Ultimate daily driver thread

[westcoast911]

The hunt continues for the ultimate daily driver 911. I would like to here from fellow pelicans that drive or have driven an air cooled 911 daily for more than a few months a year. What is it like living with a Targa? Or an SC, or perhaps a 930 Turbo. Where do you live,and what is your commute like? Let's leave the A/C issues off the table,and also include the 996 but nothing newer,as many say its a great driver. Please include pics if you have em.

Do you take the kids to school,get groceries,pull a trailer or go camping? All stories about living with a 911 beyond an enthusiast perspective.

Thanks!

[leadrsa729]

Porsche's love to go camping!

[porwolf]

I have had Porsches as daily drivers since 1968. First in Germany, then in Cailfornia. My last one is a 1979 SC Targa. In the first years of its life that was also my daily driver. After 3 years, on impulse, I bought a Landcruiser FJ60, the sation wagon. That became my daily driver and still is. When I bought it I used it to go skiing and windsurfing. Before that I used my Porsches every day and everywhere, including winter driving to ski areas. They never let me down! Totally reliable and never needed more than routine maintenace. My favorite of all of them (62-356B, 65-912, 68-911T, 72T-Targa) is the 1979 SC Targa. I think it is the perfect city driver with the strongest and smoothest engine performance. What I always found attractive with my P-cars was also the rather roomy loading spaces. There is the trunk good enough for a sizable suitcase and then some. In addition there is all the space behind the front seats. I never went camping but that should not be a problem. For skiing there is definitely enough room in the car. Skis go on the top, even with a Targa which has a special roof rack mounting feature.

But, saying all the above, if a Porsche of this vintage is in your plans you have to be prepared not to compare it to the quiet comfort of modern cars. You can also not expect it to be the fastest car on the road any more. It's all about enjoying that vintage car feel! And one more thing about daily drivers: You cannot get overly excited about minor dents, scratches, and other road and fellow driver hazards. With my older daily driver P-cars I was prepared to get a
new paint jopb every once in a while. Not a perfect one, just basically nice.

Good luck in your search!

[axl911]

I drove a 964 and now a 993 (my only car now) daily in Dallas Texas with its congestion and 100+ degrees in the summer.

It makes me look forward to the morning/afternoon commute. I never failed to look back and admire the shape of the 993 when I park it, and also enjoy looking at the same shape walking toward the car.

The car makes the drive fun (and sometimes dreadful in the extreme hot summer). I nearly died from boredom driving a regular car for several weeks once.

BUT if you daily drive, get a 964 or 993, because of ABS and AIRBAGS. Accidents happen, witnessed several right in front of my eyes. You don't want to be in an accident without airbags!!!!

[axl911]

Some other stuff:

- Reliability: These cars are very reliable if well maintained. But you have to know your car and is mechanically inclined. Otherwise, your wallet will bleed.

- Comfort: Not much. It's harsh, loud, no ergonomics, weak AC.

- Cost: Much more than a Honda/Ford/Toyota. Figure on 1-2K a year just for maintenance. I do all my own when I saw the $1K quote for the service interval which include the valve adjust.

- Safety: Too dangerous without ABS and airbags. Saw a head on collision when the right lanes are blocked and the guy wanting to make a turn just decided to go for it without knowing whether it was clear or not. It's not just you, it's the other inattentive, distracted, dangerous drivers.

- Intangibles: Makes every curves fun. Walking up to a beautiful car rather than a Honda. Downside is that you have to live with ding, scratches, regular waxing to keep up the paint.

[uncle_scott]

I have driven my 1984 911 every single day since I picked it up in October. Utah had a mild winter this year, but I still dealt with single digit temperatures, frozen windshields, a few inches of snow, and lots of moisture.

Aside from my weak heat, I have loved every minute of it. Never before have I driven a car that gives me such an automatic reaction to it every time I see it or sit in it. The sight, the smell, the feel...it cannot be beat. It is loud, low, bumpy, and can be uncomforatble...but the amazing sound of 6 angry cylinders chasing you down the freeway make up for the short comings.

I recommend it highly.

