I wouldn't want to get stuck in commuter traffic every day but if you had AC I bet it would be fine.
the carrera motor is torque rich so lugging it in traffic is doable.

[stormmaster]

I drive my 87 almost daily

[MOMO3.2]

I purchased my 1987 Carrera 3.2 with 130,000 miles on it. I used it as my daily driver for almost 3 years. It has 164,000 on it now. I never had to put a dime into it beyond regular maintenace (which I performed my self [thanks to this forum]). My car definitely ran better from daily driving. Little things that did not work when I first bought it suddenly functioned properly too. The one thing I did not get sorted out was the A/C.

To answer your question, Yes, I believe that once your Carrera is sorted, you should be able to drive it daily and count on it being dead reliable. Carrera's and SC's have a reputation for being very stout, reliable cars. That has definitely been my experience.

Finally, the payoff of being able to drive my car every day to and from work was really big. I arrived at work and home with a smile EVERY day.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Mike

[PatrickB]

Yes.
IMHO, the same can be said for most cars, boats and airplanes that I've personally owned. When they sit for extended periods of time, and don't get properly exercised, is typically when things start going wrong.... The cars with few problems, and high miles are usually the ones used as daily drivers... Mine included!

[cbeers]

probably mostly from buying a car that sat ( 59K on the clock)and hadn't been looked after properly.

I think you nailed it there. I looked at several before getting mine. They SOUNDED good, second owner, 80k miles etc. but when I looked at them, no thanks. Rotten tires, cracked seats, leaks you name it.

I ended up getting a driven, cared for 1987 Targa with 159k. Top end was done at 125k miles, and everything else was well maintained too. I couldn't be happier. I drive it every day unless it's pouring down rain. I have the truck for those days

They are VERY reliable and great for my daily life. No other car makes me smile like this one does.

I do not sit in rush hour bumper to bumper though. Just vineyards and slow trucks on country highways. But before you say "Oh, well no wonder!" I had the car first in the heart of the Silicon Valley, smog central cars everywhere, so they can handle it.


I hope you get to spend more time enjoying your car now

EDIT - Damn you guys type fast!!!!

-Chris

[Joeaksa]

Drove my '85 911 for seven years as a daily driver. Was let down only one time by the cylinder head temp sensor.

[tshih]

The 3.2 is the ultimate reliable street 911 just enough electronics to get decent fuel mileage and enough torque for driving in 1st gear in stop and go speeds (I keep it in first with top speed of 40 mph and never have to shift in traffic jams!). I recently sold a daily driver with 133K miles that was running very well. I believe it's still got 100K more trouble free miles left before engine needs rebuilding.

[Rick V]

I have a couple of customers that use them as dailies. I only see them when they need sceduled maintance. Very reliable. I don't DD my SC but I didn't buy it for that. If I can come across an SC/Carrera that is a little rough around the edges I will scoop it up and it will be a DD.
Go for it your car will love you

[TWIN911]

Been using a 88 as a daily driver for the past 11 year. Put over 120K on the car, it now has 245K on the clock. I get three kids off to school every morning in it. So, yes, these are great daily drivers. Great cars! I plan to upgrade the AC and some minor mods as things wear out, but for the most part the car is stock.

[ulrichd]

My only reservation would be the mediocre ventilation/ac system. Depending om what part of the country you live in that may not be of great concern to you. Here in Texas, there is no way my 78SC could ever become my daily driver.

[rusnak]

My '84 is a daily driver for about 10 months of the year, unless I have to drive the truck for hauling stuff.

I think if you drive it a lot, and are consistenly making improvements then it gets more and more reliable. It has over 300k miles, and not so much as an oil leak. The AC works pretty good now too.

[Sonic dB]

I put 70K miles on my well sorted 86 before recently selling it...in well sorted condition at 139K miles. It can be done and is enjoyable.

[bigrubberjeep]

I have choices for cars to drive on any given day, 30 out of 31 days you will see me in the black 85 Carrera going on 120K miles. Just cant get enough of it.

[Hugh R]

Yes, very reliable, but on a dollars/mile basis, they aren't cheap when you eventually have to rebuild. I split my miles with a 97 Mazda 626 with great A/C and an automatic for days when I go into Los Angeles in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Also don't care if the 626 gets a few dings in the parking lot. When the 626 dies, I'll walk away from it. I don't want to have ONE vehicle, especially an older Porsche that I HAVE to depend on to get me to work tomorrow. Don't know about your financial status, but driving the pcar regularly is fine, having a backup, just in case, is the way to go if you can afford it, even a beater, especially in MN. No expert here, but the cost of a complete 911 engine rebuild will buy a couple of beaters. Also, the 626 gets 25 mpg on regular in town and the 911 gets about 17 on Premium, so my cost per mile for gas alone is 50% more per mile for the 911, leaving aside the eventual rebuilding cost. Having said all that, I drive the 911 about 50:50 with the 626.

[dentist90]

Same story here. Take mine to work just about every day, rain or shine. I only have it out for 6 months of the year (due to real winters here) so I don't want to miss a minute. Downside is that there is increased risk of parking lot dings and road rash on paint. Keep the oil circulating I say!
I know there's risk of mechanical wear and breakdowns, but I don't think keeping it in a garage and only starting it every other week is great for it either. Start that makes me most nervous is the first one in the spring.

[Jubbie]

If my 74' can be a daily driver, then your 3.2 can certianly be one.

[slodave]

My '84 was bought new by my dad. he drove it as a daily driver until 2000. I drove it as a daily driver until 2004. My job requires me to drive all over L.A. county and I would have to park it it odd spots. I retired it to weekend fun and drive a Toyota Corolla as a daily beater - and it is that!. My Targa has 222,000 + miles and has never had a top end rebuild. Only regular valve adjustments. It does leak, but seems to be external leaks. The car still pulls very well to this day.

[rusnak]

It's reasonable for a 3.2 to be a daily driver.

It's not reasonable for it to compare in cost per mile to a Japanese sedan.