911 or 356?

[BK911]

If you had a choice, would you rather have a 356 or a 911?
Comporable condition cars; project, driver, fully restored
Comporable style; rat, hotrod, outlaw, concours, driver, etc...
Nothing fancy like an 911RS or 356 speedster or carrera, say ~$50k.
I realize this is a 911 board and the answers may be biased.

[M.D. Holloway]

356...it was the beginning

[G450X]

$50k is a nice budget. I would suggest a LWB 911E, I think they are still out there in decent driver condition under $50k.

A '72 would be my first pick, and beside the 915 transmission seal issue, I think it's a great example of a classic early 911.

I would try to find a nice example of a later 356 SC with the 95 h.p. engine and disc brakes to drive and compare them. The 356's ooze charm and class, but (unless heavily modified) are relatively slow - even with the 95 h.p. SC engine.

The 911's key element that trumps all for me is that magnificent flat six engine. That flat six sound and great power is the main reason I have been nuts over 911's for a very long time.

If you want to putt around in a classic little car with excellent build quality, a 356 would fit the bill perfectly. If you want a more practical driver with good power and some charm, an early LWB 911 is hard to beat...

[chrisbruck]

I prefer speed.... 911 for me.

[MMiller]

911.... me personally with that budget I would be looking for a well sorted outlaw/hotrod 911....backdated all the better.

regards

[993 Turbo Cab]

I currently have both, and the 911 and it's variants (993 in my case) are more fun to drive. I'm too scared to drive the 356 (1958 Cabriolet) at the limit, park it on the street, or drive it on other than a sunny day. Both are fun in different ways, but you will use the 911 more.

[JmuRiz]

Depends on how you want to drive, they are totally different driving experiences.
The 911 has a more modern pace, the 356 is still a slow car no matter how you look at it.

I have a 356 and 914, my brother has a 911, they all put a smile on my face...just different.

It's really up to the driver, I don't have to be going 100mph to have fun, but some do.

[R K T]

I've had both, actually several of both.
I agree that they are two different rides, but have you never heard of an Outlaw 356? My '55 would outrun quite a few 911s and handle even better. At this point in history though, I'm more interested in a little more of the creature comforts and reliability.
my '55......

[fbarrett]

A 912 is the best of both worlds!

[sand_man]

356c

[Nick Triesch]

I owned a 356 for 10 years. I loved the car for the history and the classic way it looked. But I always wanted a 911. The 911 goes when to step on the gas. The 356 did not. Just a really nice VW with a bigger VW motor. My 356 was a 63 Super 75. My 85 911 has 207 HP.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by BK911

If you had a choice, would you rather have a 356 or a 911? I realize this is a 911 board and the answers may be biased.

Very biased... BOTH!

[boba]

I have both, owned my 356 for 36 years, it was a daily driver for many years. It is now relegated to occasional use.
I also have a 912 and a few 911's. My '69E is not a daily driver but gets lots of use. I typically do three trips a year, West coast, East coast, and TX hill country plus local driving.
I cannot imagine not having both, but if I could only have one it would be a MFI longhood, no doubt.
More grins per mile guaranteed!!!

[Reiver]

Both Porsche's but totally different cars.
The 356 has great history and beauty/style/engineering for its day but drives like an 'old' car...underpowered and not as reliable due to its mechanics. I love them.
The 911 is an older car that still drives in a modern fashion...fast enough, reliable and magnificent handling....can be used as a daily driver.
If I had to choose I'd take my 911 for it's fantastic usability.

[frannyB]

I also have one of each (a '58 Normal Cab, 86 Carrera Cab, and an '06 Boxster S) and they are each very different (but somehow related - its weird) If I could I would drive the 356 every day. Now I don't do much interstate driving, but I don't feel safe in any car on large highways with all the massive F350s and huge SUVs. For a twisty mountain road, the speeds are actually more fun in the 356 which is closer to the edge of its performance and requires a bit more attention and interaction. The Carrera is great up on the higher switchbacks pulling away at 4K rpm, and the Boxster is very comfortable, but could do more so it feels under used. The transmission in the 356 is easier and smoother than the Carrera, but the Carrera is a bit more reliable and less prone to gas problems and ignition issues. It is also way faster than the 356, but that is a different fun than having to think ahead for the proper gear and power climbing and turning as in the 356. The 356 is more stately and composed and the Carrera is more raw and beastly.

Honestly, it is great to have both... Our 356 is a family car passed down from family member to family member so the cost was very cheap compared to market - so I'm not trying to be flippant by suggesting both. But, since there is such a difference in market prices, you might want to add the 911 as the cost isn't that much in comparison.

The 356 will require more maintenance - just the suspension needs to be greased less than every 1000 miles (I do it twice a year and it could be done more often. Then there is the usual oil, plugs, valves, brakes etc. I have been battling small rust bits clogging up the carbs and hope I have that set for now, but... New ignition parts are bad and last a year at best. I carry a large toolbox and it has served me well. On the flip side we drove to Santa Fe NM for the West Coast Holiday and the car purred the whole way there and back. An absolute privilege to drive.

The big thing with the 356 world is originality so the Outlaws are a bit more rare. They are great and real performance demons, but the main stream flows more toward the originality so it draws a different crowd. A 356 will almost always garner more attention than a run of the mill 911 in a parking lot, but you worry more about it when it is parked and by itself. They are way more expensive to do body work on, but the mechanicals are simpler and easier to access.

In the end, it is a bit like vacationing in two very different places (like France and Nepal). Each will give you a great set of experiences and memories, but they are just different.

I don't know if any of this helps... I really enjoy all three and want to add some more some day

Franny

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by fbarrett

A 912 is the best of both worlds!

I had a 356, a 912, and various 911"s. In my experience the 912 was the worst of both worlds, no guts.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by porwolf

I had a 356, a 912, and various 911"s. In my experience the 912 was the worst of both worlds, no guts.

Now that I would agree.. I would clearly rather have the 356 over the 912.

I have owned several 356's (current being an A outlaw) and numerous 911's (a couple of those currently) and have driven the 912s and they just never did it for me.

As many have already stated, each is a different kinda fun.. the 912 not so much. Just my opinion.

[Trackrash]

Definitely each has its own appeal. Here's a regular at PCA Redwood region's autocrosses.

[KFC911]

Thanks all for sharing your 356 experiences...great thread!

[Unobtanium-inc]

I regularly have my pick of some interesting 356s I could add to my personal stable, but my driving car of choice remains my '87 Carrera. That said, my brother is a carbureted, 4-cylinder purist and has zero interest in a fast 911. I guess it's all about personal taste and motivation. - Matt