What I have learned from this forum

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by RFR
22) Porsche could give a crap about parts support for older porsches.

Hmm, I'll argue that you guys are spoiled on this one. For those of us who have owned other cars from the sixties and seventies, you will find that the manufacturers of these cars really don't have anything available. It constantly surprises me the level and number of parts still available for the early 911s.

-Wayne

[randywebb]

That's right - it is a lot better for the 911 than for other similar vintage cars.

Of course, there are more 911s on the hwys than for most (all?) other cars of the same vintage -- at least on a % basis.

[1982911SCTarga]

What I can't believe is that a car that cost $40 Grand new in 1984 would have such a suck ass A/C system. That's like spending $100 grand today for a car. (Which is I guess what a new one cost anyway).

Hugh, just a guess, but was your ROW 911 missing a condenser or two when it was brought into the country?

The maintenance cost of a 911 is enormously variable. If you know which way to turn a wrench, can read manuals and schematics, invest in a few special tools, and work deliberately and logically, these cars aren't that mysterious or expensive to maintain. You'll recover the tool costs the first time you don't have to have Dieter tweaking your ride.

Yep, our cars have tons of blowers. But you know what? They're all fairly accessible. Ever replace the evaporator on a Jeep Cherokee? It's a one-day teardown just to get to the evaporator -- remove the steering wheel, drop the steering column, unplug the dash wiring harnesses, remove the dash fascias and dash, and then you're to the point where you can begin to remove the HVAC unit (in which the evaporator lives). Great fun. On the other hand, there's not much on a 911 that you can't remove withing an hour or so of work.

As an aside, am I the only 911 owner who's happy with his AC? Temps have been 90-plus around here and I'm cruising in cool comfort. The 911 abides.

Brian

[defcon65]

Another would-be Porsche enthusiast seduced and abandoned by the incredible aura of a used 911...
Just stick with it, once you get it running and hear the sirens' song, it will be all too clear to you why you bought it in the first place.

And no, these ain't datsoons.

[brett25]

yeah, maybe. You really have to do your homework. If you buy a car that has been well cared for, then alot of your points will not be relevant. These cars are high quality and durable. If the car has been abused or not maintained you cannot blame the car.

I have never had a car that has given me so much pleasure to own and drive. I literally never get tired of looking at it and driving it. Mine is a daily driver and i daily have something to look foward before and after work.


oh yeah. Delete your AC


PS. that was very funny list

[charleskieffner]

Originally posted by defcon65
Another would-be Porsche enthusiast seduced and abandoned by the incredible aura of a used 911...
Just stick with it, once you get it running and hear the sirens' song, it will be all too clear to you why you bought it in the first place.

And no, these ain't datsoons.

too funny! its true on anything you buy used. if its 20 yrs old you dump some cash and time. well alot of cash and time. if its 30 yrs old mega more cash and time. i HAD to drive mine today before our monsoons kicked into gear and go to patrick motorsports and anglo american racing via the 51 freeway. had a guy tailgating me with ford truck while im in fast lane obviously speeding as usual. radar dectector goes off, i slow down to 65mph, get visual on white crown vic undercover mobile. tap my brakes and ford gets even closer. tap them again as i am paralleling cop. ford gets an inch off my A$$. cop pulls behind him and lights off cherries on ford truck. you just cant laugh hard enough on this one. everybody wants to race you, everybody waves to you even if they arent driving a p-car. it is totally amazing how many people ask me about my car for being almost 20 years old! they are amazing thats all i can say! and tommorow is yet another high altittude test to be conducted going up to flagstaff to avoid heat! from the dez to the pines!

[livi]

Re: What I have learned from this forum:


1. That there are a lot of really nice American guys.

2. Taking advantage of said guys, who arguably have forgotten more about vintage Porsche΄s than I will ever learn.


Here is a hearty BIG THANK YOU to you all!!!

[defcon65]

Skal, Markus! An icy Absolut waits for me in my freezer; I will raise a toast to our health and damn the cost of these funny cars!

Joe

[livi]

Hear, hear - skεl !!

[RFR]

On a different perspective, If it wasn't for warranties, probably no one would be able to afford maintinence and upkeep on most new cars.

RR
78 targa
http://www.myspace.com/ristguitars

[Craig 930 RS]

24) 930s can destroy themselves in short order ;-)
25) There are many ways and methods to "upgrade" a 911.

