1989 911 as Daily Questions
#16
Instructor
I fully support using a G-body car as a DD. I daily drove a 74 911S, then an 89 Carrera 4, then a 98 C4s, then a 993 Turbo over about 20 years...and I loved every minute of it. Having said that, an M3 or C63 (or so many other cool cars that cost the same or less and may not depreciate too much) can still feel "special" but also offer power steering, cupholders, good hands-free phone set-ups, keyless entry, and some of the other modern conveniences that make many daily driving tasks easier. However, since you live in wine country (and hopefully have a garage), by far the biggest hassle I dealt with, ****ty defrost, will not be an issue. I say go for it...there are obviously lots of trade-offs to consider, but I am pretty sure smiling every day is good for your health! And if you don't like driving it daily, then drive it less, or even sell it...the downside is minimal.
#17
Intermediate
Not sure if that’s really a low price but I don’t think it’s a bad price.
My main concern as a newish father is that there are few safety features in these things. Not even airbags.
But…the kids would absolutely love riding in it!
My main concern as a newish father is that there are few safety features in these things. Not even airbags.
But…the kids would absolutely love riding in it!
#18
Rennlist Member
I drove my former 89 as a daily for about 6mo. It’s doable. Comfortable car. Ac doesn’t work that well, there are retrofits. Back seats are tiny. But they do have shoulder belts.
wont comment on the price. If you don’t know these cars get an inspection done and know what you’re getting into. That price may be fair, or not.
wont comment on the price. If you don’t know these cars get an inspection done and know what you’re getting into. That price may be fair, or not.
#19
Rennlist Member
I drove my former 89 as a daily for about 6mo. It’s doable. Comfortable car. Ac doesn’t work that well, there are retrofits. Back seats are tiny. But they do have shoulder belts.
wont comment on the price. If you don’t know these cars get an inspection done and know what you’re getting into. That price may be fair, or not.
wont comment on the price. If you don’t know these cars get an inspection done and know what you’re getting into. That price may be fair, or not.
Lap belts - yes.
#20
Rennlist Member
I've owned dozens of old cars over the years and my '78 is the most daily driver capable one I've ever had. Super easy to drive around normally. I mean, they have their quirks - the clutch takes a bit to get used to and no power steering can be an issue sometimes - but I haven't really encountered a time when taking the 911 wasn't an option, except picking up 2x4s.
Need a convertible to haul 2x4’s!!!!
#21
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I dd’d my 89 for a couple years until selling it recently on BAT. I replaced it with a 993 for dd duties. I can’t imagine using a 911 of any era to carry backseat passengers on a regular basis, however for what you are describing, the occasional trip with kids, it would be fine. I loved the total analog feel of the 89, and even the a/c was fine after ceramic tint and Griffith’s upgrade. However, I have to admit I prefer the slightly more refined 993 for dd duties. That would be the model I’d recommend over the G body for daily driving duties.
#22
If we're talking practicalities, a 996/997 offers better heating and AC, and a little more space in the back for kids. My 11-year old now starts complaining about lack of headroom, so you can put your 9-yo in the front and the little ones in the back. The problem with a 3.2 is that you will have to find a car seat that fits in the back and you don't have a shoulder belt there -- that is not a problem with a 996/997.
#23
Rennlist Member
What year is that? 89 has shoulder belts. Not sure when the change happened on the G50 cars. OP has an 89. At least in US.
This is my old car:
https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...coupe-g50.html
#24
Burning Brakes
Clive,
I'm waiting for surgery on my left knee due to a work accident last April ... i can assure you a manual car is/was out of the question.My racing season
was a bust last Summer and my Subaru has been driven twice since then by someone else and is now in storage.
My 911 never even left the trailer last year ,and it looks like this year will be the same story ...
I have to drive my F150 gas guzzler as my daily driver and it's not fun !!!
Cheers
Phil
I'm waiting for surgery on my left knee due to a work accident last April ... i can assure you a manual car is/was out of the question.My racing season
was a bust last Summer and my Subaru has been driven twice since then by someone else and is now in storage.
My 911 never even left the trailer last year ,and it looks like this year will be the same story ...
I have to drive my F150 gas guzzler as my daily driver and it's not fun !!!
Cheers
Phil
Last edited by raspritz; 03-06-2023 at 03:03 PM.
#25
Rennlist Member
What year is that? 89 has shoulder belts. Not sure when the change happened on the G50 cars. OP has an 89. At least in US.
This is my old car:
https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...coupe-g50.html
This is my old car:
https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...coupe-g50.html
#26
Drifting
We're talking about the Quebec medical system ...
It took three months before i was able to get an MRI and at that point i went privately.After the third one which required a colorant they discovered a tibial fracture which obviously didn't heal properly.
Unfortunately it also took forever to get an orthopedic surgeon to take me in charge, they're overwhelmed by the Quebec medical system.
Today i just canceled my early registration for the 2023 VARAC GP, another race season down the tubes!
Cheers
Phil
It took three months before i was able to get an MRI and at that point i went privately.After the third one which required a colorant they discovered a tibial fracture which obviously didn't heal properly.
Unfortunately it also took forever to get an orthopedic surgeon to take me in charge, they're overwhelmed by the Quebec medical system.
Today i just canceled my early registration for the 2023 VARAC GP, another race season down the tubes!
Cheers
Phil
#27
Rennlist Member
G-body 911s are great as regular drivers. I've had several stints where I've done just that.
Speaking as an owner of an '88, I wouldn't think that $55k for a G50-gen Carrera at 104k miles is a super exciting deal even in the absence of dings and bubbling paint. One just sold on PCA for $51k and I feel like when I last looked around I saw them posted with asking prices in the $50ks.
But perhaps the main benefit is not the price, but the known history.
Speaking as an owner of an '88, I wouldn't think that $55k for a G50-gen Carrera at 104k miles is a super exciting deal even in the absence of dings and bubbling paint. One just sold on PCA for $51k and I feel like when I last looked around I saw them posted with asking prices in the $50ks.
But perhaps the main benefit is not the price, but the known history.