912 Coupe or 911SC Coupe

[Okiedoke]

I know this may seem like an odd comparison, but nice 912 coupes and nice 911SC coupes seem to be about in parity from a price perspective nowadays. Both aren't exactly cheap and both have been appreciating. Now let's say, hypothetically, that your wife will only allow one of these air cooled Porsches in the garage, I wanted to get your perspectives (value, appreciation, fun, etc.) on which you'd get and why? I've been going back and forth on this for quite a while and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[BK911]

I have both and drive each one to work at least once a week. 75 miles round trip.
Two totally different animals.
To simplify, lets talk aesthetics and performance.
912 wins the former and the SC the latter.
However, for my use, the 912 has enough performance to get me to and from work. I have NEVER wished it had more power. But I drive all back roads. For highway use, I prefer the SC. If you ever do a track day, definitely the SC.
If I had to get rid of one, it would be the 912 simply because it is a coupe and I prefer Targas.
If they were both coupes or targas, I would keep the 912.
Its just a simpler car.
Resale? Who knows!!

[Nick Triesch]

I sold my 356 after 10 years because it was slow. Really slow. The 912 that replaced it is slow. But they are cute little VW like cars. The 911 is much more fun to drive IMHO. The 912 will at least keep up with the MGB's.

[Matt Monson]

Are you looking for a classy cruiser or a real Sportscar? I love my 912 but have zero interest in taking it to the track. On the other hand my 3.2 Carrera is a hoot on the track.

As for value? I think early SWB 912s will outpace SCs. I think the later 912s (not 912e) will be more on par with an SC. Only thing I don't like about my 912 is that it is a coupe. For my cruiser I want to be able to open the top up to the sky. A SWT 912 would be awesome.

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Are you looking for a classy cruiser or a real Sportscar? I love my 912 but have zero interest in taking it to the track. On the other hand my 3.2 Carrera is a hoot on the track.

I certainly like the idea of having the option to track the car at some point, but probably unlikely given how much they cost now and how hard it would be to find a replacement should I wreck it. I definitely do enjoy the classic chrome look much more and do want to be able to enjoy looking at the car. I have to admit, I'm not crazy about the bumpers on the SC. I also do want to be able to have some fun in it (sound, feel, handling), not just cruising the city streets.

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

As for value? I think early SWB 912s will outpace SCs. I think the later 912s (not 912e) will be more on par with an SC.

Because of how much both cost now, I think I'd probably have one shot at one before they get way out of reach. I assume you'd include the LWB '69s in the early 912 bucket? What do you think the demand would be for 912s compared to SCs say one or two decades down the road given demographics? Is there worldwide demand for US 912s like there is for our SCs?

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Only thing I don't like about my 912 is that it is a coupe. For my cruiser I want to be able to open the top up to the sky. A SWT 912 would be awesome.

I really like the lines of 912 coupes, but I know what you mean about SWTs. I don't like the sun beating down on my head, but do love the open air which opening up the rear gives you. I'm also a bit concerned about how hot coupes could get in the summer. Unfortunately, nice SWTs are out of reach at this point. Do you think the 912 still practical in terms of taking a weekend trip?

[pnut_lee]

912 is a light agile car, and with some modest performance upgrades and the right exhaust, you can get a car that sounds awesome and is a hoot to drive. If it were me and I had to make the choice, LWB 1969 912 for me. Only year of the long hood 912 LWB and benefits from the upgraded handling characteristics. You can most likely sell that car and buy an SC down the road without taking cash out of your pocket. May not be as likely the other way around.

[johnvan8]

I've been blessed with having owned swb 912s, a lwb 912, 911 2.7, 911SC, 911 3.2, 964, and 996. I would say that the most "fun to drive" one was the 912 (both swb and lwb). Not fast but just fun to drive and puts a smile on my face. The lightness, nimbleness, simplicity, sound etc... Just something about the 912. The 69 912 had a rebuilt motor with a big bore kit (1720 I believe) and I was plenty fast for me!
I know it sounds like a cliche, but with a 912, it's not how fast you go but how you go fast that's fun. I don't know if that makes any sense to you but that's how I feel. Good luck with your search, you can't go wrong with either.

[Milesaway]

All the comments above are spot on esp BK911. 912 if for local fun, SC drives like a Jag for long distance. My 68 912 is by far my favorite Porsche and would be the 2nd to last car i'd ever sell (65 bug is still tops) If you do get a 912 make sure its a swb as in my experience the lwb lost a lot of the 912 sharpness.

[NYNick]

Nobody mentioned rust. 912's rust, SC's are galvanized.
Either one requires an up close inspection for such, but the I'd look REALLY closely at the 912's to find or look for needed repairs.

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by Milesaway

If you do get a 912 make sure its a swb as in my experience the lwb lost a lot of the 912 sharpness.

Oh, huh! Good to know. Is it enough of a difference to rule out '69s completely (even a nice one at a decent price)? I had always thought/read the lwb would handle better due to the more balanced weight distribution.

[Okiedoke]

Originally Posted by pnut_lee

You can most likely sell that car and buy an SC down the road without taking cash out of your pocket. May not be as likely the other way around.

Good point. Never thought of it this way. Over time, the number of 912s will probably decrease faster than the SCs as well due to rust.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

Oh, huh! Good to know. Is it enough of a difference to rule out '69s completely (even a nice one at a decent price)? I had always thought/read the lwb would handle better due to the more balanced weight distribution.

