Any model year 911 easier to work on/get parts for than another?
 

I'm seriously considering buying an older 911 (964 or earlier) as a project/hobby car and was wondering if any series (SC, '74-'77, etc.) is easier to work on or has greater parts availability than another? By project/hobby I'm not talking about restoration. I'm talking about keeping a fairly stock appearance but doing "light" suspension and engine modifications.

SC's seem to be the most plentiful and are certainly in a good price range; however, I am open to most all options (except 993 and high dollar early cars).

Thoughts?

The 911 that is currently the easiest to work on and get parts for is, IMO, the 84-89 Carrera.

All parts are available, there are a ton of information resources (Pelican, Bentley manual and other manuals, etc.) available. With a multimeter and a Bentley manual, you can diagnose just about any fuel injection or other running problem.

If you go to an 87-89, you are even more simple in that you have a modern, self adjusting hydraulic clutch system, and a trans that just about never fails or wears out.

The early cars can be easy, but they old and most have a lot of "interesting" mechanical and cosmetic history. And are not what you are considering, anyways.

74-77 has the simplest ignition and CIS system, which to me, makes it more reliable. with my 77, the only things that will stop me dead inthe water, besides a catestrophic failure, is the CD unit, coil or fuel pump. of course, the later of these car had a little better CIS system than the earlier ones.
next would be the 78-79 SC's. they still had the "basic" CIS system. and then the 80-83 had some electronic "junk" added to the CIS. which does not make it really harder, again to me, just less reliable, plus, a lot of people end up bypassing some of this stuff anyway.
in 78 they went to an electronic type distributor vs the points of the the earlier cars.

me, i would look for a good 78-79. basic CIS and a large port 3.0. and i think the fact that these 2 years were different may make them worth more down the road.

if you like carbs, find a nice 2.4T, but you are looking at more money for the car.

I am with McLovin on the 84-89. I will pass comment on the 964 as I don't know that much about them.

You have plenty of time in this forum to have seen the multitude of CIS related problems, None of the problems are show stopping or (relatively) expensive, but the systems suck time and you need tools and you need to read and "practice". All very do-able, but you need to know that going in. Just consider that as part of the investment if you go that route.

Also consider that DIY owners who are into the hobby can spend lots on the car after the purchase because they want perfect or close to perfect. If you want a cream puff hobby car, pay the premium and buy a cream puff.

3.2's by far.

In my humble opinion, I'd agree that the 3.2's from 84-89 are the most suitable for your average home mechanic.

Regarding your parts availability question I am not aware of any of the core US models that will give you fits.

The are exceptions, but used parts are available.

Thank you for all the replies! It looks like I have some thinking (and more reading) to do. While I certainly won't be giving up the 997, I think I would be remiss if I didn't have at least one air cooled 911 in the garage! :)