Calling the Porsche experts

[psv]

Time to get one, I believe, but it won't be a daily driver. And I don't want a new extra-everyting one, but something nice from the 1970's or 80's (I guess I can forget about that '73 911RS...)

Which 911 model would you recommend and why? Which are the best sites for enthusiasts to start building knowledge? Links to to the trusted dealers?

Thanks,

Patrick

[G8RDPM]

I'm no expert,but have owned a couple of them.
My current daily driver is a 997 Turbo.

The forums on 6speedonline.com has a lot of information. There are quite a few experts here on TRF as well.
There is no substitute!

Good luck

[Marciano490]

Not much to add on the vintage side, but I hope you don't live/work in DC. I just moved from there and it seems like just about the worst city in the world to own a nice car.

As for Porsche's, the new Turbo is supposed to be unbelievable - 0-60 in 2.9 seconds.

[Swift_Movement]

993 is the last air cooled

[East Bay Rider]

FWIW I personally lust after a '87-'89 911.

[Kingair]

911 Convertible '88 or '89 with a G50 gearbox

And completely standard . . . no mods

HAGOne

[Ristretto]

89 930 Turbo with G50 or 964 Turbo

[EdChoi]

Patrick let me put you in contact with some guys in the area who do a real good job of locating older model Porsches in this area.

As for what to look for, that's a long conversation. A real long one. I'll type up a response later.

[JP Chestnut]

964 Turbo 3.6 for me. Go slant nose if you want something really special.

[s14roller]

Take a look at rennlist

[Ristretto]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

964 Turbo 3.6 for me. Go slant nose if you want something really special.

Good choice, personally own one and in Bad Boys combination "Black over Black" very rare car around 1,407 produced world wide.

[427shark]

Originally Posted by Ristretto

Good choice, personally own one and in Bad Boys combination "Black over Black" very rare car around 1,407 produced world wide.

Love that porsche !! .... Also caught a glimpse of that 68-69 bb hood

[Ristretto]

^ Yes 69 C3 Stingray L68 and your correct.

[HL65]

Mohammed--Love your 964!! A true beast and classic Porsche! As you know there is nothing like an air cooled turbo! Cheers,

[Ristretto]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Mohammed--Love your 964!! A true beast and classic Porsche! As you know there is nothing like an air cooled turbo! Cheers,

Sure and one of the reasons,




................................

I hardly see any Turbo 3.6 these days and I honestly see more Bugatti Veyron's, latest German Supersedan's, latest Porsche's including Carrera GT. The last time that I saw a Turbo 3.6 other than mine and a friends car on public roads is 5 years ago. I am currently in Monaco and South of France for the past 2 weeks and I've seen the latest cars and no Turbo 3.6. I saw a GT3RS 4.0 but its not something that interests me as I am very connected to the Countach, Testarossa and the Whale tail porsche era.

[GoldenBear]

Why wouldn't you drive it daily? I live in the City and don't get to drive mine 911 enough...

[psv]

1) DC commuter traffic is one of the worst in the country.

2) I don't need to drive on a daily basis, and when I do it is more for shuffling 4-6 kids to travel soccer etc

The Porsche will be mine. Take it out on the parkways, take my wife for a bit to eat in Annapolis or Middleburg etc. Just to enjoy, always wanted one but generally I was always to practical minded. Or midlife crisis. Take your pick.

Don't need a monster, rathering something genuine, classic. Park it in the garage and enjoy when I get a chance.

[Ristretto]

Never been to DC, but a relative of mine used to study in North Virginia and would often go to DC and says its dreadful.

Have a look at the early 73 911 S its a nice classic, for a modern route go for a 964.

[NutNut]

Take a look at the 993 in all variants. My preference would be the TT (just like my watch) in white with Ruf wheels. 6speedonline and Rennlist are great resources. Good luck!

