Is an older Porsche 911 really "all that"?

They are terrific cars! Very fun to drive, decent performance, classic & recognizable without being showy, lots of parts and support. They are a bit quirky, and that helps to make them their own experience, but less so than earlier Porsches. A targa or cab will be fun, but expect some leaks and squeaks as part of the experience if you must get one. They hold their value well, in fact that vintage is probably on the upswing right now. Well maintained examples will run for a long time. As usual get someone knowledgeable to do a PPI as repairs are not cheap, but a good example shouldn't require more than regular maintenance.

 

Honestly, buying a non-turbo Porsche is a waste of your time.....too damn slow compared to even econoboxes of today. And yes, you can get '86-'89 turbos in targa or full cabriolet.....lot of fun to drive.......

 

You can only go wrong with the Porsche in your own mind.
There is a reason it wins so many races...'winningest' iirc. Great car.

 

I have a 1985 DP 935 cabriolet normally aspirated car and I love it. The car is certainly not a rocket ship, but it is quick enough for most of my needs. My kids love the car. They are constantly asking to go for rides in it. It is much more to their liking than the Fcar. When I want all out performance, I take the Ferrari. However, I have to say that I enjoy driving the Porsche much more than I thought I would.

The problem with the older turbos is that they have terrible turbo lag and the turbos don't kick in until the higher rev range. When they do kick in it is like going into warp drive. For driving around town, I think the normally aspirated cars are just fine. Depends on what you want. There are a couple of very nice DP 935 turbos coupes for sale. Feel free to let me know if you are interested. These cars are rare and hold value very well.


JMVHO
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The best 911 years are from 1995-1997 aka 993. Best in value and styling across the board. +1 on the Turbos.. Non-turbos are waste of time...

 

Yes, they are all that. I'm an owner of a 360 who also owners an "older" Porsche cab and two non M BMW's.

They are quirky, have their own 'older porsche' smell of leather and fuel, and definitely have a personality. Fun to drive since you do have to put a bit more work into driving vs. a modern car. I installed SS headers and a permatune ignition so it sounds a lot faster than she really goes. She is far more reliable than the rest of the brood and way less inexpensive to maintain by a loooooooooong shot and nothing to insure (make sure to get Hagerty's agreed upon value policy).

I've owned a turbo from the same era previous- no thanks....always in the shop with oil leaks galore. I ended up buying the identical car again 10 years later, non-turbo.

It's a keeper. But then again, I am a fan of oddball, quirky and not very common car.

p.s. you can avoid the leaks and creaks with the cabrio by developing a relationship with a local upholsterer who recovers cabs. An annual once over and adjustment is all you need for a drip free rainy drive.

 

I'd agree on the type 993, having had a '96 cab. I wouldn't exclude the normally aspirated cars. Output was about 282, IIRC, so good enough on public roads and given the engine hung out in back -- and no traction control -- ample possibility for dramatic oversteer if you're not extremely dialed in to the car.

Yes, the air-cooled flat six is its own experience. Probably the best to get are the 87-89 (revised gearbox) and 95-98. Stay away from the Tiptronic.

If a great '72-'73 Targa came up in the right colors, that would be my next 911 (pre-smog, pre-5mph bumpers, etc.)

 

I do not mean to hijack the thread but for those of you who have had one: I am thinking of a 2002-2003 Turbo prices are not bad, but I hear that all the work on them is 2-3x because it says Turbo. Input?

 

yes they are all that! i have owned a bunch of masers, porsches, bimmers, alfas, ferraris...u name it. if you are interested in seeing for yourself if porsches are all that, you are welcome to come up to lake norman to ride in or drive mine. not sure what ferrari u drive but i suppose it does not matter...bring a change of underwear as my 500 hp 930 is a bit of a bully!!!!!

p.m. me if interested...always love to help convert folks to porsche!!!!

best

pcb

 

Does anybody have any experience with supercharged 911s. I rode in a 88 and it was very nice. No turbo lag and a healthy increase in torque down low. Seemed as fast as a turbo. I am not sure what the cost is, but the guy who owned the car said it was cheaper than getting a turbo.

 

Early 80's 911 SC's are considered by some to be THE vintage 911 to own. Worth a look and VERY affordable.

 

I have had numerous 911 models, all the way back to my second car in life - a brand new 1969 911T Targa.

Here is my version of the reality:

The really early cars (by this I mean carburetors & non-electronic ignition) are just too much trouble to keep running. (Unless you modify them to the point you cannot recognize it any more). OR, unless you want a special show car garage queen. They are also mucho expensive to find a nice one that is not rusted away.

The very best of the skinny tire cars were IMHO the unique 1972 (oil filler door) up to the 1976 - anything up to the 911SC in fact. These do leak oil, have issues, etc. but they can run in normal traffic and do offer the real experience. I had the 1972 and later the first of numerous 1975 models.

I did not like the very first Turbo cars (the 75/76 ones with the 4speeds). I changed my order for one and got a 1975 911S Targa instead after I drove the first demonstrator. It may be of interest to know that the ordinary 993 non-turbo can accelerate faster and has a higher top speed than the original Turbo.