My earlier comment, which you questioned and I am not quoting now, was that '69 LWB 912s are not going to appreciate as quickly as SWB versions. They will all appreciate. But if you care about value, SWB will be king.

Furthermore, handling better is subjective. First of all, most people who comment on that are coming from a 911 perspective and usually haven't driven a 912. A 912 has a lighter engine and different chassis characteristics. Put that in a SWB 901 chassis and its actually pretty darned perfect! If you can drive both you should. I owned a '68 911T with nearly the same power as my '67 912. The 912 drives so differently. I actually like it better.

Also, regarding the rust thing... Galvinizing wears off. It is not forever and condition is everything. An SC isn't going to be by definition a more rust free car. And 912s in the nice driver condition category aren't being left outside to rust. The cars are protected these days. The logic that 912s are going to rust and SCs are going to survive isn't really founed in reality. A decade ago? Sure. But any decent 912 is stored indoors these days and isn't rusting further. There are still plenty of SCs out in the elements still...

[Okiedoke]

Nice matching number swb 912s are much harder to find these days let alone for a "reasonable" price compared to '69s. How do you think non-matching engine swb 912s (coupe vs swt) will fair against matching number '69s in terms of value? Are they still worth considering, especially '68 swts?

[LakeCleElum]

My 1st Porsche was a 912. A real rust bucket I bought back in the late '80's.....I had a new front pan welded in. I took it down to bare metal and painted it myself....After all of that, I realized all my previous sports cars had what this was lacking: 1) Power 2) ability to drop the top.

I promptly sold the 912 and bought a 73.5 911 Targa.......After 25 years of ownership, I have no plans to sell.......

Go with the SC

[r-mm]

I just bought a project '65 912 so I can't answer the what's it like to drive question but I would question your presumption that they're the same price. A pretty, honest, driver, non-matching numbers 912 would be hard to find below 40k. Unlike the SC where a scruffy car can be set right with a few calls to Pelican Parts and a weekend of wrenching, a rusty, improperly carburated, head cracked etc etc 912 will take some doing to make right. I'm not saying don't do it, but I am saying that with 35k in your pocket you can go SC shopping like you're buying a new Honda. With 45k in your pocket you maaay be able to do the same with 912s, but with dramatically reduced selection and a lot of hard work. Chances are your car will be out of state etc etc.

Again I'm not knocking the 912, and I love the thrill of the chase. I'm excited to have found a cool early car that I'm looking forward to bringing back to life and anticipating great things for in the future, value wise. The lack of weight, 356 connection and long hood looks all have me sold.

My car is not matching numbers. Personally I could care less. Coming from the Alfa world I appreciate correctness in all aspects but the numbers thing is for weenies (as I see it). A number of people have suggested deducting 15-20% of the car's value for this reason. As long as you buy low(er), anticipate selling low(er) and care more about cars than stampings...

For me the earlier green gauge, no headrest cars are significantly more charming. In my case I went pretty damn early all the way to painted dash. After buying a later 73 Alfa GTV and always wishing it were a crinkle painted dash Stepnose I decided to be bullheaded about not wanting a post 67 912.

Im sure you are aware that the early scs were sold with chrome trim and often very interesting colors. Id be willing to bet those outpace the later scs value wise. I would certainly pay more for say a petrol blue 79 with bright trim than a black 83.

[Westy]

70's Alfa's were cool. Both ends looked the same and ya couldn't tell if they were coming or going. Always had a place in my dream cars for an Alfa,,,,,,I think it was called a Spyder.

[Nick Triesch]

I owned a 73 Spyder. But tune ups were hard. Had to have a set of shims to adjust the valves. To adjust timing, the distributor was near the bottom of the motor and to adjust timing, it had to be at something like 5000 rpm. Also I had to stop for oil and check the gas! Sold it and bought a 356! But it sure was a pretty red car!

[Flynt]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

...Also I had to stop for oil and check the gas!

Never heard that before but I love it. I've had cars like that.

[mark waller]

I've owned a 69 912, a 71 911T and currently have an 83 SC Cabriolet. The 912 was my first Porsche. Great car well balanced, great in the turns but slower in the straights. 912's originally had a higher ride height then their counterpart 911's. Set the ride height to a 911 and it greatly improved handling. Pro's easy to work on, lower cost of a rebuild (but that's going up. Interior parts cost of the same as a 911. I bought that 912 in 2000 for $8000 and $5000 for a rebuild at that time but now rebuilding the motor is fast approaching twice that. Also keep in mind you probably will have to rebuild the distributor and carbs. Prior to 1976 Porsche did not use galvanized metal so watch out for rust.

1968 was a one year only 912 with side markers, a smog pump and 1 year only interior door panels and pockets. So if you go for a 68 you need to be aware of the limited parts.
Overall I loved my 69 but was missing power and wound up selling it for a nice little profit and bought a 71 911T. Great car but non number matching and non original color. Had to sell her after losing my job in the "great recession".
Found my 83 911SC with only 55,000 on the clock. Two owner car and I would have no issue getting in her and driving across country.
All comes down to what you like. The earlier cars are light and a blast to drive. The 83 SC is a little more like a "touring" car feel but with refinements over earlier cars. I bought the SC because 4 years ago they were lower cost to purchase but mainly they are close to being bullet proof. I redid the shocks, corner balanced it and a new alternator. Other than that I add gas. The more I drive the car the better it handles. These cars respond by having them on the road. Either way you can't go wrong. This car even has my wife saying we aren't going to sell it.

[Westy]

^^^^^^^^Ur wife is like mine. Ain't they great!!!!!!