I am new

[vespatx]

Greetings all. I have been interested in owning a Porsche since I was a child and may have finally reached a point where it is possible. I need to know what the most economical 911 would be to purchase. From what I have read, the later 911 SC's have been referenced as being "bulletproof" in many articles. I have seen many for sale under $20000 but just wonder if I should be looking at some of the newer models instead that are in the $25000 range?

This will not be used as a daily driver but when driven I would like it to be reliable enough to drive long distance on occasion (300 miles). I am sure I will be able to handle minor maintenance but do not want to have to worry about costly rebuilds on buying a machine that is nearing 100,000 miles. Any help here will be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Bryan

[Paul K]

Bryan:

Welcome! Please add your location to your profile so we know where you are. The search button here is your friend- but no matter what, get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) on any vehicle before you buy it.

Cheers,

Paul.

[theclaw]

Where are you located? There are many reputable dealers around the country and occasional private sellers. Scan the pelican board, watch for cars in Panorama, the PCA's monthy rag. I bought my '84 three years ago with 44,000 miles on it for $20k. Have patience. Your car will come.

[MT930]

Reading this forum will save you $$ and trouble. It was the largest influence in helping me find and buy my car. I read posts for a year before I started making contact with sellers. Don't buy one with out a pre purchase inspection. I learn something every time I sign on.

Welcome!

[Paul K]

Continued... first thing you need to decide is Cab, Targa or Coupe. The next part will be SC vs. Carrera and 915 vs. G-50. I suggest driving as many different configurations as you can- it will soon become apparent what you want. I have also heard the advice 'Buy the newest, nicest example you can find'.

Good luck with the search!

Cheers,

Paul.

[vespatx]

I live in Early, Texas. Thanks for the input. I have been reading a bit obsessively lately about Porsche. I am just looking to single out on model to shoot for. I really like the looks of the 965 but am still held up on the "bullet proof" SC's. I plan on having the pre-inspection done before a purchase. I just want to narrow down my sights on the best I can afford to own.

[burgermeister]

Mileage has little (if any) correlation with future maintenance expense and need for overhauls (unless you're somewhat above the 1/4 million mark). If it's been treated well, maintained well, and avoided the unlucky parts bin, it will be as good as it gets. Many things will go wrong based on time as opposed to mileage - unlike a number of things on a 911, the actual wear parts seem designed extremely well and are quite durable (valve guides excepted).
If you don't find yourself wanting to drive it very, very often, it isn't the right car ... I put almost as many miles on my 911 in its first year as I put on my previous toy car (71 Firebird) in 14 years. Fun!
I'd get a less expensive, well maintained higher mileage example and use the leftover money as tinkering budget. That way you won't fret about depreciating it by adding miles - it will be a car, not a picasso or monet.

[HarryD]

Welcome to the Worlds Best 911 (air cooled) forum.

The "traditional" advice is to buy the newest one you can afford that is in good to excellent shape (Bruce Anderson is fond of this saying). That said, you first need to decide which range of models "floats your boat". some factors to consider:

1-Coupe vs targa vs cabriolet;

2-Which range of models fits your desires
Early (65-73)
Mid (74-77)
SC/ Carrera (78-89)
964 (90-94)
993 (95-99)
996/997

I would suggest you look at Wade Guthries FAQ (http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm) and read Peter Zimmerman's Book " The Used 911 Story" .

Of course, look here and ask questions as well.

You should attempt to drive the different models and see them at different states of repair.

For your budget, it is often suggested that you may be better served with a most excellent SC instead of a ratty Carrera.

Bear in mind that all of these cars typically need work and you should budget $2,000 for your first year of ownership (plus the cost of any upgrades you may desire) and $1,000 to 2,000 annually for ongoing maintenance. Someyear, your maintenance cost may only be $500 and other years it can be very high (several thousand).

As others already said, a Pre Puchase Inspection by a qualified Porsche Shop is considered to be a necessity. For the older cars (air cooled), stay away from the dealers and find a shop with a older fellow who loves the cars.

Best of luck.

[livi]

Welcome Bryan!

The term 'bullet proof', like most things, apply in a general statistical sense. There are crappy SC´s too. Many people claim the later 3.2 Carrera (84-89) is bullet proof too. As a matter of fact, one could probably say all the models from 78-97 are pretty sturdy and generally reliable machines. Trick is to weed out the bad ones - not least by having a thorough PPI done. Have you test driven the different models?

The SC range ARE very good. I am just saying other models are good too and the individual condition is what counts. Good luck!

[RWebb]

You are pretty far from DFW or Austin-tejas.

Are you planning to do your own repairs & maint.? Most anything is feasible if you are handy and have a spare car (parts car runner).

Or is there a good shop in your town?

One thing about the SC - it has CIS fuel injection. That means:
[1] it can't be 'souped up' as easily as the later cars with DME (computer chips), and
[2] eventually it may have to be converted to run on an ETOH mix. "eventually" can be a long time however.

There are many thread comparing the various years but you will want to do some work with the search engine to find them. I advise getting a good book to help you choose. Peter Zimmerman wrote one.

Also, be sure to avoid any Katrina or Rita cars, that have surely 'flooded' the Texas market by now.