[Mister Moo]

Finally something I'm almost qualified to answer! 1987 Carrera Targa replaced the 1991 Mercedes S body I've driven for the last 500,000 miles. I don't switch out suddenly. Nice change when stop-and-go driving isn't an issue but my ancient knee would hate this clutch in daily commuter traffic (which isn't my worry); my commute is 50-miles r/t day along two-lane country roads or down an empty stretch of limted access 70mph pavement. Sometimes I swing wide and take the long way home. The home road is half-a-mile of dirt but that's the way it goes. Targa really is pipe- and cigar friendly as I had been previously advised - I can't stink it up if the top is off or the window is down an inch. That's a big fringe for me.

Excellent A/C with a recent Rennaire install even here in North Carolina; probably not your worry in BC. Good news for you is the heaters are aces.

I fiddled with the seals for a few days and the ride is (for the moment) leak-proof everywhere except the carwash; wind-leak noise was eliminated with some self-stick door sealing foam in the right places. It took a few hours to get it right AND I started with recently replaced seals. I would be less cheerful about the ride if I was trying to hear myself think in a model with worn out everything. Yeah - my car is quiet which means I can hear the radio some of the time. You gotta want old timey Porsche sound 'cause it's not the kind that's piped in by your stereo system. I mean, you can't turn it down.

Kids are grown, groceries for 2-3 not a problem; the big dog, camping, trash runs, trailering and hauling junk means I take the beater truck. The other 95% of the time I am loving my ride.

+1 on the tinker-factor. Know your wrench, wiring, obvious system grounds, where the DME goes and that kind of jazz unless you're independently wealthy. In my experience with motorcycles, when you keep after an antique and keep it right, it's great; if you let half a dozen things slide... pfffft.

[nameisbauer]

I have 2 cars. 81 SC and A 82 SC. The 81 Has been a non daily since I got it, but it was used as a daily Between daily drivers. So when I sold my GTI daily, 81 was the daily for 2 months before I got my e36 M3. Between that and my 240Z daily(?!?) the 81 was the daily. I loved it so much during those times I thought, why am trying to replace what I love the most? Enter the 82. Beater but Driver 82 was a great daily until I decided it needed an overhaul. Back the 81 as the daily until the 82 is finished. 81 Has No heat, No AC, and a loudish exhaust. Only thing I will change for the 82 will be retain Heat, Stock muffler. I live in So Cal, so I am lucky with weather, but I find the No Heat is more annoying than No AC. Open the windows, Drive faster. When you are Cold, Gloves and a Jacket are more annoying to me. I have a 50 Mile a day commute, but not iin Dead stop LA traffic. Usually pretty good, 60-80MPH traffic.

I haul Bikes, inside, no rack. My wife, (Inside, ha) But not the Baby. She is too new for anything like that.

Hope this helps! It can be done!

[Paul K]

Brian:

I've DD'd an '89 targa and a 993 coupe, but never for more than a couple of weeks. Targas are nice when it's warm but not hot, and you have somewhere safe to park. Coupes are less hassle. The 993 has a lot more useable front trunk space, and is nicer in heavy traffic due to its power steering. However, if you are a worrier- I am- then get something that already has scratches & dings in it. That way you won't be devastated if you get doored. Remember, these cars tend to attract the wrong crowd- and all of mine have suffered some type of vandalism.

It will probably help us if you describe your commute, and what you plan to do with your car.

Cheers,

Paul.

[midnight911]

mine is neither of those you listed. is an 84 coupe with 3.6. but...how can this not be my daily driver? i actually look forward to goto work and once i get to work, of course, i look forward to getting out of work and drive the thing. i get off the car - and like the other pelican above - i look back and admire the look of the car. (well i do that to my E30 as a courtesy so that she doesn't get upset)

i haul my kids, go grocery shopping, and commute. my commute/shopping route is usually few miles longer into the back roads.

[dshepp806]

My 1989 Carrera has certainly provided me daily use for many trusting years now. About 3 years ago (then, 1/2 way into ownership), I decided I would make use of this car as often as possible (albeit NEVER short trips), since mortality looms nearer and nearer...NOW , is the time,..I've never looked back....I love the personality of this car and how she feels beneath my hands and feet...she's (now) like a drug (of sorts).....

BEST!

