conVINCEd

I have been a frequent visitor to this forum, but this is my first post as I think about buying my first Porsche. I have long been an admirer of the older style targas and would like to buy one. It doesn't need to be perfect, but I am not a master mechanic either so it needs to be in reasonably decent shape. My problem is determining what years to focus on. Anything from the 60's and early 70's in decent shape would appear to be out of my price range (about $20K give or take). But from the mid-70's through the late 80's and even early 90's I have seen cars that at first glance would be in acceptable shape and in my price range.

So I would like to tap the collective expertise of the Rennlist community in helping me narrow my search. What years or version (911, 930, 964) should I be looking at? What are the difference, aside from age, between the different iterations. It will be a daily driver, but not one that I have to rely on. I have a less than 5 mile commute and an older Jeep Cherokee that I can drive if the car is out of commission.

MillenniumFalcon

Make sure you have you have plenty of money set aside. If you pay less today, then you pay more later. Expect your search to take months, and expect to see a lot of pigs with lipstick on them. Pay for a "valve covers off PPI". Or, don't- and end up just like me...

conVINCEd

So far I've just been looking at pictures and prices on the internet. I haven't actually looked at any in person yet (haven't seen any locally that fit my bill). Do you think my 20K budget is reasonable to find a car that I won't regret purchasing later?

KNS

Nineteen seventy eight thru 1994 are all good cars. When you find one you like pay to have a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) performed at a garage that knows air cooled Porsches! This will run anywhere from $200-$500. Have it inspected for rust as well. Even if the car spent its whole life in Socal and AZ (my old 911SC) you can still find rust - under the battery is one vulnerable spot.

Good luck in your search, $20,000 is a good amount.

PS: You really ought to get these cars up to operating (oil) temperature - a five mile commute will not be kind to her in the long run.

theiceman

I think your expectations are very reasonable.
78-83 sc is a three liter with cis. Very reliable with about 185 hp. And you will get a nice one I think for 20 k
84-89 about the best of this generation with a 3.2 liter and electronic fuel injection and later ones with a g50 transmision
I think you will get a sort of average one for 20k unless you get lucky and score a Jem which does happen.

930 is a turbo and not available in targa generally speaking.

964 is a completely different car in my mind with a 3.6 liter powerlant and softer body work. You would have go ask on the 964 forum for more details. Not sure what you will get for 20 g

conVINCEd

So in your opinion, 87-89 with the G50 transmission would be optimal, but I would have to get a little lucky to find one for $20K? How much higher do you think I would have to go to get a good one in those years?
There are two things I like about the 964's.
1. They are the newest of my potential candidates.
2. They have a retractable rear spoiler. I would like the benefit of a spoiler at speed, but don't like the look. In my initial research, I believe the 964 was the first model to offer the retractable spoiler.

Global Autosports

Here are some listings on our website that might interest you:

1970 Porsche 911 Targa for Sale in Savannah, GA 31410

1975 Porsche 911 Targa for Sale in Miami, FL 33147

1976 Porsche 911 Carrera S for Sale in Lake Forest, IL 60045

1986 Porsche 911 Carrera for Sale in Houston, TX 77024

1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 for Sale in Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

Also, feel free to browse our website as we have over 500 911's for sale.

Amber Gramps

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3134448320.html

throwing this one in for fun. $4,400.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3115221508.html

this one looks interesting:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3095018488.html

race911

Which makes absolutely, positively zero difference even approaching top speed.

I think you need to drive a few of the generations (even if they are cabs or coupes) to narrow down what really appeals to you. Price and picture shopping really doesn't get you much of anywhere.

911Dave

G50 Carreras have jumped in value recently, largely due to the unjustified hysteria over the G50 transmission vs. the excellent and very capable 915 (1972 thru 1986). As a result, you'll be hard pressed to find a GOOD G50 car for $20k these days, unless you can find a seller under pressure to unload it.

The longhood cars (65-73) are a wonderful vintage and are satisfying to own and drive, but everyone wants one and thus are quite expensive now. A good driver is unlikely to be found near your budget. Even good ones require frequent attention to stay in good shape both mechanically and cosmetically.

For your budget, I would look for a mechanically sound 915 Carrera (84-86) or 911 SC (78-83, the newer the better) that also looks nice. This is the segment with the largest number of cars available for sale at any given time, and are great fun! And, they are supremely reliable and most parts are still readily available. You can find a good one in the mid-teens, which leaves a cushion in your budget for some "nicening up" once you've acquired your new toy.

conVINCEd

Thanks for the help everyone. I agree that I need to drive some cars. I literally made up my mind this afternoon that this was an avenue that I was going to pursue. I figure that I can keep my old Jeep to haul the dogs around, and buy an older Porsche targa for less money than it would cost me to buy a new/newer SUV. I will try to get out this weekend assuming there are some cars within a 100 mile radius (DFW) that are worth looking at.

Ed Hughes

Drive them all-only you can decide what you like.

A 5 mile commute will hasten the demise of your motor, if you don't do it wisely.

conVINCEd

So you are saying I need to move further from my job to buy a Porsche? What would doing it wisely consist of?

Basalt997tt

Hey OP, I'm in the same boat. Want to get into classic Porsche without huge expense or drama. I've fallen into a Red/Black 1988 and have a thread going about it. If I decide to pass, will forward info on to you. It's a really nice car with low miles and can be had for under $20k. A steal I should jump on, but not the best time for me to get another sports car..

conVINCEd

Red is the one color I don't want.