[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

There really isn't anything like the air-cooled 911s. I replaced my '89 with a hot rod Elan and it felt like a bucket of bolts by comparison, even after doing all the big reliability upgrades, and I never felt comfortable driving it anywhere.



The S2000 was a blast and a proper analog machine, but the overall experience felt muted by comparison. The chassis was tighter but the steering couldn't touch the 911, it didn't howl like the Porsche does, and it lacked the sense of occasion when I took it out.

I've considered various Alfas but I feel I'd be similarly disappointed as I was with the Lotus.

So what does that leave (for me at least)? Maybe a Boxster Spyder, GT4, or a 996 GT3 at the same price point (+/- $15,000).

So I don't see myself selling lol. And honestly, your car looks like you've spent a lot of time/money to make it what you want. I've done the same with mine. It's hard to part with that then go about recreating it in a few years when you get the longing for another one.

If the SC goes, it goes for a 997.2, 981 GTS, or maybe a 987.2 S/R. Something very sporty but not over the top.
If I can keep from selling the SC, I'll probably get a 987.2 or a 981 S in a year or two either way. That's probably the way I should go, but GD the SC makes me crazy some times.

Originally Posted by ahh911

My advice is to get the car in a position to make it easily sellable. (no air vent fan sqeeks, reverse lights working, starts right up, gauges all work, all the little things etc..)

You may find yourself at that point in a better mental state, you'll have stabilized your changes and also know that you can sell it off, peace of mind brings comfort I guess and may also put a stake in the ground to all your modifications.

Phil

I think you may be underestimating the current state of the car.
The oil level sender needs replaced and I'm waiting for the BTI CAN gauge to come back from a firmware update. It starts and drives a-ok, and otherwise is fine. All I'm doing to prep for Rennsport is an alignment, an oil change, a clutch cable, and packing some spare parts.

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Also, kind of an obvious observation, but I get why a lot of Porsche guys swear by stock/near stock. My '89 by in large was very reliable and I never had an issue with parts. My '71 has been too, but I've had to hunt-and-peck for parts and whatnot because it's a mash-up of a '71 with a '77 motor and other aftermarket parts so sometimes getting stuff to work together requires some head-scratching and irritation. I say this as a ham-fisted mechanic whose greatest asset is Google whenever I get stumped. The shops I've employed for items above my pay grade have had little issue fixing things, but I really try to repair as many "little things" as possible at home.

IDK of any car available that I wouldn't want to modify.

Originally Posted by Gretz

Lots of good thoughts here. I purchased my SC in 2018 and have been working on large or small projects regularly throughout that time. Always some frustrations but the end results have been more than worth it. For about 2 years I owned both a Corvette C7 Z06 (which I bought new) and the SC; obviously very different cars. Whenever I drove one of them I thought "I love this car - I should sell the other one!". Ultimately I sold the Z06 and kept the SC and have never regretted it. I occasionally think about purchasing a modern car but I think the chances of selling the SC are slim. I know that I would later regret the decision, and by that time the cars will be even more expensive. There are so many cars on the road that get lost in the crowd. Our cars do not.

Yeah, this has been something itching in the back of my mind. If I buy a 981 while still owning the 911, it may prove that I'm not so keen on a newer Porsche at all.

Originally Posted by Joesmallwood

I'll weigh in....

The question I have, is why do we have old cars? In my case, I'm on an ever present quest to learn things, to do things, to be frustrated with things, and to feel satisfied that I improved something at the end of the day. As you know, I want it to be an old 911, but feel "modernish".

I have done all the same things - replaced the entire suspension, rebuilt my engine (twice), added EFI (on my third generation/evolution now and have rewired it four times), stripped and redid all the interior, sound system, redoing my electric a/c "again" now, etc... I've done zero paint or cosmetic things because it's OK enough - for now.

Truth is, I love the process (like I think you do, too). And, for me, this car is now a glorious thing to drive. It handles great (to me), the engine is F'n fabulous now (still has some quirks, but so did my F150 Platinum that I sold because I hated it - boring!), it has all kinds of little things that catch my attention, make my list, but don't "need" to be done TODAY. I could drive this car across the continent tomorrow, if I wanted to.

I thought I would want a more refined car to "sport" around in so I bought a 2003 M3 for my daily after I sold my truck. I love it, but it's boring and it'll be sold in due time. I eat, sleep, breath modifications to my 911, but I also make peace that I could go months without touching it (and I have), if I choose. Just drive it..... My frustrations with it are self induced.

My a/c install is my latest puzzle. I have spent HOURS reading, studying, buying, tweaking, etc, in an effort to make it "modern". Truth is, once it's done, I'll likely never use it, but I'll feel satisfied knowing it is "right" and I learned something along the way.

I've had to "slow down" a bit with my process so I can take a little more in and also not get "obsessed" with the pace of the continuous improvement. It also allows me to think through things a little more before pulling triggers. My ECU is an example. MS3X. I've had a love hate relationship with this POS for four years, but the truth is, it's pretty capable. It's my ability to understand how to use it that's been the problem. It now runs like a modern car - starts, idles, gets decent mileage, dual afr (now that I got my head out of my a$$ and wired them correctly), idle up with a/c on, etc, etc, etc. I could throw my laptop in the trash and never use it again, if that were my style, but it isn't. I had a laptop hooked up to my F150, also.

I could be wrong, but I think the challenge of taming your car is what keeps you going! Hahaha... If it weren't for that, what else would you have to do?

Oh buddy. I love E46M3s. (unless it's Phoenix Yellow)
I do love the challenge of 'improving' the car.
I've never even considered the idea of, "What would you do if you weren't constantly working on that old 911?"

Originally Posted by -Levi-

i have been following you on IG for a while (tail_spinz)
Porsches are kind of that way. you put a whole bucket of money and a few years sorting them out. Then they tend to be stable for many years. then they need a ton of work, then they are stable again.
you have put a lot of work into that car, you may be closer to a reliable car than you think.
A few years ago i almost sold my sc to buy a 997 GT3RS, at the very last moment i decided to keep my 911 sc and buy a 996 gt3 instead, thinking i would love the gt3 more and would eventually sell the sc and the 996 gt3 for the 997 rs. 3 years later i have my 911 sc and no GT3. They are amazing cars, but they really just aren't as exciting as an old hot rod 911. i would let the car sit for another month or two and allow yourself to get excited about the car again.

good luck man

Hey, Levi! (I know who you are...and your SC has been a source of inspiration for the LBDC.)
I am definitely over the first couple humps in the car being needy and pretty well nestled into a little valley of it being reliable. (Or so I think)
It's interesting that you sold the GT3 and kept the SC. That's high praise and somewhat unexpected.
There's the guy in the PNW that sold his 3.6 widebody car and bought a 997...and then sold that for a GT3 Touring. I talked to him a while back and he said he didn't regret the jump from air to water at all. I need to drive more water-pumpers before I commit to bailing on the SC. It can still be that the money I'd spend starting a new build is better spent on the jalopy I have.