Dan in Pasadena

I own an '87 944 n/a and am considering buying a 911 to replace it. I need honest advice.

First, I KNOW the basic - buy the best Porsche you can afford. I've pretty much got it down to an early '68-'72 or an SC. Seems everyone says avoid the 2.7, that's '74 to '77, right? Also, I hear the '88 and '89 had better transmissions, but SC's date from '78 to what year??. The trans thing is significant or much ado about nothing?

This car will be a daily driver (about 25 miles -streets/freeway - round trip). It will never be on a track. I drive pretty sedately but still have my occasional runs up and down through the gears on long winding roads.

I love the older 911's and understand the performance will be less. I like cars have some connection to some significant year in my life. For example, I graduated high school in '72 (yes, I'm that old )and I love that '72 was the only year that had the oil filler door in the side. But I'm not sure about buying a car without galvanized panels. I am pretty **** about my cars. They are washed and waxed often. I need reliability but I like the exclusivity of the older ones. Your thoughful comments please including prices. I understand a '72 911S in excellent condition (not concours but really, really nice) can approach $19-20K or more. I can do this. What do I get in a later SC for that? - honestly. Your help is appreciated. -Dan
P.S. I'd prefer an S but is the difference (performance or price) significant?

Murph

There are a lot of things to consider, but if the car is to be a daily driver I'd definetly go with an SC. As always the newer model you get, you get the benefit of the constanct refinement that Porsche put into the cars. The SC has more torque than the earlier cars ( better driveability),improved valve-guides, is more rust-proof, has a VERY well-sorted motor, and is generally more comfortable with better overall performance. The things to look out for in an early SC, are the rubber-hub clutch in the 78-83 SCs (most of these have been replaced with spring-centered clustches in cars of this vintage), and the updated (pressure-fed) chain tensioners. If these upgrades have been done, the SC is a remarkebly reliable engine. Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck!
Murph

rfuerst

I understand what you are going thru,I own a 944S that I like very much but I am getting the itch for a Boxster or a 911.The 1978-1983 SCs are nice cars,a very reliable engine and a fairly light chassis.These have 2 sided galvanized body panels.The only thing I don't like about these cars is the CIS injection system,just hard for the average shadetree mechanic to work on and is limited for future horsepower upgrades.The 1984 to 1989 cars have a little more motor and electronic injection and the 1987-1989 cars have the G50 transmission that most will say is superior.Like you said,buy the best model you can find in your price range.Good luck. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Todd Holyoak

You could buy my car <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/tholyoak/911scforsale.html" target="_blank">SC For Sale</a>

Bill Gregory

There's a 911SC FAQ on tech.rennlist.com or on the first page of these web forums, which may help answer some questions.

lunchbox

If you like the older style, which I also like the best, you should go for a 73t. The t model had cis, which is hard to diagnose by the shade-tree, but a very bullet-proof fuel injection. Almost everyset of carbs on the older cars is worn out. I am not against carbs, I am for them, but look for a car with recent carbs. If you take good care of your cars, you shouldn't worry about the fact that it just might rust. I have seen sc's with holes in the fenders from rust, I have even seem a 1987 911 with the door jams almost gone. The older models are way cooler than sc's. Go for the style. I drive one everyday, and it gets more looks than any sc. If you have to get an sc, don't let these guys worry you about the trans. 915's are good trans, in my opinion, they are better. They weight almost half, and they don't have any hydrolics to break. They are half the price to re-build, and I don't care who you talk to, all trannys will eventully need to be re-built. I think that is enough rambling for tonite.

rayjay...'80SC

The SC. Performance, reliability and appearance. Good Luck!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Tom F

I've owned 7 911s: 1966, 1972, 1973 (two), 1979 and 1983 (two, again). I still have the 79 and the 83 targa. I would like to have a 2.2 or 2.4 S for the envy/curiosity value, however, I use my cars for regular transport, when weather permits here in New England, i.e., year round, except when there's salt on the roads. The later 911s are simply more complete cars, and they are pretty good as cars, too. Why not a 3.2 Carrera? I would probably shop for one if I were in the market. On the other hand, I have no urge to replace either of my 3.0s. Though opinions may vary (and how!!), I can't see what advantage there is in how the earlier cars drive, though the difference in weight becomes pretty intrusive by the '87 to '89 cars. Also, the interiors on the pre-74 cars are shoddy and uncomfortable, especially the seats.

Dan in Pasadena

Thaanks for everyone's opinions. I too think the earlier models look the best - just my personal opinion. I obviously like the SC's looks too or I wouldn't be seriously considering one.

As Tom Frisardi stated, I also feel the earlier cars lack the interior comfort of the later. I'm not much worried about the older trans. I figure if it has been well cared (not abused) and regular fluid changes it will probably be fine.

In Southern California, the rust issue probably isn't one, I just don't want to deal with that headache so I am wondering just how big an issue it is. Todd Holyoak, your car looks very, very nice. Yu're just too far away for me to seriously consider it and besides, my personal preference is for a hardtop, though I liked your car very much. Okay, guess I'll just keep looking. Any thoughts on a 912 since we're talking about the older cars?

GratefulJED

I went throught the exact same decision and looked real hard for both. The earlier were certainly more expensive (I was looking for an S) and the one I settled on had a paint change and was 18K, 120K miles. Expect to spend at least that, I think, for an S. The SC's were just as hard to find (I was looking for a sunroof coupe on both cars), and there seemed to be fewer of them. I ultimately settled on a 82 SC for the comfort, AC, and reliability. Just drove it home (2000 miles) this weekend. Perfect car, all docs, tools, all upgrades including 134 AC, clutch, tensioners, factory spoilers, ect... for 16K, 72000 miles. Good luck with your search.

Dan in Pasadena

Thanks JD,
Sounds like you did EXACTLY what I'm considering.

Complicating my options is an '86 SC owned by a relative's neighbor. The car is very nice to pristine appearence-wise. A sort of dark rust color (sorry, I don't know the name). The current owner bought it new but can't fit in it anymore. He is a former competetive body builder. The car was his pride - my relative claims he has always been totally "****" about it. But the car was stolen, stripped of engine/trans, seats, wheels and stereo!! Supposedly left on blocks and undamaged cosmetically. He bought it back, put in all new, correct parts but of course it has a salvage title (eek!). He is reluctant to part with it but is considering it. I don't know his final price but probably in the $16K range. High (I think?) for salvage, but it is a sano car.

Rick Sylvestri

Hi to everyone out there in Rennland, read this site for a while this is my first post.

Dan,
I was is the same proverbial "boat" you were in about a month ago. I had about 12,000 max I wanted to spend on a 911 and wanted the most for my money. Searched the collector Car Trader, E-bay and publications. With what I learned about the pre"76" cars on zincing that cut down my list, also the 78-83 SC's with blown up air boxes old tensioners that I would have to install after I bought the car. I looked around alot and drove a few, I found what is now my 911, It was in good shape with minor things wrong, (door checks, hood struts, hard shifts) but it had an updated "84" 3.2 liter in it with 110,000 miles that runs fast and quite. It had all receipts from the three previous owners. The car itself has 170,000 miles but the gaps are great body straight and down the road in need of a nice new silver paint job. My fixes have all ready started, she shifts alot smoother with Swepco and replaced all the struts.

So keep looking and you might find a good early example (pre-78 non flared rears) that has had a transplant for the better <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Thanks Rick