kstier

I wanted to say hello and from a new forum member who is perusing the classifieds but hasn't yet taken the leap toward ownership! I will be building a garage soon (Zoning board willing) and should hopefully be looking to buy more seriously in the spring. Until then I will be gleaning information from this site and others to narrow my search. The generally accepted $20k fits right in my price range and I am expecting to be getting into a mid-80's cab or targa. I am sure that there has been plenty of debate about what year and which body style is superior and I will be doing a search of this forum soon to see which way the argument shakes out. I also hope to find a GTG or two to get a good look at some of your cars up close and personal. I am in the Princeton NJ area but would travel some for a show or GTG...

Anyway, hello from NJ...I look forward to getting to know some of you in the coming month/years!

Kyle
Hopewell, NJ

flatsixnut

Welcome. This is a must buy for you...Author is a member here.

http://www.amazon.com/Used-911-Story-8th/dp/0963172662

Marc Gelefsky

Hey Kyle, Welcome to Rennlist!

911vet

No, dude, there's no debate. Cabs and Targas rule!

kstier

yeah...I already have a car with a roof over my head so I figure if I am going to have a toy I need a little sunshine...

with regards to the book, its already on my list and I'll order it soon!

Thanks.

Marc Gelefsky

Targa owner for 13 years, no regrets, to be honest I like the lines of the coupe better but old 911's and open top mooring just go together!

3.2SLANTNOSE

Welcome!! Yes, Cabs are FUN!!!

imcarthur

Welcome, Kyle. Three things that will save you money:

1. Independent PPI at a qualified specialist
2. Rennlist (we encourage membership btw)
3. Pelican Parts 911 Tech Forum

Yeah, if we are all being honest, top UP we will have to concede this. But the intoxication of a topless 911 when you are behind the wheel . . .

Ian

VroomGrrl

Welcome, Kyle, from another relative noobie! I've taken the leap since joining here, and with the help of the folks here (and at Pelican, and in my local club NASA-SE) I am now the proud owner of a 1988 911 coupe - sunroof is good enough for me for air overhead - I always liked the lines of the coupe best so that's what I got.

I second the recommendation for a thorough pre-purchase inspection (PPI). Because of the excellent PPI on my car, even though I bought it from 650 miles away, there were NO SURPRISES when I showed up to get the car. From Tuscaloosa, AL, I contacted the PCA local to where the car was (Lone Star, Houston TX) and they recommended some mechanics. I got some tips from Pelican forums as well (had not joined here yet) and chose one whose name came from several different folks, highly recommended. They did not steer me wrong - it worked out GREAT. Include leakdown and compression testing. This jacked the cost of my PPI into scary territory - but coming home with a car needing an engine overhaul (or not making it home at all) would have jacked the cost of the whole venture into the stratosphere, so money very well spent here.

Good luck in your shopping adventure - enjoy your test drives!

Edited to add: MUST HAVE REFERENCES for your search: The 911 Story (Peter Zimmerman), 911 Performance Handbook (Anderson), 101 Projects for Your 911 (Dempsey). Each of these has sections on what to look for in shopping 911s, invaluable shopping companions!

Kathy

Ed Hughes

Well, I have to chime in here....I was looking for a Coupe when I came across my Targa, and she pursued me....haven't looked back since.

And, I 've only had the top on when doing DE's, and maybe twice going to dinner with my Wife.

flatsixnut

As I have said time and time again, it is personal preference. Own/drive your car for you...not what anyone may think of you or your car.

I personally prefer coupes because I have been in love with the body lines since I was a kid...many years ago. When I was looking at cars to buy I didnt even give cabs/targas a second glance. Now I have friends with both and can understand their love for them...just wish mine did not have a sunroof.

With that said...there is something about Ed Hughes's Targa that I really really like. I do not know what exactly it is that makes me stare at his Targa and like what I see, but I do. It has to be the contrast between the Ruby Red, brushed targa bar, and gold 3 piece BBS wheels. Now I would not trade him, nor would he want to trade....there is a Porsche out there for all of us. Enjoy the ride!

irobertson

Hi kstier and welcome.
I hope your search yields a car you will be eternally happy with.

Coupe vs.Targa vs. Cab Hmmmm
I guess mine tells which I prefer.
When I was thinking about this, I realized I don't take the top down on my Jeep nearly as often as I thought I would. I do think I would drive the 911 topless more often though, if it were a Cab.
I love the lines of the coupe, but mostly I love the way these cars drive, and no matter what the top half is, the bottom half is the same, and that's where it meets the road.

kstier

Thanks for the welcome and the replies...I am happy to see not a single snobby comment about how 'my car is best.' It truly is a personal preference and I think the post above about how the bottom half is the same on all of these cars says it best!

Kyle

3.2SLANTNOSE

They are ALL great, fun, exciting cars to have!!

911 Rod

Welcome aboard.
If you get the track bug, a coupe is preferred.