Yet another: First timer buying advice for a 911 (SC or 3.2?)
 

Today, I got the idea of buying a Porsche 911.

Timeless styling.
Something that I would enjoy spending money to repair, since I plan to keep it a long time.
A weekend driver that is DIY friendly. Something I can tinker with as I learn more about cars. Are 911's DIY's well documented like BMWs?
Plus, there are 3 local "exotic" indy mechanic shops in my local area, so that base is also covered for "heavy duty" work.

Some extra power on tap is nice, but I drive like a middle aged adult, and don't need the finer points of performance.
Most any "sporty" car is plenty fast enough for me.

I'd rather pay more up front for a killer specimen (lots of service already done, garage kept, PCA type enthusiast owner, etc)
This is ALWAYS a better deal, in the long run.
The last car I got had $8000 of work done in 3 years, and the seller recouped almost none of it. Great deal for me!
So, maintenance history and buying from a properly funded enthusiast owner carries huge points for me (compared to only looking at 1987-89 3.2's)

If I bought a well-sorted $20k used Porsche, I would still set aside another $10k for repairs in the first 2 years.
I still don't want a mechanical nightmare. In fact, if 911's are repair nightmares, tell me now, and I'll gladly just stick to my BMW.

So, I've done some quick reading on "starter Porsches". The best bet in terms of cost/value/reliability seem to be:
1) 911 SC (1978-1983)
2) 911 3.2 Carerra (1984-1989) 1987+ has the G50 transmission

It seems like the preferred advice for the first timer is to look for a 1987-1989 Carerra 3.2 with the G50.

But, is there some "forum groupthink" that clusters around this very specific model and dismisses other perfectly decent options?
I don't need the "idealized" 911 package combination. Just a good one. Or at least, not the nightmare one.
3.0L vs. 3.2L? *I doubt I'll even notice a performance difference.
915 vs. G50? * If the 915 gearbox feels fine to ME, then it's ok to buy? *I doubt I'll be heel-toe shifting like a racecar driver.

For example, would it be a mistake to pass up a killer example of a 1984-1986 911?
Also, is it a mistake to dismiss the 911SC entirely?
If I find a killer specimen of a 911 SC, would it be silly to pass it up?
Or do I just not want to go there yet, as a first timer?
Is it best to avoid a car that is a full decade older than the 88-89 ?

Also, it seems like the 911 SC's are significantly cheaper than the 3.2's
I have seen decent looking SC's in the $10k range, but not the case with 3.2's.

Browsing fun begins.
It's funny to see posts here from 2004 with people buying 911's for $13k. I guess these cars have appreciated over the last decade.

Now, it seems most sell on Ebay from $17k to $25k
porsche 911 in eBay Motors | eBay

It looks like this was a good deal? $18k for a enthusiast owner 911 with a bunch of recent service done. That is the type of car I like to buy:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/610700-1987-porsche-911-carrera-3-2-coupe-g50-incredible-condition-18-900-a.html

I am going to keep reading these forums for more advice.