good first car?

andera · 10-02-2003, 08:30 AM

Im thinking about getting a 912 as my first car. the 912E's seem a little bit slow though? Granted it's not a 911, and the only reason i'd get a 912 over a 911 is to stay out of trouble, but 0-60 in 13 seconds just seems too slow... what do you guys think? also is their much matenance on this car? Looks like a hella fun care and in my opinion you can't get a better looking car than this. any input helps guys, tahnks.

atlporsche · 10-02-2003, 12:08 PM

Let's ask a few questions.

Are you familiar with flat four aircooled motors?

Do you do your own maintenance right now?

just asking, seeing as a 35 year old car can put a pretty big dent in your pocketbook.

sjd

andera · 10-02-2003, 12:11 PM

i'm not very expericned with really anything like that, i'd like to get into it though... i heard the engines in them are really simple (compared to newer ones)

atlporsche · 10-02-2003, 03:54 PM

honestly, if you want the thrill, get a beetle or karmann ghia, learn on them, then get the porsche.

It's been quite the learning experience for me so far. i'm a bit above average as car people go.

solexes can be the most frustrating experience of your life.

sjd

Jerome Ryals · 10-03-2003, 05:26 AM

I agree with atlporsche, if you are not capable of your own maintenance work it would be a very good idea to develop thos skills first. Do you know that there are two variants of the 912? The early 66-69 models and the 76 912e. I own 2 912 both 68's as well as a 70 911. I am starting to look for a 76 912e. I enjoy driving and working on all of them-but I do all of my own maintenance. The guy's on this board can be a great source of knowledge for help. Just go into it with the right attitude, learn your weak maintenance areas and develop them. Good luck and go for it.

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

actually there are 3.. 66-68, 69, 76. the 66-68 are the short wheel base, the 69 is the long wheel base, the 76 is th E.

there is no such thing as a cheep porsche, so if thats your theory, get it out of your head. i thought this too when i got mine.

where are you from? where are you looking to buy one from?
if youre in california, good. if not, you want to buy one from the west coast as there will be less rust.

imho, as steve mentioned, get an old vw first. learn the ins and outs and the ways around an air cooled vw first. the rust issue is the same with them, the genral idea behind the engine is there, etc.

then you will be more experienced and knowledgeable when it comes time for you to join the big boys.

atlporsche · 10-03-2003, 05:54 PM

We're not trying to dissuade you. Just the straight up facts...

instead of going rust free, I bought a basket case, and spent 4 years putting it together (it's still not done, but it's driveable now...)

Solexes are still a mystery. I know how to weld now. I have an ever increasing knowledge of the Unisyn, and float gauge.

I set the valves every 500 miles.

Fortuantely, my car was a 1 owner with a full set of factory manuals.

Honestly, I don't want you to make a mistake and have it cost WAY more than it should. it's all about learning...

sjd