[RSBob]

You are looking at buying a 36 year old car. Let that sink in.

Even if the car is relatively low mileage and well maintained things will wear out and go south. I don’t know what you currently drive but Porsche parts carry a premium price tag, especially if installed by a shop. Targas have their own host of issues regarding water ingress. A redone top can cost $2K.

Owning these cars are not an inexpensive proposition, but they are wonderful cars unlike anything else you will ever own. The sound, the direct steering feel, the heritage, the exclusivity is so unique. The phrase, You pay to play, comes to mind.

993s are wonderful cars too, but with a higher cash entry point, so the cash outlay for an 82 needing work versus a 993 not needing much might be a push. Many who have tried 993s and newer have gone back to the rawness of the driver experience of the older cars.

There is a shop worn phrase used here 100 times, buy the best Porsche you can afford, and man is it ever true because you will end up paying for lesser ones big time in repairs. Don’t fall for the first pretty face unless it has been well taken care of with receipts to back it up.

Back in 82 I bought a 72 targa that I fell in love with. Not knowing anything then, other than lust, boy did I ever pay for it in repairs. 1/2 burnt wiring harness, bad targa top, needed a $10K engine rebuild, needed shocks and struts and new paint. Lust got in the way of better sense. Keep yours and by all means get a pre-purchase inspection by an independent Porsche shop. Tell people here where you live and they wil ID them.

Best of luck.