Former S2 Dude

I'd like to locate an '89 911 3.2. I have the money for the purchase. What I need to know is: Do I have the money, and the patience, for the ownership?

Is the 3.2 a high maintenance Porsche? If I find a good car, and get is sorted properly, will I still see it in the shop every week? Would I be better off buying a nice, low milage 997?

I ask these questions as a former Porsche owner, reluctant to get back in too deep.

Thanks all.

ivangene

what did you own before -

if you have enough for a 997, I think you could swing a 3.2

These cars require nothing but constant attention - that CAN equate to $$$ but moreover to spending time and paying attention to it (IMO)

with that said they are one of the best cars on the planet - pretty strong and parts have thus far been reasonable in my case

michael lang

over the last 4 years of being involved in DE with my car, I have spent about $2-3K a year in the offseason doing various performance upgrades and general maintenance on my car. prior to that I spent about $1k a year in the offseason with general maint. I have owned my car for 6 years now and not one single time have I ever thought I should have bought another car. it has been 12 events since I have had to open the tool bag to do anything during a track event although I do spend a fair amount of time before an event going through my car. ivangene couldn't be more correct, these cars are one of the best on the planet. I feel very lucky to have been able to find such a good car as the one I did. I believe when dealing with something like this, if you take your time, the right car will find you. best of luck to you.

aualexa2

I've only had my car for seven or eight months now, so I can't comment on long-term costs. What I can say is that I've spent a lot of money on the car, but it has almost all gone towards upgrades and repairs that I "wanted" done as opposed to functional issues that "needed" to be fixed. The car has been a constant source of enjoyment, and I think every dollar spent has been worth it. As many others will tell you, you have to get a PPI. If you buy a car that has big issues to begin with, you'll pay the price and it will affect your ability to truly enjoy the car.

Good luck with everything!

500

It is very unlikely that you will see it in the shop much on a continual basis for repairs, the way you would expect an unreliable car to be.

However, the fact it these cars are old, and even a low mileage sample will have stuff that you want to replace to maintain the car in a "nice" operating condition (e.g. rubber suspension bushings).

Best is to budget such that you have money available after purchase to "straighten out" the various items you find.

A good PPI by an expert should help you avoid a car that will soon need a engine rebuild. THAT is very expensive ($10 to $15K). But these are strong engines and you should be able to find many that aren't going to need rebuilds for some time yet. Valve guides and head studs are the two main bugaboos to watch out for in this area.

A used 997 budget should allow you to get a nice 911 with a slush fund left over.

However, you might want to drive a 997 as well as some 911s (if you haven't already). A 997 is a great car too and may suit your desires better.

rlwiv

I spend 1-2k per year on my 1989 911. I do my own oil changes and minor repairs/replacements. My 911 requires more attention than my 2001 Suburban but then again you are talking about a 20+ year old car. Not counting a top end rebuild, my Suburban has cost me far more in repairs than my 911. I plan on buying a 2008 997 as my daily driver if that tells you anything. Currently my 911 is my 5 day a week DD.
RW

rusnak

Your maintenance costs in the short term will depend on the previous owner, and the mileage and condition of the car in question.

In the long term, the maintenance costs will not be that high, assuming the 911 is maintained properly and not abused. These are very bulletproof cars, and there is no plastic or over use of electronics that will eventually force it off the road. I really think that a properly maintained air cooled 911 can be driven forever. The most expensive maintenance is the 30K mile one, in which you'd want to re-pack or replace the front wheel bearings, gear oil, cv joints, check brake hoses, clean and lube the shifter, etc. If you do the work yourself you're in for a few days of down time, but you'll save a bunch. The more you know about the car, the more you'll save.

Former S2 Dude

Thanks for your replies.

Some of my caution derives from the fact that I don't generally buy used cars, and that buying a 20+ year old car introduces a lot of unknowns and unknowables.

I will look around and see what my options are. Autotrader.com has them pricing $25K-$30K. If it is going to cost another $10k to sort it out, then that might be too high for that car.

How is a clean 997 for a daily driver . . . ?

Marlon Targa 86

I bought mine 2 years ago. I had never worked on a car. Now I do a lot of the maintenance myself thanks to good DIY books and the help of Pelican members ( and Rennlist ). And maintaining the car has cost me maybe $2000 total.

But I gotta tell ya, it's so gratifying to fix and maintain your Porsche 911.

I test drove a 997 yesterday. This is highly subjective of course, but although it's an awesome driving machine, it didn't make me "feel" as awesome as driving my 911 with the top off. There is just something amazing about how mechanical the 911 drives. It's YOU and the CAR. Plus I track the car every couple of months, which amps up the awesomeness to the n-th degree!

Anyway, all very subjective but I prefer my 911. I love driving it, I love working on it and I love how it turns heads.

Marlon

911Dave

I've owned both an '86 911 and a 997 as daily drivers. The 997 is the better daily driver, hands down. The climate systems work great and it's more comfortable.

The 86 is more fun to drive, by far.

Max's 911

I've had my 89 Targa for ~15 years. I have to say I've spent the least maintenance $ on this vs. any car I own (or owned). Early on it used to be a somewhat DD - went into storage for a few years - now out and primarily a weekend driver. In comparison, my 500E, Touareg and past cars have consumed significantly more $ than the 89.
I know I may be approaching a few items (clutch plate, new rear deck speakers) but otherwise, I do frequent oil changes, the mileage services (which don't occur too often), and tires.

Former S2 Dude

Thanks Dave & Max. As owners, your input is especially valuable to me.

I chose the 911 3.2 because I want a driver's car, and the 3.2, in my mind, is the last of the line of the "old style" 911s. The later cars are great (my brother has a 993), but I don't need air conditioning, cd players, ABS, stability controls, etc. I want a direct driving experience. I don't even need a car that is cosmetically perfect. Instead, I am looking for a sound chassis and powertrain.

Unfortunately, I am not a rich guy, so having to deal with a maintenance money pit would be difficult. I'm willing to get in up to my knees, but not to my hips.

Above, I suggested a 997 as a DD, but a quick check tells me that they are pricing above $60k in my market. That would be out of my league.

Thanks to all who have responded. I hope everyone will continue to chime in.

mikemdd

As mentioned above, there are two costs of ownership: maintenance and upgrades. Maintenance of a well sorted car is nominal. Upgrades are something else. I am preparing to sell my 81 SC which I have owned since 2004. Second owner and 50K miles...maintenance was minimal. However, while putting together the marketing pitch and reviewing all of my receipts: >$14K in UPGRADES. It went from a 90% road/10% drivers ed car to a 30% road/70% drivers ed car. The moral to the story is what it costs is kind of up to you. Just don't keep all the receipts in one place....

rusnak

I'm starting to get a mental picture now. S2, you are in the right forum. $25K will get you a perfect, mint Carrera that is not going to be a money pit. I suggest you buy a copy of The Used 911 Story, by one of our forum contributors.

w00tPORSCHE

Please get a well sorted out car. Buy a car for it's mechanical condition rather than it's technical specification ie. G50 vs 915 gear box, or particular color combo. Even on a well sorted out car you may need to spend money but even a little money spent in the right places would result in a Porsche that will be a keeper. I am not even remotely the guy who you should be asking any advice as I spent money in the wrong places on my '86 like getting it wrapped with a paint protection film