considering ownership but spooked - Page 2

bdisco · 09-09-2009, 10:58 AM

First welcome to Pelican you've come to the right place. Lots of info here >

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

Best of luck in your search.

gerlando · 09-09-2009, 11:06 AM

I had a similar path as you. I had a 91 miata for 4 years, an E30 for 10 months, an 99 M Coupe for about a year, and I finally got a 87 911 earlier this year. I'd say the miata was the best car I ever owned for the simple fact that it was the cheapest, most reliable, and just as fun as anything else. From my short term experience with the 911 I'd expect it to be more reliable than either BMW and it's simply more rewarding to own.

drmitch007 · 09-09-2009, 11:19 AM

Yes, I'd consider the Boxster but in my budget it would have to be an early one and I know they had some "catastrophic engine failure" issues--yikes. I would guess that any Boxsters of that vintage would have already imploded were they going to do so, so maybe that's nothing to worry about. However...just the regular maintenance costs would still most likely knock me out of the game with a newer Porsche. Listen, if money were no object, I'd get a Cayman, which I think is one of the most breathtaking cars on the road and has had its praises sung constantly in the auto mags, and a 550 Spyder replica as a weekend toy.

GothingNC · 09-09-2009, 11:27 AM

X2 on the Boxster as a DD, even early 996's are dropping below 20k.

Do you need AC?

How many miles a year will you drive since the rear tires require replacement quite often dependent on driving conditions.

Also replacement parts for the mid-year CIS are not readily available and expenses can add up quickly if you are in a bind to get the car back on the road and don't have time to sort out the problem quickly-back up car needed.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I'd either go pre 1975 to get away from the smog nazis - or shoot for a nice 1984-1989 carrera. I like the SC's but with an aging CIS and ethanol gas (and I've seen what it's done to the boat) I'd steer clear.

Look here - look at rennlist. In fact here's a list of locations to check out - this should keep you busy for awhile...

Looking_for_911 · 09-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

Price? Pics?

Get a PPI from a good porsche mechanic, probably not a dealer.

Frankly, for a daily driver I would want at least a 964 or newer. (1990's and up)

+1 on That!

A few months ago I had a man in Miami take his 911 to a dealer for a PPI. I trusted them because they are a huge outfit down there and I felt as if they'd know what they were doing.
IN addition to not doing the leak down test like I asked (all they did was compression) they returned paperwork with their "courtesy inspection" notes.... it was not a proper PPI at all, but a Courtesy Inspection like they'd do if you took the car in for service. Ie: "windshield wiper resovoir full," etc.
I was Very disappointed to say the least. I wanted this 911 badly but felt I couldn't go on with the deal. And, I got to pay $500 for this dealer's "PPI."

DDD · 09-09-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

There's nothing wrong with a 2.7, provided it's been maintained well and kept cool. The 75+ 2.7 cars are prone to problems because the emissions rules changed for those model years, prompting Porsche to add the thermal reactors and switch from an 11-blade to a 5-blade fan. All this stuff makes more heat, which is great for emissions but terrible for the longevity of the engines. I'd be VERY leery of any 911 with the CA "smog nazi" package that hadn't been rebuilt or at the very least, retrofitted with an 11-blade fan and thermal reactor delete. And I'd have any of them checked to make sure there aren't any pulled head studs. If you're buying the car as a project, who cares. If it's going to be your DD, then I'd care a lot (a rebuild is expensive and will put your car out of commission for a while, if it's your only one...)

If I were a "one car only" kind of guy, it would never be a Porsche of ANY vintage. Seriously. If reliability is an issue and there's no way you can have a spare car, get a Toyota or a Honda - maybe a Miata if you don't mind the "gay" jokes. They're actually pretty fun cars.

Too funny on the miata being gay. I thought that was reserved for Subarus. Now I am going to have second thoughts every time I drive it.

I have to admit I cringe every time someone (my wife or some woman usually) tell me the miata is "cute". I don't see it that way at all. But, then again, I don't see myself as a balding middle-aged man either!

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

FWIW I considered the '04 Mazdaspeed MX5 (the turbo one). Extremely fun car and I've no doubt I could've modded the heck out of it to be mighty quick (since it's forced induction to begin with and set up for it). I ultimately decided for similar $$$ to get a Boxster-S, but by the time I got down to the dealership it had sold and I opted to get my Mercedes SLK.

