At first blush that may be my route.... I'll have to dig into it. I am just starting out.

Education is why I am here. I know what I don't know. I am hoping and getting lessons on what I don't know that I don't know.....

The last thing I want this to cost short of $$$$ is my marriage....

Wayne, I was asked that same question by the guys at the PCA chapter. My logic is:
1) I like the look of the air-cooled better.
2) Pre 964s are largely computer free.... thus I "could" work on them with less difficulty.
3) I want something to tinker on. I don't see that in a 996.

A 996 was the first Porsche I drove over the summer! I really liked the jaunt down the interstate and back to the dealer.

A viable plan..... Thanks for the suggestion!

A viable plan..... Thanks for the suggestion!

Will do!

Chuey,
The reason everyone is so negative on a sub-$20k car is that you will be underwater. In theory, it may cost you $40k total to end up with a $30k car. If this is something you're willing to deal with, then find yourself a project. Just be aware that a project is often the most expensive way in the long run. That is why people are offering alternatives.

Cayman are nice..... but I am not sure I could tinker on it. 944: I am not a fan of the lines. I can look at them again.

That is a bit of an eye opener. I want the unvarnished reality of what I may be getting into.

Do the squirrels come with the car?:D

I appreciate the honesty, sugarwood. Its a similar train of thought in the aircraft world. Its cheaper to drop $2.5-$3 million on a nice P-51 Mustang. If you really want your own to rebuild, well, charter an expedition and dig one up in the far reaches of the world. Ten years and maybe $10 million later you might have an awesome airplane...

I have thick skin. I can take it.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336391335&toolid=10001&mpre=https%3A%2F% 2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F132481848623%3Ful_noapp%3Dt rue
There you go. Compliments of a previous thread

Here is an SC Coupe that needs some work but is a driver for $20K-not sure what the reserve is but 9 hours is left for bidding.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-porsche-911sc-6/

I think you are selling yourself short with this comment and the 996 one. They are just cars. They are mechanical. Sometimes you need to replace a sensor or rewire something but mostly you change brake pads, upgrade swaybars, install a shirt shifter, etc. basically mods are mods and cars are cars. You might want to more seriously consider a water cooled car, and you will drive it more work in it less. You buy a $20k air cooled project you’re gonna be in the garage wrenching when the PCA crew are doing summer tours.

I have come to the conclusion that you need $50k for a nice air cooled car.
I don't care what your entry price is. By the time your done fixing it you will be into it for around $50k.


What's a "Shirt" shifter Matt? Can I get one of those "Shirtless"? Preferably in a "D" model??

It’s what you wear while sitting on the short shatter.

You're specifically looking for a project or fixer-upper
You understand it can be more expensive, depending on how much a basket case you start with.
You want to tinker and prefer something older.
You don't want a modern car, and desire an air cooled 911. Not a 944 or 996.

It sounds like you know what you want, your eyes are wide open, this is not your first rodeo, and you know what you're getting into.

The market went up the last few years, and it seems rare for anything half decent to show up at $20k or below.
I personally think you should look at options at least up to $25k.
You might find better bang for the buck as you spend a little more, but still get a car that has room for improvement

Shopping around is half the fun, so take your time and learn.
Take your time, and make sure you find the right car to invest your time into.
What is your budget beyond the $20k buy price ?

Reading the BAT comment archives for past auctions may help you learn more about the cars.
https://bringatrailer.com/porsche/impact-bumper-911/

I would ditch the $20K air cooled 911. I am 61 yrs old and had these things since my first job with the dealer in 1974. I work on these things and have the blessing to be around the top talent level of specialists. Those days are over my friend. However lots of good information on this thread. $20 K will get you a great water pumper. They are every bit 911. All Porsches have design problems . I understand the need to tinker. Actually I am in the over tinker crowd. 6 944 based cars. I have found that they are no different than tinkering on my equal year air cooled past owned cars. Even better is the availibility of parts. For $20K you can get a 951 Turbo with all the mainintance done.
I am building a Spec Boxter race car at this time and even though it may be a good race car it doesnt do it for me in regards to tinkering. I wish I had not started the project.
If you want a aircooled car for $20K I have a 74 912E project that I am selling on mart for asking $15K. I am selling for a friend. I would buy it my self but the reason Im selling is because we have to many cars and the premimum for shop space has been taken over in Seattle. I have a 91 944 S2 that I would sell for $18000. That thing rules the road. If I had the space this would already be mine https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/1041583-1988-porsche-924s-for-sale.html
I have an exact match only a club sport version . My favorite car. You air cooled guys can laugh at me but at 60 years old I race my 944 race car with PCA in an area where all PCA cars on grid. There is nothing more cool than co existing with a 2017 cup car.

All the reasons I have a:
73 911
75 914
81 928 (ok, excepts not air cooled )

:D

Everyone has made a lot of sense, thank you very much. It is way too obvious I was taken in by the ads online like what I posted. I was also swept up in a desire to have a unique 911.

Having consulted two friends, one Pcar the other Mopar, its time to step back and reevaluate ALL options. Not just a 911, but 944s, 968s, 996/7s and even older 70's 911s.

But first, I need to sort out what the heck will I really do with a car like this. So far I have:
A few fun races, touring, be part of a family of enthusiasts. Mostly to have a fun, engaging, spirited car to call mine and to improve over time.

Matt Monson is correct: I DON'T want to spend the next 2-5 years chasing oil leaks, hard to find or expansive parts and miss all the fun you guys (& gals) are having fun banging around at events....

Wayner is also correct: there is something to be said about "doing it your self"

Thanks again everyone. I will go back to my requirements set! I'm not giving up.

For reference, I was probably you in 2010

These threads are fun to read but give you a false illusion that a car can be built in the time that it takes to read the thread

Here are my threads for reference. Be sure to take notice of the dates posted

Part I) http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/626050-saving-73-crusher.html

Part II) track fun, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/837182-video-sending-73-back-crusher.html

Part III) http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/893954-saving-73-crusher-again.html

I think that you need two cars:
1) a get in it now and go car (of a brand or model that qualifies for the events that you want to participate in)
2) a project car to tinker with.

Get car number 1 first, then go looking for car number two. No rush on car number two, in fact after a few outings in car number 1, car number two may not seem that important anymore, unless you have been infected with some tinkering illness like me, in which case motorcycles are easier to store. (Be careful of motorcycles too though, I went from 0-5 of those in twelve months last year, but one of them was 17 years old and after a bit of tinkering took me 23,000kms to the arctic ocean,...and then there's the trucks) Maybe just stick to bicycles...Oh, wait, I just realized that I have built three of those in addition to the one I already had and each of them has taken its turn completing a 200 mile weekend ride once built.

I agree that you are smart to figure out what you want to do. Apparently I haven't, but I do know that every one of my projects gets used for its intended purpose and is not a garage queen.

As far as tinkering, jury is still out on weather my wife leaving was a cause or an effect :D

Oh, and of note: Aside from what my 911 is now worth, regarding your $20 Grand target, I have less than that invsted in all of my toys combined, including my two other Porsches.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516998418.jpg