Second verse same as the first?

[epbrown]

Was talking to another first-time 911 owner today and we got on the subject of what we'd do differently if we were shopping again. I thought it would make a good topic for the board as well. So, what would other first-time Porsche owners do over?

In my case, I'd:

1) Get a black or silver car without the whale tail. I bought the red because I liked the car and thought the color would grow on me. It hasn't - I'm still ambivalent. And I'm in the process of removing the tail.

2) Splurge and spend the extra money for a 87-89 Carrera, just to have a "last of the line" car. Most of the mods I've got in mind for my car over the winter were standard features on the Carrera. I'd also get someone's garage queen - the money you spend upfront is less than you'll spend bringing the car up to "nice."

3) Get a non-sunroof coupe. Okay, I'm still conflicted on this, but I'm 60-40 certain I'd get a coupe if I did it again. As much as I love the top-down driving, I'd rather have the purer lines, stronger chassis, better re-sale value, and improved security. I also wouldn't mind losing the occasional leaks I get, and lower maintenance (no top to rebuild/reskin, fewer seals to replace). And the footwell is larger on the coupe, important to a guy with size 15 feet.

So, anyone else?

Emanuel

------------------
Everybody wants a normal life and a cool car;
most people settle for the car." Chris Titus
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1983 Porsche 911 SC Targa

[cabman]

Emanuel,

I bought an 83 sc gaurds red cabriolet about 1 1/2 years ago. The car has been very reliable besides the occasional leaks here and there but I completely agree with you.

The guards red hasnt grown on me and sometimes I dont like driving it cause it looks a little too flashy. I would prefer a softer less subtle tone of color, like a grey metallic, or forest green, maybe black.

In addition, I would also like to own a coupe, although I love driving with the top down in the summer. The coupes have the best lines and are tighter around the corners.

also, my 83 needed a lot of upgrades that came stock to 84-89.

so if I had to do it all over again, I would buy a 87-89 coupe, NOT guards red, and a coupe with whale tail.

I'm serioiusly considering getting just that but also keeping my flashy red 83.
one for the summer, one for the winter. with 2 POrsche daily drivers, the miles only grow half as much on each (assuming I drive each equal time)

[Mrdi]

Porsches are like good fly rods. You need a different one for every occasion and for assundry reasons. They're also both pretty expensive.
Fly rods are just easier to store.
Gonna be tough to find a "Last of the Line Coupe" with no sunroof.
Rather like looking for an R.L.Winston hollow body for under $2500.
Regardless, you're hanging out in the right neighborhood.
Cheers,
Mrdi

[pwd72s]

My first 911 was a 1970 911T. Sold it after getting a ticket for doing 57 in a 55...Interstate 5! Told the ticketing cop I was going to buy a 4X4 pickup, in order to save gas at 55 with no fear of tickets. I did just that, but after 6 months Porsche-less, I couldn't stand it. Then looked at the (then) new '74 models, couldn't stand the accordian bumpers. Bought a used '72 911S coupe, and I haven't been Porsche shopping since!

[Fishcop]

I would avoid buying a sportomatic box. I think I'm happy with just about everything else!

------------------
John Forcier
69 911T

[davis911s]

To be honest I would probably have avoided my 77 Targa, due to the problems that they are prone to, didn't do any real research. Just wanted a 911. But 4 years later and I love it and will never part with it.

Shawn

[Jack Olsen]

I'd skip the sunroof, too. Puts weight up too high. In my case, I'd also cut to the chase, in terms of brakes and suspension, instead of doing it in steps. I bought new SC calipers and Turbo torsion bars before going to Turbo brakes and bigger bars.

But that's about it. Live and learn.

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

[Wayne 962]

Okay, can someone confirm this for me? After 1978 (911SC), all American cars had sunroofs? Unless they were special ordered without them?

-Wayne

[IceBlueSC]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts:
Okay, can someone confirm this for me? After 1978 (911SC), all American cars had sunroofs? Unless they were special ordered without them?

