Summer Car

[Werksmini]

Well currently I have the mk2 jetta that was in the members rides sections, but to tell you the truth its driving me nuts with the rediclious ammounts of vw related problems (based on the fact that VW's suck). I dont have the will to put so much money into a car with a rather poor body and so many problems. I cold spend 10 k more and it would still not be how I want it. I know thats like that with any car but I dont think this is the car to do it on. Moving on.

Im going to boston univeristy next fall so I wont have to drive a car in the winter for like the next 4 years. im thinking of selling my mk2 and buying a car for under 20k for some summer fun. Im looking for some ideas. Im thinking late 70's 80's 911 or something to that effect. Something like this Lemme have it.

Also what are some good readings to get to know these older porsches?

[KenC]

The SC Porsche engine (the 3.0) from 78-83 is bullet-proof. You should be able to find a nice condition 82 Targa for about $14-15k. Aside from the cabrio which came out in 83, the targa is definitely the most desirable. Make sure and do your homework and research them as porsche parts aren't cheap. (And remember the car takes 12 quarts of oil, so changes aren't cheap haha).
But all in all, I'd love to own an SC one day. Definitely my favorite body of the 911... my dad had an SC targa in Guards Red when I was about 7.

[golde30]

oh man, that is a nice porsche. if u can afford to maintain it, then DO IT! :shock:

[Rob]

if u can afford to maintain it, then DO IT!

thats a huge if for anyone in college.

[golde30]

if u can afford to maintain it, then DO IT!

thats a huge if for anyone in college.

i dont even know any1 in college who has $20K to spend on a used car either....so im assuming this guy is loaded. hehe

[clavinZERO]

I say go for it. Any of those Porsches from that era and on are just sex on wheels, an almost timeless design. If you can afford the maintenence, you might as well be a baller and go for it.

[Avus E30]

an absulutely gorgeous car. I love that era 911.

[Werksmini]

Im looking at two in chicago. http://www.midwestperformancecars.co....asp?adid=2236

Realistically how much is maintence going to cost if its only driven in the summers? Thats like Early June to Late August, 4 months maybe a bit more out of the year. If its in good condition, perhaps a rebuild, up to date maintence maybe one big project a year. Maybe I have no idea what im getting my self into.

Whats a good place to get some info? I dont have the time to forum ghost for like a month or two. A book perhaps?

Can you say sex? gARoR

[Marvin_Hecht]

Yep - I too want one of those classic 911's. I researched them quite a bit
and looked at some cars before coming to the conclusion that I couldn't maintain or fix up an old SC - I need to wait until I have more money.
At this point I am waiting till I can afford an '89 or if I get rich a '99 (see
below for my rationale)

I really, really wanted to get a 911. Badly. For like < 10k.
I looked very hard trying to find a "beater" SC and I found cars for sale
at different price points between 6-12k and the problem is that "all Porsche's cost 20k" you pay either upfront or later. The cheaper ones need engine rebuilds or something costly like new paint job, and you are best off buying one in very good condition-- too many people have sunk tens of thousands into old SDs with not good results. A good engine rebuild alone costs like 10k. If you buy a beater you will inevitablly sink too much money into it, then regret it - someone even wrote a book about this!

A rough buying guide goees like this:

64-78 early porsche 911s, longer nose, avoid the ones in the 70s, cheap,
dont get this unless you are really into restoration work

79-83 SC's solid cars, some good deals, be super picky and dont fall into
the trap of thinking it will be worth restoring one when it may not be
(kind of equivalent to those new to bimmers who think they should start with an 85 eta- solid cars but be careful you have a lot to build up from)

84-86 progressively better - eg in 84 the rear seats got shoulder belts.

87-89 - best of the classic 911's - they go for a premium (up to about 20k)
and they have super smooth G50 shifters, most power, etc - get one of these if you can

90-94 "964" 911's - not as many people like them, big in Brittain

95-99 "993" 911's - go for like 20k-40k - the last of the air cooled,
classic but also modern shape with headlights still pointing straight
not all receded

00-04 "996' 911s - seen as mass produced GT luxury cars- isolated
from the road a lot -- fried egg headlights were same as on boxters

05 "997" 911s - latest iteration , return of the 993-style headlights

checkout forums.rennlist.com -> I even joined- great guys. they have
separate forums for the different body styles (eg the 911 forum
is just for early 911's, the 964 forum covers 964 911's etc.

Excellence magazine also has good articles and buying guides.

It took me about 48 hours of obsessive reading and hanging out
in bookstores to get to know the different body styles and pros and
cons for each year.

When you find a car you like, post at Rennlist (you dont have to
be a member and get people's comments -the people there really
like to do this, eg.

classic 911 forum thread

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=211713

eg 993 body style here

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=209769

oh - and in addition to the body styles each come in 3 top configurations:
1) coupe (sometimes without sunroof)
2) targa (kind of a cross between a hardtop and a convertible--but the
lid tends to leak)
3) cabriolet (full convertible)
-most enthusiasts like coupes best as they are better for autox and racing (less flex) and less likely to leak or get rain damage. Targas are actually liked the least since they can leak and change the classical body line
look to a slightly less desirable form (ie when you see the rear part all in glass- and the black lid going between there and the raked windshield- that's a targa).

[Werksmini]

I had a subscription to excellence for a year but it seemed like one giant add with a few articles scattered in there a little.

I just bought to buyers guides on amazon so the research starts. I have had two shitty mis-buys in cars, altought the vw wasnt as bad, and I dont intend to do it again. All the way or not at all this time. These body styles seem so classic and amazing looking "From the box" maybe I wont get the urge to mod. maybe the price tag on modding will help too.

[KenC]

Avoid the early to mid 70s 911s. Porsche still hadn't perfected the FI system in them at this point.

[Rob]

if you have to ask for an estimate on running costs, you need to do some research, as the purchase cost is only a minor part of the Porsche equation. having had a total of 4 porsches in my family and working on all of them, the aren't for anyone who isn't willing to spend a good deal on keeping it running. Nothing is inexpensive on 911s, even the SCs. Its a great first 911, but not a good first sports car at all. I restored a 72 for almost a year and drove it until I was 18. If my dad wasn't paying the bills, it never would have been able to stay on the road.

Another thing, 911s generally arent that fast; probably on par with a strong 325 or e36 328. Plus the handling characteristics are drastically different than any conventionally layout, and will seriously bite you in the ass if you dont give it due respect.

[Werksmini]

Alright cool, im willing to look around. What else is in the 15,000ish range. Older german sports car. I guess an m3. That would be tits. But for 15,000 are you getting a top notch car?

My only other option would be a volvo wagon. I love me some wagons.

[DEV0 E30]

Alright cool, im willing to look around. What else is in the 15,000ish range. Older german sports car. I guess an m3. That would be tits. But for 15,000 are you getting a top notch car?

My only other option would be a volvo wagon. I love me some wagons.

Buy two nice E30s and go to town ordering parts for them.

Or something else.

[ColdAccord]

with 15k, I would but either a turbo porsche 928 (I love the 951 bumper on there) or an e30 m3. is300s are in that price range too, and are a blast to drive, but not as unique as the cars I just mentioned