Doyle

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by axl911

Some other stuff:


- Safety: Too dangerous without ABS and airbags. Saw a head on collision when the right lanes are blocked and the guy wanting to make a turn just decided to go for it without knowing whether it was clear or not. It's not just you, it's the other inattentive, distracted, dangerous drivers.
.

I have a roll bar and 5 point harnesses......who the hell needs abs and airbags!!

The brakes are great and if you know how to drive you don't need ABS for safety

[skunked]

I daily drive my 78 Targa a short (10-15 minute) distance to my office. The weather ranges from the 30's in the winter up over a 100 in the summer.

AC has never worked so that hasn't been fun to deal with. The backdated heat is more than enough to keep the car warm.

I always make sure the car warms up in the morning for a good 5-10 minutes.

I've made several trips down to the bay area, I pick up my 5 year old a couple times a week from school (she loves the 911).

Overall I really enjoy driving the car daily however in a longer commute I may feel otherwise about it, especially with no AC on those hot summer days.

[Dave Colangelo]

I have never driven any thing but Porsches. In High school my DD was a beat up 924S that I brought back to life the car was a blast to own and drive. I will admit it had some issues but it never left me stranded. That turned in to a 78SC that has been my DD of late. It is a Targa and I will say this. I live up in NY so salt and cold are an issue. This winter was so temperate that there was almost no salt to worry about. In the summer the top is of 99% of the time and I love it. The top is my only slight issue with the car. It does not seal perfectly and can be a bit noisy at times. You must know that I am a 20 year old college student and I have a very high tolerance for small issues like this. The only other issue the car has is that the heat does not work super well. Its not even the heat I care about but the defroster some times does not work as well as I would like when I need it to. That all being said the car has NEVER left me stranded or stuck. I also keep meticulous care of it and it gets all the service it needs when it needs it. 3 weeks ago I picked up an 87 944 that is now my DD. The 911 is going to be taken to the tub and rebuilt. All the cars have been great and I would do it all again in a heart beat.

Now for the general stuff, I get asked often if it is a pain to own these cars, if they break more than others or if they are super expensive to fix. This is what I say. First off I do all my own work, and I mean every thing shy of machining work and thats only cause I have no room for a mill in my garage. My only cost is parts and I dont find them to be too over priced. Yes some are expensive but for the most part routine maintenance is not that bad on these cars. The key is to keep up with the fixing, do what should be done when it should be done. The longer you wait the exponentially more things that can go wrong will. That being said these cars will need a few more small things more often. Oil every 3K - 5K miles, while you are in there, oil filter air filter and if you are so inclined, distro cap and rotor and spark plugs. All these things are cheap and will help keep your car running really well.

In terms of SC vs Carrera you can find many threads on that but I will say they both have there quirks. The CIS system has been criticized for things but so has the EFI system in the Carrera. They both have problems just different problems.

I have never had a weather issue although I have not driven these cars in super bad snow. Just make sure all your weather seals are good. My 924S leaked when it rained until I patched up the hole in the battery compartment.

Having a Porsche as your DD will make you WANT to drive and I promise for the few extra days a year the car spends in a shop getting routine check ups, you will be happy you bought it.

Porsche, accept no substitute....

Regards
Dave

[westcoast911]

Originally Posted by Paul K

Brian:

I've DD'd an '89 targa and a 993 coupe, but never for more than a couple of weeks. Targas are nice when it's warm but not hot, and you have somewhere safe to park. Coupes are less hassle. The 993 has a lot more useable front trunk space, and is nicer in heavy traffic due to its power steering. However, if you are a worrier- I am- then get something that already has scratches & dings in it. That way you won't be devastated if you get doored. Remember, these cars tend to attract the wrong crowd- and all of mine have suffered some type of vandalism.

It will probably help us if you describe your commute, and what you plan to do with your car.

Cheers,

Paul.

At the moment I work from home,so I always like to have something fun to drive when I need to go somewhere. My wife has a VW TDI,and when we go out together we often take that. We also have an older truck for hauling junk and carrying bug things. We have had 3 other collector cars that spent most of there time sitting,we would bring one out now and again,but never in bad weather. Last summer a only ran my race car twice. So we decided to thin the herd,and I decided it was time to get the car I have always wanted,and enjoy it every day. I get bored easy,so I want to make the right choice here.

