epbrown01

Swinging the thread back on topic, remember that the 911 is a poor bang for the buck if you're coming from water-pumper side of the Porsche family: fifteen grand gets you an average 968, a very nice 951, and a decent 928S4, all of which would kick the *** of any 911 you found for the same money. If you aren't in love with the unique driving experience of the 911, paying more for a car that's slower and handles worse will chafe.

Emanuel

g-50cab

I think in general a Porsche is poor bang for the buck. For quarter mile time find a nice solid axel mustang. For autocross, find a nice MR2, S2000 or a Lotus 7 knock off. For track duty nobel or open wheeled formula. Now, if you want a car with go-cart handling, sound like no other, looks that are easily distinguished 1/4 a way and that won't depreciate to car parts status ... The maybe the 911 will get you there.

Porsche-O-Phile

Well, I've owned a Mustang GT and it WAS fun - in a straight line. NOTHING (including my Katana 750) handles like the Porsche does. They're simply a blast in the curves and they're pretty fun in a straight line too (at least the turbo is). They're also a bit more distinctive - Mustangs are dime-a-dozen (especially right now with Ford practically giving them away), a Porsche isn't.

g-50cab

Oh I wasn't defending the Mustang - just stating the obvious... Are their cheaper ways to go fast? You bet!

cmoss

But are they any more fun?

richard glickel.

Carrera speedsters were offered here in two years only '89 - that was a wide-body, and in '94 - that was a narrow bodied car. Very limited production cars which will retain a good part of their value.

911's were first galvanized in '77. As has already been established there were both, targa and cabrio 930s. The factory 930 targa is a fairly rare car.

Since you've got a 951, from both a handling and power perspective, I wouldn't think you'd be impressed with the earlier 911s (unless you're just interested in the classic rear-engined porsche driving experience). The '87 - '89 Carreras are very nice cars. A good low mileage example will cost about $25k.

I'd steer clear of the car you've described above.

Richard
'87 CarreraRS-3.6L widebody
'95 968 coupe (PCA "F" class mods currently underway for '05 season)
'93 968 coupe track car (R.I.P.)
'92 968 chassis (hopefully to be combined with '93 for a future GT car)

r911

"911's were first galvanized in '77"

IF you mean fully, then OK. but they were partly galvanized years before, starting low on the car, and with the amount increasing yearly.

This is a common myth and it ought to be dispelled.

Trader220

15k for a turbo, Yikes run the other way. You could pay close to that for a total motor rebuild on a proper turbo. In 1989 they made narrow body speedsters but all of the ones sent to the US were wide body ones. In 1994 they only sent narrow body speedsters here. The 1994 was a poor seller when I bought mine in 1996 I found several that were still at dealers sitting unsold from model year 1994. Either way expect to pay 40k and higher for a good speedster of either year.

A real turbo targa is a rare bird indeed and NO way NO how could you find a decent one for 15k.

richard glickel.

Yes, I meant FULLY, and I presume that's what the prospective purchaser meant also.

Quiz: When (what year) did Porsche first galvanize the 911?

Richard

J. Brinkley

aug 75'
that's my guess anyway

r911

lower

JackOlsen

I thought they started in 72?

J. Brinkley

I'm Excellence Was Expected challenged
enlighten me

richard glickel.

According to the 70's chronology on Porsche's website, the company first introduced hot galvanized floor panels in 1971, and full galvanized body shells in 1975.

Richard

Porsche-O-Phile

Wow! Talk about ahead of their time!

I suppose the other option would be an S2 cabriolet or possibly a 968 cab (the S2 cabs make me weak in the knees - they're GORGEOUS). Actually one thing I'd LOVE to do would be import a 951 cab to the U.S. (none were imported here) from Europe or elsewhere in the ROW. THAT would be a unique machine!

The 911 is just more of a "classic" Porsche and it's beautiful all in its own way. In a lot of ways I suspect (perhaps naively) that they'd be easier to work on than a 951 because of the rear-engine design. I'll mull it over. No chance to go grab the VIN today I'm getting killed with work right now. Maybe in a couple of days I'll have time to run by there again, or certainly on the weekend. FWIW I don't know if I'd sell the 951 and I KNOW I wouldn't sell my 944 - it was my first Porsche and I have a mountain of parts that's growing daily to convert it to a Callaway turbo crazy machine. Of course once that's done (probably 2-3 years hence) the question is, "do I really need two high powered turbo wasserpumpers?" The natural answer is "of course", but at some point practicality has to enter the equation. How many Porsches can my wife REALLY let me get away with? I currently have two of mine, one that I'm fixing up for a friend and she'd probably let me get her one *wink, wink* if you know what I mean. You know the drill: "sure it's yours, but I have to 'test drive' it in order to ensure it's properly tuned for you". . .

Anyway, I'll find more out about it when I can an keep y'all posted.