Hello All
I'm going to be in the market for a convertible SC for my wife (suprise) over this winter/spring (her B'day is in Feb). I was wondering what was the best years, what to look for, prices, problems, etc. what ever you can think of that may help in us finding a clean well cared for car (her dream car)? I know some but not as much as a lot of you!
Also where they ever factoey made in turbo look bodies, I've seen a few but never knew what years they came in or if someone had the flares done.
I look forward to everyones advise and my wife and I thanks you in advance.

Cheers

 

hello and welcome

the SC cab was only made in 1983.

SCs are pretty bullet-proof but some thinks to look for would be upgrades like turbo tie rods and carrera chain tensioners. when looking for a car ensure they have receipts/records and be sure to get a PPI. Keep in mind they are 25+ years old so even well cared for ones may need work i.e suspension bushes & valve guides

pretty sure the turbo look wasnt available until the carrera era

p.s that 964 in your avatar looks great!

 

They SC convertible was only available in 1983.

The Factory Turbo Looks were available from 1984 thru 1989.

 

And therefore:

The best year for an SC convertible is..........1983!

Welcome!

 

I think you need to expand your search to the Carreras. lots to choose from and a larger engine. A great all around car , and that is coming from a guy with an SC !!!

 

I am selling my '88 Convertible - it was just listed in the classifieds section.
Please let me know if you would like additional info or pics!

 

Also, be aware that if you're going to look for a factory Turbo-Look Cabriolet, those went into production in 1986, and there is some confusion (different literature states different "facts") as to if they were built in '86 as '86 models, or were sold as '87 models. The confusion is justified; I have a reference that states that "3" Turbo Cabs were sold as '86 models, but they are not identified as "Turbo," or "Turbo-Look." Good luck with your search!

 

and the g-50 cabriolets are the best of the bunch - I may be a little biased - but I am guessing your wife would probably appreciate the hydraulic clutch AND the smoother shifting gertag g-50 transmission over the 915 rock box.

 

Thanks to everyone for your comments, I really appreciate them, but I made a mistake in asking for what the best SC convertible was/is 83 being the only year. I was using it as a generalization (not the smartest thing to due on a forum of experts) Sorry for making that mistake!
I'm not very versed when it comes to the 80's cars. For some reason, I focus on the 70's cars when I was younger (probably because the prices were starting to get affordable to a struggling young man). But in the Late 90's I went to work for Porsche and learned a ton about all the 90's cars into todays cars, so thats why I was asking for some schooling! I just made the wrong intro to the post, again newbie mistake, sorry all.
But I still would like to know what everyone would do if they were looking for a 80's convertible for their wife? I already have "my" 964 C4 (see avatar) that I'm rebuilding and I really want to get/give my wife something she can enjoy/get into, even if it will be with some car seats .
So again please keep the info coming, and thanks!

 

As I recall the best years for a convertible were from about 16 to 23 years old.

 

The best car ever built by Porsche is the manual cab '88 911 in Ven Blu Met with the desirable "69" in the VIN#. A close second would be the G P White listed above

 

A poll done years ago suggested that about 85% of women do not like whale tails or other rear spoilers. Start there, then decide if she's got a special touch with a manual transmission (I'm very lucky, my wife drives a 915 about as well as it can be driven, but not all - guys or gals - can). With the answer to that, you will be able to choose anything built from '83-89, or limit your search to '87-89 models with the G50 trans if you feel that she might want something a bit easier to drive. Don't be fooled by thinking that the clutch is only "soft" on hydraulic cars, properly set up cable operated clutches can be every bit as easy to push as the clutch in G50 cars. Now go out and find an '80s car with a whale tail, drive past it with your wife in the car with you, and comment on how you like the car with spoilers. If you get a "whatever," you'll know that she's in the clear majority...

 

A couple of comments from a 2 P-car family:

1)If a Cab, what about a Targa? With the top out, the Targa feels jsut as much a "convertable" as a full Cabriolet to my wife ... and to me as well. Historically, Targa's have been slightly lower in cost than a Cab. or a coupe in different parts of the US.

2) My wife really, really likes the lines of her 1969 912 coupe and my 1983 'SC coupe. Neither car have the rear wing, my SC has only the front chin spoiler. She thinks the swooping rear window-to-bumper lines are "sexy and alluring." I personally like the back-half of the 911's sans rear wing, too.

3) I've driven both the G-50 and the 915. I agree with Peter Z., a properly set up and functioning 915 and clutch assembly is easy and comfortable to drive. My SC is set up very well and the clutch/trans are no problem at all. My Dodge truck is harder to drive, and it's a '96.

Just my 2-cents.

 

The data I have shows the Turbo Looks were available just barely starting in 1984.

 

When we were shopping, it was my wife who specifically wanted a whale tail. She also wanted black, with tan interior. And I swear I heard her say "turbo"...