[Sunroof]

Contain your emotions, first and foremost and understand that Porsche's can be very expensive to repair and maintain. Indeed, the SC's (1978-1983) are excellent cars and were Porsche first modern 911 with the outstanding 3.0 liter engine. In todays market many would be in your price range, but be aware that an engine rebuild can cost you thousands (how about 7K to 10K?). The next model was the return to "Carrera" starting in 1984. If your looking at a 1988 Carrera with the G50 tranny for under 12K, it has issues!!!!!!!!!!!! So, your correct to buy the best car for the dollar, but the greatest return in overall investment will be the 911 line over the water pumpers (Boxter, 924, 928, 944 and 968 to name a few).

I would take a look at the 1974 - 1977 911's that although do not have the greatest desire factor because of the 2.7 Liter troubled engine, do represent excellent value if the 2.7's were rebuilt with the necessary corrections. These are great 911's and a decent corrected (engine) car could be within your range.

I am not knocking 912's, but you will pay just as high for parts and maintenance as the 911, so why not stick with the 911? The 912's are 911 bodies but are powered down.

If you have cash in hand.........ready to buy, do you homework, research the vehicles, pay the money for a MUST pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche mechanic and take your time to find that car that you will be happy that will not be a money pit for you. If you want to check out cars beyond New England area look at the Atlanta market (second largest Porsche market next to California). Porsche here are driven year round as we do not salt our roads, rarely have any great quantity of snow or ice and are away from coastal salt spray. Porsche 911s were first rust proofed with the 1975 model. Keep rust in mind when looking at earlier cars in the northeast.

Good luck

Bob
73.5T