Car buying question...

[Blitzschnell]

Ok, I need some advice as I am searching for a DD but a little background first.
Owned a 85 Carerra coupe in the past, loved it, hated to sell it, and have found another just like it for a great price. My dilema is that I am now actually going to have to use it as a DD and for some weeks might travel over 100 miles per day 3 days per week. I know these cars are fairly reliable if taken car of which I will do, but I am also considering some good deals on 90-91 C2s and C4s.

I even really like the pre Carerras but really dont know as much about them. Just sold an 05 M3 and loved the 333hp so I want something that I can either buy for $10-ish and do some engine rebuilding and beefing up or just buy a $20K 90's car and drive it as is. Wife wants me to get another M3 (99 which I owned previously is most likely choice) because she knows it is more practical. She's right...hope she doesn't read this.


Have a fully confused everyone? Any for a previous Porsche owner looking to become one again would be GREATLY appreciated.

[hcoles]

I think this is a common delema... practical high performance "normal" car e.g. M3 or older 911. There are so many pros and cons... if you want to track the car a bit I think the 911 is more suited.. but even there you will get lots of pros and cons.

[Brother]

Why did you sell the M3?

[Blitzschnell]

Originally Posted by Brother

Why did you sell the M3?

Well, as much as I liked the 333hp and the torque, it is jus not the same quality of vehicle as the E36s...especially the 99 M3. After searching again for anothe 99 M3 I am coming to the sad realization that 1. Because they are affordable and have lots of power bone stock they are likely to be owned by kids with more money than taste or sense. This is especially true for some reason of the Estoril Blue cars which I love the most. 2. I had an unmodified (with the exception of clear lights all the way around) gem of a car that was nearly bullet-proof and I will unhappy with anything else.

So hence the reason I am moving on and with another Porsche.

Maybe my question was too broad, given the lack of responses.
My main concerns are:
1. The early 80's SCs are totally cool but I fear under powered for my taste (those that own them, dont beat me up...note I said "for my taste"). I am also unfamiliar with their quirks and might inadvertatly make a poor buy. They are cool, probably easier to work on, and if priced right I'd have room in my budget to rebuild/build-up. However, Savannah is hot, this is going to be DD and I fear AC issues.
2. The Carerras are cool as hell, had one before so i am more comfortable here, but I know they have their own issues. Moving from 333hp to the mid to low 2xx's is concerning me. When I had my Carerra it felt fast as hell...prior to the E36 M3 and E46 M3. These are plenty available but few get my heart rate up and I feel less confident in one as a DD compared to the C2s and C4s
3. The C2s and C4s are totally cool - More modern looking, bigger displacement, and appear as they'd be more comfortable as a DD. My concern here is simply from lack of knowledge and some general rumor (lots of oil leaks, dual mass fly wheel problems, and EXPENSIVE to work on since the 3.6 is crammed in there so tight, right?)

Can someone please help confirm/deny the rumor stuff I mentioned about the C2/C4s

Thanks in advance guys. You probably have freaky knowledge that I am lacking.

[Brother]

I'm in a similar place except that I haven't owned an M3. The older cars are not powerful. They are cool and quick, but they don't have ridiculous torque so it is not as fun to stomp on.

I'm leaning toward a 964 or 95 993. Creature comforts with better power and torque. Heavier, but everything is more modern. I really need to go test drive a 964.

I found myself sometimes taking my toyota to the store because it was more comfortable and easier to deal with. If the Porsche was comfortable and started everytime, than it would be perfect.

[Blitzschnell]

Right there with you brother...
OK, so here are my two front runners:
1. 85 Carerra, Euro version with 75K, Guards red, black, 75K miles, $17K, private seller so no tax, and 4 hours away. Driving it this weekend but PPI noted oils leaks that were minor. Do I spend $300 for a compression test/leakdown? Wife hates the whaletail.

2. 1990 C4, black/black coupe, 107K miles, $18,500, but 2000+ miles away, no PPI yet, and it is from a dealer (tax, more expensive in the first place).

Both have good carfax reports and seem to have the records up to date.
Wife prefers the newer car but I get the gut feeling that while the C4 is a good deal, the 85 is a better deal (less confident in DD though).

What do the fellow Pelicans think?

[Rot 911]

No way I would use a Carrera in GA as a daily driver in the summer. The AC just doesn't work that well.

[Blitzschnell]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

No way I would use a Carrera in GA as a daily driver in the summer. The AC just doesn't work that well.

Ask me how I know...


Any comments about the C4s?
Which car is the better deal?

[Greek55]

I agree with Kurt V about the air condition in the South summer months.
I drive my car more in the winter than the summer because once my car gets hot in the sun, I cant get it cooled down with the A/C. If the temperature is 80 or below, its great. Over 80 and sunny doesnt work.

[Brother]

If those were the only cars to choose from, I would probably go with the C2. The price is good, but I know nothing of the condition or history.

