wsfowler

I'm just starting my search for a 911. Growing up my father had a '69 912 (he just got done restoring it actually), so I've always been interested in the early 911s.

Without having driven anything yet, I'm looking at the '80s SC's or Carreras, on the reputation of reliability and I really like their lines.

This will be a daily driver and I live in Seattle. I have a garage, but I park outside at work. Should I avoid Targas (it rains a lot here you know)? I only drive about 6,000 miles a year and have to fit a kid in the back a couple days a week.

I don't yet have budget for a restoration project. Would I be better off looking for a low miles car that hasn't been rebuilt, or a higher miles one that has? Does it even matter?

Thanks!

scotyp

Hello,

I live in Seattle also and bought my 82' SC last December. I think you are on the right track with the era of Porsche to look for. Good advice would be to buy the best car you can afford! In other words, you will be happier with a nice SC vs. a ratty Carrera.
Get a few good books on the history of the cars and buyers guides like Peter Zimmermann's Used 911 Story.
I was looking for a coupe because I like the line of the car best but if you park outside I would tend to stay away from a Targa, others might disagree. You might be able to cover it though.
If all the necessary work has been done to the car it won't matter if the mileage is on the high side. Just do your research because all these cars can have their own set of problems depending on the year and model.
Good luck in your hunt and have fun doing it!

Cheers,

Scot (Woodinville)

M491

for a daily driver, focus on the Carrera. There are a lot of them, prices are low, and the Motronic injection system is worlds ahead of the early 70s CIS system on the SC.

Vifa

964

wsfowler

There's something about the lines of the 964 that I just don't care for. I can't put my finger on it. The car just looks heavier or something. That's why I'm focusing on the early-mid 80s.

rusnak

I think a 3.2 coupe with stock suspension, stock airbox, and stock engine would do well. The racing bits are great, and they improve the performance, but you're driving on the street, and you want reliability and long service life.

bauerjab

87 (has G50 transmission) and no targa (leaks and wind noise). there are numerous threads on this.

raspberryroadster

agree (preserved the lines, but stronger engine, better trans, retained rock solid build quality).
considering you are in great N.W. where it is known to rain a bit, agree might want to avoid a targa as a dd.

Ed Hughes

3.2 Carrera

Don't get hung up on the G-50 thing

GothingNC

964 for under 10k

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1640395725.html

John

race911

I'm also in the 964/993 camp. Do you want a car that functions as a car? Or do you want to just look at it? You mention putting a kid in the back seat. I'll leave others who have dealt with child passengers (in or not in car seats) in 911's, but the ABS feature of the later cars would push me in that direction.

In the past week I've had the ability to put significant time in the C4S, RSA, 3.8L track car, a ratty 993, and a nice '86. Totalling about 800 miles, on and off track. The newer cars are nicer, period.

(Note my comments would be very different for someone not new to 911's.)

Carlo_Carrera

An 87-89 Carrera sunroof coupe is the way to go.