[G450X]

After looking at quite a few 911's from SC's to 964 C2's. I was dead set on an '87-'89 to get the G50 which I had talked myself into based on many years of Excellence articles and discussions about the different models. I almost talked myself into few few "o.k." examples, and I placed a premium on '89's to get the 9" rear rims and the last of the classic 911 series.

After I wasted money on some PPI's I tried a more practical approach that is echoed in many Excellence articles - look for the best example in the basic configuration I wanted (a coupe in any color but black or red) and find a well kept example and take into consideration everything that could cost $$ down the road - $5k-$8k in the engine/transmission or the paint/interior to make it right was a no-go. Try to decide how you want to use the car as well, a driver or garage queen or somewhere in-between (mine) - do you want to pay $25-$30K for a mint example, or $15K-$20K (or $10k-$15k) for a well used driver with lots of life left?

A well kept 915 tranny will shift as good as most G-50's, and it is less $$ to repair. My 915 shifts as good as the five low mile G-50 equipped 911's and 964's that I drove. I have a RS shifter and shift coupler to install that should make things even better.

Almost everything on the little SC I ended up with worked. The A/C blew cold and was updated. It had Carrera tensioners and the pop-off valve installed. The original interior, besides a few nicks in the headliner, was in very good shape and it was black - easy to source parts.

CIS scares many people, but in all honesty, most parts can be obtained new or used and it is a fairly basic FI system that has proven to be reliable. If you want to make more power than what backdating the exhaust and 964 cams will offer, you need to look elsewhere from what I've read.

The search is part of the fun, but it can be frustrating and time consuming at times, and cost money in and of itself. I looked hard for probably 6 months, and after the Monterey Historic races I was consumed in finding the right car. Is my little SC perfect? It hardly is, but man it's a fun little rascal. It fires up immediately, has good power and runs smooth from idle to redline. I love the torque of the little 3.0, and I just picked up SSI's and an M&K Sport exhaust to waken it up a bit. It was the right mix of condition for me and I picked it up at a good price.

If I want more gizmos & speed, I'll jump in my e46 M3. The SC is a somewhat modern version of the classic 60's machine. It has a few more bells and whistles than the early cars, but a few less than a later Carrera. The build quality, plywood floorboards, cables galore, good visibility, I could go on and on of course... It has a charm that the latter day electronic laden machines have lost. Don't get me wrong, the newer 911, M3's etc., are fantastic, but lack a bit of that raw sports car that a vintage 911 has. Another bonus with the old ones - one usually can work on them and fix that electronic glitch on the side of the road (a newer one - probably not). I'd say in the pre-'89 911's at least you would have a fightin' chance if you had a few key spares in the boot. They are pretty depreciated out as well, and will probably maintain (or appreciate a bit) in value.

Good luck in the search, have fun, and don't settle for something that does not "speak" to you....