[SRL84Car]

A couple of weeks ago I spent a couple of hours with the Sacramento Valley Chapter of PCA club event in the garage of a member who restored an old speedster with his son. The car was gorgeous, he told how he did it, he started it (he had to duck under the convertable top at an interesting angle), he answered questions. He joked the car was probably worth about $100,000 in near concours condition. Then some of the other members roasted him and told war stories of racing SCCA and PCA autocross and track days.

This is why I love the Porsche community. You won't find the local Camaro club having an event like this.

I love my ''84 Targa and I suggest you do what I did with my top, take it off and leave it off. Great discussion - I agree the sound of that flat six is a siren's song. I hear it calling me now...

[Motorhead-45]

Originally posted by Super_Dave_D
Yesterday as I drove home in 96 deg temp with very high humidity and heavy traffic, I couldn’t believe I bought a car that I couldn’t drive comfortably in. Got home sweating to death and cussing that piece of shizzit.

Feeling bad I went inside and ordered some more parts for her and apologized. Man I love that car. I hope she forgives me!

You CAN drive home comfortably! Next time you pick up the phone to order parts call Griffiths or Rennaire! I live in the same climate as you (other end of the state) and recently did the update/upgrade on my a/c. I wear a white shirt and tie to work and I can now comfortably ride home in my Targa after it sitting in the sun all day. On the way in this morning the vent temps were 34.....on the way home this afternoon the temps were in the low 40's in traffic. Funny how a $10.00 thermometer becomes the most watched guage in a car after you spend a wad of cash on a/c upgrades!

[cicsprog]

From first page of this thread:

"I want to be buried in a 911 when I die".

My wife said I don't have a choice after a G50 rebuild.

They are a money pit. I've learned a ton here but even so take some recommendations with a grain of salt. I knew nothing about these cars when I bought mine PPI less. Paid the price for that.

However, its been a gas to drive and a challenge to work on. Thank god for Bently, Wayne's book, and this BBS (especially Jeremy, JW, JackGresham, others) or it would have been out the door many years ago.

Jason
"porsche novice since 2000 and still learning"
88 911 CAB

[SRL84Car]

You HAVE to read the Gold Plated Porsche, this is taken from a prior post by the author. Search on the book for more info:

"When I rebuilt and extensively modified the 1983 911SC Coupe that was the subject of my book, "The Gold-Plated Porsche: How I Spent $70,000 on a Used Car, and Other Misadventures" (check it out on amazon.com)."

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by Motorhead-45
You CAN drive home comfortably! Next time you pick up the phone to order parts call Griffiths or Rennaire! I live in the same climate as you (other end of the state) and recently did the update/upgrade on my a/c. I wear a white shirt and tie to work and I can now comfortably ride home in my Targa after it sitting in the sun all day. On the way in this morning the vent temps were 34.....on the way home this afternoon the temps were in the low 40's in traffic. Funny how a $10.00 thermometer becomes the most watched guage in a car after you spend a wad of cash on a/c upgrades!

Note that Pelican now carries the RennAire product line!

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_VENTac_pg4.htm#item23

[Doug Steinel]

Porsche never should have offered AC as an option. Next thing you know, they will waste performance car research funds and build anSUV!

[Motorhead-45]

No way! It'll never happen!

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally posted by Motorhead-45
You CAN drive home comfortably! Next time you pick up the phone to order parts call Griffiths or Rennaire! I live in the same climate as you (other end of the state) and recently did the update/upgrade on my a/c. I wear a white shirt and tie to work and I can now comfortably ride home in my Targa after it sitting in the sun all day. On the way in this morning the vent temps were 34.....on the way home this afternoon the temps were in the low 40's in traffic. Funny how a $10.00 thermometer becomes the most watched guage in a car after you spend a wad of cash on a/c upgrades!

I was just being facetious but Wow for another $1200 in parts alone I could drive cooler. NO thanks, I just spent a grand in exhaust and my next will be new tires and working up to the top end and THEN maybe I’ll get to the AC. Comfort is last on the list lol.

Scott – good job on the recommendation – no thanks but don’t worry, sooner or later you will get my money.

[jester911]

24) Heating/defrost system uses 18 different controls with 18,000 different combinations and takes an engineering degree to figure out that it still really doesn't ever unfog the windows.