considering ownership but spooked

drmitch007 · 09-09-2009, 08:40 AM

Cliche, long-time dream of owning a 911, blah, blah, blah.

I am a one-car guy--don't have the money or space for a practical daily driver AND a toy. Since year 2000, I've owned a 95 Miata, a 2000 BMW Z3 2.3, a 99 Miata, a 98 Z3 2.8 and now a 97 Z3 1.9. I've had a blast with each in its own way. All have been reliable and affordable in terms of upkeep. But, I crave a Porsche and doubt I'll eve get over it unless I own one.

Just found a 1975 911 with "all original parts, original engine, original tires" that needs upholstery and "minor" cosmetic paint and was garaged "for a long time." I haven't SEEN the car--this is just a listing a found this morning, after having an amazingly vivid dream last night in which I found a "beater" 911 that I loved. I really don't care so much about looks, as long as the car is mechanically sound.

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.

tcar · 09-09-2009, 08:45 AM

The 2.7 engine had some issues.

How many miles?

Has the 5 blade cooling fan been replaced with an 11 blade?

Does it have thermal reactors? I think CA cars had them originally in 75. Do you have to keep them in CA?

Any work done on the motor?

You'd need a good PPI for sure.

terryb · 09-09-2009, 08:47 AM

I highly recommend getting a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) from a reputable shop if you're at all interested in the car. That way you'll have some piece of mind about the car's mechanical state. Someone on the list can recommend a PPI shop in your area I'm sure.

dad911 · 09-09-2009, 08:55 AM

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)

ShakinJoe · 09-09-2009, 09:03 AM

a 1975 car with original tires warrants a real close look. If you are not mechanically oriented, I would not choose this route.

Keep in mind this car could turn out to be the one you never sell....but the mid 80's SC might be a better choice for a DD.

tcar · 09-09-2009, 09:03 AM

SC's and Carreras are great, relatively inexpensive drivers if they're maintained well.

The 3.0 and 3.2 are better engines than the 2.7.

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

As above, a PPI is a must so you are not dealt a bad hand ($$$) to start with.

These are great cars, fun to drive and quite reliable if maintained and used regularly. But in the long run, you either have to be wealthy enough to afford a good mechanic, or be able and willing to work on it yourself. So if you can't work on it yourself, and enjoy doing the work, sounds to me like you're not ready for it just yet. Just my .02.

84_Carrera · 09-09-2009, 09:06 AM

I think a 3.2L is the way to go. You retain the "essence" of the 911, without the fickleness of the earlier cars, and they're SIMPLE to maintain. AC is an issue if you expect "new" car AC. I never used mine in my Cab, so I removed the system completely & saved the weight. The engines are stout, enough power to weight to be a lot of fun, get the looks wherever you go, keep their value nicely, the works.

I'd think a Targa or sunroof coupe would be nicer for a single-car, but for 3 season driving here in New England I drive my 911 Cab pretty much whenever I find an excuse. And sometimes when I don't have one, too.

jorian · 09-09-2009, 09:06 AM

Lots of great SC's in your area for +-10K.

DDD · 09-09-2009, 09:09 AM

I have an '83 and for what this is worth, I've had fewer problems with it in the past 15 years than any other car I've owned. Now, I don't put more than 3K miles per year on it (summers only), but it has been reasonably reliable. I also have a '91 Miata by the way, but haven't owned it long enough to compare reliability. My Miata is still new to me, but I have to admit for summer driving, I think it is more enjoyable than the 911. It isn't half the car the Porsche is though. The Porsche is built like a tank. The Miata feels like it was built to last 20 years.

I am not one of these guys who takes his car to a mechanic, but I am also not one to swap out an engine over a weekend either. I understand cars, and feel reasonably comfortable working on them, but I am far from a mechanic -- I'm actually a CFO during the day.

Based on everything I've read, stay away from the pre-1978 SCs. You can get into an SC for very little money from what I have seen. I think $10K would get you a nice one.

Hetmann · 09-09-2009, 09:30 AM

It looks like you've owned 5 cars since 2000. So it is highly likely you will get this car, spend a lot of money putting it right and then move on. Is that what you really want to do? Newer cars are not as demanding as a 34 year old 911. Better think twice.

tcar · 09-09-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDD

Based on everything I've read, stay away from the pre-1978 SCs. You can get into an SC for very little money from what I have seen. I think $10K would get you a nice one.

'78 was the first year for the SC.

There was a 356 SC, but that's a different car.

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

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.

Barrpete · 09-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmitch007

Cliche, long-time dream of owning a 911, blah, blah, blah.

