binrocha

hi follks, starting my edumecation on the 911 dream car, can't seem to find a "911 101" basic infos. getting close to retirement & looking to pull the trigger on a used 911, just don't know which one at this point, hence the homework. tempted to get the used 911 story, but from what i understand, it did not contain the "newer" models. thanks for the direction.

Freddie Two Bs

I'm sure google can be your friend.

To make it easier think of what sort of car are you looking for? Classic old skool feel? Modern car with all creature comforts and sophisticated tech/electronics? Somewhere in between? It's 50 years of auto history, and the two extremes have almost nothing in common besides the engine location and the porsche badge.

This forum is for the cars until 1988

Mark Salvetti

The Used 911 Story is up to an 8th edition, and covers through 2005.

Excellence Magazine also has a buyers guide for just $15 (or $5 for the digital version). https://www.excellence-mag.com/resou.../print_edition

If you subscribe to the magazine you'll find most issues include a buyer's guide update on various models. Because they only devote a few pages, I think their reviews are a bit shallow, and they gloss over some problems and make a big deal out of some that are not. But it is still a good place to start, then as you narrow things down you know where you want to focus and get more details.

Mark

binrocha

thanks rick b. at this point i could go either way, just trying to stir clear of the IMSB issues...

binrocha

"steer"

theiceman

Then you want 2009 dfi engine.

mrhebert

Get the Excellence Magazine Buyers Guide. It will tell you everything to get you started. Then join this forum, and learn the rest.

binrocha

just did, thanks mrhebert!

theiceman

Keep in mind this sub forum is up to 89 only. You probably want the water cooled forum

Fast40th

Not sure where you're located, but may want to check out if there's a Porsche Club chapter around your area. They may have monthly breakfast meetings or gatherings, and it may be very helpful for you to go to one of those events, make some new friends, and check out the various types of 911's at the gathering.

PCA.org may get you started.

Enjoy the education and eventual find...

SiberianDVM

Yeah, post your location, and somebody near will probably give you a test ride so you can narrow down your choices a bit.

Gavia57

I was looking for a "cool", with good a/c 911, but am very happy I found my '86 Carrera. I do 95% of my own work to keep her purring, and so, feel more connected to her 😊

binrocha

i'm in long island, ny.

Drisump

I have two air cooled 911's but if a potential purchaser isn't smitten by them....depending on budget,the post air cooled 911's(996/ 997's) offer a lot of car for a comparatively small outlay. Good luck

Coloradocurt

From personal experience, I'd suggest some factors to give some thought to.
1. What sort of a budget are you working with (not only the initial purchase, but also the cost of correcting any issues with the car as well as the ongoing cost to insure, maintain, etc.);
2. If (and to what extent) you plan to get deep into your own DIY wrenching on the car - in which case the newer cars get progressively more complex (and lacking small hands and double-jointed wrists, more difficult to work on);
3. What sort of "visceral-connection" you're looking for in the car. As Mario Andretti puts it in his Magnaflow TV commercials, "When you and the car are one." The newer the car - especially the water-cooled - the more the driver is isolated and insulated from the driving experience.
Personally, I'm in a retrogressing mode in seeking that sort of visceral connection I recall having with the '72 911T Targa I had back in the early 70's and the '73 911S Sunroof Coupe I had a decade later. Over the last 4 years I've gone from a 2007 Cayman S, a 2003 996 C4S Coupe, a '95 993 Cab, and now recently picked up an '85 Carrera Cab.
So as one of the previous posters suggested, hook up with your local PCA chapter, maybe attend an AX or DE event and see if some of the members will take you out for a ride in their various era cars (or possibly even drive some). Also, try test drives at car dealers and private sellers in your area. By the time Summer ends and used prices start to get a bit softer you should have been able to narrow down your choice.
Good luck.