Overwhelmed deciding on first air cooled Porsche. Too many choices!

[sadcaper]

Got bit by the air cooled bug, but seem to be spinning my wheels on trying to pin down exactly what I want. There are a ton out there...all originals, long hood, SC, 3.2, hot rods, backdates...AHHHH! My head is spinning.

I've done enough research where I know what all of those terms now mean, and some of the issues/positives/negatives with each era of car, but I can't seem to pin down the right car for me.

I love the look/idea of the backdates, but most have the SC 3.0 motor and have more show than go. Something about that bothers me.

An all original matching numbers 74-77 car seem respected, but that 2.7 engine has reliability issues that I'm not sure I want to deal with.

The pre '74 cars are usually too spendy, but I love the longhood look.

I almost picked up a '74 that had the engine converted to RS spec. Seemed like the right combination of show and go...but couldn't complete the deal. I keep coming back to that car as I'm still intrigued by the "holy grail" of 911 engines. But is it THAT much better than a newer 3.0 or 3.2 car??? My thought is eventually I could convert exterior to pre-74 and essentially have a '73 911 RS complete with RS engine! Fun!

However, maybe a solid original 3.2 car would do the trick. There's a really sharp red one for sale on this site with pasha interior that looks killer.

I don't have a ton of mechanical skills so I want a car that is steady and ready to roll. So no projects or tinkering, at least not at first.

Anyway, I'm babbling. I'm a Libra and it's showing. If anyone has any oracle type wisdom to drop on me, feel free. Otherwise I'll keep checking the for sale boards!

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[merlinfe]

Buy the 3.2 and enjoy it.

/thread

-Steve

[Bill Douglas]

A tidy 3.2 or a SC would be a good choice. That way you do more driving than fixing.

Even if it's love at first sight; do get a PPI done that includes checking head studs, and for rust.

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Even if it's love at first sight; do get a PPI done that includes checking head studs, and for rust.

No doubt!!!

[Tori]

Budget is a good starting point.

[OldSpool87]

PPI a must. But the best one you can afford. They’re all great. My vote would be a 3.2 with sorted 915. I have an SC and love it. Think about how you will use it. You might also want to befriend a local shop owner.

Three years before I bought my first Porsche, I arraigned to sit with a local air cooled shop owner. He walked me through cost of ownship (oil changes, standard services, etc). He also gave me insight into which cars might be better for me given my situation. I still consider it time well spent.

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by Tori

Budget is a good starting point.

Ideally in the $40s/$50s, but had considered the '74 RS spec at $70k. So in that rather wide range.

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by OldSpool87

PPI a must. But the best one you can afford. They’re all great. My vote would be a 3.2 with sorted 915. I have an SC and love it. Think about how you will use it. You might also want to befriend a local shop owner.

Three years before I bought my first Porsche, I arraigned to sit with a local air cooled shop owner. He walked me through cost of ownship (oil changes, standard services, etc). He also gave me insight into which cars might be better for me given my situation. I still consider it time well spent.

Great idea. There is a shop in my area that deals specifically in air cooled Porsche's and we've chatted briefly. Perhaps I'll see if he has any time available for a more in depth chat.

[kyngfish]

Drive a few - the 915 will require some patience. When I first bought mine I had such a hard time I started hating the car. Then, after a lifetime of driving manual transmissions, I actually learned how to shift and I never have an issue. That said, zero to sixty on a 915 is more about the LOLs than speed. I haven't actually timed myself but I'd say 5.3 - 5.5 seconds some reviewers were setting back in the day were optimistic.

That said, in your budget, if you like the longhood look, take a second look at the backdates. A lot of backdates may be lighter because of the panels they used to replace the original stuff. It wouldn't take much to make a 3.0 get up and go pretty respectably well compared to later generations. Some people have strong feelings about backdates, but if you want the longhood look, it's better to get one that's already had it done, because actually doing it takes a ton of money and time. Money you won't get back in resale.

Try a G50 and a 964 as well. The 964 has been getting more love lately and I don't think it's unjustified.

[nbachman]

Get an '86 (unbiased opinion ) Has the 3.2, first year of the bigger (usable) dash vents, and last year of the 915 transmission, which I'd say only adds to the classic charm of driving an air-cooled 911. These cars aren't for drag racing, so the deliberate shifts the 915 requires don't amount to much in terms of performance dings.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Tori

Budget is a good starting point.

And also what you intend to use the car for: track days, weekend driver, sometimes daily driver...

I have a '69 and sometimes its hard to use it as a DD due to value. But I have done that in the past.

Had a 993 and it made a great DD as would a '87-'89 or a 964.

[sugarwood]

You are all over the place, so I will add one thing.

You said you're not an expert wrench, and this is your first rodeo.

