Hi there, I'm looking to get in my first Porsche. I've been looking at classic Porsches for a while now. I love the look of the early to mid 60's 356/912's but I've decided to go for an 80's model for the driving experience.
I would love some advice on how/where to start, and what to look for, as well as the large pluses and minuses to each model. I would love one ideal that I can tinker with and make my on, that will be cheaper to maintain, and of course fun to drive. I'm leaning toward a 3.2 but I think I might end up with an SC due to budget.
I really am serious about making a purchase soon and would love to hear from the Porsche enthusiast world.
Also if anyone has advice on great places to get a PPI from I'd love to hear that. I'm in SoCal but really anywhere is good. I'm looking all over the country anyway.
Thanks

 

Unfortunately, your request is a bit too open ended. Search away here. What I can tell you briefly is that you're asking for what everyone seems to be searching for in an air cooled--the "cheap" aka deal 911 that's a driver you won't go upside down on with some sweat equity. Sadly, everyone thinks his car is a precious snowflake, and you have to navigate the minefield of dealers (ugh) and flippers (ugh squared or cubed).

How many have you driven, and at what level of condition? THAT will set your expectation v. the reality of what these cars are. Or can be.

And don't be in a hurry.

Several books to recommend, and those posting below me will fill in that blank.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll have a look the books.

I'm not really looking for anyone to find me a car, what i'm looking for is help deciding which of the 3 i should narrow the search toward.

 

Could type until the sun comes up on the pros-and-cons. You have to get some seat time and figure which one clicks to you. A 964 is a wholly different car than any of the torsion bar chassis.

 

At the risk of oversimplifying things, you need to drive at least one of each that you're interested in. The one you want to buy is the specimen that you like best that falls in your budget. All else is personal preference.

 

Just going to pile on what the others said. I can't believe how many times in the last year total newbs with no seat time have definitively stated that they were looking for their first 911 and that it must be a 3.2 Carrera with G50, completely dismissing 915 Carreras and SCs without ever driving one.

 

I would suggest finding your local Porsche Club and introduce yourself. Most P-clubs have weekly or monthly breakfast meetings. This would be the best place to meet some experienced people and likely a chance to get some seat time. If you end up purchasing a Porsche you will likely be affiliated with your home town club anyway.

That's my two-cents. Good luck on the hunt. RRC715

 

SCs and 3.2 Carreras will provide similar driving experiences, with the 3.2s being a bit more powerful. The 964 has a much more modern feel. Quieter cabin, power steering and A/C that blows cold. It's also a step up in power but is heavier as well. The experience is less engaging than what the earlier cars offer, but is more comfortable. Most would say it's a good compromise. But it's much more difficult to tinker with than the earlier cars.

Your budget is limited and you want a car you can tinker with and is fun to drive. I would point you toward the SC.

 

Will echo the others here with a few specifics:

SC: 915 trans is a either like or hate as it feels old; but set up well, it is lighter and cheaper to rebuild than the G50.
Carrera: the injection is a step up from the CIS in the SC, and a bit more HP, but overall weight goes up as well. The G50 trans feels more modern and more "normal" to the uninitiated.

Both SC/Carrera: suspensions are the old torsion bar affairs which somewhat limits your options, but still easy to get a good setup for whatever your preference is. The A/C in both these cars are basically useless. Yeah, I said it. Some folks spend lots of dough to get it to work right, but I think their A/C is largely crap, so weigh this if you're in need of cabin comfort in warm climates.

964: more modern feel overall, but still with plenty of that 911 charm. Quieter cabin, coilover suspension, A/C that actually works well (finally, if Hyundai can do it...ok, I'm being a bit harsh ), nice 3.6 power and torque. Weight goes up, natch, but still feels plenty "911" ...just a bit heavier and a few degrees more refined (some would say less engaging) than the SC/Carrera, but no denying it's all 911 in feel and performance. This is why you must drive the 964; it's a larger break from the former two than deciding between an SC v. Carrera.

