I seem to moving up in time through the Porsche cars. I started with a 65 356C, then bought a 84 944 na, which I am trying to sell and am wondering about purchasing a 911. The 944 was my daily driver in SW Wisconsin (even in winter).

So now I'm thinking about a 911. Is it stupid to think a 911 would make a decent daily driver year round where it gets cold and snows and everything?

I know there are some good years and bad years to watch for but don't remember which they are. Any advice on models, motors, years that are more reliable than others? How about maintenance? The 944 is a great car but it seems I'm always fixing something or the list is getting longer. I'm tired of sticking money into it. Can a 911 be relatively maintenance free aside from routine items? What are the routine items?

Any advice or encouragement you can give will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

Hi Dan,
While I am not an expert of fixing things, the 911SC's made from 78-83 are great cars that have galvanized bodies and a bullet proof engine! I just took mine on a 700 mile trip and loved every minute of it. I used to have a 1970 911T and the pre 74 or 75 (not sure) were not galvanized. Get Pete Zimmermans book- "The Used 911 Story". It has great information on what to look for in various years. I got mine on Amazon.

Good luck and happy searching!

Julia

 

Hi Dan,

Same feedback from me. Recently bought an 87 3.2l and drove it back home (2,000 mile-trip) without a single prb. The key is to know the history of the car (receipts) and to have it inspected. Those are reliable cars, which require very little work besides regular maintenance to the extent they have been taken care of. I would not drive mine in the snow though.

Good Luck,

 

Dan,
I just got my 911 and I am surprised at how low to the ground it rides. I live in Michigan and I would not attempt driving it in winter. A good night of snow would make driving extremely challenging.

 

Most 911's from model year 1978 to present are good cars. The SC's (as Julia mentions above) are very durable cars as well as the 3.2 Carrera's from '84 to '89. The 964's that started in '89/'90 are much different cars (more refined, more power, more creature comforts). Each series has their weaknesses (SC's could have head stud issues, 3.2's could have valve guide wear issues, early 964's could have cylinder to head leaks). A bit more reading here on the 911 boards will help round out what the potential weaknesses of these cars are and what the fixes entail.

All of these cars mentioned above are getting old. They are very well built cars, but none of them will be trouble free; you'd need a new Honda or Toyota under warranty for completely trouble free driving. Age takes it's toll as well as mileage, so there will always be something needing repair or replacement on these things. Major engine work (top end or full rebuild) usually is in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 and rebuilding a 915 transmission can cost upwards of $1000 to $1500 or more depending on what needs to be done. Parts are plentiful and sometimes are reasonable (for an old German car), but many things are getting pricey.

If you can DIY and have the space, tools, money and time, a 911 can make an excellent daily driver. But, I personally wouldn't slop an older 911 through a Wisconsin winter and subject it to all the salt, sand and idiot drivers we tend to have here in this state, but it's your money. All 911's mentioned above have zinc coated bodies, but even this protection can break down over time and expose the body which leads to corrosion. Though I'm sure you are aware of this (and O.K. with this) from your 944 ownership. Also, rusty 911's are harder to sell (as me about that...). You may not care about cosmetics as much as I do, so this might not be much of a worry to you.

Ground clearance can be an issue (I 'grounded' my '86 911 in a snowy driveway when I first got it and that was not much fun digging it out). However, 964 C4 models have excellent AWD systems for poor weather and with the right tires, can out perform 4x4 trucks/SUV's in the snow. Heat is excellent in the winter, though the ventilation systems as a whole are average as compared to newer cars (and even your 944).

Maintenance and repairs (not including gas or insurance) can run you anywhere from $1000 to $2000 per year on a pre 964 car, depending on what condition the car is in, how much you drive and how much you can DIY.

Here's a link to the FAQ section on the 911SC for a lot more info on these models:
911SC FAQ

I guess if I was faced with a decision like yours, I'd get a newer Honda for everyday (which I did) and use the 911 for non snow (really non salt) conditions for 3 seasons (which I do). Or, get a 964 (or 993) C4 for all year round...

Make sure you read Peter Zimmerman's thread at the top of this forum regarding PPI's on 911's. That's top notch advice from a respected pro.

Good Luck in what you decide.

Jay
90 964

 

Great advice Jay. I second the 89-94 911 (964) C4 idea as an all-around car if you MUST have only one car. A full set of aggresive, high end snow/ice tires and it can handle most weather conditions. You would want to be able to pressure wash it (self-serve car wash nearby?) on almost a daily basis in winter to avoid salt damage to all the aluminum/paint. If you have room/finances for two cars get a winter beater/SUV and ANY 911. Follow the advice given here, get the "Used 911" book, but don't let it scare you out of getting the car you want... save that for a PPI done by a recommended wrench nearby. ALL 911 models (and most cars in general) have something that wasn't quite right when they were built. If the problems have been addressed and the PPI is clean, jump on it iif it is what you want!

