Korny993

Hey all, curious if any has any experiance with this model year. Looking for driving impressions reliability etc. I am looking at a spectacular 1 owner targa, with only 60k in milage. Any thoughts on price, or how it will compare to my '97 cab.

Eric

Edward

Hi Eric,

I have an 82, which is essentially the same car. Targas are great, but expect leaks, if not now eventually, as the top does require attention to seals. Also, you'll get a bit of chassis flex over the coupe, not bad if stock suspension, but noticible especially if DE'd or if it gets stiffer boingers.

The SCs are very reliable and strong cars overall. If the CIS is good now (and passes PPI/emissions well) then they are largely trouble free. Be certain to get a thorough PPI from a very experienced 911 wrench as you don't want to get surprised with broken head stud(s) which often do NOT manifest themselves unless looked for. Oil-fed "carrera" tensioners is also a good upgrade, if not already fitted.

As for driving impressions, these cars are "raw" in all the best ways. Brakes are solid with excellent feel; steering is very communicative and superbly weighted; the car feels "alive" in your hands and is very satisfying to hurl into corners or just wind out to hear the exhaust. You'll have to get accustomed to shifting a 915. If it's in good shape, all will be well; just a different technique and still satisfying, if not feeling a bit "antiquated." But if you have difficulty, do not let the owner tell you it's "normal" as lots of 915s are either mis-adjusted or just flat out need rebulds. Oh, and the a/c is laughable (as is the entire HVAC) so don't expect much there if that's any concern. In conparison to the 993, it's a hoot ...different, but great fun! Since you have a cab, though, you may consider a coupe, but that's your call. Hope this helps!

Edward

Korny993

Thanks Edward this is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks much for the insight, I will be looking at the car in more detail this weekend, hopefully all will work out.

BobbyT

I sold my 1983 911SC four years ago to buy a new Boxster, and missed it almost immediately. I tried hard, but never learned to love the Boxster as I had my previous Porsches. Sold the Boxster one year ago to buy my current 993.

The SC engine is probably one of the most reliable and durable engines of its type ever built. Many examples have 250,000 miles plus with no major work. Not too difficult to DIY the maintenance. The body style still turns heads. I saw my old SC at the Lake Arrowhead Porsche Timeline, and it still looks new...

vjd3

I owned an 1980 and 1983 911SC, but this was back in the early 90s. Off the top of my head ...

Completely different car from the 993, much rawer, less cushy, terrible AC and overall climate control, somewhat vague gearbox. But, full of classic 911 charm. The Targa top will leak and be noisy, period. Leave it off as much as possible. Make sure your PPI includes removal of the valve covers to check for broken headstuds, the SC is very prone to that problem. Be aware that the valves should be adjusted every 15k miles, so it's a little more expensive to maintain. Largely a bulletproof car aside from the headstuds, assuming that the original chain tensioners were updated to the 3.2 Carrera pressure-fed tensioners. Make sure the airbox has a pop-off valve or a backfire can get quite expensive. You can tell if it's had paintwork done by running your finger under the lip of each wheel well, the paint is textured from the factory, smooth paint means a repaint. Significantly less horsepower ... I think the 83 was 180 hp, but might be 204.

As for worth ... just guessing, $20k for a really nice one. They seem to go in the low to high teens unless it's a true concours car.

vjd3

Damn, you guys type fast!

Mark in Baltimore

The SC is blessed with sublime manual steering.

Porscheologist

I sold my 83SC a couple of years ago. vjd3 read my mind and wrote exacly what I would have. I would add the original type rubber center clutch plates explode with time so be sure it has a updated spring type. I never liked how you have to point your toe when engaging the clutch. These cars leak oil more than 993s so beware. Oil return tubes are a big culprit. So are timing chain covers. Adjusting the valves is a real pain but doeable. Parts are usually less expensive and overall the car is easier to DIY. The gearbox is a real pain (yes I had mine rebuilt). AC?? don't make me laugh! Don't get me wrong these cars can be fun but realize that compared to a 993 they are very crude cars. Some guys like that. I got tired of it

Just my 2cents!