-Wayne

Wayne,

My 81SC coupe doesn't have a sunroof and its not ROW. I'm not sure if the PO special ordered it without one, I know that he special ordered the colour.

Cheers!

------------------
Mike Florendo
'81 Ice Blue SC Coupe
Pelican Page
Porsche Owners Gallery Page

[epbrown]

The Porsche 911 Red Book says the sunroof became standard with the Carrera, iirc. I looked it up after my post, but I don't have my copy at hand.

Emanuel

------------------
Everybody wants a normal life and a cool car;
most people settle for the car." Chris Titus
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1983 Porsche 911 SC Targa

[rscupper]

I would give more thought to how I was going to use the car. I do about 90% time trial & short track and 10% street, but I have always ended up putting alot of money into my purchases for track set-up work. I think I have it figured now, at least until the next beauty catches my eye.

[Jdub]

I am lucky enough to have bought an SC cheap enough to be able to learn the car and drive it regularly. It is a '78 Targa with all the mods that the PO could think to put in(Fuchs, tensioners, pressure valves and springs, updated sump, Bilsteins, Carrera exhaust covers, etc.).

I will keep it, and add a longhood coupe, with sunroof, at some point in the future as my garage queen. I am learning to just LOVE those early cars and am a bit jealous of those who own nice ones.

Jw

[Drago]

Originally posted by pwd72s:
My first 911 was a 1970 911T. Sold it after getting a ticket for doing 57 in a 55...Interstate 5!

Is this a typo? Ticketed for doing 57 in a 55?

[pbs911]

Unless I was going for a track only car, I'd stay with my first love, the Targa. True, the coupe does have better looks. There is just something about taking the top off on those long drives.

If I was to do it again, however, I'd chose a pre-74 for smog purposes here in CA and add a 3.6 with 21/28 torsion bars, Big Reds, and all RUF accessories.

Notwithstanding that, my next car will be a 993 stripped of all the non-essential extra weight such as power seats.

------------------
Paul
78SC Targa

[epbrown]

Originally posted by Drago:
Is this a typo? Ticketed for doing 57 in a 55?

I believe it - my only moving violation ever is for doing 49 in a 45, and I was passing another car to change lanes for my exit at the time. Consider it another type of P-tax.

Emanuel

[rscupper]

Paul - I love(d) a targa, too. I had a ('91?) Toyota Supra turbo targa. Great car to drive, especially on the highways in & around Ojai! but I could actually SEE the rear end 'wiggle' in my rear-view mirror - ALOT! Does the Porsche targa do the same thing? Just curious. BTW - I hear cabs are worse!

[Superman]

I'd get a car with 24 head stud nuts instead of 23.

------------------
'83 SC

[pbs911]

rscupper,

My Targa is a California car and has absolutly no rust. The Targa handels great. I have never seen the rear "flex" as you describe. In fact, with my set up, 21/28 TB and Bilstien shocks, the ride is a little more "ruf" that OEM, you would expect a little twist in the frame. I just don't have it. At least I can't notice it. I beleive the Targas that do show some signs of frame twisting are a little worn. I actually owed a toyato camrey before, hardtop, and that even twisted in the corners. I would say that alomst any Targa in fair to good shape would show less twist than a toyota targa. I would buy won again, and again. I only wish the 993's came in true Targa form.


------------------
Paul
78SC Targa

[falcon]

When I had a 78SC coupe, I yearned for a cab. 12 long years later I have a 88 cab but still like the lines of the coupe. Given another chance, I'd like to have a Turbo coupe. There's something about that wide rear end that gets me excited.

[Bill Douglas]

While on the subject of chassis flex, a rough way of finding out how much/little flex you have is to stick your arm out the window and feel with your fingers the gap betwwen the window frame and the roof on a coupe at the door handle end of the door of course. And I guess in a targa or cab feel it around the door handle and body. Then go around a few corners, soft then hard, and see what happens. My SC coupe has no flex. Oh, cab guys, be careful not to loose a finger