1978 911SC Non-Sunroof Silver Potentially for Sale - Need Advice

[jbrubaker001]

I need some advice. I have a 78 SC with 176k miles, well maintained which I currently use just for back road driving on nice days now. I used to do about 5 to 10 DE/autox per year but it's been years since I've had a chance to do that so....

I would drive more but the wife is not too keen on the noise, no a/c, manual trans and "safety". I have completed quite a few modifications (heavily upgraded suspension, upgraded exhaust (SSI) and A/C delete, short shift kit, vintage Recaro drivers seat and probably some others) but left the engine itself alone other than tensioner oil feed backdate, turbo valve covers, aluminum sump plate. Since she doesn't like driving in the car, I don't get the chance to drive as much. I personally love the car and the joy it brings me to drive BUT it would be nice to spend the time together. So....

I am looking at selling the 78 and buying something newer, something my wife would also appreciate. I'm specifically thinking about a 997.2 with PDK but open to other ideas. I like the 997 (interior and exterior) styling and feel the PDK gives the best of both worlds - auto for the wife and gear changes for me. In addition, I am looking for the best value - best overall experience for the money and the 997.2 is the max of my budget (not including GT2/3 which are out of my budget).

I know this is a personal decision but would like the community's input. I have yet to drive a 997.2 and only know what I've read.

Thoughts?

[Mixed76]

Try the other cars, of course.

Consider fixing the things your wife doesn't like- a/c and noise reduction, along with soft surfaces, go a long way to making the passenger feel "safe". Cover bare floorboards, install door panels, put dynamat etc.

Great looking car btw

Sent from my Nokia 7.1 using Tapatalk

[blucille]

I’ve owned and still do, a variety of air cooled cars. Formerly, a lightened 79sc and a 78, currently an 83 with 3.6 and a 72 with mfi, twin plug 2.7

And my wife loves them all. And loved them all.

But I’ve also got a 2012 Cayman R. PDK—-it’s modern, it’s quiet enough, it’s comfortable and sporting. I truly believe the Cayman has more in common with the air cooled cars than anything else water cooled. From a driving experience point of view.

I urge you to try a 987 cayman. I think you’ll really like it. And the price point can’t be beat. Maybe you could even keep the SC.

[jac1976]

I like Blucille’s thinking, but there may be something lurking in the photo above that might preclude the room-for-two of the Cayman.

[jbrubaker001]

Thanks for the heads up on the 2012 Cayman R. I didn’t know it existed but sounds exactly what I’m looking for - modern, kinda raw and limited production. Anything I want to be looking for?

[sugarwood]

Car guys always recommend getting "the big block 454 only".
You don't need the R, or the S, even the base Cayman has more power than your SC.
And can be had for $25k

Look into a BRZ, you can get a very nice car for $15k.
Or a GTI. Lots of choices out there.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by jbrubaker001

Thanks for the heads up on the 2012 Cayman R. I didn’t know it existed but sounds exactly what I’m looking for - modern, kinda raw and limited production. Anything I want to be looking for?

Yes, make sure you buy one that hasn't been tracked or modded. There were a lot of them that were made into DE toys when it was the hot ticket prior to the arrival of the GT4. They are great vehicles.

I have going to suggest a 987.2 instead of the 997 like some others have done. It's just a better driving experience, and for adults the rear seats of a Carrera are useless. Plenty of travel storage in the Caymans.

[dwelle]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Car guys always recommend getting "the big block 454 only".
You don't need the R, or the S, even the base Cayman has more power than your SC.
And can be had for $25k

Look into a BRZ, you can get a very nice car for $15k.
Or a GTI. Lots of choices out there.

how the hell do you know what he “needs”, shug?

absurd as usual...

[pmax]

Targa.

[sugarwood]

Use your brain.
Did he say he's selling because the car does not have enough power?
He is driving the car with his wife. He is on a budget, as well.
Also, he is not tracking the car anymore. He does not need an R.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Use your brain.
Did he say he's selling because the car does not have enough power?
He is driving the car with his wife. He is on a budget, as well.
Also, he is not tracking the car anymore. He does not need an R.