I did not like the 911SC cars because of the steering (non-power, big tires) and handling feel. This is the truth - I ordered one in 1982 and it came in damaged in shipment and had to be scrapped. The replacement re-order came in and I only kept it for two months. I traded it back in for my 1975 911S Targa (at a moderate loss of money) because I just did not ever seem to adjust to this car.

I now drive a 993 Targa 1996 for daily and can honestly tell you that it is the best Porsche I have ever owned. We did consider a RUF Turbo cab (earlier model slant nose), but it just seemed like the right time for a Ferrari - a Testarossa for about the same money.
Again, I have driven the water cooled cars, and can't get my attitude right about them.

My (biased) opinion is that a higher mileage non-turbo 993 is the best practical way to go. When my 993 dies of old age and it is time for a new daily driver, I will be in the market for another - maybe turbo, maybe not.

But aircooled for sure.

 

for the most part i agree w/ james san a few exceptions...let me see if i can address a small list...

1. early 911's up to 1976 are pre galvanized and are prone to some rust in the pan area...but similar vintage targas will be rusty in many more areas and for the most part, should be avoided. non-rusty pristine examples are getting very expensive w/ "s" models surpassing 308's in asking price.

2. 74-77 911's can be a problem w/ magnesium engine cases...they expand and contract under hot and cold temp and thus are leakers! it is very costly to rectify the leak problem but not impossible...be aware! the 74-77 2.7 engine is a sweetheart when fixed and revs to the moon and sounds soooooooo good with a bursch exhaust that it will make you blush!!

3. the 78-83 sc is known to possess the long lasting engine w/ many owners going over 300k miles w/ only the standard services...bulletproof!!!! you can see why the flat 6 is the winningest road racing engine in history.

4. early turbos may not be as quick off the line (0-60) as the bigger bore 3.6 993's however the 76 930 will rip off a 13.2 second quarter mile (r&t tested) and a top speed of close to 160 mph. that said, turbo's are often modified these days (w/ a minimum of a k-27 turbocharger) and are very, very fast!!!!!!!!! there are many turbo's on the road w/ well north of 400 hp and i can promise you that a 2600 lb car w/ 500 hp will get your attention!!!!!!

5. last, i am in violent agreement w/ james that the 993 series is the best all around 911 ever built and the last of the breed and indeed...all of that!!!

james, i hope you agree w/ most of my comments...but moreover, glad you and i can make these comments coming from a flat 12 owners perspective!!

best,

pcb

 

I owned a 76 'S'. I believe it had the stud kit installed and was considered 'fixed'. I installed the update chain tensioners, too. It was fine ride. It is interesting to note that it was only making 170 +/- hp, but it was not a 'slug' by any means.

I have lately caught myself thinking of the SC--I still really, really, really (understand?) like those cars!
I am not entirely convinced that a person needs more than 250-300hp in a reasonably small car.

I think I need to drive a 993, though.

 

I want to get a 965 Turbo at some point.

 

What do you guys think of the 93-94 3.6L cars as a fun knock-about car with a real A/C?

I forgot the model designation for these cars. I also understand that the 89-92 cars had issues, but were these problems cleared up by 1993?

Good ones seem to be selling for around $20k or so. Just curious.

Dale

PS Why do some of you knock on the 1995 993 cars versus the 96-99?

 

you are correct in your thinking. the 3.6 liter is strong and now i see you drive what looks like a very nice 328...the 3.6 will pull a fair amount harder.

the interior of the 964 will still leave you cold and in my estimation, is not as swanky as the 993...very basic but that is why we love 911's.

and yes, the a/c actually works ok!

you should contact bob saville (narrowescape) as he is a good p-car guy in charlotte, nc.

 

Despite the variety of "yes" answers, the obvious take-away is that "yes, an older 911 really IS all that".

 

Completely agree, sir - and you filled out a few details that I was missing on. I guess those SC cars WERE pretty good mechanically, but I just really liked the old 7" rims all around that you could actually toss around sideways so easily. But I took one of the 2.7L cars a good 150,000 miles with only the chain tensioners and a late valve job, too.

You really could say these things are like sex or airplanes - the very worst is actually pretty good.

 

964's are the last spot welded 911's IIRC, they are notorious for leaking and a full reseal is beaucoup $$$$.

I never really liked the 964's motor, its power delivery is pretty flat and it never comes on cam like a 993 or most pre 964 911's. They are built like tanks and have probably bottomed out as far as prices go.

They just don't excite most Porschephiles like other 911's and I think it has alot to do with the cars power delivery, its just flat across the rev range and never really comes on IMO.

They do have the sounds and smell that aircooled 911 lovers seek though.

 

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS one of my favorites!!! Soooo BEAUTIFUL! Lucky you!

 

What do you want to do with it? Just cruise? Zip around on and off ramps? Accelerate from a stop? Track days? Sunday driver? Daily driver?

Depending on what you want the car for, you can grow weary of it quickly {in my opinion if you aren't using the cars attributes} or you can have a ball for years on end.