What 911 would you buy with 15K

[IAN]

A friend of mine is looking to purchase a used 911. His budget is around 15k.

Which year will give him the best value with and the lowest maintainance?

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[83cab]

97 twin turbo

[Planter91C2]

1986 and up

------------------
Daryl 964 Targa

[JayJ]

Originally posted by 83cab:
97 twin turbo

15k should cover his first service!

[Clark Griswald]

If he wants a coupe, then he should be able to find a nice Carrera for that price. If he wants a targa or cab, carreras are getting a little threadbare when they are in that price range.

$15k should buy an excellent SC in any body style.

Both are excellent cars for reliability, but the carrera is the choice for many reasons.

Sorry SC domination plot members.

[carter_gordon]

buy and SC and put a few K of that 15K in the bank for unforseen PO problems!

Bud Gorodn

[bfranklin]

How about a nice 72-73 911E?

[KTL]

Check out the 87 928 below.

http://www.pca-chicago.org/scene/page42.html

Hard to pass up a steal like that. It's no 911 but it'd do fine nonetheless.



------------------
Kevin
87 Carrera coupe

[BrianH]

Clark,
"a nice Carrera for that price" Really? How many miles would you expect for $15k? I've been reading this BBS for a few months and the prices people quote usually seem low to me. I figured it was because I'm in the SF bay area, but I noticed from your profile that you're in San Jose... I've been looking at AutoTrader, Classifieds2000 and local dealerships for an 80's Carrera and don't remember seeing anything for less than 17k. The average seems to be 22-27k. Also it seems targas/cabs are more abundant and slightly cheaper. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? If I am please help! I've been hesitant to plunk down 25k for a 911 with the economy the way it is, but if I could find a red Carrera coupe with less than 100k miles for around 15k I'd buy it in a second. Seems highly unlikely to me.

IAN, there was a good thread (http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/010091.html) a while ago about SC versus Carrera reliability. Looks like it is pretty much a toss-up.

[Kurt B]

I'd be really skeptical of any Carrera selling for 15k. I'm looking at over 18k, and usually in the low 20ks for Carreras in so cal

------------------
Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[bpcsguru]

Got my 1987 Carrera for $15,800. Silver coupe with 120,000 miles. Mechanically perfect, interior so-so. Exterior not too bad.

Boris

[larkja]

Ian -

Not sure where you are located but before I purchased my 82 '911, I looked at quite a few in the Bay Area, CA. I test drove an '87 (with the 3.2L) that was very strong. The seller, Jim Watson, had lowered the car to Euro specs, racing seats, fully adjustable suspension, etc. He set the car up for driver events. It was pretty stiff. I made him an offer but he was having seller's remorse so decided not to sell.

That was 3 months ago, I just saw the car again on www.rennlist.com. I would have copied a link but it seems the site is down. The car had higher miles - I think around 140K but it was very solid and strong. I spoke with his mechanic and he had numerous receipts and maintained the car well.

If you or anyone is in the Bay Area, it seems like a very good deal - he is asking 16.5K. It's not a stock 911, but if you're looking for a DE vehicle, he's done all the work. If you are interested and can't find his info, I think I still have it. Just send me a note at larkja@excite.com.

Good luck.
Jim

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I may get slapped for this, but a really low-mileage, clean, nice late 80s 944. Hell you could probably get an S2 for under 15k. Those things are a real bargain.

Remember--if you can just barely afford a Porsche, you can't afford a Porsche.

I paid more than my car was worth because it was fairly clean and in good shape but still spent $1000s getting it right.

------------------
blue
'81 SC Targa

[Jim T]

A nice SC.
$15K is a little light for a really nice Carrera, and I'd rather have a really nice SC than a "not-as-nice" Carrera.
If you are talking $19K, I'd probably look for a nice 84/85 Carrera.

[carnut169]

Tell your friend to save another $5-$10,000 and get a really "good" Carrera. If he/ she jumps the gun and buys one for the $15,000 I would be willing to bet that the experience will not be a good one. If he/ she has to have a Porsche then you could buy a clean low mileage 944 for the $15, but it will not have the resale power that the 911 has- which is why they are so hard to find at that price point. Whatever your friend buys be sure- they MUST do a PPI. Super important. Good luck!

[R22tech]

I agree with blue. A 944 would be an excellent choice for $15k. It would definetely fall into the newest, nicest porsche you can afford category. I , however, would actually buy an older 911- '72'73'74 for about $10k without rust and sink $5k into it before I even drove it. Classic 911's are cool and stock form is socially "en vogue". But the 944 is an easy to drive-easy to live with car. $15k will buy you an ultra nice one.

[Planter91C2]

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=70350912&dealer_id=&certified=n&max_price=15000&num_records=25&model_year=&start_year=&end_year=&mfg_code=&address=14051&sea rch_type=used&make=POR&subseries=&model=&distance=&sort_type=price&first_record
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=67813942&dealer_id=&certified=n&max_price=15000&num_records=25&model_year=&start_year=&end_year=&mfg_code=&address=14051&sea rch_type=used&make=POR&subseries=&model=&distance=&sort_type=price&first_record=1&max_mileage=999999&max_records=500&=&car_year=1989&ac_afflt=none&borschtid=03919485277257505373

here are two interesting ones for 15k
a 1986 targa and a 1989 cab

------------------
Daryl 964 Targa

[9XI]

That's an easy choice. Better than average 72-73 "E" or "S" for $12,000. Drop in another $2,000 to spruce it up (fix it's aging bones here and there, add a bit to the suspension, sport muffler, halogens, new tires). Save $1,000 for your first couple of repairs.

------------------
1969 911S Targa
1999 Eurovan Camper

[MRM]

I strongly urge waiting for the right car at the right price and getting a good 87 or later Carrera. Coupes are available at that price, or at least will come down to that level after negotiating with the seller. I love my 84, but sometimes I wish I waited for an 87 to get the G50. I very much appreciate the extra hp the Carrera has over the SC, although either are excellent choices.

[89911]

Suggesting a 944 on the 911 board! Tell me it ain't so!! Hell, why don't you buy a brand new Nissan.