canonball

Hey Everybody,

So I've been lurking around here and pelican and I currently own an 86' Targa but I'm really itching for a 930.

In your opinion, which is the best model year and why?

Would love to hear you thoughts on this

Many thanks,

Barry M.

Dave 86 930 Fl

1989 ... 5 speed.

PoloTurbo

The best condition perfect ppi and under 30k$. Any post 1978 would be my choice IMO.

The best 930 is the one you own...

TT Gasman

'89 5 speed for performance.
Early 930 for collect-ability.
Slant nose for rarity.
Non sunroof car hard core performance.
A grey market car because they are cool.
Any 930...because it's a 930, the last real man's sports car!

The Baron

I sincerely hope that the facts I am providing will not offend the 930 enthusiasts who have chimed in on this thread and have put the '89 5 speed on such a pedestal. I found it curious that this '89 5speed myth persists since several of it's early brethren match and/or beat the '89 5speed in quite a few performance categories.

After fourteen (14) years of constant developement (according to Car & Driver) the '84 930 spanks the "vaunted" '89 in every category. The '89 5speed is only marginally quicker in some categories than the original '75 260hp 3 liter. In fact, the little 3.0 4speed '75-'76 beats it's mighty "5 speed" intercooled sibling in the 0-120 run and the standing km ! This inspite of the fact that the '89 5speed has a 10% larger displacement, an intercooler, far better brakes, extra gear, larger exhaust, etc, etc..... and the '78 ties the '89 in one category and beats the '89 in two others.

So why does this myth persist ......most people do not realize that the sole reason Porsche gave the '89 a 5speed was to compensate for the extra weight (340-400 pounds) from the EPA & DOT mandated emissions and side impact protection that had accumulated over the previous decade. Had Porsche not changed the gearing by adding a 5th speed, the '89 would have been slower in every category than the several of the early years.

CAR&DRIVER Performance data: Porsche 930

Model.................0-60mph...0–100 km/h....0–160 km/h(100 mph)..0–200km/h.....1/4mile..1 km....Top speed

1975 930 260 hp....5.2 s......5.5 s..............12.4s ..........................20.1s..............?........24.2s...246 kmh (153 mph)
1978 930 300 hp....5.0 s......5.4 s..............12.0s ..........................19.7s ............?..........24.4s...260.9 kmh (162 mph)
1984 930 330 hp....4.6 s......4.8 s..............11.6s ..........................17.7s..............?.... .....23.8s...278 kmh (173 mph)
1989 930 5-speed..4.9 s.......5.1 s..............12.0s ..........................20.4s.............13.6.. ...24.6s...260 kmh (162 mph)

Car & Driver http://www.caranddriver.com/

Several other sources concur with these Car&Driver facts.

I'm fortunate enough to have driven a '76-'78-'89 in a back to back scenario (same day, same track) and while the '89 Turbo might be more linear in it's delivery of power, the early cars are more nimble and far more visceral with a raw delivery of power much more in keeping with their 934-35 siblings

Summary: The '89 5speed is NOT all it is cooked up to be !

I hope this helps !

Chuck



Turbos in my garage:

'76 Turbo Carrera #041 Ice Blue
'76 Turbo Carrera #116 Black
'76 Turbo Carrera #233 White

'79 Turbo #0960 PTS Grey
'79 Turbo #1115 Red

idart930

May 1991, Classic and Sportscar article on “How to Handle a Porsche Turbo”. The article compares a 3 liter to a 1989 3.3 liter and notes the very different character of the two models.

“Nick has never driven a five-speed Turbo before and isn’t impressed by the clumsy feeling gearbox of this still young car. It doesn’t feel as smooth, it’s a much harsher feeling car” he notes, even before we’re out on the track, and comments on the newer car’s lack of punch; Its not as quick, it hasn’t got that initial surge…It feels much more on its tip-toes, it’s not as flat-feeling as the 3-litre. Still, it rounds that sharp left with less drama than the old car. It’s a much more comfortable, acknowledging tyre, you know where you are with it: doesn’t leap about.” "New car against new car I’d still plump for the 3-litre. The 3.3, despite its better brakes and more solid build, doesn’t show an enormous improvement. Before I arrived, I admit I thought the 3.3 would show the 3-litre up today but it didn’t at all.”

I’ve yet to find an article that has a head-to-head comparison of the 3 liter cars to the 78 & 79 930s. Chuck, you're in a unique position as you have both models.

idart930

For U.S. 930 road tests, I previously posted this on Ferrarichat and re-posted here. I have not found many road test for the '89 -- anyone?

