M491

I missed the first time Porsche owner part. That's another reason to not get a 912E.

It's not a good intro to the brand, with its Type 4 VW engine. Even if the engine puts out decent power, at 2.1 liters it isn't going to have much torque, AND it's not going to have anywhere near the smoothness of a 911 engine (no big bore 4 will), AND it's always going to sound and feel like a hopped up VW Bug (because essentially that's what it IS!).

Do yourself a huge favor and fuggedaboutit. Esp. at any 5 figure price tag. Way too many nice 911s out there in this depressed market for steal prices to even think even another second about this VW Bug.

floete

Okay, guys, let's put this bad boy to rest. The latest more philosophical posts by Brett, Rob, GT and Ked, which speak to larger issues of P ownership, have convinced me that, if nothing else, the 912E is not the best *first* Porsche for me to own.

As luck would have it, yesterday evening an offer I put out on a very nice 85 w/ 150k miles on it came back with a thumbs up, for $11k (after starting at $16.5k early last fall ....). Nice blue exterior, clean looking interior, lots of work done by the current owner. I'm going to order up a PPI asap.

This time around I'm not going to post pics and description right off the bat. Maybe after the PPI comes back, but not now. I've posted about four or five cars in the past little while and I don't want to wear out my welcome and, frankly, my brain is a little fried. So, let's see how the PPI comes out and I'll go from there.

This really is a great helpful forum, and I thank you all again for helping me keep my head screwed on at least semi straight.

500

First off: Welcome is not being worn out! Your post topics are always really clear and from your replies it is clear that you actually read and think about what everyone posts, which makes it an enjoyable discourse on all sides.

Second: It sounds like the car you will take for a PPI is the "right" kind of car (price seems appropriate, you have a good feeling for how the previous owner took car of it and so on). Not a bad idea to get the PPI first, digest it yourself and then post all the details for us to pick it apart and provide context. Go in with the expectation that the PPI will not be perfect. Where this board can help it to provide feedback on how "serious" various things are and what $ you may be looking at.

My car is an '85 too. I paid considerably more than the prices currently being suggested - and my interior was not very nice at all - I basically replaced and refinshed everything. My mileage was a little lower (~100K) but other than that, your car sounds like it might be better. Mine had a lot of "needed" items on the maintenance side too. And then there were the surprises, but I covered that ground before. If you go to the link in my signature you will see a bit of info on the car, which may be very similar to yours in terms of color scheme (Prussian blue with cork).

Very important detail with '85s is that the seat is higher than any other year Carrera...

Amber Gramps

floete, let's hope for a good PPI. At that price you have room to pamper it a little once it's home.

floete

Hey, I love a good high chair, er, seat!

And thanks for wishing me luck on the PPI. My fingers are crossed too.

Meanwhile, in deference to the owner of this car, who I like and respect and think is genuinely a good guy, I'm wondering if I shouldn't edit my posts to remove price details and the like. He is going to put the car up for sale publicly and soon. I just don't want to this thread to offend him in any way if he should come upon it or hear about it ...

Or, in the Internet age, would that be frowned up here by one and all? I can see how it might be, because threads like these are instructive beyond the individual car in the individual moment. (Then again, I'm just talking about removing numbers.)

What do you think?

Edward

First off, good luck on this sale. It sounds much more promising than the 912, and overall more in keeping with what sounds like you really want!

I agree with your initial instincts to keep the details between you and the owner. Clearly, if he were a shmuck trying to mislead you or misrepresent the car, then blow the whistle. But for any owner who demonstrates good will and a forthright attitude, he deserves the consideration of details and terms being kept private; should the sale fall through for whatever reason, an honest owner deserves clean consideration and a fair shake from future prospective buyers. That said, you can always ask for opinions WRT mechanical items ...that is just being prudent on your part.

Edward

500

Good point, I removed the $ number from my post.

Jake Raby

Thats a nice car with a nice engine. :-)

floete

Jake! The man himself! Thanks for weighing in!

Everyone else who has posted: could you go through your posts and remove any money-figure references? That'd sure make me feel better. The owner of this car has gone out of his way throughout; I'd like to return the favor as best I can. I think it's the right thing to do. Thanks!

GTgears

floete,
Sounds like you found a nice little car. I've always felt that the early 3.2l Carreras are one of the overlooked gems in the line. People jump straight to the G50 versions so often because of the stigma of the 915. But like I'm one of those weirdos that likes type iv engines, I'm also one of those weirdos who likes the vintage gearboxes.

If the PPI and test drive reveals some gearbox issues, don't be afraid. With Pete Zimmerman's primer and the help of this board you can go through it yourself and make it good as new. Try that with the G50 if it's got issues. Isn't gonna happen. Just yesterday I shipped $300 worth of G50 parts to fix a DIY attempt on one of those boxes. It was the second time the owner paid for those parts because they were ruined on the first go around.

rusnak

Floete, I've noticed that your threads are very popular, so I wouldn't worry about wearing out the welcome. Just come back and post pics when you DO find the one Porsche that speaks to you.

whalebird

I like the 3.2 direction your going. for lack of better terms, this 912 is "overqualified". By all means protect the seller, this thread may infact, help connect the right buyer with this car.
I hope the PPI is positive, and if not, you should enjoy the continued search. You've put way too much time into your quest to settle at this point.

AGW911

floete, your posts are great!! You turned me on to a good car that just might end up being mine soon (fingers crossed the initial inspection and PPI go well). As someone who is looking for their "first love" themself, I have learned lots from the responses to your questions, as many of them are ones that are going through my head as well.

As with many of my other interests (not to mention any of them specifically wink, wink), one will probably never forget their first, and will probably keep her around for a while, but there WILL be more. I haven't even purchased my first yet and I am looking past her to the next one.

floete

Thanks for the support, guys!

I will report back as I go along!

whalebird

The first can be forever. Just take your time and buy the right car, and you may never see beyond it. Now I will totally agree that you may need another, but not a replacement. I mean where can you go? A 930 - not the same. Maybe an early car, maybe a boxter, but you will never give up a good Carrera.