Harvey Yancey

The commonality of the path to our 993's is pretty amazing. I sold my '83 911SC Coupe for a '99 Boxster and then moved onto a '00 Boxster 'S'. But something was missing ... so back to the 911 in the form of a 993.

All of the previous comments are very accurate. Very raw. Great steering. Inadequate A/C and ventilation (although the A/C on mine was not that bad for some reason). The bottom line ... a fun, fun car. As a matter of fact I may buy one as a daily driver next year.

HTH

Mike J

I also had an 83SC that I drove for seven years....the only real cost was the slippery slope and some restoral work. The engine was bulletproof...at 130,000 miles it ran like a champ, used a bit of oil (and leaked it to) but just kept on running. Nice not to have that stupid CEL. I sold it because I used the car every day and wanted something that had A/C and a few more comforts. Definitely more road feel than my 993, suprisingly not that much less power. I would not go back to the SC however....its too raw for me anymore. Maybe when I was 20 ;-)

Oh, if you spend $18K on one now in 10 years it will be very close to that as well...I think they will have zero depreciation in the next while.

Cheers,

Mike

c993k

I had an 80SC Euro factory turbo look Coupe. Awesome car. The Euro had a few more HP but parts for the engine were harder to find. Two things are a must, Carrera chain tensioner and Pop Up Valve. as previous posts say.
The pop valve is a very simple but effective way to save your airbox. I once started my car and heard a boom in the engine, I knew what it was right away, the airbox split apart right in the seam. I had to order a new airbox from Europe because the US version has tiny ports.
Air condition always leaked out and you had to carry with you a few cans of R12 and gauges, I gave up! Rear wheel bearings, I went through two sets. In the winter I use to store it and the engine would leak out several quarts of oil but after driving it again it would stop. I drove the wheels right off that car, it was tons of fun to drive and it handled great. I wonder who has it now? Tried Carfax but it was a Euro vin. Just be sure to get it checked out completely by a place that knows that model well. Chris

Martin S.

This past weekend I drove a 86 Carrera, with a smaller sterering wheel and 225 tires on the front, for two (2) laps around the Streets of Willow Course, counter clockwise with the Bowl This is a vert technical course withy lots of turns.

Damn, what a handful! When I had my SC, which I sold in 94 and in Porsche limbo until 2001 when I got my 97 Carrera, I was working out at the Gym, somewhat regularly.

I go to the Gym from time to time but only for cardio. After driving my power steering equipped 993 car, the 86 Carrera was a lot of work, and this car is well set up. I guess I have gotten weak in my old age. If my 86 Carrera experience is typical...I'll not be going back there. Too much work on a tight course!

On a long course with less intense turns, the 86 Carrera would be fine I am certain. The wheels of progress turn, and entropy works its evil magic on me (us).

Korny993

ok more details...car really has 160k on the clock, same wrench as mine, leaks almost zero consumes a 1/2 qt every 1500 or so. he is asking 12k. interior almost perfect. 2nd owner no accidents original paint, old school rubber. thoughts??

Eric

vjd3

Price is reasonable ... anything less and you're looking at a tired 74-77 2.7 911S, and the SC is really a much nicer car. Check the headstuds and compression, and buy it if it speaks to you. Those 16" tires are cheap anyway ;-)

NineEleven

Hi, I'm driving an '80 model coupe now which should be an Euro spec since I'm in Asia. Just did valve adjustment, new oil, plugs, Swepco, gearshift bushings & couple of other mods including new steel headers & install Seinsystem shiftgate. Quite a blast to drive especially with the new headers which totally transformed the car. The 915 gearbox is not the most friendly & I was constantly "searching" for gears (worn synchros) until I installed the shiftgate & swepco which makes it self centering & much easier/safer to use now. The car sounds real good unlike modern 911s but is quite a handful to handle, fun & "cheap" Pcar. Oh, I just did dyno last week before the new headers & it was still churning out 203bhp & 251Nm of torque. Not bad for a 20+ yrs old car & leaking a bit of oil! Good luck on the purchase.