Jay H

Aveale,

No, you are correct! If I remember correctly, Ruby Red was a 1983/1984 color. Garnet Red is a 1986 color. They look pretty similar to me...

I just wanted to show folks the difference since there seemed to be some confusion in the above posts.

Good luck on what you decide!

Jay
90 964
84 3.2

racer

Which one do you like? Make sure you test drive the '74. My folks had a '74S for many years in original configuration. Lighter and "simpler" than the '80's cars. But, the dreaded 2.7l gave up at 30K miles. A nice carbed, higher compression 2.7 went in and the fun factor went way up. Regardless. The "middle year" cars could be come more collectible given 1) light weight and 2) fact that for years they have been discarded or disrepected so they can only become more "rare". I won't say "priceless", just more rare

911S3.6

Drive them both, close together in time if possible. The 1974 will feel much more lithe and tossable, like you are wearing the car >a part of you. Much simpler and more basic. Also has the european narrow hips in back more like the original Butzi Porsche design.
The 1986 will be more powerful but also heavier. You will feel more like cargo in it than as part of it with the 74. The steering will be not as twitchy and direct as the 74- more padded from the road surface. It has more frills and luxuries, i.e. seat adjustments, ventilation...and it has the american fat girl bulging hips.

All Posche 911s are great, especially when compared to any other marque...when you compare them with each other, look out!

///Nick

aveale

oh no!

now i have to think about it again!

i am so impressionable.

T

umfan866

Isn't the Carrrera right at about the point where he may run into the valve guide issue and need to do a complete top-end for 4-8k? The 74 with a fresh rebuild if done correctly may be less of a risk,
but then you have to compensate for the sheer age of the rest of the car (32 years old versus 20
years old). I agree - drive both. I know of a 74S with a 3.0 engine in it that is fine mechanically
but needs paint: note to self: need to go drive it after all. If you were in California cars up to 1975
are smog-exempt. I think in Ontario (I'm from there too-Waterloo) you are also smog-exempt on a 74 but not sure of an 86.

pjc

I too would want to know the inside story of the engine rebuild - there is a heck of a lot of work needs doing to make them sound - I would look for shuffle pinned case/case savers/barrels & pistons possibly/oil mod/upgraded chain tensioners + new chains and slippers/top and bottom bearings, regrind on the crank - man it just goes on and on. All for personnal experience mine was done last year.

PJC

Mike Murphy

I was concerned about this as well, so I opted to buy a Carrera with more miles and a top-end rebuild. Since the bottom end is "bulletproof," and the top end was rebuilt (zero oil consumption to date), I felt better about it.

Credit_Card_Guy

I have a 74 S and can tell you that they are wonderful cars. With that being said, I have at least 20k in the car..engine, trans, suspension, etc.... Once these cars are rebuilt properly with the updates, they are great cars. Without the proper build though, they can be a nightmare.

What does this all mean? If you have the cash, the 74 can be well worth the investment, but that worth may only be appreciated by you.

Tetra84

the older 911S's are rare, if I were you, I'd buy the 911 S clean it up well, and re-sell it for a higher price tag and you'll have enough to buy several Carreras out of that I expect. I seem to remember that the older 911S if you can find them in good shape would go for as much as $80K. you do the math. Thats my $.03

Edward

Neither are going to be "valuable" in the market anytime soon so I'd ignore that aspect of the equation. The DIY-factor prob is a toss up, with maybe a slight nod going to the cleaner, more open engine bay of the S. I think the better question is what your "mission" is with the car.

If a daily or near-daily driver where HVAC and creature comforts are primary with only occasional events in the future, then I'd go Carrera. If you want a more "pure" (read "raw" and viceral") car with the sounds, feels, and smells of 911 of yesteryears, I'd go for the 911S: it is like a rolling time machine that exudes history and nostalgia ...not to mention also a capable car for track events. But if that 914 already feeds that part of your soul, perhaps you'd prefer the former. So decide for yourself. This is, BTW, why I love my 993, and I love my SC Trackmeister in stripped trim: both fill their expected roles very nicely, making me a very happy 911 owner. Hope this helps!

Edward

Jay H

The above is very true about the "S" models of 1969 to 1973. However, the '74 is an impact bumper car and is still saddled with the stigma of the 2.7 liter cars. No '74 will bring $80k at this point, so again, investment potential of the '74 is nill as compared to leaving the initial purchase money in the bank even at a conservative rate.

Tetra84

darn, well in that case i'd go with the Carrera.

Edgy01

The age old rule on Porsche buying applies here absolutely,--buy the newer one.

The 1974 cars marked the first year of the revised bodies and bumpers. May have residual bugs. They are also subject to rust. Porsche only began to galvanize their 911 bodies around the middle of 1975,--and that was the body, but not the roof. The entire body was galvanized for the 77 model year.

The 1986 cars have a well thought out engine (aluminum instead of that horrific magnesium,--what? To save 40 lbs?)

1986,--far better.