just to stick my oar in. I use my 1971 2.2 as a daily driver - always starts first time, never had problems with it - only issue in the long term is that it will rust so after this year it will become a "summer only" daily driver and I'll use my old Escort for the winter.

 

I'll throw one into the hat....I'd spend the extra money and go with a motronic 3.2 Carrera ('84 - '89). I just think for daily slogging, they're the best of the bunch. I've had two and never a problem, both were very easy to drive, whether in "fun" mode or "traffic" mode. And, for long term reliability, you really don't have to add anything to the Carrera.

I will also agree that the SCs may be one of the best bargains going. But the 3.2 Carreras are dropping into similar SC range. If you look at SCs, be sure they have the pop-off valve and upgraded pressure fed chain tensioners.

As noted before, do your research and buy a good specimen and you'll be happy with either.

Having a '72 911T, I wouldn't vote for that as a daily driver. Older motors require more tuning time and are tempermental. Mine behaves so differently with different ambient temperatures. For daily driving, that can be a pain.

Good luck!

 

I love my 911T as a daily driver, though it has a 2.4L MFI instead of the carberators. It is very reliable though some wierd things have happened in the past thanks to idiot mechanics. I wouldn't rule out the early cars just yet, considering they are cheaper, lighter, and have about the same power to weight ratio in most cases. They are extremely fun to drive and don't have all the other garbage on it to worry about. Not to mention the parts are much cheaper, the maintence is easier to perform with the added room and good cars aren't that hard to find. Just make sure that you don't get someone elses junk whatever model or year you decide.
Just my 2 cents <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

 

I have 1976 911s "2.7" and she runs like a dream. A/C on the other hand can be quite problematic. Were men though and are allowed to sweat a little. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

 

I gotta tell yaa i was a big fan of the 964's till i found out how much fun the Carrera 3.2's are. I drive mine everyday ( other then snow ) and it makes the morning ride to work liveable. The first P car i ever drove was an SC i think the carrera is a nice step up but the sc got me hooked. Silly me i am looking at 930's now

 

Thanks for all the info so far guys, I don't need this to be the fastest thing on the planet, just fun to drive reliable, and if I have to deal with crappy AC then thats fine.

I'll just start my quest now and hopefully before too long I'll have my 2nd porsche in the garage (and the 4th that I will have owned).....

 

I have a '97 Carrera S. It's awesome to drive and look at.
My friend recently bought an '86 Carrera with factory whale tail. I gotta say, I love his car. It doesn't have the grunt or "sophistication" of a 993, but what a great drive. The earlier 911's definitely have a sportier feel and ride, more connected to the road if you will. I love my car, but compared to the '86 it feels like a Lincoln Continental...well not really, but you get the message.
Get an SC or 3.2L in good shape, I don't think you can wrong. I wish I can add one to my garage, but then I'd have too many Porsches.
Did I say that!?

 

To tell you the truth, I am crazy about 911's from 78-89. I have driven newer but I felt something was missing. I have driven earlier, and while I liked them more, they are tougher to find in nice shape. But their look with the long hood and early fenders, the way Butzi intended, is just right. I will get one though, and hopefully soon. What year I like best between 78-89, I don't know. I don't think I will ever figure it out. If I haven't done so while owning an 80sc, an 88 carrera and spending time driving my sister's 84, I don't think I ever will. I like the sc because it has less parts. I like the 84 for that extra little grunt at the top without having to put up with the extra electrical options. And i like the 88 because of the G50. Every time I drive that one, I think this is the most civilized I want a 911. Chuck a turbo in the back and it will be perfect. Yeah, I like 930's. Then while driving the 88, I think sc's feel a little lighter and have less parts. I also love the simplicity of cis, but I also love the adaptability of motronic. Oh the heck with it, I like'em all. Sometimes I wish I could go to Stuttgart and pick up a brand new, zero miles 78-89 911. Maybe a club sport.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned about good a/c or engine "personality" after all, part of owning an early 911 is developing a friendship with your mechanic and there are companies that make r134a retro-fit lightweight and compact compressors and blowers. As long as the car already has a/c, you can give up "correct" authenticity and go for not sweating.
I would underscore "rule number one" of buying a Porsche or any similar marque -- buy the best car you can afford, not necessarily the youngest or the fastest, but the one with the least rust, the one with the most receipts and documentation, the one with the most credible owner and, at the end of the day, the one that you like so much you can look past all its flaws and weaknesses, the one that might cost you ten times more to run than a Honda family sedan, but you never give the dollars and sense a second thought -- you're driving a 911 every day!

 

Take it from a completely unbiased source, your best bet is a '92 SC coupe. A gray one under $15K would be perfect.
If you could find one for sale by someone with a son in Charlotte who would be willing to deliver it to you for free, well, that would just be heaven.
Darn, there's one just like that in the 911 classifieds. What a coincidence.
Okay, it's mine. It might fit the bill. Take a look.

 

'84 Carerra Cab; day in-day out. Couldn't ask for a better car to do my 40 mile commute in, and it has never let me down.