Seriously Steve?...80k invested and you won't go beyond flatbed range? Please tell me you are being sarcastic. I must be a wild man 'cause I've driven mine (for fun) to Charlotte NC (twice), and Washington DC. And this is a car that's no where near as sorted as yours (not at 80k invested...yet...engine rebuild in progress so I'm catching up:p).

I totally agree that for a one-car person who needs a rock solid reliable commuter a 30 year old Porsche is a poor choice.

I will respectfully disagree, for the majority of my adult life, I have driven older(20+ year old) cars by choice. I have had a couple of "newer" cars and they left me with my thumb out more than the older cars. I would consider myself an old car "expert" and I am much more impressed with a 35 year old Porsche than a 10 year old Japanese or Sweedish car, the non-euro cars had their wiring harnesses and switches falling apart long before the car was done running. The only electrical issue I have had with my 35 year old Porsche was the infamous CIS primary wire, that's it, everything else on the car works like factory day 1. The best part is, with a FSM and hand tools nothing is out of reach mechanically. It really is a basic machine, well executed.
eric
P.S. I was spring loaded to go help a buddy out with his crop dusting operation this summer, he is in WI and I am in CA, I was gonna take the Porsche, never thought twice.

i would think boxter or 968, 944, Kevin

i think the risk of failure is simply greater on an old car. on the flip side, once you've worked them out you can certainly fix some of the smaller issues that would leave you stranded on a new car & get back on the road easily.
still a bit of a gamble. then again, how difficult is it to hire a small car for a few days or find someone to tag along? btw my alternative is a motorbike (Aprilia RSV) ...

Excellent, according to the PPI :rolleyes:. There was an initial burst of catch-up on neglected maintenance. And there is always at least $1000 in random parts breakage every year. Car is usually down for 2 - 4 weeks in the summer, as parts from PP take 1 week to arrive. Usage is about 5K miles / yr.

I believe I just read "mid 80s SC".....That would be a 3.2 Carrera, I'm pretty sure. Just as a thought, I think a fairly regularly driven (records a must) Carrera, not beaten to death, great PPI, low miles (80-100K or less) would be a very dependable DD. As long as it hasn't got original tires.....and a Miata is in no way near as much fun as a 911, sorry, especially a Targa, but for all year duty, a coupe would be preferable, no? Maybe a cheap SC, and then if it croaks, just buy another..... ;) Personally I don't want to hear about Boxsters, Miatas, Subarus, BMW.........they ain't 911s. :p

True, but a 911 isn't a Miata either. Consider that I have a hot SC and a supercharged Miata. A top end job on a 911 engine will cost twice what a brand new crate engine for a Miata will cost at 2 grand.

For many years I ran old sports cars as my DDs. I always had two cars on the road, so that no type of malfunction could keep me from going to work, that little thing that pays for the cars. I continue to maintain that anyone who cannot afford a Miata and a 911 cannot afford to run a 911 as a DD. Having two cars in this situation is not a luxury, and it can actually save you time and money in the long run because you are not obligated to fix anything yesterday to get to work today.

I myself would not hesitate to run my 911 or any of my older Porsches on a daily basis, and do in fact take them all over the country. I do not however put them in the position where they are my sole means of transport. Oddly enough however, my 1980 928 became my work vehicle several years ago, when my 4 year old truck had transfer case problems. It hauled tools and materials like a champ for most of the summer. A classic example of a backup vehicle in action, with a pleasantly ironic twist.

911s are wonderful cars, and very reliable if properly sorted. But I did just resort to putting cams in the SC, and it isn't a better car or faster than a supercharged 1.6 Miata. Both cars are very engaging to drive.

Casio or Rolex ? Both tell the time equally well. I happen to like the different qualities of 911s and Miatas. But that is not the current topic.

Well put...putting together everything that's been said here, I think the thing to do is keep the Z3, do all the performance/suspension mods I've been putting off and pick up a 911 when I get to the point I can afford to have both. Or maybe, and I know it's not the same car as a 911 either but...maybe a 914 as a second car. Now let's see what the conversation becomes!

Nothing wrong with that. My first Porsche was a 85 944 that I bought for $ 4,500. Got me in the door and I really enjoyed it. I put a ton of work into it (which is basically how I learned to do it) and ended up selling it for more than my original purchase price.

