w00tPORSCHE

Hi: Thank you for all the valuable input so far on my previous posts. I have narrowed down my choices to these two cars.

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

Pluses on this car include, low miles, recent prepurchase PPI (two years ago), very caringly maintained by a long term pelicanparts forum member for the past two years after he got it from a guy in his 70's who bought the car and put in 3.5K in preventative maintenance, nicer steering wheel compared to the '88 car, European import car hence more horsepower (thirty eight more due to higher compression pistons, different (and apparently more desirable) headlights, lower ride height with it goes the better look, 915 tranny (lower running costs, more visceral old school feel when treated with care and respect)...and the price of 18K.



Negatives: Passenger side resprayed but matching original paint by 95 % and to the untrained eye by 98%. Turbo tail mod (which should be an easy swap to the deck lid cover for the clean Carrera look) and a nonfuntional A/C.



http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...TAFSRCHUSDTEXT


Pluses include all original paint, low miles, newer car, decent interior, seller's willingness to accept my 22K offer (If PPI shows up something big I should be able to convince that person to bear the expenses by 50% atleast), G-50 (more desirable in the market)..not that I plan to sell it ever.


Negatives: Not a PCA or any forum member, no recent PPI or major $$ spent on repairs/preventative maintainance, some not so tasteful mods (exterior hoop over the rear deck, funky looking cupholder on the door that may leave permanent holes when removed, G-50 (buttery smooth gear change...? sorry it I hurt somepeople's sentiments if I put this as a negative).

So both these cars are being PPI'ed next week on my expense. Before I spend money on airtravel I really want a vote on 83 vs 88 from all of you who have so far been extremely helpful with your thoughtful reponses that has given me so much insight on these different cars. Trust me if I don't care for your opinion, I would not be wasting your time. Please bear in mind that I have owned cars in the past with trannies that have steep learning curves (so let that not figure into your verdict) and I already own a 997.2 C4S with PDK equipped car (that I got due to an astounding near 20% discount from MSRP) so if I need instant "newer feel" gear shifting I can always turn to this car and am now looking for something radically different. This has been a very difficult decision for me spending another 20K from a financial standpoint and want to get it right. Too bad I had to spend close to 100K to dip my toe into my first 911 ownership but I really would want to spend that 20 odd K to get the true 911. Ya for sure you will all tell just go drive it and then see which one you want. That's a given..but I want your opinion as it matters to me. One thing is for sure, when I do buy this car, I certainly will enjoy and am looking forward to interacting with the "air-cooled guys"...to me that in itself is worth it.

irobertson

They are both nice cars that seem to be in good shape.
I am partial to the G-50, and I love driving my car.
Downside for me on the G-50 car is the polished spokes on the Fuchs. I like the original look better.
As you noted, I think your answer at this point is going to fall out of the PPI and the drive.
If you are not going to be able to go drive both cars, then perhaps you could find someone that has the other type and would let you take their car for a spin so you can asses the difference for yourself.

cheers

GothingNC

I vote for the 84 Coupe.

Save 8 grand and seem to be well taken care of by an enthusiast.

For some reason I think the 84-86 yeras have less issues with worn valve guides.
My brother has an 84 with165,000 miles and does not require any additional oil between oil changes and has had one issue outside routine maintenence for the last 15 years.

John

whalebird

I can see fault with both cars, but neither are terrible. Grey market cars are really a slippery slope and a partial respray can hide a lot. For reasons already discussed in this and your other thread, both cars are 16-18k examples based on a quick search. I do admire your enthusiasm and am sure that you will be very happy with whichever choice you make. After all, no 25 year old car is going to be perfect at any price. Keep us posted.

w00tPORSCHE

Ian: I am completely with you on the polished Fuch's look. I wish I could find someone in washington state or Oregon who will let me drive a G-50 Carrera 3.2. Do any of you know someone who will...in return I will let them play with my baby ....not that PDK will interest a purist but it is something that one has to experience especially with the new "second button" the sports plus turned on. The car is transformed into a real racer with shift times down to 0.02 seconds.

