JCP911S

I've driven my '84 Carrara as a daily driver for over 20 years. They are great cars and highly reliable.

I can't advise you on any specific car as you have to do that yourself... PPI as noted.

But, if you buy a new Honda for $30K and drive it for 3 years and sell it for $12K, or buy a 3.2 Carrara for $25K, drive it for 3 years and it's still worth $25K, well, how bad a decision was that?

If it's just a second car that you want to drive on weekends, how hurt can you get?

You can get collector car insurance on the car for maybe $250/yr....

JCP911S

IMHO, while the G-50 is a nice trans, a well sorted 915 is just fine.

But, these cars are now becoming "collectible", and dealers are trying to use the G-50 to pump up values.

It's a shame... the real value in these cars is driving them... but that cow is already leaving the barn.

In 5 years, nobody will ever drive these cars anymore, as ODO readings will become the determinate of value.

NCDCSam

First off, thanks for the comments from everyone. They are all appreciated. For a guy who has seldom (as in never) participated in online forums, I approached sending off the first post with some trepidation.

Last things first - I love to hear about these cars being used as daily drivers. I bought a slightly used Cayman and put about 21000 miles on it in 18-19 months. The Cayman was solid and reliable and fun, but the air cooled itch has been there since my dad used my college money to buy a 911T. I had dropped out of college, joined the Navy, was coming back with the GI Bill, so he bought the T. I am so glad he did, because he worked hard, had a tough life (widowed at 22 with two young kids in the 1950s), had a successful consulting engineering business, then diagnosed/dead of leukemia at 67.

As with many dads, he was right about a lot of stuff. I used the GI Bill, got my degree in three years, and have done okay, thanks in huge part to him.

So the air cooled itch has been there awhile. My wife (she will drive any car we buy, too) and I tend to hold onto most cars for a long time, Cayman excepted.

Thank you all again for advice. PPI should happen tomorrow or Wednesday morning.

Sam

88911coupe

Sam, first of all I'd suggest adding the G50 Carreras to your search since I seem to see them for sale on a somewhat regular basis. I'm on my 2nd (1st was 87 cab) and they have been, off and on, my daily driver. To be honest, I like it MUCH better when they are NOT my daily driver which is what my '88 Coupe is now. Of course my wife has a nice MDX which we use a lot so its not that big of a deal. I recently had an Audi A4 for three years and the lease expired and a friend asked me to buy it so he could buy it from me (the buy out price was 4k below what they were selling for). I really regret not keeping it and have been looking for something to lease ever since...just can't make up my mind. There are LOTS of guys using these cars as their only car but after 20 years of doing both I MUCH prefer the 911 as a weekend/fun car. The other major reason is these cars need work...not big stuff all the time, but lots of little things and if its your only car you either pay (a lot) to have it done at a shop, or you have some very busy weekends trying to get something fixed before Monday rolls around.

NCDCSam

Thanks 88911 coupe.

I'd love to find a G50 coupe, but the current 86 being PPI'ed today looked well cared for.

I will not be using it daily. I have converted to a 2013 Jetta TDI Sportwagen /MT and a 2014 Golf MT TDI.

I'm eager to see how the car looks to more experienced eyes .

But a G50 coupe would still be of interest.

Sam

SARGEPUG

If she checks out and given the mods / respray, I think it's still a little too high, but not worth passing up. I am also sure you can work a deal on the price. Although 110k on the clock for these cars isn't really high, for that asking price, I would expect it to be sub 100k.

sonett43

I offered sam an 87 g50 coupe, black on black in similar condition with 110,000 miles for a few dollars less, so there is a back-up plan. Still, I expect dan's car with checkout fine.

redridge

yup... Dan's car should be good. He's got a good rap in NJ.

NCDCSam

Hi everyone,

Really appreciate the comments. This is a nice change from some other forums.

PPI close to done. They didn't get to leak down/compression. I'll update tomorrow.

Sam

NCDCSam

Sadly, I must report that my search for an air cooled late 80s Carrera or 964 continues.

Dan Petchel has been a good guy to work with. He has been honest and upfront in our email and telephone conversations. He is very available by phone and quick to reply to emails. I would be happy to buy a car from Dan, but it won't be this one. If you are interested in the car, please call Dan.

Provost Motorsports did the PPI. Rob and Max were very professional. When I called, Rob immediately made it clear that his business and Dan's have their physical business locations in the same building. Rob didn't want to do a PPI and then have me upset about the relationship he has with Dan. Rob and Max reviewed the PPI results and photos with me and answered my questions. Highly recommended.

Bottom line is this is a good car for someone, but it has some things that will need to be addressed. It is the wrong car for me right now.

Still looking with a budget up to $30K max.

Thanks for your interest and help. As a NOOB, i really didn't expect such support. I guess I will take the backup fun car (92 E30 Cabrio, 70,000 miles, bone stock except for chip) for a ride tomorrow if it thaws out in NC.

Sam

PRSWILL

OPO has an 86 targa in fantastic shape for sale- awesome car

redridge

Isn't Pete Zimmerman selling an 86 guards red?

Amber Gramps

Dr Pete's is an SC.

NCDCSam

I would consider a great SC. Beginning to consider west coast, shipping, etc. or a fly and drive if the car is drive across USA ready.

Sam

Amber Gramps

I would look no further. Pete's car is top notch.....as is Pete.