911 Crazy

Hi everyone,

I am new to Rennlist and have really enjoyed the wealth of information available. I am in the market for a "Everyday Driver", about 5,000-8,000 miles per year (May-October) and have narrowed it down to a 83 SC or a 89 Carrera. Does anyone have any feelings one way or another about these two models? Thanks in advance for any help.

Tim Thomas
Former 79 928 (83-01) 330k miles!

Ed Hughes

What about the 6 years between them? Seems like an odd choice to me, and you limit yourself from a lot of candidates. That is, unless you refer to 2 specific cars, and without more info on them-it's hard to weigh in.

Amber Gramps

If we are talking a pre-964 '89 then ya, go for it.

I'm guessing you meant to say fair weather driver.

911Dave

Cost is the ONLY reason to consider an SC over a G50 Carrera. If you can afford either, the choice is simple.

blake

Really? I don't see it as odd at all. He has picked the last year of the SC and the last year of the G-50 Carrera. If I was looking for 911s between 1978-1989, those would be the two model years that I would pick...

I think the 89 would be a better car in all ways (ride quality, A/C, electricals, etc.) except one - rawness behind the wheel. I have extensive time in a 79 SC Targa and an 89 Targa - and personally prefer the SC for road feel. But as a DD, I would choose the 89 hands-down....

Good luck with your search - that is the best part!

-B

Ed Hughes

Why? If he has decided either one of these cars is acceptable or desirable, and he stumbled on a stellar '86 or '82 or whatever other non-specified year, it would be silly not to consider one.

blake

Well, the last model year of each run tends to be the "best sorted" from the factory as they have worked through most of the kinks...

I agree that finding a "perfect" '83 or '89 will take some time and offers more limited options, but I do think it is an attainable goal...

jakeflyer

OK, so he finds the perfect 82 or 88. Debate settled, buy it. We have an 83 and it is a nice car that we can work on without too many difficulties, it may be easier than the 89 from what I read here. BUT, I am still aimed at the 87-89 when we can afford it.

911 Crazy

@Ed#1: I will look at the 82's and 88's but for the amount of time I have spent researching the 83's and 89's, my wife is going to call the "Funny Farm"! Her quote, "How can you spend soooooo much time looking for one car?....and why can't you find one around here??? We live in BFE Maine! Thanks Ed.

@Amber Lamps: Pre 964 all the way! Thanks.

@911 Dave: I would like to have both someday so will take the best available for the $$$. Thanks Dave.

@Blake#1: You and I think alike! That's exactly why I picked those year's. And you're also right in that "The journey IS the destination"! Thanks Blake.

@Ed#2: My wife would like me to stumble "head first" into the side of one of these! Thanks again.

@Blake#2: I have set a 1 year time period as a goal. Thanks again.

@Jake flyer: Thanks for your thoughts.

911 Crazy

@Blake: You have a mighty fine looking stable there. Your models are also my goal with the addition of a SC and a G50 Carrera. Have a great weekend.

Ed Hughes

For the record, I didn't just mean '82 and 88's, but rather all SC's and Carrera's 78-89.

911 Crazy

@Ed: I got that but would probably have to 1) Quit my job, 2) Lose my wife and kids and 3) Move into a cave to have enough time to research all of those years. Unless of course you have found a way to stop time?!?!

jakeflyer

From what I have read about Ed here at the big R, he does some interesting mountain driving. It may be that in his own way, he and Ruby have found a way to stop time in small increments.

Ed Hughes

I'm not sure that such a search would take any more time. I'm just saying that if you deemed an '83 SC as a target, an '84 could be viewed as an improvement on that car. An '86 could be thought of as an improvemnt on that. Isn't an '87 an improvement on the '83? Do you follow my logic? If I was looking, I'd look more into whether I wanted an SC or a Carrera, and prioritize on that. If I was building a comprehensive Porsche collection, I could understand focus on certain years.

I think Amar (wootporsche) is the prime example- he showed up here determined to get a G50 '87-89. After some counseling from his new found support group, he found a well-loved '86 in excellent condition that he absolutely fell in love with, and is a stellar example of the pre-964 Porsche Carrera. As we get further alomg, it seems to me unwise to overlook possible diamonds out there in the other years. Good luck, no matter what you do.

jakeflyer

Your first premise of 1983 or 1989 is a good one—best of the best. And I have to agree with you to some extent like an early SC with the smog pump is not something I want. Also, the non-G50 tranny(it is G50?) in my mind would be a deal breaker for say a 1986. However, if I did not that the 83, an 84, 5,6,7,8, or 9 would be a step up in my opinion.
So the idea that Ed presents of 84 being an improvement of an 83 has some merit.

Now, there is a consideration that may be unique to me, but I really want a 911 in the Petrol Blue or the Glacier Green. Don’t care what year. I almost bought a 944 turbo just to own the color. We have 5 point seats with quick unlock belts and a cage in the 83. It is not a lot of $ but if the car has it or maybe a big buck suspension set up or something, it could change your parameters.

I think the advice here is to not get too set up in your search so that you might miss a screaming deal by overlooking it. Like anything else, the more you learn the less you know. These guys will be a huge asset in what you are about.