GothingNC: I also am in the same mindset (lower running costs with the '84).. although I do not know that for sure. How will I be saving $8K. It is more like $5K (still quite substantial).

Whalebird: No car that old is perfect ...but I am only finding cars with poorly maintained interiors or >110K miles for the prices that you are stating (that is in the 16K to 18K range).

Daniel Dudley

I have an 85 Euro Carrera that I am very fond of. Noticably faster than a US spec car.

Drive them both. One will be clearly better than the other.

logan2z

The '84 looks to be the much better deal. I prefer the G50, but a 915 in good repair should shift well. If you like Guards Red and the PPI goes well, that would be my choice given the price difference between the two cars.

Tango635

I think the proof is in the drive. You're about to spend some serious cash, and you seem to be in too much of a hurry to jump in. Take the time to drive a good 915 and G50 and then decide. It's like picking a wife, so do your homework upfront, and pick wisely because it is a long journey.

I drove an example of each, an 84 and an 89. I preffered the 89, it seemed put together better. But that's just two data points and that's me.

OK, if you're going on looks alone, I vote for the '84. Oh yeah and the polished or chrome wheel do not look that good in pictures but in person, the guards red and the chrome wheels look really hot.

How about these:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

ivangene

I wrote a nice long post for this and deleted it before posting because of the damn blackberry buttons being too close together

anyhow I was going to say that I COMPLETELY DISAGREE with the wife comparision. IT IS A CAR.... its not a life long, cant be undone, cant back up and have to get it right decision. For goodness sake....

now its good to choose wisely and do your homework and get the best you can find to fill the list of things you are looking for....

<rant off>

the 84 didnt take very good picks of the body panel allignment but the hood looks funny to me.. there are spots near the exhaust and the lower lip on the rear panel is missing paint on the passenger side too...plus along the entire bottom - no one mentioned the square piece of ? screwed to the door panels?? is that stock?? Is that a block of wood on the gas pedal ?? power antenna?? really?

and FWIW I have a stock rear deck lid you can have for next to nothing... its white and needs to be painted but its in perfect condition... if the whale tail is that big of a deal.... someone will want it

I still like the 88' but the wheels if they have been chromed "could" be an issue if they start to flake... they cannot be fixed in this state....I heard "maybe" Cali still strips chrome - the wing is what it is... door thing... ask him .... I actually think its cleaner but has the G50 and I would be more interested in driving ability than overall cleanliness anyhow...

re-paints are a tough call...many have had it and are good... and many not so good.

all in all its a throw of the dart and like I said.... if it lands on a turd, clean it off anf throw again - hell these are 20+ year old cars for $20k (+/- few $k) and bound to all have "some" issues.... otherwise they would be $50k !!

Tango635

Ivangene, you're absolutley right, it is a car, not a wife. I was jumping to the opposite side of what it seems to me that wOOt is doing to make a point.

You really need to drive the car to make a good decision.

abe

88..
its original
low milage
if you were to sell in the future...its easier because originality
grey markets..some people shy away
aside for 83SC I think 88 and 89 have good reputations


BTW the car in Pelican is an 84 not 83

to me its a no brainer assuming you can live with the price difference.
good luck
abe

Daniel Dudley

A 911 may not be a wife, but they can both sure make you miserable if you make the wrong selection.

Happy in love, happy in life.

race911

Where do you live? In CA I'll absolutely caution you on the Euro 3.2s, based on (non)availability of decent gas. There's a reason the US cars are lower compression. I've lost pistons in two Euro compression engines (3.0 and 3.2) back in the days of my torsion bar cars. Admittedly it was on-track use.

As many POS gray market cars as we saw coming over 20 years ago, I think those that remain are probably pretty nice and don't carry the stigma so much.

But I agree with above, on pricing. Who's buying these cars at those prices with the economy as it is today?

w00tPORSCHE

Said not to the grey market car (see my other thread for the reason) and my heart says 915 tranny so I will keep looking.

w00tPORSCHE

i meant said NO.