Best 911?

[johnvan8]

All right here we go: what do you guys think is the "best" mass production 911 to have? I'd like to stay aircooled (the 996 is still too new)and exclude the special editions (club sport, speedster, etc...). The car would be a daily driver in fairly dry climate (California). I've narrowed my choices to a silver 98 C2S or silver 98 Targa (with that glass top). What do you think?

[89911]

KEEP LOOKING!

[cstreit]

The best 911 made is the one you own!

[don911]

My vote is for the 98 C2S. Turbo look, suspension and brakes without the turbo cost...not even a difficult choice. Also, not that non turbo look cars lose value quickly but the turbo look cars really maintain value. Just look at the value of the mid 80's turbo look cars.
Just my .02.

Don
87, wish it were a turbo look, coupe

[Jamul74]

I would go by what Bruce Anderson and others on this board recommend and that is a 74-77 with 2.7 CIS. Fast, reliable, bulletproof. Of these the 74 is the most desirable, no thermal reactors, 3 into 1 etc.. Good Luck

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Dan S.
1974 911 Targa

[Jack Olsen]

A silver 98 C2S is pretty close to perfect for a daily driver and occasional track excursion.

It all depends on what you want to do with it, though. Every model made between the Carrera RS and the 996 occupies a space along the line of compromise between a light, agile sportscar, and a fast, smooth grand tourer.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist home page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[marc weintraub]

I have a 74 3.0RSR that I can't drive on the street... this was clearly one of the best 911's, but certainly not usable on the street. I would have to say the 73RS for the street. I have a 97 TurboS that is obviously a street car, but it is not usable on the street. Daily driver is a 73"S" fully loaded... great 911... wouldn't part with it for anything.

Marc

[This message has been edited by marc weintraub (edited 07-30-2001).]

[pwd72s]

It all depends on your personal preference. If you like Luxury Sports Coupes, the newer the better. If you like balls to the wall directly connected to the pavement feelings, without comforts like air, power nose wipers,
19 speaker stereos, etc. better go for a pre 1974. The best of those? Hooboy...a big battle. Happy hunting. Really tho, which is the BEST? The one you prefer. Your money, your choice.

[This message has been edited by pwd72s (edited 07-30-2001).]

[twin plugged targa]

Hey marc, saw your car at the Rennsport!
Nice car!
Snapped a pic of it with Bruno's 911.
shame about the quality of the camera
Missed you there, Bruno said you had to leave early or something, great day!.
rgds Ben

[Kurt B]

If not Marc, then someone elaborate on why the 74RSR is not drivable on the street!

I don't understand how that can be, explain.


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

[R22tech]

I would have to vote for the 98 targa-I love Targas! It seems lately that the most desirable 911s that aren't "special version/ hard to find" are original 84-89 carreras. They mix the "old" with the "new" quite well and Porsche People love 'em. The reliability of these years is what draws the interest as well. I have an 85 Black Targa w/ spoilers, 44,000 miles, and PCA concours de elegance trophy winner I'm thinking about selling soon. It would cost you about half as much as what you are looking at and be more fun to drive if you like a drivers' car. If you are not into "drivers' cars", then that 98 Targa would be ideal. I really love the lines and wheels on that car!

Also, most of the pre-1990 911s are actually INCREASING in value-so maybe from a financial point of view, a pre-1990 all original 911 is the "best 911". Just a thought you might consider.....

[This message has been edited by R22tech (edited 07-30-2001).]

my car 72S with 73RS motor :-) (but wait, you did say mass produced so mine doesn't count!)


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Carlo
http://bigblue111c.tripod.com/dec2000/

[orbmedia]

R22tech,

The '98 targa is already a highly collectable car. I do not have the numbers in front of me but I think only about 100 were brought to the USA. If you want a 993 targa to drive you're better off looking for a '96 or '97 model.

[R22tech]

Orb, you are right. The 98 Targa should be a garage queen. Better get the 96-97 Targa if your going to drive it. Good call-I forgot about that!

[orbmedia]

Kurt,

Here are the reasons, as I see it:

1. The RSR or any Porsche racecar for that matter is not legal for road use in the USA. It cannot be registered legally so you would be ticketed and possibly arrested on a regular basis.

