Which 911 is the best?

[carrera1]

After 20 years of various 911's/964/993.

The best air cooled is the 964.
My favourite is an 86 911.

Your results may vary

[mshaver51]

Well, we have 4 pages of responses, and the consensus is that one should engage their own opinion. Although it doesn't answer your question directly, for me, my 356A Cabriolet is the best. Not the fastest, but when you are cruising along in blue skies and sunshine, and a 2014 911 flashes his lights in respect, it really brings a smile to your heart.

Of course, I am restoring a '68 Soft Window Targa, so that might change my mind, too.

[wgwollet]

The 1969 to 1973 911 cars are the best to own and drive....plus they are a asset. Next is any G50 car...after the 1989 G50 car they are no longer 911's......sorry, if you do not understand that...then ask a true 911 owner...

[Rich Gas]

I hate it when the G50 card is played...just a transmission. My 84 915 should be even more special; first year carrera, lighter, great 28 row cooler, less electrics...a true sports car. I bet the G50 weighs more than the 915.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by Rich Gas

I hate it when the G50 card is played...just a transmission. My 84 915 should be even more special; first year carrera, lighter, great 28 row cooler, less electrics...a true sports car. I bet the G50 weighs more than the 915.

The G50 and clutch weigh 26 pounds more in total.

[Rich Gas]

Thank you MrBonus, you will get yours this year!

26 pounds could be the difference between winning and losing.
Ever try to remove 26 more pounds from a stripped car?! Should I buy that carbon fiber hood?

[Rich Gas]

Check out this Car and Driver review 1984....

It is the evil weevil, the rock-solid, steely-eyed grim reaper of sporting cars, the para*gon of knife-edged incisiveness and buttoned-down insanity. More than any other factory-fresh passenger car available here today, the Porsche 911 Carrera is the abso*lute embodiment of clench-jawed, tight*fisted, slit-eyed enthusiasm run amok, a car for making the landscape pass with explosive fluidity. Strange that a car so serious can bring such unadulterated joy, but there you are, sporting an enormous, cheek-splitting leer when you unstrap and step out. You devil, you.

1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Archived Road Test – Review – Car and Driver


SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE TYPE: rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2+2 passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $37,075

ENGINE TYPE: flat-6, aluminum block and heads

Displacement: 193 cu in, 3164cc
Power: 200 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque: 185 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 89.4 in
Length: 168.9 in
Width: 65.0 in Height: 52.0 in
Curb weight: 2760 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.9 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 29.7 sec
Standing Ľ-mile: 13.9 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (redline limited): 149 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 184 ft
Roadholding, 282-ft-dia skidpad: 0.80 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 20/32 mpg
C/D observed: 17 mpg

[RSBob]

I'd have to say the best one that leaves you with a big smile after every drive and a thought similar to 'what a great car'.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wgwollet

sorry, if you do not understand that...then ask a true 911 owner...

Seriously, look at that comment. Really?

Is that all the brotherhood you can muster? That's all you got?

[86 911 Targa]

The one in your garage.................

[Hil911]

It all depends what you want.

I've owned a few - 71S, 73S and 2 76s.

In Jersey (Channel Islands) the 76 was much more satisfying to drive than the 71. Small roads and torque an asset. The 73 911S was brilliant in Alberta.

But when I owned the 73 911S in Alberta, I also had a brand new Toyota MR2 AW11. I honestly used to laugh out loud when I changed from one to the other - muscle car to sewing machine.

You've got to love them all - when they are running.

Now in Australia I own a 1976 911 and ... an AW11. LOL!

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Seriously, look at that comment. Really?

Is that all the brotherhood you can muster? That's all you got?

+1 on Bob's comments. I own a vintage 911, but they are all Porsches, regardless, so I'm a 'brother'. Someone may not have an equal interest in every Porsche product ever made, I don't, but this doesn't mean that I look down my nose at other examples of the marque.

[NYNick]

It's the one you're currently chasing to buy….

[wgwollet]

Ya, that's all I got, sorry ...Rich I like all Carraras and SCs, just the G50 is a big improvement, not to take away from your 1984, (I have the 915 in my 1973 car and a G50 in my 88, so I know the difference) ....ok, explain, Bob of North Canton, after 1989...Porsche decided to do a major change to the 911, most notable is no more torsion bars, engine changes that Porsche advertised as a 80% improvement (not all agreeded) and changes over the Carreras, their words not mine....I worked on many and the 964 is nothing like the 1965-89 cars....THE TRUE 911 CARS ....MOST PEOPLE KNOW THIS..Are the 1965-89 models plus the lovely 912...

[BE911SC]

Best? Mine! Top down, engine sound coming up over the back, above 4,000 rpm, slicing through corners on the twisty road near my house, wind in my hair. I hate to pull back into the garage.

[JEM]

the best 911 is the one in your garage


jerry

[Lapkritis]

Originally Posted by JEM

the best 911 is the one in your garage


jerry

Came to post this.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wgwollet

ok, explain, Bob of North Canton, after 1989...Porsche decided to do a major change to the 911.........

Let's take a half-step back and think. You love your 73. You are the first owner, life long enthusiast, live and breath Porsche. What is not to love, right? You got your groove on. You are a little prejudiced as that is what you know and love. Not a crime - whatsoever.

So let's see, lots of us are in that same boat. We love OUR Porsches. If any of us say "My Porsche is better than your Porsche - AND you don't understand why" - what is gonna happen? The other gets their back up and a **** storm starts.

I think the original poster realized this - wanted this to happen - and threw it out there to see what could be stirred up. Additionally, his view of Steve McQueen's cars as best 911 was cryptic and bizarre.

The 87-89 (84-86, too) is a stronger car than my SC. Your 73 is a lighter car than my SC and more nimble. I got no argument with your view. Trust me, the OP was intending for you to say what you said, and for me to take the bait.

It's all good.

[JohnJL]

Originally Posted by Hil911

It all depends what you want.

I've owned a few - 71S, 73S and 2 76s.

In Jersey (Channel Islands) the 76 was much more satisfying to drive than the 71. Small roads and torque an asset. The 73 911S was brilliant in Alberta.

But when I owned the 73 911S in Alberta, I also had a brand new Toyota MR2 AW11. I honestly used to laugh out loud when I changed from one to the other - muscle car to sewing machine.

You've got to love them all - when they are running.

Now in Australia I own a 1976 911 and ... an AW11. LOL!

Did you just refer to an MR2 as a muscle car?

[Erich Stahler]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Let's take a half-step back and think. You love your 73. You are the first owner, life long enthusiast, live and breath Porsche. What is not to love, right? You got your groove on. You are a little prejudiced as that is what you know and love. Not a crime - whatsoever.

So let's see, lots of us are in that same boat. We love OUR Porsches. If any of us say "My Porsche is better than your Porsche - AND you don't understand why" - what is gonna happen? The other gets their back up and a **** storm starts.

I think the original poster realized this - wanted this to happen - and threw it out there to see what could be stirred up. Additionally, his view of Steve McQueen's cars as best 911 was cryptic and bizarre.

The 87-89 (84-86, too) is a stronger car than my SC. Your 73 is a lighter car than my SC and more nimble. I got no argument with your view. Trust me, the OP was intending for you to say what you said, and for me to take the bait.

It's all good.

I wish you would stop saying these things. I only wanted to see what my fellow Porschephiles thought was the best 911 to each of them. I come to discuss Porsche and nothing more, if you think I'm trying to start trouble then you are wrong. Stop saying these things.