w00tPORSCHE

The stalwarts of this forum by now know that my hunt for a pristine 3.2 has led me to a white gold metallic '86 coupe within 90 minutes from where I live. Well today I met the seller (third owner, very classy long time PCA member) and his prized possession.

Ed, Iceman, Whalebird and all others who had asked me to not ignore the 915's on my initial post ...... I am indebted to you all. Wow! The pregnant pause, the heavy clutch feel and best of all the fourth to fifth gear shift pushing the gear **** against the spring and up...priceless. This to me is the ultimate visceral driving experience. People think you are moving in the wrong direction if you are looking anything but '87-89 3.2's. Wow; How misleading is that. In fact a long time member even emailed me stating that 22K is way overpriced for the car and that only G-50's and later model year 964's command the premium price and that I should be looking at offering 15 to 17K tops for this car that had immaculate service records, original paint, extremely well cared interior/wheels, 82K miles (with a brand new clutch installed 2K miles ago by a veteran Porsche mechanic with 40 years of experience who during the PPI 4 years ago stated that the engine was in great shape with excellent leak down/compression numbers and stated on his report that the engine cylinders even showed the original factory hone marks which indicate very minimal wear and tear).

The car's interior, exterior are 9/10 (few rock chips on the hood on a totally original paint, very minimal cracking on the driver side outer seat bolster) and original Fuch's wheel color matched to exterior paint is a 10/10. Helios, you are right, the WGM color was spectacular. The shifting, clutch, acceleration all 10/10. At the end of the drive the seller was quite shocked when I told him that I had not driven a manual transmission car in 15 years (So Ed, I can proudly say that I do have the skills to drive a 915 gear box). Some may feel that I overpaid. But who can place a price for a car and owner of such class......I think and I know that I made the right offer. In three days the car is being PPI'ed. I'll keep you all posted and thank you once again for leading me in the right direction. Now I have two G-50 "88 year models to test drive lined up at a used car dealer three hours drive away. I am wondering if I should even bother Was not going to get a car from a used car dealer but just thought I should see how a G50 drives so that I can then start searching for one on autotrader, pelican, rennlist and PCA.

dshepp806

I would definately drive the G50.

w00tPORSCHE

I knew you would say that

theiceman

i don't think it is about the G-50 necesarily .. just go drive them so you can see how the experience difers from car to car .... it's fun ..

dshepp806

..yeap...just for comparisons.

Doyle

w00tPORSCHE

The fact that the G-50 was the very first 5-speed gearbox used for a 911 turbo back in '89 speaks volumes and tells us what it's potential is in terms of torque loading etc. The real problem is that I have a car with an almost brand new clutch that drives and looks so pristine. Agreed I am paying top dollar for it and that I am no real big hurry to get into a 3.2 right away but honestly what are the chances that I would get a G-50 3.2 that in such a nice shape or form...that too within a couple of hours drive. That is why I really do not want to let it go.

The real question I have for you all is this: If time is not of the essence (I have my 997 to satisfy most of my itches...other than the air-cooled itch), does it make sense to wait for a super clean G-50 and walk away from a pristine 915 (especially since I really like the way it shifts). This is better answered by you all the extremely experienced and knowledgeable members in this great forum and not a 911 infant like me.

theiceman

i think we are saying you have already found a really nice car ... go drive the other ones anyway even if you don't plan on buying them..

logan2z

Sounds like you may have found a winner. Definitely drive the G50s just for comparison sake. Are you sure the car has all of its original paint? These things are rock chip magnets and, at 82K miles, I'd expect an appreciable number of chips on original paint, unless it was driven almost exclusively on back roads.

ked

"If time is not of the essence..."
then keep gaining knowledge - ie drive some equally nice G-50s. when time (or the deal or that special car) DOES become the essence, pull the trigger.

911Dave

You guys that are recommending he go drive the G50 cars with no intention of buying them....

How would you like it if you had a car for sale and someone came by to take up your time and drive your car with no intention of buying? That is not fair and it is highly unethical. Please, have some consideration for the sellers of these cars, whether they be dealers or private parties.

To the original poster - that's a very nice looking car and I have been saying for eons that a 915 in good working order is an immensely rewarding transmission. It's also lighter, and easier and cheaper to maintain than a G50. Congratulations for not listening to the masses who have fallen prey to the unwarranted G50 hype. Enjoy the car!

ivangene

wow nice find...


so the big Q for me is ... how did this feel in comparison to mine??

I have been tweeking mine a bit with the new wheel bearings front and rear plus caliper rebuild and some "adjusting" on the coupler... Chris told me mine is "great" but I would like to feel the "best" so I know if there is room for improvement or if I am in the ballpark already

E

PS... nice car!

theiceman

I have no issue with test driving any car wether i plan on buying it or not . a good salesman well let you test drive even if you don't intend to buy his car .. because I good salesmen is working on the relationship , not the car sale .. I know a few guys like this I deal with all the time ..

ked

Dave, Ice makes a good & true point. Once a car salesman in my distant past, occasionally described as good (as well as "Import Salesman of the Year" / big fing deal...), I encouraged enthusiast-prospects "just looking" to drive a car that might help them make a better decision in the future... sometimes the future turned out to be upon our return from the test drive... other times they sent me referrals because of the way I treated them.

Further, I would encourage those delving into old Porsches of all stripes to avail themselves of their PCA chapter or the 356 Registry - while the "no one's *** shall ever touch the driver's seat of my car" set may outnumber the "anyone want to take it for a spin?" group, you'd be suprised how happy to oblige the minority can be.

I think the key thing is to be forthcoming, & people (good dealers as well as individuals) will be supportive in return. Regardless, w/ old sports cars, I advise my friends to drive 'em in order to confirm that reality corresponds to their dreams.

btw, one doesn't need to drive the **** out of 915 & G50 Carreras in order to understand what everyone's talking about - they just need to be in good working order... w/ no hype modifications in either.

Helios59

Sounds like you may have found your car!

Keep us posted...let's see how you find the G50 in comparison. My 915 is in top condition right now and feels great; they do have a character all their own.

Good luck!

Daniel Dudley

Looking good.