N/A 911 Daily? Technical q's?

[CorsePerVita]

I'm considering switching over my daily to a 911 from my 944. I posted up earlier in the 930 forum, since I do eventually want a 930. However, for a daily it sounds like a 930 would be a horrible decision given the circumstances of our weather here with snow. Not to mention it sounds like there's an insane list of things to look out for on a 930, not to mention they are next to impossible here to find in this area.

If I went from a 944 to a 911 it would likely be a vintage 70s or mid 80s 911 since I love the body styles of the time. And an N/A.

Granted I'll drive or ride most anything... The 911 just seems like a good time, I've always wanted one. Mostly want a 930, but hell if I can get an old vintage 911 for my daily, why not? I was wondering if I could get some feedback from some owners, since I cannot seem to find too much info on the subject:

- What is it's capability in the snow? How do they handle?
- Below 0 Temperatures, are they a factor?
- General maintenance (engine work, timing, wear and tear) scale of 1 to 10 in working on the 944? (i've actually heard the older models of 911 are EASIER to work on than the 944? is this true? the 944 /is/ a pain in the ass to work on sometimes)

What would you consider the easiest engine to be to work on? 2.7, 3.0, or 3.2? Which is the easiest to get parts for?

I read the 3.2 engine is a good reliable motor, it appears these are the 80s model 911? Is this correct? Is there perhaps any downfalls to the mid 70s 911 models? I did hear from a few owners that the 80s models were "more reliable". However, I'm quite familiar with the CIS system and working on the CIS system as I have a 924 that i'm turning into a trackday car, so working on CIS i have no issues with. Or the Lambda system....

I'm almost leery to move to a 911 for my daily due to the weight distribution. The 944 has been quite practical and has done quite fabulously in the snow, actually. So I am unsure how a 911 would do in the snow. Then again I've only driven one, once, and that's far from enough to make "an informed" decision. So i'm off on this assumption, by all means, CONVINCE ME!

I'm hoping if i can do enough research and get enough info I can end up moving the 944 out as the daily, snag an old vintage 911 in nice shape, keep the 924 for a trackday and get a 930 for fun sooner or later. (I'm entirely addicted to Porsche, I can't help it)

[James Brown]

I drive a 1981 SC daily (unless there is more than 3" of snow) and love it. However I'm a EXPERT mechanic and I junked the CIS setup. So, if I were you, get an 84-on Carrera with a 3.2. Great reliable electronic car. The problem on the CIS cars is that there not hard to work on but the parts are getting hard to find and way expensive. Should only take a couple hours to pull the engine as long as you have the proper hoist and garage to do it in.
Sell the 924, 911 Carrera 3.2 (dd), 930 turbo for show, and race the 944. that would be a good 2:1 air/ water cooled stable.
You can check out some rally pics of 911's in the snow, quite cool!!

[CorsePerVita]

I know a few 924 owners who have gone to megasquirt on their 2.0L engines to get rid of the CIS for that very reason. Also heard of the 911 being common to do this. So I'd have no issue junking CIS and moving to it, since I've found some readily available tutorials on it. If anything i'll get rid of the 944 and keep the 924, I enjoy it a lot more But to each his own.

Good info though. Thank you for the feedback!

[CorsePerVita]

What about the technical comparison of working on them? Are they much different? How often do the engines last before a rebuild compared to a water-cooled engine if driven like a sane human being.

I'm not entirely new to oil-air-cooled vehicles since i'm used to working on my Ducati.