[chris.817]

I would suggest a G50 car. And don't be overly concerned with mileage. They will all require extensive maintenance. The more you can do yourself the better. Beyond an 89 they are complicated.

Find what you want and balance condition with price and expected immediate repair/maintenance. Ugly cosmetics are expensive to fix for most people. Less than perfect maintenance and mechanical care are, I think, are mostly DIY.

Don't dream of buying without a PPI. And know what it should say. Have some sort of independant recommendation on the shop doing it...... I failed that last part.

Good luck on your search. You will be pleased with the result!!!

[HarryD]

Speaking as an owner of an old school car, I would not make getting a G-50 as high a priority as getting a car in overall good/excellent condition.

While many here feel the G-50 is a better transmission (and it does have some nice features to recommend itself), I am very happy with my (much) older 915 transmission and once you get used to it's quirks, it can be a pleasure to stir the gears.

[911Rob]

From reading your post, I'd recommend a good condition Mid 80's SC/Carrera car for you. IMO.

Good Luck in your search!

[911s55]

Bryon; Welcome!

Since you've been considering this purchase for a while, don't sell yourself short on picking a car that you like the looks of, body style, narrow through '77, Carrera's have wider fender flares than SC's. Of course Targa, Cabriolet or Coupe and not least of all the color. Don't kid yourself into thinking that an otherwise fine car with a color you don't care for will grow on you, it doesn't always.

Also a lot of the small technical convieniences and alterations that were added to certain years, 80mph speedometer, AC, power windows, seats, brakes and steering, most becoming mandatory equipment.

As already stated drive as much of a variety of years and models that attract and interest YOU.
I personally prefer the simplicity, style and character of the early cars.
Have Fun!!

David

[Macroni]

My advise to a first timer would be to make sure you know what you are buying. All cars will have minor mechanical issues over their life. It is the big ones you want to avoid.

There has been some great advise imparted here and I would reflect upon each response S L O W L Y.

A $25,000 budget will allow you to buy a very nice early car up to and including a relatively low mileage 996. It is a buyers market!

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/car/545691581.html
FS: 71E Rust-Free Beauty
USE THIS BOARD, MEMBERS WILL AVAIL THEMSELVES TO YOU FOR PRACTICALLY ANYTHING!

[SXSMAN]

Ahh-ohh , You're not one of dem long haired hippie Vespa ridin sumbriches r u ?

Gotta watch out for dem Vesda dudes . ( See sig )

Also you must post pics when you get your ride .

Sounds like a fun search .

Enjoy the forum and post pics if you have a Vespa .

SxS

[RWebb]

SxS - look up Early, TX on a map. You'll see he's in or near the Llano Estacado - an area so nasty that even the Indians avoided it.

IF he has a Vespa, the wind would blow him into Oklahoma if he rode it outside.

[jcsjcs]

I bought an '84 Carrera Targa about 6 months ago. I spend around $16k - though I have put about $2k more in...

After A LOT of reading, I believe that the Carrera's are about as reliable as the SC's. Someone mentioned that 89 and later get more complex - which I believe is true. I am not much of a mechanic - but feel comfortable doing basic work on my car (and have been able to get help from a friend who has been working on cars his whole life....)

One of the main reasons I chose 80's was to get the quintessential 911 - RAW, loud, fun, light, fast (relatively), etc. My car is a blast to drive. I do worry a bit about long trips - but the engine seems perfect and the transmission (915) is becoming very familiar.

Hey - if you can afford $25k plus $2k in initial work (I think that is just going to be a given in one of these cars), you can either get a PERFECT SC or Carrera or move up to a newer car. If money is a bit tight or you want the RAW beast from the 80's.... get an SC or Carrera.

When I was buying, I missed out on an SC that was in moderate shape (the paint needed some work) but was just under $10k from a local exotic car dealer. That would have been a great car - and I actually ran into the new owner when I picked mine up after the pre-purchase inspection. He was very happy... so you never know what you will find.

Best of luck! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THOROUGH DOCUMENTED PPI done (mine was not done very well as I was not diligent - which probably cost me $1k to $3k in work (and I consider that lucky.))

Will look for you on the highway!

jcsjcs

[vespatx]

Thanks soo much for all this wonderful advice. I would have never thought fresh meat would get such a good response. I am going to slowly digest each reply and do as much research as possible. I am sold on the PPI and will do.

I am not really a hippie but I do have a couple vespas- 1981 P200 and a 1964 VNB. They are not fancy but have two different personalities! I recently moved up to a full size bagger motorcycle Suzuki Boulevard but I am still a scooterist at heart.

I grew up around VW's. I am now on my 4th. Porsche would be like the crown of my car life. Here in my part of the "LLano Estacado" (I love that) these cars are few and far between.

[Phantomflyer]

Originally Posted by SXSMAN

Ahh-ohh , You're not one of dem long haired hippie Vespa ridin sumbriches r u ?

I think he is, well at least he has experience with air cooled engines.
See sign line.

- Piaggio PX200 E '89
- Piaggio V50SR '76
- Triumph Spitfire 1500 '80
- Mazda Miata (MX-5) 1.8 '99
- Porsche 911 SC Targa '82