tawheed

Hey all,

Currently own an 02 Boxster S, which is currently for sale, being very tempted by older 911s but am a little worried about maintenance cost.

First off, should I aim for a '78-'83 3.0L SC or for the later '84-'89 cars?

What should I budget as a yearly maintenance cost? I have done a lot of work on the boxster myself but am worried moreso about internal engine stuff..

Any information would be great, this is a second car that I'll only drive here and there in the summers.

Thanks,

Tawheed

JCP911S

These are great cars, but are classics... if A/C and power steering are on your agenda, you may be disappointed.

3.0 SC and early 3.2 are very similar cars... condition should drive your decision.

The later 3.2 have the G-50 Trans... shifts a bit nicer, but IMHO, the 915 trans on the earlier cars is fine... try both and see what you like.

Decide whether you want a coupe, targa, or cab. The coupe is more solid, and IMHO, more attractive. If you want an open car, I'd go with a cab... the targas are fussy, and leak, but it's your taste.

These cars are very well engineered, and robust, and other than major engine work, relatively cheap to maintain. Parts are available, and a competent owner can do most routine work.

I'd budget $500-700/yr for a 2-3K mi/year car, and you can get classic car insurance.

Look for a well documented and well maintained car. $14-18K should buy you a great driver. Any car with "issues" can get you upside-down in a hurry, so pay a few K extra for a no-excuses car, and you'll be better off in the long run

Have fun

Fly911

Buy the latest and best car you can afford! The 3.2 Carrera can be chipped, and for a few thousand Dollars you can get 250HP with no internal modofications (chip, intake, exhaust). The G50 cars are more attractive, due to a more robust and better shifting gear box, but there are people who prefer the 915 transmission.

blake

I prefer the SC over the 3.2 because I think it has more "character" when behind the wheel. Sure it is underpowered compared to the 3.2, but it feels less refined and a bit more raw.... To put it another way, 60mph in an SC is more fun than in a 3.2! I wouldn't buy either type for performance, but rather for the feel of a vintage 911....

Go test drive several of each tp get a feel for the period....

My $0.02,
-B

blake

I didn't experience this with my Targa... It did leak a little, so I reconditioned the targa top (Dan Petchel) and replaced the seals around the bar (myself)... Tight as a drum for the next 6 years until I sold it....

Brett San Diego

There isn't a right answer for this question. Buy what you like after you get to know the different cars. Or, just do what I did and choose by color. I wanted non-metallic blue or orange, which meant 1982 or earlier. The color palette went bland by 1983.

All these cars are simply old by now. Every car out there is going to need some reconditioning. I don't think you'll find much difference in that regard between the SC cars and Carrera cars. You'll find SC's that are in better condition than Carreras. Just keep shopping until a car speaks to you. Do your due diligence, PPI, etc. If you have to rebuild an engine, the cost will probably be similar between SC or Carrera, so that's pretty much a wash. The major difference already mentioned is the G50 transmission available from 1987 to 1989, but don't take a bad experience with a 911 with a 915 transmission as gospel. That 911 my just have had a poorly maintained 915. You should drive several 915's before making a judgement, if it's a concern of yours. 1989, being the last year of this classic look, may have a little extra value incentive.

If you don't know much about these 911's already, then go buy "The Used 911 Story" by Peter Zimmerman.

I went from a Boxster to my 1978 911SC. For what I wanted out of the Porsche experience, it was a good move for me. I'd buy another Boxster in a heartbeat given the cash to do so.

Brett

redridge

yes, these cars are getting old... get a car with good records. This will tell you how much you will be spending after you buy it. These cars will need a refresh in engine, tranny, suspension, ac, heating, interior, exterior... etc. if you want it to drive like new.

Ed Hughes

Targas are just fine- I don't know what fussy means?

Caferacer

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OP, there is decent article on this very subject in the latest Excellence magazine and it seems to come down to what was said here. Buy the latest best example you can afford with an emphasis on best rather than later.

wildcat077

I would also say to get the best car you can afford ... in my case i picked up an 89 G50 Coupe and i'm very pleased and as far as maintenance goes they are very easy to work on and can be made into fun track cars with a few upgrades !

Cheers !
Phil

SARGEPUG

Of course I am partial to the 3.2, so I would go for the more robust engine and easier to gain hp w/ simple mods. 84' is a great year, because it is the first of the 3.2 gen and also the revival of the Carrera name.
As far as a Targa, I love mine and it doesn't leak. If one does, you simply replace the weather stripping! Go targa, it's a blast!

Brett San Diego

I should have said "light blue," such as royal/arrow blue. After 82, all gone were the non-metallic vibrant blues, oranges, yellows, and greens. Well, glacier blue might still count. A couple bright splashes of color came back here and there. A light yellow in the late Carrera years, maritime blue and mint green in the early 90's, and then riviera blue and pastel yellow on the 993. Porsche took a 30 year hiatus on orange. 1978 was the last year for an orange until the 2008 GT3RS (although some would argue that Zanzibar red is orange, but I'll point out that it is a metallic).

Brett

Caferacer

One of my favorite things about the Singers (as currently discussed over on Pelican) is the resurrection of the orange and green. I really do like the orange on the Boxster too.

Jay Gratton

I agree with a lot of the above. Buy the nicest example you can afford.

tawheed

The one in town I've got my eyes set on is an 88 Targa with just under 60k miles.. Are the targas really tough to deal with?? I've always enjoyed convertibles and figure a targa would be a nice in between.