’76 3 liter
Car & Driver, Dec 75 – 4.9 sec
Road & Track, Jan 76 – 6.7 sec
Motor Trend, Apr 76 – 6.1 sec
Average- 5.9 sec

’78-79 3.3 liter
Car & Driver, Apr 78 – 4.9 sec
Road & Track, Jun 78 – 5.0 sec
Car & Driver, Aug 79 – 5.4 sec
Average- 5.1 sec

’86-88 3.3 liter
Autoweek, Jan 13, 1986 – 5.5 sec
Car and Driver, Jan 86 – 4.6 sec
Road and Track, Guide to Porsche, Nov 7, 86 – 5.0 sec
Motor Trend, Feb 86 – 5.47
Automobile, Jun 88 – 5.5 sec
Motor Trend, Dec 88 – 5.53 sec
Average – 5.27 sec

’89 3.3 liter
Road & Track, Special Series, Feb 9, 90 – 5.1 sec
Road & Track, Special Series, Feb 3, 89 - 4.8 sec
Average – 4.95 sec

Dave 86 930 Fl

Hey Baron,

I know this is the new America and I should be offended that your opinion is different from mine, but I'm not .

Regards, Dave

slownrusty

This!

The Baron

As much as I love my 930's, one would be hard-pressed not to think that the GT3 & RS are probably the "last real man's sportscar" !

Now I'M offended !

TT Gasman

[QUOTE=The Baron;9858349]As much as I love my 930's, one would be hard-pressed not to think that the GT3 & RS are probably the "last real man's sportscar" !



The new GT cars are quite nice, but compared to a 930 still too many nannies. And I love the RS, I'm still looking for the right car. It's all good.
Btw nice info about the 89 cars.

Porsche 930

I just posted this same tread over on the Bird.


First, it needs to be clarified that any 930 is a great car and there is nothing that will take the silly smile from your face once you experience the trill of the car coming on boost.

My 1979 is the finest car I’ve ever driven in terms of sheer driving experience. For me the 4 Speed is more than adequate and you can’t take away the fact that it is strong. I feel as comfortable driving it in town as I do at speed and, whenever I‘m out, I get tons of complements from all ages on its classic design.

So, putting no prejudice aside, I have no problem in proclaiming, you gotta love the '79! There were so many things going right that year for the 911 Turbo and its derivatives. All VIN numbers were 10 digits and still started with 930 (as they had for all of the 930s, 934s and 935s up to that point). It had the big fuel head and the 917 style floating rotor 4 piston brakes. There were no catalytic converters. It had the intercooler tea tray tail and it still had the super neat hand welded front wings and rear welding plates to add the look we have all come to love that is the Porsche 930. And, yes, there were no power seats available in 1979.

1979 was also the year the 935 won Daytona and Sebring. And, most notably, 1979 was the year that the first 4 overall positions at Le Mans were all won by cars based on the production 930 design (935/934). In the book, 24 Heures Du Mans 1979, Published by Publi-Inter, 1980, it was noted, "never since 1952, had a car this closely related to a production model won the coveted 24 Hour Race, and it has not happened in the 33 years since! The book also noted, the tail type used on the standard 3.3 liters 930 (tea tray) was preferred by some 934 competitors for better stability on the Mulsane Straight as well as for additional cooling over the original smaller aerofoil (whale tail)."
The picture below was taken during scrutineering at the '79 Le Mans race (24 Heures Du Mans 1979, page 64). It shows a beautiful non-sunroof 3.3 liters 930 complete with tea tray, sugar scoop headlight rings, and elephant snorkel washers.

How could it get any better than this?

Ghosteh

Not only are ROW cars cool... they're faster!

The best 930? That's easy... Prussian blue ones!

idart930

[QUOTE=Ghosteh;9858829]Not only are ROW cars cool... they're faster! QUOTE]

No question the '76-79 ROW 930's had better exhaust and more horsepower but its interesting that the European road tests did not show a better 0-60 sec time. According to the Porsche brochures/tech booklets, the '78-79 930s were actually a few pounds lighter than the ROW 930's.

U.S. 3 liter
Car & Driver, Dec 75, 0-60 – 4.9 sec
Road & Track, Jan 76, 0-60 – 6.7 sec
Motor Trend, Apr 76, 0-60 – 6.1 sec

ROW 3 liter
Autocar, Sep 75, 0-60 – 6.1 sec
Roadtest, Oct 75, 0-60 – 4.8 sec
Sports Car World, Apr 76, 0-60 – 5.9 sec
Road Test, May 76, 0-60 - 6.9 sec
Road Test, Oct 76, 0-60- 6.0 sec

U.S. ’78-78 3.3 liter
Car & Driver, Apr 78, 0-60 – 4.9 sec
Road & Track, Jun 78, 0-60 – 5.0 sec
Car & Driver, Aug 79, 0-60 – 5.4 sec

ROW '78-79 3.3 liter
Autocar, Jun 78, 0-60 – 5.7 sec
Motor, May 79, 0-60 – 5.3 sec

jay72

I own a stock '79 and a stock '89. I can say that the '79 for me is more enjoyable. More beastly. I have been in the market for a '76 or '77 but have not been able to find a good clean unmolested example. I have never driven a '76 (would love to), to compare. The only problem I have with the original early cars (76-79) is the Frankenstein like thermal reactor exhaust system. A switch to a stock euro exhaust on a early 930 really brings it to life.

Sloane
1979 930
1989 930S cab
2005 CGT