The more you veer away from "standard", (Backdated, engine swapped, modded, etc)
I think the more potential trouble you can get into.

This may make it harder for you to ask questions about the car, when it has an issue.
(The car is year X, but the engine is year Y)
Also, might complicate learning how to order parts.
Things will also be more complicated for shops to service your custom "Franken"-car.

It may also make it harder to judge the quality of a prospective car,
since you are not dealing with an original car.

For your first one, I'd personally stick to the beaten path, and not venture too far off the trail.
It will be more standard to service, and it will be simpler to re-sell down the road.

Once you have some hands-on Porsche ownership experience,
you might reconsider and venture into more exotic territory for your next Porsche.

Conditions can vary wildly. Try to give yourself a 2 hour radius and try to see a few in person.
You have a healthy budget, so wait for a turnkey car, and don't need to settle.

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by nbachman

Get an '86 (unbiased opinion ) Has the 3.2, first year of the bigger (usable) dash vents, and last year of the 915 transmission, which I'd say only adds to the classic charm of driving an air-cooled 911. These cars aren't for drag racing, so the deliberate shifts the 915 requires don't amount to much in terms of performance dings.

I've always been confused by the 915 shifting issue. Doesn't the fabled '73 RS have the 915? I would think that car would need to shift quickly for track performance, so I'm confused. However, perhaps track shifting and 0-60 shifting require different skillsets of the transmission.

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

You are all over the place, so I will add one thing.

You said you're not an expert wrench.
You have a healthy budget, so wait for a turnkey car.

The more you veer away from "standard", I think the more potential trouble you can get into.
Backdated, engine swapped, etc.
I'd expect this to make things more complicated for shops to service your custom car.

For your first one, I'd stick to the beaten path, and not venture off the trail.
Once you know more, you might reconsider.

Haha yes I admit I'm all over the place with this. Fun to research it all though!

Solid advice. Appreciate it!

[sadcaper]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

And also what you intend to use the car for: track days, weekend driver, sometimes daily driver...

Probably a little of all three. :-)

[Tori]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

You are all over the place, so I will add one thing.

You said you're not an expert wrench.
The more you veer away from "standard", I think the more potential trouble you can get into.
Backdated, engine swapped, etc. I'd expect this to make things more complicated for shops to service your custom car.
It may also make it harder to judge the quality of a prospective car.
For your first one, I'd personally stick to the beaten path, and not venture too far off the trail.
Once you know more, you might reconsider.

Conditions can vary wildly. Try to give yourself a 2 hour radius and try to see a few in person.
You have a healthy budget, so wait for a turnkey car, and don't need to settle.

+1 Great advise

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by OldSpool87

My vote would be a 3.2 with sorted 915.

Originally Posted by nbachman

Get an '86 (unbiased opinion ) Has the 3.2, first year of the bigger (usable) dash vents, and last year of the 915 transmission, which I'd say only adds to the classic charm of driving an air-cooled 911. .

Refreshing to see the knee-jerk "Get a G50....Get a G50...." taking a back seat for once.
Another vote for the 915.

[Trackrash]

You have to remember these are OLD cars. The newer Carreras are THIRTY years old. That means there will be lots of maintenance that will eventually need to be done that we don't think about on newer cars.

Cars that have had everything taken care of already will be very expensive.

Many of us on Pelican do most of our own routine maintenance. The other side of the coin is finding a mechanic who truly knows these aircooled cars.

The thing that you need to decide is what is your goal with this car. Lots of choices.
Keep it original and drive it on weekends, make it perfect and show it, hot rod it, track it, or flip it? That is your first decision to make.

If I was just starting out I would get an '87 or '88 Carrera. Possibly a Targa. IMO Targas are under valued. With a few tweaks a 3,2 motor can be a nice performer.

BTW, tell us your location, that may make a difference as well.

[mgar88]

Shop the owner and history as much as you would the car. Budget another $5k to refreshen bits once you buy.

My vote is for a clean example of a 3.2. Drive as many examples as you can. Learn the difference between a crappy 915, and well sorted 915, and a 915 with a upgraded shifter. Also play with G50s and 3.0 vs. 3.2.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by sadcaper

I've always been confused by the 915 shifting issue. Doesn't the fabled '73 RS have the 915? I would think that car would need to shift quickly for track performance, so I'm confused. However, perhaps track shifting and 0-60 shifting require different skillsets of the transmission.

There isn't a "915 issue" it's just that if you're used to a Honda transmission or more modern manuals, it requires a bit more patience. You aren't supposed to jam a 915 into gear like you can with newer transmissions. They take a slight pause to get from 1-2, on the track, you pretty much live in 2-3-4, which are fairly quick shifts.