 

I use my 84 Carrara as a daily driver. Mostly it is for commuting to work, etc. My wife has a 330cic BMW, and we use that for trips.

A 3.2 Carrara/3.0 SC would be a fine daily driver. These are generally very reliable cars and the galvanized bodies are rust resistent as long as they have not been cheaply repaired. If you live in snowbelt, plan of a second set of wheels with good snows. It will dirve great in snow as long as it is under about 6 inches... traction if fine but ground clearance is an issue.

Older 911 are very much an acquired taste and have some quirks as below:

1. Heater/defrosters are slow to warm up, so if you live in cold climates, prepare to be cold for 10-15 minutes.

2. A/C on these cars is marginal so if you are in a hot climate, either live without or plan to spend $$$K to upgrade it.

3. Steering/Shifting etc require a certain amount of effort, so these are physical cars to drive... personally I find this invigorating, but if you are in alot of bumper to bumper traffic, this can get tiring.

4. Targas suffer from a certain amount of leakage around the seals, so expect a bit of dripping in heavy rain. This can be minor or really annoying depending on the condition of the seals. Coupes should not have any such problems.

On the plus side, rountine trips become fun and you can pound miles on these cars with reasonalble maintenance and little depreciation... so lifecycle operating costs are very low compared with a new car. I estimate my car costs $100-150 per month to operate (not including insurance)

Have fun

 

I agree with JCP911S on all of those points outlined above. But, I have had both my 911's provide heat quickly. Both my '86 did and my '90 now does warm very quickly on cold days, even in single digit temps.

They (911's) do not have the best air distribution as modern cars do, but you can get warm air pretty quickly (within a minute or two) as compared to a water cooled car that is relying on warm/hot coolant. I've always thought 911's provide almost instant heat since you're drawing hot air right off the hot exhaust components and don't have to wait for warm coolant to cirulate through a heater core, etc.

Just my experience in this d*mn cold state we live in...

Jay
90 964

 

I live in the south - but even when I drove my car from Chicago I had to cycle the heater off and on before it cooked me alive on the lowest setting.

 

Jay H.... how do you get heat in 2 minutes in a 911?

 

Before I bought my first 911 (an '86), I test drove the car in 1997 on a January day when it was 4 degrees out (I'll never forget it) and we were sweating within minutes in that car when I pulled the heat levers all the way up... I drove it home on a 7 degree day and I could have fried eggs on my feet when those levers were at full open...

The house that I lived in back in 1997 was at the end of a dead end road off the main road in my area. That dead end road was 1/2 mile long. On cold days that Jan and Feb, I'd take the car out and by the end of that 1/2 mile road, she'd be blowing warm air already. I doubt it took more than 2 or 3 minutes to travel that 1/2 mile at 30 mph. I always thought that 911's would follow the old VW bug concept of no heat ever, so I was surprised to get so much heat, so quickly out of a 911.

I drove my 964 on a 45 degree day last week. I let it idle for 30 seconds in the driveway, then took off at a very moderate pace. At the end of my 526 ft driveway, there was already warm air blowing. Again, 45 degrees is much warmer than a 5 degree day, but to have heat after that short of a time period was something I took note of.

Certainly not arguing... just stating what I've experienced...

My brother's '83 with leaking heat exchanges (and probably a inoperable rear blower) and that goofy automatic heating has terrible heat...

 

Living in a climate colder than Wisconsin's, I'll emphasize 2 of Jay's points. One is that even in late October, with temps about 20 degrees F, I can take the Targa top off on a sunny (cold) day and roast inside the car with the heater full on, I just need light gloves. The defog/defrost can be weak, sometimes you have to choose between a clear windshield and warm toes
The second point has to do with "idiot drivers". Even if I could drive the 911 during winter (ruts lead to ground clearance problems on anything other than major arteries here) I would leave it garaged once the snow falls because it's incredible how many folks have to relearn every year that slick roads require gentle inputs and "looking ahead".
My recipe? 911 for spring through fall, anything else to get you through winter. Then again, maybe my 911 Targa for nice months, and a Paris-Dakar rally-prepped 911 for winter.............

SV

 

Dan,

I am sure that a 911 can handle any climate and most road conditions but I would not use mine in crap weather primarily because it will get the **** beat out of it. Quite frankly, I like my 911 too much to want to expose her to that. It's actually cheaper to own 2 cars and preserve the 911 than the cost of depreciation on the 911 for driving in the crud. As much fun as the 911 is to drive, how much fun can you really have in the rain or slush? Get a 1987-89 911 and a 1993 Honda.

One thing to consider is using different weights of oil depending on the season. I use 20/50 in summer. If I used my Porsche in winter, I would use 10/40 or lighter.