It will definitely somewhat satisfy the urge. But the desire for the 911 will always stay strong in the background.

i think you should buy a prius

Yeah, thanks...I'll look into the Prius...as for the previous post before the Prius, I appreciate your experience. That's exactly my idea, a foot in the door to Porsche ownership. One thing I really enjoy about (most) car guys is that we all understand the joy, the lust, the rush that a variety of cars offer and can appreciate what each car has to offer. More than any other marque, I think, Porsche has a mystique, a siren song. Not all of us who are enthusiasts have the means and/or the time to start with our "dream" Porsche, whether we crave an original 550 Spyder (good luck), an '80's "beater" project, a 914 or a brand new GT-3. I may never fulfill my Porsche dream (and that bugs the hell out of me) but I appreciate the fraternity of car guys who are always willing to offer their time, their experience, their advice and guidance. I have experienced the same thing on the Z3 and Miata forums and have received a wealth of input from MGB guys when I was looking at those as well. If I had Bruce Meyer's money, I'd happily embrace a 911, a 550 repro, a Cobra, a Lotus Elise, a Lotus Elan, an early Jag E-type, a Cayman...they'd all be in my garage...all very different cars but all offering a unique and thrilling driving experience I'm sure. Would I have a Miata, a Z3 and a 914? Probably not. But I don't have that kind of money. So, I want to experience what I can afford. Thanks again.

Keep the Z3, if you can afford a Z3 you can afford a 911, keep thinking of reasons not to have a 911. The 911 is a lifestyle, you can always hang out here:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/Z3-Z4-Series_Main.htm
I always love it when Z3,4 and 12s swoop by me when I am driving to work, showing me how fast their cars are, then slow down 300 yards ahead. Driving a 911 at the speed limit is fun too, I notice the guys driving mini vans, looking at the 911, I can almost imagine them thinking, "I wish I could be driving that, instead of this". The best part of owning a 911 is on a stretch of road with no one around for miles, driving at a fun pace, you look in the mirror and find yourself smiling and think, this is the way a car should be! Enjoy your Z3, it is faster, handles better than my 911, and if you gave it to me and 25K for my car, I would sell the Z3 and buy another 911. 911s are a lifestyle, Z3s and all the other sports cars are fast, competent, and I am sure fun to drive, but they lack the soul of a 911. I spent a large portion of my adult life, wanting a 911, my only regret is waiting for so long.
Good luck with your compromise!
eric
P.S. I installed a new stereo/CD player, and never turn it on, even on the most boring stretch of highway, can you say that about your Z3?

ok since you are a german car guy forget the prius and go with the Rabbit

hey if you cant have a laugh at treads like these then they are worthless

Go for It!!
 

There are many considerations..


The cars you had and the 911 are no match...

In many ways..

First the driving

Second the Maintenance

Third The love you need..


A Vintage Porsche needs tons of love and money, it doesnt matter how pristine it is, you will allways need to do something to the car.

It is some kind of callenge to bring one of this cars to shape and make it a day by day driver.


So if you are used to cars that are like having your couch with wheels, and not requiring every day check ups and you just forget about them until some light comes on the dash....

Then you shouldnt get a 911...they need lots of care and tons of details checked, you will feel the car and as you get to know the way they work will know by driving and feeling if something is wrong you need a source of parts such as our host, and may be many mechanics and garages of your trust to fix anything comes up with the car.

You must be some kind of mixture between pilot, mechanic, and doctor to really enjoy a 911.

I´ve had a 1978 SC and a 75 911 S with a turbo traslpant...this cars where such an adventure.. many , many experiences ready to share there...let me know if you need a piece of advice...

Search for SC rather than a S car because of many many technical reasons that will keep you floating with your budget and expectations


Think about it, and if you decide to go for the adventure, you also have this great forums as a resource to move on as you feel jammed with a 911 issue.

SmileWavy
MiCk

I agree with your statements about the MX 5 (Miata) and the 911.
I have solved a similar dilemna by buying a 93 MX5 for daily driving and a (actually 2 ) 911 SCs for weekend duties. I had a second dilemna-targa or coupe- and so bought one of each.
Total investment stiil less than the new 4wd and boat combo owned by most my friends.
I'm a have your cake and eat it too (with no money left over for coffee) kind of guy though.

Wow, so much info. I did have a laugh, thanks. Do I NEVER turn on my stereo? No. But there are many times and many miles I'd rather listen to the car than the stereo, this past Saturday pushing it through Mulholland being one of those days. Speaking of spirit, I think the Miata has more spirit than the Z3 and I plan to test drive a 911 and experience that spirit of which you speak which is no doubt far more interesting than the Miata. MKEDF, everything you said sounds great, providing I can supply both the time and the money, I love tinkering and making my car MY car...I'd love to hear of your adventures and experiences and advice with your SC...I'll see if I can PM you so you can talk to me directly. Thanks to everybody.