Ok, so those are maybe a few points to ponder. And Ken's point about not hurrying is huge ...do your homework as you compare each model's merits and drawbacks. There are no bargain 911s out there: these are old cars now, and ownership care varies wildly, and market values have made some folks think they have a gem when it's a shiny money pit for the new buyer. Tread lightly and drive many to get a feel for what's normal.

Edward

 

I have a 3.2 and a 993 which offers a very similar driving experience to a 964. Coils, power steering and a much more modern feel is what separates the torsion bar cars from the 964 on. The torsion bar cars are definitely "old school", quick but not fast by modern standards but good fun in the upper RPM range. Like everyone before me I suggest you drive at least one good example of an SC/3.2 and one of a 964. They are quite different and they will each appeal to a different buyer. Cheers

 

Very thoughtful responses folks- much appreciated by those of us that are not as fortunate to have access to the various SC/Carerra/964 models.
keep 'em coming!

 

+1 Echoing the good advice above to drive a few of these. That said, I'd like to add my $ 0.02 about my love for the 911 SC. It's relatively raw-er sound and feel, relative to later models, greatly appealed to me. The growl of the engine. It was right in the sweet spot, for me. Not horrifically expensive, not too slow, not too fast, not too automated (though it did have cruise control).

Sadly, swerving to avoid a deer brought the car to an end. Oh, another thing about the SC -- none to flimsy. It gave its life to save my bacon. Certainly later ones should be solid too. I don't know about earlier ones. After that, I wouldn't want a Lotus!

 

Someone mentioned some books to check out earlier, any titles you can give?

Also what are peoples thoughts on 911s from the 70's

 

You really want to get ahold of a copy of Pete Zimmerman's book The Used 911 Story. It gives the low down on models from 1965 through 2005 in detail. You'll want to read it carefully if you're interested in cars from the 70's, as there are more problems with many of those cars. I can't recall many of the details now, but I do recall concluding I didn't want the troubles of anything earlier than a 911 SC.

Not only does Pete cover the different series of cars in detail, he gives lots of information about how to judge a specific car you may be looking at. Spend the 25 bux, cause it'll save you making a mistake. It'll help you to know what you're doing. And to better know what you don't know and can't judge for yourself.

By the way, I have no connection with Pete, except that I bought his book. Oh, and benefitted from his helpful comments and advice, when I last hung out here a bouts, years ago. I don't know if he still posts on this forum, but he used to be around and very generous with his knowledge and advice.

 

993, 964, 3.2, SC & earlier models all present a different level of rawness so it all depends on how raw you want the car and more importantly what you are used too. If you have been driving around in modern cars then 964 will definitely provide an instant raw boost but earlier cars will take a bit of getting used to (worth noting if going to drive different models) - lets say they are an acquired taste that will appeal to the more experienced. My 3.2 is an 89 and the 964 is a 90 but difference is way beyond a year - a decade is more representative even though they share the same seats, dash, G50 g/box (but feels different due to linkage) .... I have driven 915 g/box too both in a 73 911s as well as an 86 RS backdate with 3.5 engine but I thought neither box was right and needed fettling with and I suspect that to be the case with most 915 g/boxes which might be worth considering if headed in that direction as a recon or sorting them out is $$$.

964 is more comfortable & easier to drive - you definitely feel the additional torque in lower rpm range too but having said that the RS backdate with its 3.5 engine mod felt a lot faster, part of which was due to its much lighter weight. But if I had to keep one it would be the 3.2 as its a more authentic driving experience and provides a pleasurable contrast to my daily drives. 964 might have had more of a look in if I was doing a lot more miles but as fair weather weekend toy the 3.2 is just right as it offers the right mix of rawness & performance. You can also boost the power output by shedding some weight - in stock format with front & rear spoilers, AC, sunroof, electric seats they weigh just under 2900 lbs which can be easily reduced down to 2600 lbs by sacrificing a little in creature comforts.

The only advice I'd give is keep looking at all three cars and just buy the best one that pops out & fits your budget, a good solid car is more important than the model - there are quite a few out there that have bought cars that needed doing up only to get stuck part way with car up in the air, be it due to lack of funds, time or interest and we don't get to hear much about them in the forum except a lot of old unfinished threads.