He wants an R. It’s a toy. Wants overrule needs in such things. Go post on the twins forum Mr BRZ.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by dwelle

how the hell do you know what he “needs”, shug?

absurd as usual...

he has a crystal ball...

[pmax]

I’ll prescribe more excitement less fear, two sides of the same coin.

[dwelle]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

He wants an R. It’s a toy. Wants overrule needs in such things. Go post on the reins forum Mr BRZ.

this.

use your brain.

we're talking wants here, not needs...

[pmax]

Tone down the loud exhaust and forget the ... what a few more ponies, chasing incremental hp is a losing game it appears in your case.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by dwelle

how the hell do you know what he “needs”, shug?

absurd as usual...

Snore.......

[Restore_84]

Enjoy the 911, lose the wife!

[racer]

I'll throw out a few more... What does she want? If you are going to upend your hobby, she better be fully on board. My wife drive a stick. She did a track day.. She has NEVER liked my Porsches as a mode of transport for her. Over the years I've had track oriented and street oriented Porsches. She's never felt comfy driving them. And really only tolerates them. I think they are just a little too low.. and too flashy for her.

Before you drop 997.2 / 987.2 / Cayman R money, figure out what you are really chasing.

That said, if its really only a little more "safety" or "comfort", I'd consider a newer aircooled car first.. Maybe a 964 or 993 - both have airbags and ABS yet both have that classic aircooled sound and feel. Plus they may even have working AC!

As for PDK?

it always sounds like the correct compromise.. and they are amazing transmissions.. but you do give up the feel and fun of a true manual. Be sure to test drive a few and make sure you'd really like one, vs just enjoying the video game like feel of awesome power transfer.

[jbrubaker001]

Wow, this has been an interesting feed while I've been gone. I want to thank everyone for their input, I'd love to hear more. A couple of notes...

1) Not searching for more power - I am more interested in the driving experience. Power is nice but more concerned with handling and feel. All the research I've seen/read on the R over the last day support that the R is pretty special in the handling department.
2) I would like a car that has the potential to appreciate and hold value at the least. This is why the R seems more appealing to me compared to a 997.2 in the same price range.
3) My 911 and potential replacement are entirely a want - something that brings me joy...and I would like to share that with my wife and kids.
4) I personally don't want to give up a manual but the wife and teenage daughter (who can both drive a manual) simply prefer not to do so. I feel the PDK is a compromise where we both win. I'd like to have the Porsche that I want AND keep the wife.
5) Budget - yes, I am on a budget. I would like to stay under $70k.

Based on above - any other potentials/concerns I want to be thinking about?

[Driven97]

The only way you're going to get the special feel of an air-cooled vintage car is to have one. You're not going to capture "something similar," nothing else is going to be the same.

That said, modern cars are objectively better. Quiet, comfortable, easy to drive, working A/C, easily much faster. A 997.2 is NOT going to be just like your car but newer, it's going to be totally different. As much as it pains me to agree with Sugarwood, if you decide you're willing to abandon your very unique vintage car, then just go ahead and open up your world of choices.

Maybe you end up keeping your car. Maybe you go to a 996 turbo, or a 981 Boxster S. Maybe you end up in a Twin or ND Miata. Maybe you cross over to an M2, M3, or M4. Maybe you go hardcore with an Alfa 4C, or go to the dark side with a Camaro SS 1LE or Corvette of some sort. Maybe you posh it up with an Aston V8 Vantage. All of those things are probably within your budget and within the possible spectrum of what you want out of a car. Test drive, test drive, test drive, and the right car is the one you can't stop thinking about.

Life is too short. Cars are far less permanent than wives (well, for most of us) you can swap as much as you want. The only real bummer is that once your 911 is gone, it's gone. You can get another air cooled car, but that one is yours.