Switch from 911 to 912?

[ebradway]

I'm trying to sell my '86 911. My biggest hurdle is my desire to keep the car. Unfortunately, financial circumstances require me to cash-out the equity in my car. As a compromise, I've been throwing around the idea of getting a 912. I figure better gas mileage, lower cost of entry, lower insurance, etc.

I use my 911 as a daily driver but work from home. I frequently carry kids and soccer balls. I assume the 912 is the same body and would have the same space. My significant other has a new Mazda Bravado so we have something we can depend on.

Any input on what I should look for? There is a 76 912E in the local paper for $9900. It seems kind of high but the ad says it's a one-owner. I'm about to call about it and see if I can drive it. You can assume, as I drive a 911 already, that I am familiar with the process of looking: PPI, drive a few, PPI, Leakdown, etc.

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Eric Bradway
'86 911 Targa
http://www.bradway.net/porsche

[ebradway]

Just got back from driving the car. It was a very nice - almost concours quality '76 912E. The owner bought it new in LA. Never drove it in the rain. Managed to rack up 206K miles. Engine was rebuilt 20K miles ago. The actual driver passed away a few years ago and it had only been driven a few times since.

The car started perfectly. The brake light stayed on - does this car have brake pad wear sensors like my 911?

The engine ran perfectly - albeit a little aenemic compared to my 3.2l. The transmission was smooth as silk. The owner told me to be careful going from second to third - I told her I'm used to a very touchy 177K mile-old 915 transmission - hers couldn't be worse. I was right. It really made me think I need to replace the clutch cable on the 911!

The interior was in good shape. A couple cigarette burns were filled with vinyl repair. The rear seat belts were removed - I'd have to replace them as I regularly tote around kids.

The exterior looked perfect - Grand Prix White (or was it Arctic White then?). The owner pointed out that the right rear quarter panel had been repainted due to a keying in a parking lot. The paint shop fubared it and it was chipping.

I asked about the toolkit and the owner looked at me like I was crazy. Does the 912 come with a kit like the 911?

The car is a coupe, no sunroof, no AC. In Chattanooga, TN., that's a bit of an issue. I just had my 911 converted to R134 and it cools just enough to keep me from sweating - which in my opinion is perfect.

So, I figure after I sell my 911 and settle my financial obligations, I'll have about $7K left. I will probably offer her that much. She has had only one other looker but isn't in a big hurry. Any thoughts or inputs?

I'm really wondering if I need to just hold onto my 911. It's a great car. I only need $7K to resolve my financial issues. I guess if I look at it like I'm getting to buy a 911 that I know the condition of for $7K, I should just count my blessing and keep the car I have... Any thoughts or inputs?

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Eric Bradway
'86 911 Targa
http://www.bradway.net/porsche

[bmwloco]

In my opinion, $9900 is about 3k high for a 912E.

They're not bad cars - you get the rust protection that 911's of that era had. Same interior, seats, shifter, etc.

The only "down" I see is the engine itself. The 912E shares the same engine as the VW 411, 412 and bus (not exactly, but close). Finding someone who really knows those engines is difficult. If you have a good, authorised Porsche dealership, though, they should be able to keep it in good form - for a price.

Mind you, many people really like 912E's. They do have the advantage of better gas mileage over the 911. Horsepower wise, older 65-68 912s made more ponies. The 912E, though, has stouter electricals, rust protection and better brakes.

I'd look around. There are some really good Porsches available in the Southeast. Check out Atlanta. Automobile Atlanta usually has a good selection of previously owned Porsches.

Happy hunting!

Dean Klein
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amundsen-scott
south pole station
antarctica
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[PorscheDV]

i just bought my mint 912E a week ago for a great price, aside from a small electrical gremilin im going to iron out, i love the car! i dont think you'll regret it..

[ScotMcLean]

PorscheDV - Congratulations! So if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay, what were the features (ac, sunroof, paint quality, mileage, records)? I'm also interested in finding the right 912E and see prices all over the map. Thanks - Scott, 69 912 #3078, Yuma, AZ

[Steve F]

Talk to Jake at www.aircooledtechnology.com
He knows everything about a T4 engine and is in Georgia.Good luck.
Steve

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1967 912 "in progress"
Now ,with a 2.0 T4 to play with!

