1984 911
03-20-2003, 05:47 PM
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1984 911
Another daily driver advice question. I know a guy with an '84 911 that has 84K original miles. I drive about an hour to work and then another home. Would this be a decent car to use as a daily driver or would a newer P-car be a better idea?
Thanks for the help,
Nathan
Thanks for the help,
Nathan
03-20-2003, 08:06 PM
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Hello Nathan,
If you are considering a Porsche as a daily driver you (as Bruce Anderson recommends) should buy the newest model you can afford and the nicest example you can find. Over the past forty years, 911s have seen many mechanical improvements and minor stylistic changes. After seeing the 1st IROC series in 1974, I’ve always been partial to the M-491 Carreras of the seventies and eighties. About six years ago, I had the good fortune of crossing paths with my third and current Porsche an '84 911 Carrera 3.2 M-491 coupe. When purchased, it showed about 110,000 miles on the odometer and now is showing almost 175,000! As my daily driver, it has faithfully demonstrated its series reputation for being a relatively trouble-free high-performance car and overall, a real pleasure to drive.
Along with normal maintenance costs and a few upgrades, it's had no major mechanical problems. To date, operational costs are averaging about 22 cents per mile plus gas and insurance. It hasn't been exactly cheap, but IMHO well worth the additional expense over a run-of-the-mill econo box… Besides, it's is an absolute blast to drive! For a time, I commuted 51 miles each way to work mostly on freeways. What a joy! And in previous years, I commuted over twenty five miles each way to the office on city and rural surface streets. I must admit, on some days it was VERY difficult to make that left turn into the company parking lot... lol. And by the end of the day, I was always looking forward to firing it up for the trip home.
The way I see it, given the "normal" operating expenses for "ordinary" cars compared to the extraordinary rushes and pleasure derived from daily commuting in a Porsche, (again MHO) any increase in cost is fully justified. Just take a moment and figure what your current transportation costs are and find the difference between them and your projected Porsche costs and Whalla... Now, wouldn't you rather be drivin' a Porsche? You betcha’! <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
:
If you are considering a Porsche as a daily driver you (as Bruce Anderson recommends) should buy the newest model you can afford and the nicest example you can find. Over the past forty years, 911s have seen many mechanical improvements and minor stylistic changes. After seeing the 1st IROC series in 1974, I’ve always been partial to the M-491 Carreras of the seventies and eighties. About six years ago, I had the good fortune of crossing paths with my third and current Porsche an '84 911 Carrera 3.2 M-491 coupe. When purchased, it showed about 110,000 miles on the odometer and now is showing almost 175,000! As my daily driver, it has faithfully demonstrated its series reputation for being a relatively trouble-free high-performance car and overall, a real pleasure to drive.
Along with normal maintenance costs and a few upgrades, it's had no major mechanical problems. To date, operational costs are averaging about 22 cents per mile plus gas and insurance. It hasn't been exactly cheap, but IMHO well worth the additional expense over a run-of-the-mill econo box… Besides, it's is an absolute blast to drive! For a time, I commuted 51 miles each way to work mostly on freeways. What a joy! And in previous years, I commuted over twenty five miles each way to the office on city and rural surface streets. I must admit, on some days it was VERY difficult to make that left turn into the company parking lot... lol. And by the end of the day, I was always looking forward to firing it up for the trip home.
The way I see it, given the "normal" operating expenses for "ordinary" cars compared to the extraordinary rushes and pleasure derived from daily commuting in a Porsche, (again MHO) any increase in cost is fully justified. Just take a moment and figure what your current transportation costs are and find the difference between them and your projected Porsche costs and Whalla... Now, wouldn't you rather be drivin' a Porsche? You betcha’! <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
:
03-21-2003, 11:00 AM
#3
Nathan-
You should have no problem driving an 84 911 the distances you mention on a daily basis. I think that it is better suited than the 964's based on maintenance costs alone. I used to drive my 84 targa every day about 40 miles each way without any problems outside of the poor performing air conditioner. In fact, the 911 made the commute tolerable.
You should have no problem driving an 84 911 the distances you mention on a daily basis. I think that it is better suited than the 964's based on maintenance costs alone. I used to drive my 84 targa every day about 40 miles each way without any problems outside of the poor performing air conditioner. In fact, the 911 made the commute tolerable.
03-21-2003, 01:03 PM
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Paul, very nicely put. I own an 85 Carrera Coupe (62 K) and can't wait to drive to work every morning in the good weather (25 minutes one way). There is something about the aural experience generated from driving the vehicle that is just invigorating. That intangible is priceless in terms of weighing cost and benefit. Nathan: Go for it!!!
Paul
Paul
03-22-2003, 02:29 AM
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Nathan Dude!
Don’t whip out on us now... I know your Tennessee Summers can't be nearly as harsh and flamin’ hot as they are here in Tucson. Spring and Fall always make great driving seasons. So, just find a pal to carpool with during the nasty snowy/salty winter. And whalla! You should be driving your Porsche for at least 3/4 of the year!
As a matter of fact, the two to three months of "down time" during the winter will give you a great opportunity to accomplish required maintenance and some time to toss in a few upgrades. So break out the wax, do a little detailing and you’ll be ready to blast off in the spring!
I guess I'm just an eternal optimist... who's driven!
Don’t whip out on us now... I know your Tennessee Summers can't be nearly as harsh and flamin’ hot as they are here in Tucson. Spring and Fall always make great driving seasons. So, just find a pal to carpool with during the nasty snowy/salty winter. And whalla! You should be driving your Porsche for at least 3/4 of the year!
As a matter of fact, the two to three months of "down time" during the winter will give you a great opportunity to accomplish required maintenance and some time to toss in a few upgrades. So break out the wax, do a little detailing and you’ll be ready to blast off in the spring!
I guess I'm just an eternal optimist... who's driven!
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03-26-2003, 04:07 AM
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Hey Gerry, good question. Ahhhhhhhh...yes, Stutgartt, you are correct! And also much more than just the Turbo "Look" In actuality, this $12,000 Factory Turbo-Look Option contained many unique “turbo” features such as cross-drilled and vented turbo brakes (originally used on the 917s), modified suspension geometry to support wider turbo wheels and tires, and most obviously the bodywork. Maybe these cars should be known as "930 Turbo-Deletes"?
Another obscure but interesting fact is the first gear used in the M-491 transmission is slightly lower and gives an initial acceleration edge over a standard 3.2 Carrera. Although the "wide bodied" cars are frequently criticized as being a few mph slower at top speed than their "narrow bodied" brothers, they can often "run away and hide" from 'em in the twisties thanks to their 930 Turbo underpinnings.
Another thought: Porsches over the years have been produced in large enough quantities to be easily recognized, yet in small enough numbers to be envied by other drivers...
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Cheers!
In actuality, this $12,000 Factory Turbo-Look Option contained many unique “turbo” features such as cross-drilled and vented turbo brakes (originally used on the 917s), modified suspension geometry to support wider turbo wheels and tires, and most obviously the bodywork. Maybe these cars should be known as "930 Turbo-Deletes"? Another obscure but interesting fact is the first gear used in the M-491 transmission is slightly lower and gives an initial acceleration edge over a standard 3.2 Carrera. Although the "wide bodied" cars are frequently criticized as being a few mph slower at top speed than their "narrow bodied" brothers, they can often "run away and hide" from 'em in the twisties thanks to their 930 Turbo underpinnings.
Another thought: Porsches over the years have been produced in large enough quantities to be easily recognized, yet in small enough numbers to be envied by other drivers...
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Cheers!