[Ristretto]

Forums.pelican parts is a great place to check

[descartes]

993 C2S

Check out www.rennlist.com for all things Porsche

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by psv

1) DC commuter traffic is one of the worst in the country.

2) I don't need to drive on a daily basis, and when I do it is more for shuffling 4-6 kids to travel soccer etc

The Porsche will be mine. Take it out on the parkways, take my wife for a bit to eat in Annapolis or Middleburg etc. Just to enjoy, always wanted one but generally I was always to practical minded. Or midlife crisis. Take your pick.

Don't need a monster, rathering something genuine, classic. Park it in the garage and enjoy when I get a chance.

Check out an RS America. They're very sporty but nothing too crazy.
http://www.rsamerica.net/

[77T]

Patrick
Some things to consider from personal experience.

The rag tops of the '70s and '80s were a bit fiddly - so if you go convertible make sure you're getting a low mileage, garaged and non-smoking driver with original top. Aftermarket replacement tops leaked terribly. Non-smoking because the fabric will always revert to smelly smokey otherwise.

Targa's are definitely fun but all leaked eventually - and leaked a lot if it was left outside for long in the rain.

By late '80s-'90s these issues were all but eliminated - but the 964 series starting in 1989 and subsequent 993s and 996s began the period of softening the brand into middle-aged commuter cars (sorry, just keeping it real).

So '78-'84 is my personal sweet spot - and where you might find an imperfect one ready for a minor rehab. Saying that since you prolly don't want to drop $75K on a resto garage queen in concours condition.

I would look for a 1984-89 Carrera and the 217hp 3.2 engine but the 78-83 SC and the 180hp 3.0 SC engine is great, too. But the older ones had chain tensioner issues that robbed 10% or more of your power as they lost timing accuracy - and sometimes failed unexpectedly due to oiling issues. The later 3.2's used pressure-fed tensioners to protect against disastrous chain tensioner failures and held up better.

Also, the 3.0 engines had cylinder-head stud problems same as the earlier 2.7 engines in the mid '70s. The 3.2 engines get uneven valve-guide wear, spun rod bearings and rod bolts that can break if the engine is revved beyond 6800 rpm.

I know these things from my own errors - so just passing it along. I had a '78 SC and a '84 Carrera back in the day. Lots of time and money spent there

These issues require an overhaul to repair, so have a certified Porsche Tech go through any candidates to weed out serious problems. Or buy a blown-engine car and do a transplant using a newer 3.6 engine from a 964 or 993. Nothing wrong with a franken-porsche, eh?

Hope that helps a bit...

[scarhead]

I'm so glad the OP posted this because I was going to put up a similar one about purchasing a Porsche.

[harpua63]

http://911secrets.com/

[427shark]

Originally Posted by Ristretto

^ Yes 69 C3 Stingray L68 and your correct.

Sweet! My father has an L89 in same color except its a 68 so it's called rally red. . . Nothing like a BB stingray, feels like your riding an engine

[lhanddds]

87 to 89 are nice, they have a significant improvement in the clutch over the 1986. 90 to 92 have clutch flywheel problems and not as good looking, in my opinion over the 87-89 or the 95 to 97 model 993s (last of the great air-cooled). My first was a 82 Targa, which I loved for the rear glass but a lot of wind noise and really not very powerful. Have fun, you are going to love them.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

87 to 89 are nice, they have a significant improvement in the clutch over the 1986. 90 to 92 have clutch flywheel problems and not as good looking, in my opinion over the 87-89 or the 95 to 97 model 993s (last of the great air-cooled). My first was a 82 Targa, which I loved for the rear glass but a lot of wind noise and really not very powerful. Have fun, you are going to love them.

Owned a '82 Targa as well . . . never again !

As you mentioned once driving 65 mph or more . . . too much wind noise . .

HAGOne

[psv]

Thanks for all the inputs, lads. I have a lot of research to do. Cheers!

[lhanddds]

Patrick, I've owned 4 different 911 variants (82,89,95,99) and other models. If I can help let me know.