Whats the cheapest reputable porsche you can buy?

[Kruzen]

So i've been thinking about buying another car lately and was curious what the cheapest porsche that still has reputation of being a 'good' porsche (unlike the 944 and such that people laugh at).

It'd be fun to own a porsche :) So I guess what price range on the low end am I looking at.

[TwoJ's]

So you want a porsche for the sake of having a porsche?

[JasonC]

Why don't people like 944's?

[KenC]

914 ;)... you can fix it with Vdub parts

[Kruzen]

Why don't people like 944's?

Thats what i'm wondering too but no one can ever come up with a legitamate answer.

And yes I want a porsche for the sake of having a porsche, fun.

[KenC]

Get an early 70s 911. just throw it away when it dies lol

[Kruzen]

914 ;)... you can fix it with Vdub parts

Haha

[Kruzen]

Get an early 70s 911. just throw it away when it dies lol

I found an '87 911 with no motor/tranny for only 6000$ :p

[JasonC]

Or you could get a 912, the eta of 911's

[KenC]

Or you could get a 912, the eta of 911's

yeah, but they only made them in the 60s and they're all rust buckets... all that aren't $10k+ that is.

[rede30]

i know of a 912 that isnt a rust bucket if you are interested. If i was to get into that community i would only rock a 911/912.

[Kruzen]

i know of a 912 that isnt a rust bucket if you are interested. If i was to get into that community i would only rock a 911/912.

Sure, send me some info

edit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-...ayphotohosting

oh god these are hot. what kind of HP do they throw down

[backtrail69]

I drove one at work (912)...they are dogs. I also drove a early 70s 911 targa. You will be happier with your 325i...

[Jon325i]

If it is a Porsche you want and you desire to keep it cheap (both buying and maintaining) get an early 924 (produced from 1977 to 1982 for US market). I've had three in all, two '79 models and a '77. For all years it was available, the only naturally aspirated engine available was a 2.0L 8-valve four banger that made something like 100bhp. These motors utilized Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (mechanical) which did not allow for much tuning potential but very, very durable and reliable if correctly set up (I never experienced a problem). I know the HP figure is not much to write home about but at least these early cars were relatively light (under 2500 IIRC) and a 52/48 weight distribution as well as very low C/G. You won't win any drag races with it, but at speed through the bends it is respectable - even in relatively stock form. Some quick facts...

1) 1977 & 1978 model came with 4 speed manuals and offered a slushbox too

2) 1979 and early 1980 had 5 speed manuals which had the dogleg pattern (first gear being where you 'normally' find second). This was a somewhat problematic gearbox. Weak sychros saw many making a lot of noise or just breaking altogether. A slushbox was also available.

3) from late 1980 through 1982 a revised 5 speed with a traditional H shift pattern was used and it was much better in every respect. Auto trannys were still available I believe.

Brakes: antiquated and weaksauce set up. Solid discs up front and drums in the rear. From 1980 on there was a 'sport' upgrade available which gave discs all around (vented up front, not sure if vented or solid in back) plus Porsches' famous 5-lug pattern which allowed various 15x7 and 16x7 early factory alloys to be mounted....including Fuchs. I've never seen this upgrade on the 100bhp wunder car, but I have seen it on the turbo model.

The 924 Turbo (aka the 931). This car has much more respectable power and performance.....roughly 150bhp in US cars....even more with euro market parts, but this was a very rare car (far fewer in numbers than the E30 M3) and finding parts are a bitch and expensive. Unless you're seeking a money pit, avoid this one.

An alternative P-car would be a 914 which definately has a more cult-like following. It is a catch-22 car of sorts. Can be cheap to buy and some parts can be very afordable (VW derived) but others can be not so cheap as well. It all depends on what is being addressed. Nice thing about the 914 is a simply HUGE aftermarket for them (unlike the red-headed stepchild early 924). What you have to be wary of with the 914 is that most of them (up to around 1974 or 1975) lacked the corrosion coating process that was later employed in Porsches' manufacturing. What this means is rust can be a problem with these cars - particularly the battery tray issue inside the engine compartment. Rust in the rocker panels is a well documented problem and if you don't do your homework ahead of time, you will find yourself with a costly fix on your hands.

The early 944 (and '87/'88 model 924S) is a better car in many respects. Both share the same drivetrain - 2.5L single cam four bangers, 5 speeds with standard H-pattern, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. The one headache of these cars is the timing belt and water pump issue. Both well documented and neither can be cheap to replace. The 944s are seeing a bit of a comeback thanks to the 944-spec series through NASA racing so there's a modest level of aftermarket and maintanence support for these cars. Learn how to work on them and save some $$$.

Jon

[Kruzen]

If it is a Porsche you want and you desire to keep it cheap (both buying and maintaining) get an early 924 (produced from 1977 to 1982 for US market). I've had three in all, two '79 models and a '77. For all years it was available, the only naturally aspirated engine available was a 2.0L 8-valve four banger that made something like 100bhp. These motors utilized Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (mechanical) which did not allow for much tuning potential but very, very durable and reliable if correctly set up (I never experienced a problem). I know the HP figure is not much to write home about but at least these early cars were relatively light (under 2500 IIRC) and a 52/48 weight distribution as well as very low C/G. You won't win any drag races with it, but at speed through the bends it is respectable - even in relatively stock form. Some quick facts...

1) 1977 & 1978 model came with 4 speed manuals and offered a slushbox too

2) 1979 and early 1980 had 5 speed manuals which had the dogleg pattern (first gear being where you 'normally' find second). This was a somewhat problematic gearbox. Weak sychros saw many making a lot of noise or just breaking altogether. A slushbox was also available.

3) from late 1980 through 1982 a revised 5 speed with a traditional H shift pattern was used and it was much better in every respect. Auto trannys were still available I believe.

Brakes: antiquated and weaksauce set up. Solid discs up front and drums in the rear. From 1980 on there was a 'sport' upgrade available which gave discs all around (vented up front, not sure if vented or solid in back) plus Porsches' famous 5-lug pattern which allowed various 15x7 and 16x7 early factory alloys to be mounted....including Fuchs. I've never seen this upgrade on the 100bhp wunder car, but I have seen it on the turbo model.

The 924 Turbo (aka the 931). This car has much more respectable power and performance.....roughly 150bhp in US cars....even more with euro market parts, but this was a very rare car (far fewer in numbers than the E30 M3) and finding parts are a bitch and expensive. Unless you're seeking a money pit, avoid this one.

An alternative P-car would be a 914 which definately has a more cult-like following. It is a catch-22 car of sorts. Can be cheap to buy and some parts can be very afordable (VW derived) but others can be not so cheap as well. It all depends on what is being addressed. Nice thing about the 914 is a simply HUGE aftermarket for them (unlike the red-headed stepchild early 924). What you have to be wary of with the 914 is that most of them (up to around 1974 or 1975) lacked the corrosion coating process that was later employed in Porsches' manufacturing. What this means is rust can be a problem with these cars - particularly the battery tray issue inside the engine compartment. Rust in the rocker panels is a well documented problem and if you don't do your homework ahead of time, you will find yourself with a costly fix on your hands.

The early 944 (and '87/'88 model 924S) is a better car in many respects. Both share the same drivetrain - 2.5L single cam four bangers, 5 speeds with standard H-pattern, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. The one headache of these cars is the timing belt and water pump issue. Both well documented and neither can be cheap to replace. The 944s are seeing a bit of a comeback thanks to the 944-spec series through NASA racing so there's a modest level of aftermarket and maintanence support for these cars. Learn how to work on them and save some $$$.

Jon

Awesome post, very informative, thanks!