[PorscheDV]

hey scot...

yeah, im loving this 912e...anyway, ive been looking for 2 years and have seen them all! ranging from crap to mint...and prices ALL OVER THE PLACE...i decided im gonna hold out for exactly what i wanted...non-sunroof, black interior were my only criteria decent running would be a perk, and i wanted the best i could get for around 5,500!

anyway, around here in cali..."decent" running ones went for around 7-8..."ok-at-best" ones around 6, "non running" ones around 3-4, and "mint" for around 11...

after 2 years, i decided to look at this 912E about an hour from me, the thing was MINT! it surprised me how good in condition this thing was, paint was PERFECT and glass smooth, no rust anywhere (912e's CAN rust! ive seen it!) interior looked 3 years old! underacarriage, everything showed obvious signs of being WELL cared for and not just ' cleaned for a quick sale' everything was original and the motor purred! light, light oil leak...but superficial...black interior and no sunroof! this was it...i was willing to have paid 5500 for a car in far worse shape!

anyway, he was asking 8 grand, i took my chances (w/o an inspection) and figured, if he'll do 6 grand, even if the motor blows on me tomorrow, the bodies worth almost that) i also do body/frame and all engine work, so i knew what clues to look for to better my chanes of buying a good car, and all clues pointed one hell of a well taken cared for car...

anyway, to make an already long story short, he did 6, and the car has been my daily driver and hasnt protested at all (i drive an hour and a half to and from work...no worries, doesnt get hot, only problem is i have an electrical gremlin im trying to iron out, i'll find it eventually....

[ScotMcLean]

Wow. Fun story! I'm not in a hurry either, but since you were out there looking in CA (southern?), if you ran across or run across another well kept 912E with a sunroof I'd be interested! My 69 912 is a coupe and since I live in place where it is 100 degrees in late September/October, it'd be nice. I'm in the same range with funds ready should the right one come along. Since I'm in Yuma, as you may have seen on the other (Type 4 in a 68 912) thread, I don't have to have the FI system or pass smog - perhaps that'll open up possibilities.

Thanks for starting the tread ebradway. From all the research I've done it looks like the 912E can be a solid driver, and with modification, not cost a bundle. I also have a 69 912 and can say that while fun, and I'm not selling it, it does require patience and some engine parts (bearings!) are rather expensive. Overall, they are fun and I've has one for 8 years - no complaints.

Scott
69 912 #3078

[Nicol4]

We bought pur 912e in Feb. 2001 in Washington state for $4600. The car is in good to very good condition 1 owner for the last 20 years , paint is fair to poor , interior is great , the body is staight and rust free . We rebuilt the brakes and put a new clutch in it the car had 111,850 miles when we got it now has 115,500 . The car runs and drives great we drive it every day . I am planning to drive it to California from Canada in 2 weeks this will be a 2300 mile in 4 day trip.

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Chris Nicol
912e
www.members.home.net/nicol4/porsche.htm

[ScotMcLean]

Hi Chris - Let me know how the roadtrip goes! Where in Washington? I'm a WSU grad & my 69 is from Puyallup. - Scott, #3078

[Nicol4]

Hi Scott
Our car spent 20 years on Lumi Island about 30 miles south of the Canadian border.
This car is a father son project for our 16 year old son. If his report card shows he has made a good effort in his classes he drives the Porsche. When he graduates next year we give him the car.
I am paying for all the mechanical repairs , maintenance , gas and insurance Tyler has to pay for cosmetic repairs.


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Chris Nicol
912e
www.members.home.net/nicol4/porsche.htm

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The car started perfectly. The brake light stayed on - does this car have brake pad wear sensors like my 911?

No

Grüsse,
Roland

[Rich G]

Eric,

I was looking for a mint 911SC or 912E in 1999 and found a 912E in Roanoke Virginia. The car was rust free having lived it's life in Calif. with the owner retiring to Va. It was owned by a doctor and well cared for (interior, etc. very clean). I bought it for $7200. and had it professionally repainted. My wife and I enjoy the car very much and I have no regrets and will probably add a 911SC sometime but will always keep the 912E. It has a sunroof but no A/C of course. Maintenance is easy and the car has 134,000 original miles. Good Luck ...

Rich