I've been looking into getting a porsche lately and, while I'm willing to step up to a 993, an '82 911SC is being advertsed in our local paper supposedly 1 owner with 69K miles. While a 993 would be nice, it would take some measurable financial sacrifices. I figure a 911SC would provide me with a satisfactory Porsche experience while I save up some more and splurge on a 993 C2S for Christmas this year. Anyway, since I'm new to this Porsche stuff, I was wondering what to look for and whether or not this is a good year.

 

The 82SC is a very good car.I have an 83SC with 220,000 miles.As with any year or milage Porsche have a PPI done at a reputable shop, low milage is not a deturmaning factor, I have seen low milage cars run up very high repair bills due to non use, items like the clutch just do not like to sit.Porsche Club member cars tend to be good bets.The SC's are fun cars but are no way near the car the 993 is.I love my 83SC but when I grow up I hope to have a 993.
Sc's are more of a true sports car ( no power steering) Sc's are a good platform to play with, make it like you like it, they are easy to upgrade without haveing to refinance your house.You can check our Texas porsche Club web sites for availability of what you are looking for. Our Austin site is www.hcrpca.org. the links you can find the Houston and Dallas sites.

 

If you haven't already, take a look at the 911SC FAQ on tech.rennlist.com. It may answer some questions for you.

 

Since my only Porsche experience is with a '54 356 Speedster and a '80 911SC (I've never even ridden in a 964/993 etc.), all I know about the later models is what I read. My SC suits me well - it's a driver's car with quirky handling, a very "mechanical" sensory nature, and (by today's standards) it's not very fast. From what I read, the 964s/993s are quite different - much faster and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis (G-50 trans, hydraulic lifters, improved ventilation and A/C, for example). I'd say try the SC and see if you like it. But, from a cold-hearted financial strategy point of view, consider the following if your ultimate goal is really to be in a 993 by Christmas: While 69K miles is low for an SC and they're very durable, it's still 20 years old and may well need expensive maintenance (which will primarily benefit the next owner) between now and the time you would replace it with the 993. In addition, unless you get a killer deal on it now, it will probably be worth less when you sell it (they're not collectors items yet) than you pay for it. Sadly, it may make more sense to forgo the SC and concentrate on saving up for the 993. Just food for thought.

 

Bryan might be right about your situation financially. I sometimes wish I had taken this advice myself.

On the other hand, with the market down and lots folks, myself included, strapped for cash, this might be the time to buy a nice SC for a fair price. If things turn around in the next year or so maybe your 12-15k car will even sell for a little more. I would suggest though that if you are thinking about getting into the Porsche scene and want to get on the track, a well taken care of SC is all the car you need! Master the SC and in a few years you might want to upgrade.

Best of Luck

Chris

 

The SC car's true beauty is that it's completely malleable. You can--by yourself--and that's the key, transform it into a fairly competent track machine, or a concours car, or leave it at just a plain daily driver. Today's cars afford that same intimate experience but at a higher price (both in expertise and in money) because of the sophisticated design and components, like computers and such. Sure, the SC's have problems, the stock chain tensioners is but one; yet for a pure overall Porsche experience, they're hard to beat. If someone's looking for a car to simply drive and they view the tinkering as a hassle, then a later one is probably a better choice. Agree SC owners?

 

They sure will be soon the way everyone seems to want one! At least they would be collectors items that people want to actually use.

 

I own an '82 SC myself and I love it. I got mine with less than 60k miles a little over a year ago now. Shortly after getting it, the master cylnder went out and needed to be fixed. I promptly had it fixed and had a 60k mile service performed. The total tab was around $600. So, just because you find a car with low miles doesn't mean things won't go wrong. Mine had been stored in a warehouse most of its life and the previous owner (1 owner car until I bought it) told me that he had it serviced at least once a year -- mostly minor stuff like oil and battery.

A word of caution to you... if you get the SC and want to have your headliner replaced, be aware that all the glass has to come out of the car and that drives the cost up considerably. I bought a headliner for $50 and paid $100 for installation. Add to that the glass removal/replacement at $300. I later had to have the glass done all over again because the glass man thought the original seals would be fine. I had to get new seals overnighted because my 911 is my daily driver and I can't do without it. The new seals ran about $300 with shipping. So, my new headliner cost me about $750. It looks good, though.

BTW, replacement sunvisors only come in black.

It sounds like you have never driven a Porsche before and I was in the same boat when I bought my car. Having nothing to which to compare it, I thought it was fine and accepted its quirks. I had a local 911 mechanic check out my shifter and he told me that the bushings in it needed to be replaced. What a difference! It now shifts much better.

I joined the PCA (www.pca.org) shortly after buying my car and would highly recommend you do the same. The club offers you the chance to meet other Porsche owners and participate in club activities. My wife and I are now regulars at autocrosses in our area, most of which are done by our local SCCA (www.scca.org) but I found out about the first one I attended by talking with a fellow PCA member. We have also participated in our region's PorscheFest (concours, rally, banquet, and autocross) and went on a Fall Tour in the mountains (see our recent newsletter at www.carolinas-pca.com). Through the club I've met another SC owner who doesn't mind sharing his knowledge and I've started down the road of doing some of my own service work. I plan to upgrade to Carrera chain tensioners with his help (this is a popular upgrade along with installing a "pop-off valve", which I already had a mechanic do for me).

Don't expect a soft ride, it's a true sports car and you will feel the road. No power steering may feel a little different to you at real slow speeds, but that's about the only time you'll notice a difference.

Take Chuck's advice and get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection).

 

Well, I had an '85 Turbo-Look 911 in high school for a month which on of my father's business associates lent me. This is pretty much what started my Porsche craving. No power steering, ABS, or power brakes, a true driving machine. However, whatever Porsche I get would be my daily driver.

 

One advantage of the SC's are the relative simplicity of servicing and repairs - or so I am told *G*. Being 'mechanically challenged', I've only done some of the very basics, but, if you settle on an SC, get yourself a copy of Wayne Dempsey's "101 Projects for Your Porsche". A tremendous investment, and highly recommended by many much more knowledgeable than myself, this book will help you to keep your maintenance and repair costs down. IMO, the beauty of the SC is it's probably the last of the old school 'rattle your fillings - jar your kidneys' sports cars - they're rather primitive by 993 standards, but a sh-tload of driving fun!!

 

Re the 82 with mileage figures - be aware that the orig speedo was an 85 mph. Ours was changed out to the what, 150 - 160?, but I got the orig speedo with it. 19,000 more miles to add to the later speedo.