I am a one-car guy--don't have the money or space for a practical daily driver AND a toy. Since year 2000, I've owned a 95 Miata, a 2000 BMW Z3 2.3, a 99 Miata, a 98 Z3 2.8 and now a 97 Z3 1.9. I've had a blast with each in its own way. All have been reliable and affordable in terms of upkeep. But, I crave a Porsche and doubt I'll eve get over it unless I own one.

Just found a 1975 911 with "all original parts, original engine, original tires" that needs upholstery and "minor" cosmetic paint and was garaged "for a long time." I haven't SEEN the car--this is just a listing a found this morning, after having an amazingly vivid dream last night in which I found a "beater" 911 that I loved. I really don't care so much about looks, as long as the car is mechanically sound.

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.

original tires?!!

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

If I was in California I'd shoot for a 1974 or earlier and not have to worry about smog again. (and you could hot rod! Woo Woo)

algs911 · 09-09-2009, 09:50 AM

I have a 1986 911 Coupe and LOVE it. 93k miles and it's the most reliable car I've ever owned (including our 2003 Honda and my 1997 Toyota Rav4). I work on the car myself, mostly, and simply love doing it. It's a simple car, easy to work on, great fun, with fantastic looks. This web site has helped me 1000 times and parts from Pelican are pretty cheap.

I'd look for a good 1984 (Carrera 3.2) or newer 911. SCs are great too, but are getting old now. If I found a great SC I'd jump on that.

Good luck.

McLovin · 09-09-2009, 09:50 AM

There are so many problems with the 75-77 engines (weak cases, horrible smog stuff, etc. etc.), AND prices are so down on all these cars, it really doesn't make sense to not just eliminate those 3 years from your search.

That still gives a lot of years to choose from, between 1966 and 1989.

DDD · 09-09-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar

'78 was the first year for the SC.

There was a 356 SC, but that's a different car.

Sorry, poorly-worded. I meant stay away from the pre-SCs, which started in 1978. Not to stay away from the SCs that were made before 1978 (of which there weren't any).

drmitch007 · 09-09-2009, 10:36 AM

I thought the "gay jokes" comment on the Miata was funny...I've had a 95 and 99 and they are such great cars, I don't care what people might think. The new Motor Trend I think it was did a comparison of 10 cars, looking at rating them as DRIVER'S cars...stats were considered but were not the deciding factor. There was a large subjective component to their ratings. Porsche Cayman placed #1, Miata #3, beating Shelby Mustang GT, Corvette, BMW 135i and more. They are wonderful cars. They have appeared on so many different "best" lists, I don't know why the "gay car" label has survived. I feel my current 1.9L Z3 is a damn good driver's car as well but the Z3's never place on any list of best, coolest, etc. anything.

Anyway...PPI yeah is a must, a no-brainer...I do that on every car. Why I went through so many cars in a short period--lust. With the exception of the current Z3 1.9L. I just kept wanting better. The 95 Miata was a blast but wanted more power and better looks, so the first Z3. The 2.3L proved to not be nearly as FUN as the Miata so, went back to a 99 Miata. Soon, I wanted more power again so...the 2.8L Z3. It's power made for a better Z3 experience than the 2.3L but then gas prices skyrocketed and I commute so, got the 1.9L and get up to 35 mpg freeway. I think it's the best Z3 of the bunch in terms of handling and balance.

I do like the idea of a I think the suggestion was pre-1973? 911 as I LOVE vintage cars but I know that predates galvanized bodies so rust can be an issue (though probably not so much in a California car), probably no a/c (and I don't need freezer box cool, but the 99 Miata had no a/c and I about roasted in Aug/Sept--part of the reason for selling that car as well.) I don't think I want a Targa or Cab; I've done drop tops for 9 yrs now, have heard the Targas can have leak issues, don't want to deal with replacing another top (I've done it in 3 of the 5 convertibles) and think I'd like what I would assume would be far more stiffness in the coupe.

I'm not averse to doing what work I can do myself; however, I'm not a mechanic.

Chances are the Porsche experience is still beyond my means and I'll just have to upgrade the Z's suspension and what not and pine away for my 911...

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

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.

Unfortunately I agree with this statement. A 1975 911 even in spectacular condition is still a 34 year old car. I wouldn't want to depend on it for daily transportation.

For a fun car along the lines of what you've already owned, and if you "crave a Porsche", I get a Boxster. Even here in East TN, you can get Boxsters in great condition all day long for less than $15k and I'd be more comfortable with that as a daily driver than even a 20 year old 911. They're still gay, but you can't argue with the performance and fun factor for $10k-$15k.