w00tPORSCHE

Rusnak, I hear you. But when you do not know much on air-cooled Porsches (I just ordered Pete Zimmerman's guide a few days ago), you look up to Porschphiles to identify a nice clean car. Knowledge, wisdom that you all have gained does not come by reading a guide or two over a week's time. For example I may be put off by the whale tail but there may be so much more good aspects on the same car (which I may not recognize but you all will) that may alter my decision to then go for it. These are other three cars that I really like. Any of these jump out as better than the one in the OP please chime in...I do not mind travelling to all these places and finding out if 915 tranny is something I can live with. People talk about better resale value for the G50 but I do not care about resale value..I want a car as close to original look as possible with fewest mods and well maintained interior, mechanical components and a good service history. Already have a white car so that would be a turn-off.

So any of these appeal to you more than the 88 guards red ?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...uards-red.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...l-records.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...ceptional.html

GothingNC, thank you for the Atlanta craiglist ad. I will make a call tomorrow. The biggest factor for me is good record history of clean interior.

w00tPORSCHE

I meant good record history, fewest mods and a clean interior.

wildcat077

Original is good for some people,although most 20 year old cars have had improvements incorporated to them over the years !
As long as all the original parts are still accessible to the buyer,mods could be a good thing.

I already have invested well over $12,000 dollars in my car since i bought it last year,and we're not talking paint or bodywork here ...
Have to admit that all the stock original parts are well boxed up and stored away and everything i have done to the car is reversible !

To each it's own !

Phil

w00tPORSCHE

The more I talk with the owners of the 915 transmission, the more I feel that' s the car I should be looking to drive and own...I am really liking the guards red with the whale tail on my previous post on this thread. He seems to be an avid Porschephile and pelican...just the type of seller I am looking for.

Ed Hughes

Please don't think you have to "live with" a 915 trans. That simply is not the case. It is a fine transaxle, and has carried many a fine 911 for what-millions of miles?

ivangene

after driving my 915 (which we both admitted was a little tough because he Amar had not driven a stick in aver a decade) the term "live with" I am sure does not imply its not good...just takes getting use to.

That said after 1/2 hour he nailed a couple shifts... and then again

All those cars are beautiful and I am really glad I am not making the choice between those fine examples

OP - I see now some of the "flaws" inside... cup holder, badge on handle, stereo, wing... the owner no being an enthusist.
the red whale tale.. reall looks clean!
blue is such an unusual color and that one is a beauty

that black looks like INK its so clean ! WOW

so for me - the blue one is from so new guy.. only 3 posts? where did he come from?
the black one looks TOO shiny - I dont trust anyone that can polish that well....
the red one w/whale is nice... but you dont liek whale tails - but seems like a better seller

the original one has no real reason to say no - price is high and a couple funky items....

I would...........throw a dart... no on no ... um.... too tough for me to descide - sorry, I dont do well with multiple choice when they all look pretty good

w00tPORSCHE

Sorry, wrong choice of words. 915 is a great transaxle. drove Ed's car last week (it was very kind of him to have entrusted his car with someone has has'nt rowed gears over a decade) and really fell in love with the experience which I am sure was probably lost to some extent in the late model years with the G-50. I just got off the phone with the '84 red whale tale owner who seemed like a really nice guy. He sent me 46 photographs. Stunning pictures. I shall post them tomorrow. Now I am seriously thinking about this car that is in Memphis. I'll also look into any problems with the 1st production year model. By the way Ed, I am slowly being attracted towards the whale tail. Guards red with the whale tail combo looks amazing in those pictures. Goodnight all. My story will resume tomorrow.

w00tPORSCHE

Another big turn off for me on the original car were the wheels polished chrome look and the interior mods which thanks to all those here who pointed it out now looks distasteful in my opinion. I told you that the interior was mint...wait until I show you the interior on the 84 year model. It's drroool all the way for me.

Tango635

It depends on how you're going to use the car. If you're going to drive the **** out of it, like you should and like i get the impression you are, then you might want to look for one that is cheaper.

My reasoning is that you will probably need to do a top end rebuild, which if you are not mechanically inclined can range from $4k-$8k, depending on the shop. So yeah, look for a car that has already had the top end rebuild or look for one where if you do the top end rebuild, you will not blow your budget.

Look on Pelican. There was a really nice blue one about 1 week ago. Oh, I just noticed you added some Pelican links.

ivangene

I wasnt gong to push towards the red one with whale tail... but its my fav!

full_garage

Here's my 88-

I bought this car very, very cheap supposedly with no records- just taking a chance- The car arrived looking fairly tired but after a day of elbow grease it revealed a very clean exterior and interior- When I pulled the trunk carpet I found a Manilla envelope with over $23k worth of service records including a full rebuild at 101K (I have 116k on the clock!... the car is strong...torque at 4,000 RPM is about as fierce as any air cooled Porsche I've ever driven.

I changed the oil, adjusted the valves, flushed and filled all fluids and I've been driving her HARD ever since with no issues... Lucky I know... Already dealt with seat motors, window motors, wiper motors, dash lights, getting a functioning stereo back in it- relatively easy fixes so far.

ivangene

I think your last comment is one that MUST be thought about

"I changed the oil, adjusted the valves, flushed and filled all fluids... Already dealt with seat motors, window motors, wiper motors, dash lights....."

even a great 88' is still a 22 year old car. Like mine, changing wheel bearing and rebuilding calipers, chasing what is next.... is sort of the game we have to play. Its a love for the car and required - finding a great one doesnt mean NO work.... just means nothing major (hopefully)

I am heading to the back end shortly... got some business with those rear wheels
BTW nice looking car, thanks for posting

full_garage

"even a great 88' is still a 22 year old car"

Boy that's the truth-

I consider my car "Sorted' yet I still have about 7 things on "The List"... Plus the 996 needs a few things...and the 928 has an issue or two....getting ready to pull the dash on the 355 F1 for new leather...

Gotta consider older cars a "hobby" rather than transportation...then it all makes sense!

ivangene

I daily drive my hobby car - had it under 2 months and put almost 3k miles on her... seriously hate myself for not buying a Porsche sooner in my life and so I am going to drive one every chance I can now!!

but yes, hobby... toy....great car... money/time spent = fabulous return in smiles

full_garage

I rotate my four "Toy" cars- It makes me appreciate the unique things each one does more.

Here in New England if there's no snow on the ground my "normal" car stays parked... With the Winter we had here (Warm and little snow) I was driving something fun almost every day.