dfwporsche

I have had many air cooled porsche's from an 79 and 87 turbo to an 88 3.2 and a couple of 993TT's. Any comments on the best air cooled convertible or targa model to own? I would like to have a convertible in the family at some point.

I had an 88 Targa which I sold to a rennlister (Mark -wish I never sold that car!). I would consider buying another one of those but before I start searching - I wonder what might be better? I love the old school style of the 88 but if I could improve it - my wishes would be higher performance, functional air conditioning (Texas heat) and wide body styling like the 930 or 993.

What's the best open air air cooled car to own?

jackb911

IMO a 993 or one of these:

Marc Gelefsky

If A real AC system is a must than it's got to be a 964 or a 993. The 964 gives you more of the old school look.
I have seen some 964's backdated and they look awesome! There was an 94 Widebody 964 Convertable called the America Roadster. Might be a good choice.

dfwporsche

Along those lines something like this might be nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/911-3...ht_8652wt_1165

The price seems lower than I would have expected even with the miles. I assume the 964 motors are ever bit as bulletproof as their 3.2 predecessors?

Ed Hughes

Read up, all series have some form of "issue". if a/c is a priority, then go to a 993 cab.

TheMystro

87-89 Targa or Cab would be my choice. If you are getting a Targa or Cab, air con shouldn't be that important than if you wanted a coupe. After owning many 911 coupes, I realized I only drive the 911 in pristine weather so why the hell do I want a roof on a car with marginal air conditioning??

Best move I ever made.

Ed Hughes

As he mentioned, he's in TX. I've spent a lot of time there with a Targa. Pretty much useless past 9 or 10am in the 4 summer months. I made it several years, but only early morning drives, or dehydrating myself at the track in 20 minute intervals.

Plus, limiting to 87-89 is folly, as it leaves tons of prime candidates on the table, if one is set on a 3.2 Carrera.

dfwporsche

I almost put a new AC setup in my 88 Targa at a cost of around $4k. One of the reputable air cooled shops in town specializes in an AC setup which works well. Hard to justify knowing you wont get any of that back at resale. Also if you look at the gigantic setup they bolt under the car - just feels wrong.

jackb911

Then go with a 993. They have good resale value and air conditioning that works reasonably well.

As in, not "GM great" but as good as it got in an air cooled Porsche factory system.

Ed Hughes

If the shop is the one I'm thinking of, good thing you saved your money.

w00tPORSCHE

No such thing as the best IMO but for a bullet proof all rounder, the 3.2 is hard to beat. Pick your choice on the two gearboxes that were offered during this model run. Many say that the G-50 is the best but the 915 that has been well treated is a delight to drive.

Jay Gratton

I know this is the 911 forum, but the 993 is my personal fav.

However, buy the best one you can afford. Don't buy a beat 993. If you find the best '83 SC Cab out there in your price range I would buy that.

Porsche8777

'83 CAB. First year of the 911 cab and they didn't make a lot of them.

jaeger86

I would buy 86-87 with a manual top since the early electric tops can be pricey to get to work right. The 86 and newer had larger vents for the air conditioning so they are slightly better than previous years as far as cooling. Curt

Jay Gratton

Curt,
Interesting, I didn't know they went to power in '88. I thought they were all power. Shows that I have never owned one.