I suppose any of them could be joked about as "gay cars" but OTOH they're all awfully fun. I wanted a 2-seater open-top car. And no, I'm not gay either. I just like 'em. I also test-drove the S2000 and the BMW Z3 and Z4. The SLK was the best overall for fit and feel (although I think I'd still have opted for the Boxster S had it been available by the time I got down there).

If you want a convertible 2-seater, definitely look at the Mercedes SLKs. They're very nice cars. Between the 230 Kompressor and the 320, I went for the 320 (V6, manual 6-speed transmission, etc.) It's been pretty reliable and I've only had two minor issues with it (crank position sensor had to be replaced, idler pulley broke, both very cheap repairs).

Monza_dh · Monza_dh's Garage

How do you guys buy so many cars in such a short time? especially to save gas!?!? In MA with sales tax, registration fees, inspections, etc. on top of insurance, I'd go broke buying a car every year just for the fun of it.

I agree with others on the Boxter. Sounds like you like the rag top two seaters anyway. its a great car and has all the Porschness you need on top of a pretty dependable DD.

good luck!

drmitch007 · 09-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Yes, I need a/c. My 99 Miata without a/c about fried/broiled/grilled me during the summer.

I drive about 15K miles per year. I commute 50 miles r/t 5 days a week and teach seminars all over So. Cal. weekends.

I'm not sure what CIS is; I believe it's something to do with the fuel injector system?

WOW. That was quite a list of links! Thanks.

I test drove a Mazdaspeed Miata as well but heard that the turbos go on the fritz and are difficult to impossible to get repaired.

Again, love the earlier 911 suggestion but worry about rust and no a/c.

It's not that I'm necessarily a droptop guy. I love them but I'm at the point where I'd certainly be into the "right" coupe, like a 911 or, after the lottery win, a Cayman...or a 356!

arbita1 · arbita1's Garage

I wouldn't do it.

When I was younger (late teens - early 20's) I had toyed with getting a 911SC a few times. I almost did it once too. Like you, I couldn't have a daily and a toy, so this would have had to be my daily. I never actually went through with it.

Looking back I was glad I didn't. I had no idea on what was involved in the upkeep and probably would have killed the car. The only reason I can have one now is because I do all the work on it.

I would stick with the Z3's, Miatas, and the like.

If you really have to get a Porsche, maybe look at the Boxters or possibly even a 968.

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC

They're still gay, but you can't argue with the performance and fun factor for $10k-$15k.

Judging by his list of previous cars, I don't think he's terribly concerned about other peoples perceptions!

DanielDudley · 09-09-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch007

Cliche, long-time dream of owning a 911, blah, blah, blah.
I love sports cars, I am an enthusiast but...can a guy who has comfortably afforded his Miatas and Z3's handle a 911 financially? I KNOW I'll love the car...as long as it's not bleeding me dry at the mechanic.

If you cannot afford to keep a paid for Miata and own a 911, you probably don't want to do this. I love 911s and I love Miatas, but a Miata is a hands down better proposition as a one car DD.

If you get a 911, I would suggest you budget 15,000.00 for purchase and inspection, and another few thousand for what you discover later. IMO, and it is only my opinion, you need at the very least a car with a GREAT engine, a good transmission, and decent mechanicals and electrics. I would spend a little more for a good 84 -86 Carrera. I think the Bosch electronic fuel injection is a very good setup, and I think you can pretty much get every system to stay in Daily driver condition as long as you don't need a top end rebuild or a new set of syncros.

Wayne has a book out, 101 projects for your 911. Pete Zimmermann has a book out, The Used 911 Story. Make an investment in your dream, and get a copy of both. You will learn a lot in a short period of time, maybe enough to see if this dream is for you.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 09-09-2009, 02:22 PM

You're a one-car guy and you're considering a mid-'70s 911? I have an '83 SC in which I've invested probably $80,000 just for the fun of it, and I won't go beyond flatbed range with it. C'mon, be serious. It's wonderful to dream of owning a 911, just like I might dream of owning a Lusso Berlinetta or a DB4GT, but as a daily driver? Not in my lifetime. If I'm making the 1+30 drive to Newark Airport to catch a business fight that I damn well _need_ to catch, I would no more drive the 911 than I would hitchhike.

