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Ron R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LA
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One more new kid, looking to buy

Yep, let’s add one more new kid on the block.
First a little about me. I have played with VW’s for a few years in my youth 66,68,69, did the Muscle car thing for about 10 years. Mostly Mustangs, owned, showed and drove most of the good years and a few of the bad. 65, 69M1, 73M1, 66, 88. Restored the 65 myself, yes it took 4 years but hell I was only 19 when I started and funds were short. My last Muscle car was a 63 Farilane sport full on drag car that did 11’s. I still have one old one in the garage, it’s the Wife’s baby, 1963 Falcon Convertible, mostly stock 6cy but it’s been painted Purple.
Then one day in band camp I had a chance to drive one of my best friends 89 911. It was all stock. But it was like driving a go cart on crack. I have never driven anything like it and was instantly hooked. Yes I had many of the cool kid posters on my wall when I was a pre-teen.
Now I am in the process of gathering info on what I really want vs what I can afford. My plan is to have one in two years.
Need to pay off the Phatt butt first (no not the wife, them payments never end). Do a little research and then find a nice driver/light track day car. I don’t plan on hard racing just one of them track days at PIR in Seattle. I like the look of the 74-89 cars the best, and it sounds like from what I have read that an 83-88 non turbo would be the car for me. Going to stay under 20k want a hardtop (sunroof would be ok) and no wale tale. I don’t want a project car, I want to buy it and drive the piss out of it, then upgrade from there as the years go on. I don’t care if it has carbs or is injected, I don’t care if all the power windows and do dads like AC are on the car or not. I just want a nice driver that’s ready to go. I like all the colors BUT red. Still looking to see what year motor would be the best for me as I am hard on my cars. I know my way around a garage provided there is no electrical work to be performed. This will be my first 911. And will get help on mechanics or hire a pro when needed.
Any impute would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ron R.

Old 12-04-2011, 08:15 PM
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Welcome to the group! Sounds like a quick taste already has you addicted and ready for more. The years you've called out are all good, but if the "LA" in your signature is Los Angeles and not Louisiana, you may want to consider a pre-76 (75 and earlier) if you plan to hot rod the engine. The CA smog laws will make anything other than minor changes extremely difficult or impossible. Good luck!
Old 12-04-2011, 08:32 PM
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Thanks for the tip. I am working in Los Angeles now, but home is Lake Stevens Wa. Yes we do have smog up there, so it may be something I need to take a look at.
Old 12-04-2011, 08:44 PM
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Welcome Ron,

No smog required here in WA after your car is 25 years old. Good luck with your search.

Thor
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Old 12-04-2011, 08:54 PM
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Ron, you will be able to get a pretty nice 3.2 for under 20 k... The 3.2 is about as bulletproof as they come. Be patient in your search... There are a fair selection of nice cars, especially on this forum. Good luck, Tim
Old 12-04-2011, 09:36 PM
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Aloha Ron welcome to the forum. and the sick :-) world of Porsche love.
Just wanted to mention that you should enjoy the search, and not rush into just anything. I have learned sooo much reading here and seen some really nice cars come up for sale here. And your local Porsche club may also be a good source of enthusiast owned cars. There are some special cars out there, take the time to search out and then get into one of them.

Enjoy the hunt, all the best to you.

Cheers Richard
Old 12-04-2011, 10:17 PM
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Welcome Ron!

Most people would say 'buy an SC' for what you described. They are highly capable and well sorted without the issues of the early cars and can still be had for a resonable price..of course it depends on budget and taste. A very solid SC , rust free, mechanically sound and ready to be used as intended can be found for 12-18k. You could find something cheaper but the $15K rule starts to really kick in. ie- "A used porsche will cost you $15K" ...ie- if you spend $5K it will cost you another $10K to get it totally reliable and pretty...or something to that effect)

My advice would be to buy a car with any performance upgrades over a stock car (not a track rat but something with brakes, suspension, harness bar etc) and that is sorted for daily driving and occasional DE use. You will save tons of money in the long run.

The driving experience is what fully hooked me too! Now I am deep in it...trying to get my bastard on the road Project 69

When you are back up here in Worshington look some of us up. There are quite a few of us on the north end. I am in Shoreline. Check out the PNW section on Pelican for local goings on.....

Good luck with your search!
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Old 12-05-2011, 12:05 AM
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Thanks Bryan, thats one hell of project you got going on there, but dam nice work!
I like the SC car's looks like they will fit the bill just fine.
Old 12-05-2011, 04:44 PM
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Hi Ron,

Good luck on your future purchase. I think you will enjoy the ride around Lake Stevens, a beautiful area. I'm currently in West Texas but am close to retiring to my property in Ocean Shores (counting the months).

