theiceman

M..id engine
R...ear whel drive
2... Seater

you can't get any more rear engined than a 911 unless you are towing your engine on a trailer

ttreat

I am not so concerned about the noise when you let it breathe. The MR2 has a constant drone at highway speeds that makes it uncomfortable to have a conversation. She actually likes the acceleration and sound as it winds out. It is kind of cool to hear the turbo spooling except for when you feel like you are trying to talk over it. The exhaust side of the engine in my MR2 is about 18" from your ears.

What are some of A/C issues that people keep talking about? Is the G-50 tranny's shifting much worse than the 964's shifting? It seems like a lot of people have performance chips in their Carreras. What kind of numbers does a chip give you compared to stock?

Helios59

Don't fear the 915 transmission! It's a fine box...Porsche used it for many years and it has a great, old-school mechanical feel to it.

There are a lot of fine pre-87 cars out there and they're usually priced less than the G50 cars largely because people think the 915 trannies suffer by comparison. I don't think they do.

Ed Hughes

You will be making a mistake not including '84-86 in your search. You will forget the MR2 when you drive the 911 in anger. The "there is no substitute" tagline exists for a reason.

911vet

My 911 exhaust is mostly stock. I've certainly never felt unable to have a conversation.

It's just not the coldest A/C. Depending on where you live, it might be a consideration. M 911 A/C is as cold as my 2005 Toyota.

The only 964s I've driven (3 of them) have been the C4. At least on a C4, the shift throws are shorter than in my 3.2. I have no complaint about my 3.2 G-50; it's a great tranny. You won't dislike it.

The stock 911 is fantastic, not in "need" of a performance chip. I bought my chip for track use.

The 911s of the era you're considering were essentially hand-built creations. Each one is a little different. Drive several of them. Try to drive an SC, Carrera, and 964 if you can. Drive a few of each if at all possible. It's amazing how different the character of one vs another can be.

I simply prefered the Carrera for several reasons, but I would still be smiling if I had bought an SC or 964.

I have a 22yr old 3.2 with 125K miles on it. The car is solid as a rock and absolutely purrs like a cat rolling down the highway. It screams around the S turns on the track, and it hums almost silently as I cruise with the top down through the little hill town where I live.

I could ask no more of a car. And it's THE car I dreamed of since I was in junior high school.

The only failures I've had in 2 years of ownership are due to old rubber. That's it.

You will not go wrong with an SC, Carrera, or 964.

There's something about these cars, I almost believe they pick their owners rather than the otherway around. Somehow, each of us seems to find the "right" one. So I'll give you my best advice: Drive as many as you can. And when it comes to buying your first Porsche.... don't hurry. But don't wait!

ttreat

Honestly, it will probably come down to finding the right car for the right price. I just want to make an educated decision if I do have a choice. This isn't the highest priority in our family right now but it is a dream that I may have the means to fulfill.

Ed Hughes

Which is why I'd look at all models of Carrera. Even those with that "horrible" 915 trans.

whalebird

'86 is a pinnicle in the Carrera years. A 964 is lightyears ahaead of the Carrera and a much different car. Drive everyone you can and get a PPI !

jackb911

I've owned both. The 964 is a little faster (more torque), but is a "softer" car. And the 964 is far more complex.

the 3.2 is more involving to drive and much simpler to maintain. But the air conditioning in stock form is abysmal, if you live in a hot climate and that is a factor. Clean 3.2's generally have much better resale value as well.

Given the choice, I'd opt the 3.2, but I am very partial to the '87-89 G50 transmission cars. A little more $$ but worth it in durability, shifting feel and resale value.

blake

I have owned a 79 911SC, 964 and 996... and have extensive time in an 89 911 with a G50 transmission. My Rennlist friend and I chose to buy our 911s back in 2000 one month apart. He chose an 89 Targa and I chose a 964 Speedster. We have probably both put 15K on our cars since we bought them, and maintenance for both (as weekend cars) has been minimal. The 964 is more expensive to maintain, but is far more 'compliant'. As a DD, that would be my choice. But as a weekend car, I would take the 88/89 with the bullet proof transmission. The car is just more visceral and lacks some of the creature comforts of the 964 (no power steering, softer suspension, etc.)

My recommendation is to look at the last two years of a model run as they tend to have most of the issues ironed out by that time (88-89 Carrera or 93-94 964). Apart from that, IMHO most of the posts above are spot on.

I am not a fan of the 915 transmission. I would restrict my search as you have to an '87-89 or 964.

Drive them all and make up your own mind. Also - be sure to drive SEVERAL examples of each type as some people have the propensity to really screw up their cars!

Good luck,
-Blake

Ed Hughes

Porsche seemed to build more than a few of the 915 trans' over a long period of time and there are thousands and thousands of them doing just fine today. The big issue is that most/many do not have a clue that it only takes $30 and a couple of hours to ensure that it is a well shifting trans. There are probably thousands of club race cars with 915 transaxles that seem to do pretty well when being thrashed on a semi-regular basis.

So that we are all clear here, I will also point out that I know of at least 3 people who have done the infamous missed shift at the track, which typically results in bent valves/deformed rods/stretched rod bolts, with G50 trannies. So, the '87-89's are not immune to that potential. IF the G50 were insurance against that happening, then I'd be on board with the recommendation to limit a search to the G50 years.

If one were shopping for a great Carrera, one would be best advised to keeping their eyes open for all years, and go from there. If two cars were found that seemed to be viable prospects, then sure, the G50 may be the tie-breaker.

Bull

To those of us that thought the 915 was a great trans after driving 901 trans cars for some years (and racing them), this is an interesting conversation!

Ed Hughes

I guess I just get my hackles up with these types of general comments about 915 transaxles. All 911's have some sort of Achilles heel, but I think that most get blown out of proportion, when in reality these "issues" only affect very few cars. I'll use "valve guides" on 3.2 engines as Exhibit A.

rusnak

Yeah, after driving the 901 transmission, I am juuuuust fine with the 915.

vtrich

ok,...I'm with Ed and others. I have an '88 and I find it great,..but I felt the clutch and shifting in my '84 was lighter and more precise. Sure, you had to be a tad more patient, but it just felt really clean to use. I would definately not discount an '84 - 86 just 'cause it has the 915.