best years
10-18-2010, 01:12 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
Please use the search engine and type in newbie and then hit enter. You will get countless threads that discuss the same question that you posted. For someone looking for their first air-cooled I would suggest only one of the following: SC/3.2, 964 or a 993. With the 993, Porsche pushed the air-cooled era to it's limits and is considered by "many" as the best of the air-cooled era.
Sc is '79 to '83, 3.2 is '84 to '89, 964 is from mid '89 to '93 and 993 is '93 to '97.
Here is one of the recent threads that discusses 964 vs 3.2. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Knowing your budget, driving needs ie DD, snow/ice exposure etc would help. There is a beauty that just came up for sale by one of the longtime RL'er, Rick Betterley. I would always recommend buying it from a Porsche enthusiast then a used car dealer. If I was in the market, this post would have already had a follow-up post stating that it is sold. I am still somewhat tempted to buy a soft top 911...If I only had the garage space. Here is the link:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Get Used 911 story written by Pete Zimmerman. Lurk here for sometime and learn more about air-cooled 911's. We are all rabid fans of the SC/3.2 in this section (we love earlier versions too). I have a 3.2. It's a real driver's car (see that post for my top 10 reasons to opt for a 3.2); a Porsche in the classic mould. It's air-cooled, has torsion bar suspension and wers Fuch's wheel. How can you go wrong ???
One last item. If you find the advice you get here to be helpful, please become a member and support this forum. I am a relative 911 newbie who is learning everyday thanks to a great group of guys.
Sc is '79 to '83, 3.2 is '84 to '89, 964 is from mid '89 to '93 and 993 is '93 to '97.
Here is one of the recent threads that discusses 964 vs 3.2. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Knowing your budget, driving needs ie DD, snow/ice exposure etc would help. There is a beauty that just came up for sale by one of the longtime RL'er, Rick Betterley. I would always recommend buying it from a Porsche enthusiast then a used car dealer. If I was in the market, this post would have already had a follow-up post stating that it is sold. I am still somewhat tempted to buy a soft top 911...If I only had the garage space. Here is the link:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Get Used 911 story written by Pete Zimmerman. Lurk here for sometime and learn more about air-cooled 911's. We are all rabid fans of the SC/3.2 in this section (we love earlier versions too). I have a 3.2. It's a real driver's car (see that post for my top 10 reasons to opt for a 3.2); a Porsche in the classic mould. It's air-cooled, has torsion bar suspension and wers Fuch's wheel. How can you go wrong ???
One last item. If you find the advice you get here to be helpful, please become a member and support this forum. I am a relative 911 newbie who is learning everyday thanks to a great group of guys.
10-18-2010, 12:40 PM
#7
They did keep making them better.
Obviously the last Carrera was the best of the low tech cars.
The best of the AC cars over-all I would have to say a 993. 6 speed trans, hydrolic valves, highest hp outputs, multi-link rear suspension, coil springs, power brakes, abs, HAVAC that works, etc.
Obviously the last Carrera was the best of the low tech cars.
The best of the AC cars over-all I would have to say a 993. 6 speed trans, hydrolic valves, highest hp outputs, multi-link rear suspension, coil springs, power brakes, abs, HAVAC that works, etc.
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10-18-2010, 03:56 PM
#8
Instructor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Mobile, AL
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The good Dr. said it all, there are WAY too many variables to that question and you have to define your purposes.
I'm not sure I agree the pre SC cars should be counted out
(see it's the "whatever year you own is the best" factor) Mine happens to be the last of the lightweights with a heart transplant so.....
I'm not sure I agree the pre SC cars should be counted out
(see it's the "whatever year you own is the best" factor) Mine happens to be the last of the lightweights with a heart transplant so.....
10-18-2010, 04:15 PM
#9
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Each sub-generation has its unique attractions. Obviously from a pure developmental perspective, the best air-cooled cars are the 993s, but the reasons why we own these cars vary and it is not ultimate performance that wins the day but rather the particular combination of charm, nostalgia, feel, style, performance and functionality that turns your crank. And price is a factor too. You can get a super-nice Carrera for the same $ an average (or worse) 993 will run.
There are some variations from year-to-year that make a bigger difference within each sub-group. I have an ’85, but all things equal, an ’86 is better (new dashboard, lower seat height etc.). An ’87 with the G50 is even better, but now that car should cost more due to the G50. And it goes on. At the end of the day, find the year-range that you like and then get the best example you can afford. For me it was whichever SC/Carrera I could find that would tick off most of the boxes on my personal list.
There are some variations from year-to-year that make a bigger difference within each sub-group. I have an ’85, but all things equal, an ’86 is better (new dashboard, lower seat height etc.). An ’87 with the G50 is even better, but now that car should cost more due to the G50. And it goes on. At the end of the day, find the year-range that you like and then get the best example you can afford. For me it was whichever SC/Carrera I could find that would tick off most of the boxes on my personal list.
10-18-2010, 08:15 PM
#12
The one that isn't black, silver, red, grey, or dark blue or any metallic in my opinion. With 604 posts, I would think one would know better than to ask such an inflammatory question. 
Brett
Brett
10-18-2010, 08:24 PM
#13
One of the best 911's I've ever driven was a lowly 1977 2.7 liter. It had a fresh, properly rebuilt motor, new 915 transmission, completely new suspension and new brakes. Corner balanced, new tires and rims. Wow. That was fun. It wasn't the fastest 911 I've ever driven, but it was perfect mechanically and that made for a fun driving 911.
However, you could take the words "Lowly 1977 2.7 liter" and replace them with just about any 911 model ever built and have the same experience...
However, you could take the words "Lowly 1977 2.7 liter" and replace them with just about any 911 model ever built and have the same experience...
10-18-2010, 08:31 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
good god guys, i didnt realize it was a such a bad question. seem pretty straight forward, i was asking what series was your particular fav, not what color or what you owned or had owned.