2. It requires race gas which is not practical to buy on the way to meet your bowling team.

3. The noise it so great and the car does not run well at low RPM so you would be violating noise ordinances almost everywhere you travelled not to mention probably setting off car alarms in every neighborhood and doing yourself permanent ear damage.

4. The engine, transmission and other sundry parts are highly specialized race parts and very rare. Repair and maintenance bills would run an order of magnitude higher than you pay now at a Porsche vintage racecar specialist (probably not in your neighborhood so youd be shipping the car everywhere). And DIY is not much help either because you would still be paying for rare parts from very rich individuals who collect them and trade them like fine art.

5. The wheels are extrememly rare and delicate magnesium centerlock race wheels which cost several grand apiece and are not available anywhere and would be corroded, cracked and destroyed by normal daily use.

6. It uses race tires which are no good in rain so you would constantly be sliding and crashing.

7. Bodywork is prohibitiave to fix too. Your recent 911 body damage pales in comparison to the cost to fix a vintage racing Porsche correctly.

8. No insurance will be available for you, so your wreck would have cost you an easy $50K out of pocket.

9. The racing fuel cell and full race roll cage take up all the room in the trunk and interior leaving with no way for you to transport your golf clubs.

10. There is only one seat and it's a racing shell.

11. The suspension is setup for race use so it be extrememly uncomfortable in daily commuting, if not unbearable.

On the other hand you would look really cool driving it on the 405 and you'd get plenty of chicks. Maybe it's worth it.

[Kurt B]

Nicely put Orb!

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

[Doug Zielke]

I got to drive a '97 C2S that was passing through my friend's leasing agency.
It made my teeth sweat!
As much as love my older car, the C2S had it all.

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[joehahn]

I find it disturbing that the all-time classic 1968L Targa with the superfancy sportomatic transmission isn't even on the list?

[wdarner]

My perspective:
87-89 911 Cabriolets because of the G-50 trans. Note: 89 Cabriolets still had the pre-rubber bumpers. Basis = performance, reliability, looks, and appreciation value. That bumper thing there after does not appeal to me. I agree with the pre emissions element also. No smog/no catalyst/no crash test bumpers = good. My next 911 will be a pre smog car. (Was that '72 or '73?) With a twin turbo 12 cylinder, a six speed tranny, and a multiple plate wet clutch. It will have carbon fiber whatever wherever it can have such carbon fiber. I will put a 912 sticker on the deck lid to fool everyone. Of course it can not possibly have a tail. With the removal of the rear seat area and a slight modification of the wheel base my calculations suggest this is probable if not possible. This of course would require the two engine halves to meet at the transmission. Hmmmm........ a 1000 H.P. street car with the insurance rating of a 912, that you would need to fuel up at your local airport? Interesting. I can see the new TT's now.........in my rear view mirror.

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wdarner@mysun.com
http://www.myjahlove.com

[89911]

"Best" is a very subjective word. Your choices are certainly the newest, but I would argue they reflect everything a 911 is about. 993 are argueably the fastest, but the are heavier, isolated machines compared to an earlier machine. Read the latest Panorama (July), there is a report dedicated to the cars that is mostly positive. Interesting enough, I will quote one report that wasn't on page 6:

"I purchased a 1996 993 in January of last year and found this to be the worst Porsche I have ever been asociated with. Let's start with the paint-very soft and fragile, not like the super nice finishes of the older Porsche cars. The power steering is horrible and I cannot figure for the life of me why the factory would place this on a rear engine car to begin with. How about the clutch? In my opinion it is horrible. What is the purpose of a hydraulic clutch on a sports car? It has no feel and is impossible to get use to. The exhaust system is horrible. Far too quiet and has no resemblance to a performance car exhaust system.......I had a 1977 Turbo I sold to buy this car and I certainly regret the move. My wife feels the same way. We have decided to unload this new piece and look for something more to our liking. In closing, I feel that Porsche is trying to be like the Japanese and produce a car that suits everyone instead of remembering that once upon a time they built a driver's car. I would never own another Porsche unless it was a 1989 or earlier. I feel the late model Porsche vehicles are great for the boys who have lace on their underwear. I absoulutely hate this car and can't wait to get rid of it."

One man's rantings? I guess you have to own one to find out.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.