The weather here in Vancouver is nice in the summer,but rarely hot enough that not having A/C would be unbearable.The winter is pretty wet,but not bad for snow. The car will sleep in a garage. I am tall- 6'3" and my head hits the ceiling in a sunroof car. I have been leaning toward a Targa for the extra headroom,and would spend the money to have it redone as necessary to avoid the leaks and creaks,or modify the seat in a sunroof car,or I can just hold out for a non sunroof.

I have looked at/driven everything from an SC, a mid year Carerra,and a Turbo. The 87 Turbo felt like the nicest all around car,but my fellow pelicans talked me out of it because it was a high miler. I have turned up a few well priced ,very nice SC's,one of which I am very close to buying,but I am worried the rawness,and the lack of power will eventually get to me.
As far as quality,I just want a clean original. Nothing too perfect,or too expensive,as I want to enjoy the car as much as I can.

I should also mention that I plan to Autocross,and run the car at as many local track days as I can get to,and will have a second set of wheel/tires for that purpose. But I still want to keep the car fairly original. Run in stock ,or Super stock class.

[agfours]

My advice would be to consider a G50 car if doing lots of stop and go - I've driven daily for a year now with ~25 mile one way commute. Prior to getting shift linkage updated, it was a little annoying getting used to 915 quirks as a first P-car in heavy traffic. (i.e. when people in front of you slow down to 10-15mph but don't come to a full stop, meaning that you can't get it into first without double clutching and praying that it doesn't balk - otherwise have to come to complete stop while cars behind you pile up.) If it was an all highway commute, no issue at all. Heavy traffic all the time, wouldn't do it without commitment and resolve. Thus, get a G50 car or newer IMO. Also, I can't personally attest, but have read a fair bit that since the 930 uses a 4 speed, it is definately not a good heavy traffic car - you have to really get into boost to use the power band for each gear, otherwise lugging the car everywhere which is not good. i.e. from the stop light... (the exception of course is the 89 which had the G50.)

I'd second 964 or 993 as a good choice in heavy traffic cities, but you gotta remember that those are more expensive when stuff goes south if not doing your own wrenching.

[dlearl]

I ride bikes, so a "daily driver" for me is a different sort of vehicle. But in bad weather, I've used both my '78 SC and my '02 968 regularly and I think they're great. Once in a while, during the summer, I'll get spoiled and drive the SO's ML320 for a week or so, better AC.

And FWIW, IMO you guys with spotty heaters need to look into it. I could line my SC with redwood and use it for a sauna after it's been running for 5-10 minutes, even in the coldest weather.

[mrm930]

I drove a 96 993 C4S as a DD for 2-1/2 years. Winters, I drove one of my company's 4-wheel drive trucks - so never really tested it in the snow.

Ran great as a DD. Good A/C and heat. If I drove it in the winter, I would have purchased a second set of wheels with Blizzacks.

Good luck with your search!

[geoz]

I take the bus. Traffic in Sydney is bad, and parking in the city very expensive. But I do dirve the 88 Cab as often as I can unless I got to tow the Dirt Bike

It's a very reliable car, but needs some looking after, more due to its age than anything else.

Btw that's a really cool quote, I might use it

'the amazing sound of 6 angry cylinders chasing you down the freeway'

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by agfours

My advice would be to consider a G50 car if doing lots of stop and go - I've driven daily for a year now with ~25 mile one way commute. Prior to getting shift linkage updated, it was a little annoying getting used to 915 quirks as a first P-car in heavy traffic. (i.e. when people in front of you slow down to 10-15mph but don't come to a full stop, meaning that you can't get it into first without double clutching and praying that it doesn't balk - otherwise have to come to complete stop while cars behind you pile up.).

With a 915 in good condition and set up properly (mine) this is not an issue, anymore than it is for any sports car with a manual gearbox. It's torquey enough to take off from the lights in 2nd , though obviously not ideal.
For me , what detracts from the DD experience is the idiotic & distracted behaviour of city motorists (different from drivers). The feeling that there is a fair chance they will run into me , and that I have to continually avoid their bad behaviour or frequent breaks in attention span. It's just not fun. Also , the consequences of car to car combat are very different in terms of repairs.

In my dreams I'd use this