Should I upgrade to a '73 RS?

[blacklotus99]

Looking for some advice from the board again.

I am currently in a '75 2.7 Euro Carrera. Its a car I sought advice on previously and subsequently bought and have been enjoying for the last six months or so.

I have had some work done on the car and it is now at the stage where I cant see myself changing it really for anything else without taking a large step up. The setup is right, it has good power and with a new lsd it puts the power down really well. The MFI is spot on and the rally exhaust has freed up the low - mid range making it feel like an extra 10hp (though I doubt it!). All said, its a great car.

As we all know these 911/83 cars are becoming more and more sought after and values in the market are reflecting this.

Ok, here is the issue:

I may have the opportunity to procure a '73 RS. The RS is matching numbers and while originally touring has been converted to lightweight (in the 70s I think) but it does need some work to bring it up to a level I would be comfortable with. Engine/gbox freshen up, small amount of body work and a re-paint. The question really is a value one here. The RS is more than double the money (about 2.3x to buy in its current state) for what is effectively the same car as what I have.

What I am interested in is the potential for the RS if I do the work (maybe 40K) versus the euro carrera which I have already invested a little in to get it right. I understand the RS is rust free and straight, just very tired.

What do people think about this upgrade given the economics at play here? Is it a case of "get the RS regardless" or "dont bother"?

Here is the '75:

[Bobboloo]

Both cars being basically the same it's hard to make any suggestions because it really comes down to your personal feelings between the two cars.

I will say this. Your present car is beautiful and certainly wouldn't leave me wanting. We see so many 73'RS replicas now that the wow factor isn't what it used to be and your car with it's impact bumpers is refreshing and a classic in it's own right.

If the 73' RS is truly rust free and priced attractively then I do see your dilemma. You should consider this however. Will you feel as comfortable driving the 73' RS, knowing how much it's worth, compared to driving your 75' Carrera.

Another thing to consider albeit small is an impact bumper car can be parallel parked without as much worry as a longhood. I don't know how many SUVs you have there but here in L.A we have tons (literally) Parallel parking is out of the question in a longhood because if there's an SUV parked in front of you and they decide to back up to leave their bumper will completely miss yours and meet up with your hood.

I myself would probably enjoy owning your 75' more than owning a 73'RS but that's just me.

[red67]

i thought the 2.7 rs engine from 73 (highly desirable) is a completely different engine from the 75 2,7(not so desirable) and would be noticeably better.
as an investment i think the 73RS will continue to widen the gap over the 75 price.
the 75 is beautiful but i'd definately go for in my book the most desirable production porsche ever made the 73. even completely trashed matching number 73carreras are worth a fortune and going for amzing money.

[livi]

Unless money was absolutely no object, I would stick with your current car. It is a fantastic model and quite stunning in that color!

Paul, as I understand it is pretty much the same engine (in the Euro model, that is). The whole car was basically a more comfortable version of the '73.

[f3nr15]

I'm going to be a little different and suggest to you that the above decision shouldn't really be about the value of the cars at all.

May I be a little philosophical?

You've been dropped off on a deserted and nearly inaccessible beach by helicopter, to watch a beautiful sunset;

Whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery, you've looked back at the surrounding dense forest, and are now wondering if you should've braved the treacherous week-long forest treck to get to the beach instead.

After all, if you'd struggled through the forest treck to get here, wouldn't the beach sunset seem all the more amazing?

To summarise, I think the green 911 represents the 'destination', but part of you yearns for the 'journey' that is the '73 RS.

The end result is the same (a beautiful beach sunset), but which of these cars fits more with your philosophy of what these old girls represents; a beautiful destination, or a challenging journey?

[jester911]

I would put it more bluntly. Do you need to have a project or would you rather just enjoy driving a great car?

Some guys live for the project.

[hmd]

It's an investment decision, if the rs is 2.3 time the carrera then the cost of restoring it is a smallish part of the investment.

I say get the rs and keep the carrera as well

[ChrisBennet]

Originally Posted by red67

i thought the 2.7 rs engine from 73 (highly desirable) is a completely different engine from the 75 2,7(not so desirable) and would be noticeably better.
as an investment i think the 73RS will continue to widen the gap over the 75 price.
the 75 is beautiful but i'd definately go for in my book the most desirable production porsche ever made the 73. even completely trashed matching number 73carreras are worth a fortune and going for amzing money.

The "RS" 2.7MFI engine was used in the some Euro '74 and '75 cars. A good deal for the knowledgable enthusiast.

blacklotus99,
IMO, these cars are for driving and the known/nice condition, unique color and uninflated price of your car would make it the more attractive than a car that needed to be restored and was too valuable to drive without undue concern about damaging it.
-Crhis

[frogger]

Originally Posted by Bobboloo

Both cars being basically the same it's hard to make any suggestions because it really comes down to your personal feelings between the two cars.

I will say this. Your present car is beautiful and certainly wouldn't leave me wanting. We see so many 73'RS replicas now that the wow factor isn't what it used to be and your car with it's impact bumpers is refreshing and a classic in it's own right.

If the 73' RS is truly rust free and priced attractively then I do see your dilemma. You should consider this however. Will you feel as comfortable driving the 73' RS, knowing how much it's worth, compared to driving your 75' Carrera.

Another thing to consider albeit small is an impact bumper car can be parallel parked without as much worry as a longhood. I don't know how many SUVs you have there but here in L.A we have tons (literally) Parallel parking is out of the question in a longhood because if there's an SUV parked in front of you and they decide to back up to leave their bumper will completely miss yours and meet up with your hood.