Do you NEED another car in a very short time frame? Surely there is some selection in the atlanta and florida areas.

[Blitzschnell]

Yes, unfortunately I do NEED one. We have an 06 Pilot for working on the house and a future baby-mobile. I am getting a 911 while I have the chance.
I KNOW the M3 is more practical but this might be my last chance for a Porsche for a while. I saw one on Porschetrader.com that had a baby seat in the back and forwarded it to my wife as ammo.

I have a boatload of pics from the C4 that were just sent today. Looks great and CarFax doesn't show any gaps in the routine maintenance and mileage updates. Does the AC suck in the 964?

So what is the deal with the dual mass fly-wheel?

Oh, and if the 85 Carrera is truly a Euro, would the VIN reveal it? Does it have the G50?

I am trying to look this stuff up on my own but any freebies would save me some time.

[Brother]

Originally Posted by Blitzschnell

Yes, unfortunately I do NEED one. We have an 06 Pilot for working on the house and a future baby-mobile. I am getting a 911 while I have the chance.
I KNOW the M3 is more practical but this might be my last chance for a Porsche for a while. I saw one on Porschetrader.com that had a baby seat in the back and forwarded it to my wife as ammo.

I have a boatload of pics from the C4 that were just sent today. Looks great and CarFax doesn't show any gaps in the routine maintenance and mileage updates. Does the AC suck in the 964?

So what is the deal with the dual mass fly-wheel?

Oh, and if the 85 Carrera is truly a Euro, would the VIN reveal it? Does it have the G50?

I am trying to look this stuff up on my own but any freebies would save me some time.

The 85 has a 915 tranny. The vin should tell you it is a euro.

C4 vs C2 actually changes my mind. Maybe others can speak up, but I couldn't afford to fix anything to deal with the 4wd system on a 964.

The 964 has solid modern air conditioning.

Check out the FAQ's on the 993/964 forum for the DMF stuff.

[richde]

^ Triple Z VIN, and it's not a G50.

[Blitzschnell]

Thanks for all the replies. I was hoping the Euro version of the 85 had the G50 but as you guys stated there is no such luck.
Yup, it's got the ZZZ!

I remember sweating my arse off in my 85 Carrera in Atlanta several years ago. Maybe its time to narrow the search to a C2 since dont want to spend a lot repairing the 4WD system. I will check the FAQs about the DMF.

[JR_NYC]

"SC" and "A/C" don't usually belong in the same sentence.

[tcar]

G50 tranny first appeared in '87.

I do not like wings either, but it's not a big deal to remove it and install a normal deck. I did, twice.

Carrera has the same A/C as the SC. Properly charged (w/ R12) and in good shape, it works pretty well actually.

I personally would stay away from the C4, don't need it in Georgia (for snow, anyway) and it is complex and expensive to repair. C2 will be less expensive to buy - lighter, too.

[Blitzschnell]

Originally Posted by tcar

G50 tranny first appeared in '87.

I do not like wings either, but it's not a big deal to remove it and install a normal deck. I did, twice.

Carrera has the same A/C as the SC. Properly charged (w/ R12) and in good shape, it works pretty well actually.

I personally would stay away from the C4, don't need it in Georgia (for snow, anyway) and it is complex and expensive to repair. C2 will be less expensive to buy - lighter, too.

I knew the G50 first appeared in 87 in the US cars but I was hoping that the Euro-folks were ahead of us over here. No such luck, I know.

I goofed. I meant to say does the Carrera have the same AC systems as the 964s...not the sc's.

I have looked and looked...no good C2 coupes (let me qualify that with "in my price range of <$20. I am deadset on coupes.)

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Brother

The 85 has a 915 tranny. The vin should tell you it is a euro.

C4 vs C2 actually changes my mind. Maybe others can speak up, but I couldn't afford to fix anything to deal with the 4wd system on a 964.

I would be a little concerned with the early C4s... I think it has been called the Sputnik all wheel drive system and it is very expensive to repair. The later C4s are a much simpler system but I am unsure of cost of maintenance on them.
A quick search might turn up more.

C2 would be nice or even a late Carrera.

[Brother]

Originally Posted by Blitzschnell

I knew the G50 first appeared in 87 in the US cars but I was hoping that the Euro-folks were ahead of us over here. No such luck, I know.

I goofed. I meant to say does the Carrera have the same AC systems as the 964s...not the sc's.

I have looked and looked...no good C2 coupes (let me qualify that with "in my price range of <$20. I am deadset on coupes.)

Well, we are in the same boat as far as shopping. I'll pass anything on to you that I find because I'm not going to be ready to buy for a while.

[Blitzschnell]

Brother, I will pass along any leads.
I have appts to drive 3 carreras in Atlanta this weekend.
Keep you posted.

I really want a C2 now but am not counting out the ones I drive this weekend.