Hell, we have a Boxster that my wife and I drive "daily," but we're waiting for the IMS failure that destroys the engine on somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of these cars, if you believe some estimates. But then there's always our Volvo wagon. (Now _that's_ a daily driver.)

You will hear from a huge number of devoted Porsche lovers on this site, including those who will momentarily be flaming me, but listen to many of them at your risk. I only skimmed quickly through the thread, but I did notice the guy who said used 911s are wonderfully reliable, "though granted I only drive mine about 3,000 miles a year." Great.

If you only can afford one car but you really don't need a car that badly--there's always the bike, public transportation or your girlfriend's car if worse comes to worst--then an older 911 might work.

kidrock · 09-09-2009, 02:44 PM

if you can afford driving a Z3, then you can afford an older 911...if you are prepared to do some DIY wrenching. The motors are supposedly "bulletproof'' in the '84-'89 models; but the other tangibles can be finicky at times. Although they are reasonably simple to wrench, oftentimes you must remove 5-25 disassociated parts just to lay a wrench on the actual part needing repair. Oh, and I think several people have already covered how wonderful the stock A/C systems are in these beauties...

this car should be your "fun" car, not your daily driver (coming from a guy who uses his as a DD). If you decide to take the leap, do your homework and spend the extra $$$ on one that's solid. You'll hear the one, "every Porsche is $20,000". To explain, go out and spend $10,000 on an SC or a Carrera. You'll soon be spending an additional $10K to get it up to snuff.

That being said, I recommend the '84-'89 Carreras. The SC's seem like a PITA with all their alphabet soup systems...CIS, WUR, etc.

scarceller · scarceller's Garage

I owned a 75 911S 2.7L, I now own a 84 3.2L. My Advice is don't get the 2.7L go for the 3.0 SC or better yet the 84-89 3.2L.

The 2.7L engines where simply prone to to many issues and if it's stock I'm sure they have not been addressed or resolved.

K9Torro · 09-09-2009, 03:02 PM

I think based on the cars you have owned that a nice 996 would be a good first car for you and you cant beat the pricing on them now, they are great cars and will perform well for you and have the same comfort items that you are used to, if you can find a " S " model at a decent price that would be the way to go.

If you have to go with an aircooled car get a SC or a 993 which ever you can afford but stand ready the 993's bring tons of money even more than the 996's in almost every case.

Just my 02.

Todd

drmitch007 · 09-09-2009, 03:03 PM

I truly appreciate the input. I'd done a little research prior to joining this forum so much of it I've heard/read before. I cycle through this very strong emotional longing/aching/desire for a Porsche and I guess I always hope I'm going to hear an abundance of arguments "proving" that getting one is a sensible thing for ME to do. But, it still sounds like the "evidence" tips towards this NOT being a great idea. I need more money than I've got to get into a car that's not going to be a major headache, I need more money than I've got put aside for inevitable issues, I need a reliable 15K mile per year daily driver, etc. It looks like keeping the Z3, which I love, don't get me wrong, and continuing to do upgrades in performance parts is the way to go. I'll continue to read this and see what else comes in though. Thanks!!!

kidrock · 09-09-2009, 03:20 PM

yeah, the words "sensible" and "Porsche" don't really go together...kinda like "Army" and "intelligence".

But nobody on this site bought a P-car with sensibility in mind. It's all about fun.

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Hello,
After a life long desire for a 911, I bit the bullet, a 1975 911S, I am the 4th owner. It was a very nice car for the price and was used as a DD. I have put 10K miles on it in 6 months, trying to find the faults, the primary wire to the points is the only thing that went south. I have been driving it like its stolen and the car just runns better every time I drive it. I have been chasing CIS vacuum minor leaks and have most of them knocked back. Its a tinkerers car, if you like to fiddle about with your cars and don't mind doing so, you will be happy. If you are gonna get a 74-77 2.7 there is quite a list of mods that must be done for engine longivity, once those are done(my car had all of them), the 2.7 is a fine engine. I was gonna swap it out directly, but I think I will drive it till it dies and reevaluate at that time.
Sittin' in the bleachers is fine, but the game is more fun from the field!
Do it and join the club!
eric
P.S. Its my DD and my back up car is a 1974 Toyota Landcruiser Turbo Diesel w/2 Detroit Lockers.