Brand spanken new

fogcity · 01-16-2003, 12:48 PM

Hello,

For some unknown reason I've decided I need to get a Porsche (could be that I'll have to retire the motorcycles for a few years).

I've never owned one, can't even remember riding in one, but I have to have one. The looks of the 911 Carrera coupe sings to me for some reason

The reasearch I've done and the moneys I'll spend (say between 15k-25k) points me to the 911 coupe, years '84-'87. I'd like to get into '95-'97 but the cost is too high.

I chose the years '84-'87 'cause they looked to be good years from the reasearch I've done, however I could be (and often am) wrong.

What I'm looking for is all advice/resources you can point me towards so that when the object of my desire presents it'self I'll be ready to act on it.

Thanks so much and please e-mail responses since I just joined this board I'm not sure I'll be able to find it again for awhile.

-Dylan (in SF Bay area)

RickM · RickM's Garage

Dylan:

Great choice. You'll see that you are sucked into the rear engine mystique that has taken so meny of us in.
Regarding the year(s) of choice it is generally agreed that 87-89 are the years to get as the 915 trans is replaced by the G50 unit. A much heartier transmission.

Another common way to approach it is to get the newest and lowest mileage example you can afford.

Remember to have a Porsche tech do a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) and get a Carfax on any candidates.

Good luck!

Rick

'85 Carrera

Adam · Adam's Garage

I can personally vouch for the G50 cars, although there wasn't the vast chasm of shift quality I'd been told to expect between the G50 and 915 transmissions.

Welcome to the board!

masraum · 01-16-2003, 01:45 PM

Sounds good, get the best model that you can afford for the type of driving that you will do. Do plenty of research, get a PPI done, and watch here for info.

78-83 are great, reliable cars that are not very expensive.
84-86 cars have a larger more powerful engine with computer controlled fuel and ignition
87-89 cars are basically the same as the 84-86 cars except they have a new transmission that is stronger and generally considered much better, and they have a better setup of vents for heating and AC.

Get Bruce Anderson's book (or spend some time in a bookstore) and read the chapter on buying a used 911 (chapter 2, I think). It's a good resource, I have used a lot of the info from that chapter myself.

Good luck and have fun

jhugh · 01-16-2003, 02:01 PM

Get a PPI.

Make sure you get a PPI, man, that's all I can say. If I'd done it, I might have saved myself thousands of dollars, countless hours of personal wrenching, and a GREAT DEAL of psychic trauma.

Get a PPI!

masraum · 01-16-2003, 02:17 PM

I think the point is not so much that the shifting is better, but that the G50 is built to handle more power than the 915, so it is more likely to last longer before it begins to show wear.

When looking for my car I drove an '84 with a rebuilt 915 that shifted extremely smoothly, so it is possible.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

dylan, visit the golden gate region porsche club of america website. the classified adds there will have a wide range of models, years, and prices. a good place to start to find out what bay area prices are like currently. if your a south bay guy let me know i can let you know a mechanic or two for the PPI.

good luck

Thomas Owen · 01-16-2003, 02:43 PM

PPI, PPI, PPI. Don't jump at some of the '90 and newer models just because the price is low...there are some expensive issues with those cars and prices can be deceptively low.
Once you find something just post some pictures. There is a vast amount of knowledge here and most poeple will be more than willing to comment!
Good luck,

fig911 · 01-16-2003, 03:00 PM

Along with the PPI, Drive as many as you can. Try a cab, Targa and coupe. I would also recomend trying a turbo (also called a 930). Some people really love them, others don't. For $25k, you can get a very nice example of any of the 1984-1989 cars. If you find the right car this can be a long term joyful commitment, if not you could regret the purchase soon after you make it.

Good luck and ask questions and read the old posts. You can learn TONS in a short amount of time

Wil Ferch · 01-17-2003, 10:27 AM

Another data point:...
I'm in the camp that says the G50 isn't *SO* superior. In fact, unless the G50 was modified to fix it's own achiles heel ( the pivot shaft/ bearing issue...not fixed by the factory until April 89)...you might have a "superior" G50 that becomes progressively harder to shift with time, until you need to fix it...
---Wil Ferch

APKhaos · 01-17-2003, 10:35 AM

Ok, I own and love my 85, but 25 large can buy you a cherry 964 these days. Look for 92 or 93, or a 90/91 with documentary proof that the engine sealing has been taken care of. Freind of mine bought a cherry 1991 with Porsche-funded rebuild, all mods, and complete documentation, 80K miles, for $22K recently.

These cars are great drivers - the 3.6 has tons of torque, the suspension is more sophisticated. They are less visceral than the earlier cars, so the choice is yours. Personally, I'd probably go for a nice 964 with a solid PPI in preference to a 'garage queen' earlier car.

Still love my 85 though.

Rant OFF, Nomex ON.

CJ · 01-17-2003, 11:22 AM

I vote for 87-89'. Last of the true 911's (no offense 964's, 993's, 996's etc.). G50 is great. a PPI would have saved me a couple of headaches.

fogcity · 01-17-2003, 08:54 PM

Man, you guys are great! Okay, I'll seriously shoot for the '87-'89. (BTW, what's a 964?)

Also, with any of these years, how many miles is too many? I've also heard it's better to drive these cars HARD! Could that be? If it is, man, how wonderful.

eion · 01-17-2003, 08:59 PM

A 964 is a 911 from 1990 to 1994 (or 1989 for the Carrera 4). Basically a much more modern car with more creature comforts and more power, but the early 964s ('90 and '91) have a (possibly undeserved) reputation for unreliability. These cars offer the best value for money, IM(slightly biased)O.

89911 · 01-18-2003, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fogcity
(BTW, what's a 964?)

That question has been the source of debate for years

! The prices of all 911's have dropped to a point that an 87-89 aren't that much more then slightly older models. Choosing what model you want is a visceral thing. I knew I wanted and older style (73-89) 911 and the 87-89 were the most up to date ones out their. Olders ones are cool also, but most fit into the engine transplant-upgrade camps to get the performance of the newer stock models. Sure 964's offer more performance, but I didn't want one. If it doesn't make a difference to you which year it is, get a 964. Their prices are falling faster then a dress on promnight and a good bargain. I just like the early car looks.