I drove a '78 Targa today
 

A friend/neighbor of mine is thinking about buying it - the PO loaned it to him for the weekend to check out.

The car is 30 years old, and had it's rough edges, paint issues, rattles. The interior is so bare bones it's wild. No power steering or brakes. You literally have to stand on the pedal to get the car to slow down! The shifter throw is so long, I thought I was in gear, only to find I had another 6 inches to go. Embarrassing at a light! The view from the driver seat reminded me of driving a VW bus - all the square window frames and strange antique corner windows. But get on the gas and that air cooled 3.0 really screams! Keeping it at 4k-5k rpm is a blast, especially with the Targa top off. I can see why people love the old air cooled engines.

Fun to drive once in a while, but I'll stick to my comfortable 300 hp, thank you!

Sorry, the 78 (or my 86 w/Power brakes :) ) Can be just as much fun if not more than a 996 :)

ya snob! heh heh

My first Porsche was a '77 911S Targa. The old cars, while of course quite spartan and underpowered by today's standards, were that much more involving and visceral. Like the OP, I have no desire to go back but remember them fondly...

I had a '67 912, and that thing was a BLAST. I had so much fun in that car - despite it being an old 4-cyl (though it was rebuilt and had webbers on it). I loved how I felt directly connected to the road. I drove it every day - and delivered pizzas in it as a teen.

I don't really care about HP numbers or 0-60 times - it was fun to run through the gears and go down winding roads. With that car, you could actually drive it at, or near to, the limit without going at the ridiculous speeds that you would be going if you reached those limits in a 996.

I love the rawness of the older cars, and someday I'd love to buy an old 911S.

That's how I feel about my Miata...sometimes people here act offended when I say that my Miata is at at least as much fun, if not moreso, than my 996.

I love my 996 but my old 86 Carrera just has the sounds and feeling that nothing compares with. Thats why I cant seem to part with it. It's raw... it's pissed off! :) :)

I agree 100% you can actually drive the older 911's closer to their limits without getting thrown in jail! I drove my car this afternoon, and by the time I got the engine revving, I was over 90 mph, and quickly letting off the gas. So, these modern 911's are more like super cars, able to reach crazy speeds on a track. The older cars sound great at 50 mph in 3rd revving to 5k.

I equate the older cars to 15 watt tube amps - you can crank them without losing your hearing. The newer cars are like 100 watt amps - you have to keep them well under their limit!

HEY, just like an old girlfriend! :)

I'd go back... But to an 87, 88 or 89 targa. Has the right amount of rawness and modernness for my preferences. As long as I can go back to my everyday 996 when I don't feel like shifting.

It's amazing how the '78 911 SC and the late 80's Carreras look virtually identical! If I were to go air-cooled, I would get a late 993. I couldn't deal with the ZERO creature comforts in the 70's 911! It gets old really quickly if you have to actually drive the car in traffic, or on a long drive. And I thought my '89 944 was bare bones!

I drove my buddy's '88 911 Carrera expecting a tough drive. It was outstanding. Given that his car is well-maintained, I was amazed at how responsive it was and how well it handled. I had always heard scary tales of the rear-engine weight being so evident in the air-cooled 911. But, it was nimble and quick on winding country roads, and the sound of the engine was unforgettable.

I love my 996, but a late 80's 911 would not be a struggle for me. If I saw a dark blue '89 911 with a whale tail and black fuchs, I'd have to give it some serious consideration.

Bob

A fun, excellent car is always a fun, excellent car.. Just because new cars come out that possess 3x the hp, or twice the grip or whatever - doesn't automatically make the older cars somehow "unfun", or any less worthy of driving and enjoying.

That's what always kills me when I see people talking about pure numbers or 'Ring times, and why X car is so much "better" than Y car.

I love my '87 but really want a 993 ultimately...

I love 996s too for their niceness...the older models just cant touch the niceness factor

though the 993 is nice... its suspension is similar to ours. If I want raw, the late 80's (3.2) would be an excellent quick fix for some fun! torsion bars FTW!

I agree on the performance comment - my 944's were extremely fun to drive, and were slow by today's standards. I do need the comfort factor. Old fun cars are a PITA to live with! Sure, the engines sound great and the cars are fun. But roll down windows, no (or lame) air conditioning, no power steering, no power adjustable seats, no cup holders (oh, wait, I don't have cup holders), makes for an uncomfortable trip!

With the 996, you have the comfort, and great performance / fun. You just don't have the bare-bones thrills (or air cooling).