There's lots of threads here just like yours, with pages and pages of info on the 1978-'83 SC's and the '84-'89 Carreras. It's just a matter of choice, amigo. I noticed you stated you wanted to "want to buy it and drive the piss out of it"....cool. IMHO, you can't beat the plug-n-play reliability of the Carrera with the Bosch Motronic engine management system. Throw in the bulletproof and silky smooth G50 Getrag transmission and hydraulic clutch for '87-'89, and you have an arguably unbeatable combination.

There's a couple of books on pre-purchase info on these great cars, I can't remember the names of them offhand....but I think one of them is by a gent named Zimmerman.

Do some searches on this site and sit back with a tall frothy one, and you'll find everything you pretty much need to know.
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Old 12-05-2011, 04:55 PM
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I also forgot to say I have a little thing for smokey diesels with more boost than most people would ever belive..
Old 12-05-2011, 04:56 PM
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I did run across the Porsche Buyer's Guide by Dean Batchelor Second Edition.
Good book with lots of info.
Im in no hurry, so picking up all the info I can.
Old 12-05-2011, 04:58 PM
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For your budget, there's no reason to get an SC. Get a Carrera (84-89).

Just the difference in injection systems (Carrera's Motronic v. SC's CIS) is reason enough. CIS is a system of the 1960s. Motronic is hugely modern in comparison. It's more reliable, easier to work with, simpler, and much more tolerant of today's ethanol fuels.

You can do a search and there's a bunch of threads on SC v. Carrera.
Old 12-05-2011, 05:00 PM
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Why not enjoy the sunshine in a Targa? Ever drive along the coast with nothing but the sky over your head? Some people just don't get it.... Good luck in your search; now that you have mentioned it publicly, the price has risen, BTW...
Old 12-05-2011, 05:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nesslar View Post
Why not enjoy the sunshine in a Targa? Ever drive along the coast with nothing but the sky over your head? Some people just don't get it.... Good luck in your search; now that you have mentioned it publicly, the price has risen, BTW...



The wife has one of them sunshine cars. It makes it out about 15-20 days a year up in Washinton.
Holes in roofs always leak, just give it time.
AND
I want a race car with plates.
Old 12-05-2011, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kidrock View Post
Hi Ron,

Good luck on your future purchase. I think you will enjoy the ride around Lake Stevens, a beautiful area. I'm currently in West Texas but am close to retiring to my property in Ocean Shores (counting the months).

There's lots of threads here just like yours, with pages and pages of info on the 1978-'83 SC's and the '84-'89 Carreras. It's just a matter of choice, amigo. I noticed you stated you wanted to "want to buy it and drive the piss out of it"....cool. IMHO, you can't beat the plug-n-play reliability of the Carrera with the Bosch Motronic engine management system. Throw in the bulletproof and silky smooth G50 Getrag transmission and hydraulic clutch for '87-'89, and you have an arguably unbeatable combination.

There's a couple of books on pre-purchase info on these great cars, I can't remember the names of them offhand....but I think one of them is by a gent named Zimmerman.

Do some searches on this site and sit back with a tall frothy one, and you'll find everything you pretty much need to know.
Thanks for the tip. So a 87-89 are the years for me. That is of corse a sleek 83 does not slip in somehow.
Old 12-05-2011, 05:28 PM
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Ron,
Since you have some time, your 2 year timeframe, you should drive as many of these car as you can. Each generation has its own character, and your stated budget crosses many years. The longhood cars, thru 73, are the lightest and most raw. The early bumper cars, up to 77, are unloved even though the '74 Carreras are a hidden gem of the lot. The SC's are bulletproof but getting a bit heavy and GTish, the 3.2 Carrera got more torque but also heavier, while the G50 cars got the "better" gearbox. And still within your budget is the 3.6 964's with a new and more modern chassis.
Since I own a '65 356, '68 SWB, 3 '72's, '86 3.2, and a '94 964 I get to enjoy the character of each of these and I would not presume to call one better that the other but they are different. Driving a SWB vs a 964 is night and day but both put a grin on my face that lasts long after the motor has cooled off.
Do your research, drive more than one example of each you are interested in, get a PPI on any you are thinking of buying, and remember there are no bargains they all cost the same, either up front or in deferred maintenance.

Good luck on your quest.
Old 12-05-2011, 06:25 PM
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Thanks for the tip boba, sounds like I should just jump a plane and come over to your house for a test and tune party..
And yes I plan on having John Walker in Seattle do the PPI. I have heard good things about that shop. At one time I was considering a C-2 or C-4 but would rather have the look feel of the older car. I would not mind an older body style if it could hold up to my abuse.
Old 12-05-2011, 06:30 PM
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so all in all I should be looking for a 3.2 with a G50 in a SWB :-)
Old 12-05-2011, 06:32 PM
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One of my only wants is a defroster and a heater that take the chill off. Everything else is just crap you pack around.
Old 12-05-2011, 06:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron R View Post
so all in all I should be looking for a 3.2 with a G50 in a SWB :-)
...or a 3.6 in a lwb. Might want to check out Rennsport Systems or Chris's German Autos.

Old 12-05-2011, 06:42 PM
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