I myself would probably enjoy owning your 75' more than owning a 73'RS but that's just me.

I'm 100% in agreement with everything Bobby said. Your '75 is spectacular!

[johndglynn]

The '73 for sure is a special car. I would love one. If you have the itch, and the resources to scratch it, then maybe it just has to be owned. But, not long after I bought my Cab I had the opportunity to buy an upgraded RV at a price which would have meant selling the 911. I advertised the car and after two days of serious enquiries I realised I couldn't do it - the ads got pulled and we kept our old camper. Right decision as the 911 has given me inestimable pleasure and made me some great friends.

My experience there would say keep old Limey, forget the hard work and big time expense of a 'project' '73 and enjoy what you have. If you still feel the same in a year's time then go for it, but find one that doesn't need the work doing, always worth the premium. In the meantime, get that non-standard muffler off there and send it to me for destruction by track day ASAP

[Joeaksa]

Agree with Paul and the two cars staying the same, the 1973 RS will hold its value or increase in the future much more than your current car.

Question is can you afford it, and if the answer is yes then would love to see the car in the hands of someone who loves the car and not just for its investment potential.

[Macroni]

A 74 or 75 Euro Carrera IMO will show greater appreciation for the invested dollar going forward. I believe they will minimally double in value based upon the recent market. There is currently one listed in hemmings for $72,000 USD.

This is unless you have uncovered a 73RS with a interesting racing lineage. Based upon your description the car was modded for racing. Any infamy in the history and it would create insane values from $275,000 to $?00,000. Racing lineage cars have been listed at greater that a half million dollars.

Personally, I would love both cars. The RSs have moved out of my practical reach. The 74/75 Euro carrera which is a similar car becomes a affordable alternative to own a very special car.

[RWebb]

why buy something at an apparent market top -- wait a while for the economy to cool off (or slow down or tumble or crash - your choice) - then take the $$ you have invested instead of buying & choose from a number of cars that will then be for sale at much lower prices.

[pwd72s]

I'm going to shock everybody here...and plug for the driving joy. Your '75 has essentially the same engine as the '73 RS...(Lucky rest of the world folks)

Keep your'75...enjoy the ride without worry of an "artifact" being crunched.

[blacklotus99]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I guess the RS is an opportunity to get in to the market at a point that is achieveable now. This Im fairly sure wont be the case in a year or two. Im expecting prices to keep tracking upward for at least the next 3 years if not 5. Im concerned that if I dont do it now I may never get the chance unless the entire market crashes which I think is unlikely.

People Im talking to in the trade seem to think the RS is undervalued compared to a lot of other things out there. At reasonable money they are all buyers at the moment.

I agree the '75 is likely also to increase but I suspect the market has a limit with the short hood cars regardless of what they are. I cant see this attitude changing soon. I dont know what that limit may be but it seems to be there.

If I was to move on the RS it would certainly be a driver as is my car now. Sure, things happen but I dont see the point if its not driven, street and track. The project aspect appeals to me in some ways but I dont like unexpected surprises so that could be a downside with this car. At least now I know exactly what I have which is a big plus.

The journey or the destination is apt too.

Any other thoughts going forward on the comparison between the '73 and '75?

[Walko]

Buy the RS you won't regret it. I believe the price differential will only get bigger in AUS.

Michael

[hkiang1]

Is it possible to keep the '75 while buying the '73 RS also?

Your '75 Carrera is beautiful!

Henry

[drsimonwong]

The RS is the purer form of the car. It was built to race. Built without the constraints of the emissions and safety laws that the Carrera conformed to.

This is why it is more desireable and is priced accordingly.

If you can afford it and want to buy it because of these reasons, then do so. I suspect the RS's investment potential will continue to outstrip the Carrera's relative worth. As far as a driver's car, I suspect it will be better. As far as wheither you will drive it less because of it's increased value, only you can decide.

If you can afford it(and do allow for the potential of huge restoration expenses), buy the RS. You'll regret it if you don't.

Simon

[johndglynn]

Back to back driving myself between the two I never see a vast amount of difference. The weight is more or less the same, the power is more or less the same. Driving position in the later car maybe doesn't wake up that voice in your head that says 'now this is what I'm talking about'. But passengering someone in the earlier car who knows how to drive a 911 quickly (and doesn't care about the value) is like another world.

If you are buying one to let rip on track whenever you have the time then go for it, they are one of the greatest cars ever. But for 90% of driving on the road, your car is almost the same in my opinion, not a great deal in it when the impact bumper car is set up correctly and the MFI is in good shape. They are fine cars and the values have plenty left in them yet (my opinion). As long as the RS rises, then the IB will track right up behind it, albeit on a different curve.

Have you dyno'd your car and have you driven or passengered in a '73? Would you honestly drive the daylights out of a car that owed you $300,000+? Have to say I would, every single day, and I suspect you would too - you only live once bro

[herman maire]

TOUGH CALL

Your car is just BEAUTIFUL. Like the others have said you currrent car will also be valuable in the future but as valuable as the RS... who knows.

Its pretty hard to turn down a #'s matching RS though. One thing I really do not like if I was to buy the RS and for it to be correct I would have to paint it white. Compared to your current car white is just soooo boring. I would only buy the RS if I would be painting it a color I really like. If thats the case I would have to go with the RS.

Why dont you just keep both of them . You wont loose any $$$ on either of them.