914 or '81 911 SC targa?, First world problems Options

[rjames]

I may have the option to acquire a silver '81 911 SC Targa at no cost. The catch is that if I ever sold it, the $ would go back to the original owner's estate.

Seems like a no brainer, but I only have one garage space and the 914 is in it. The 911 is in good condition and worth about $20k more than the 914, but I'm not sure I will like driving the 911 as much as I do the 914 (despite the 914s shortcomings in comparison).

I could potentially keep both, but that would mean storing one of the cars off site in a storage facility ($100?+ per month) and paying insurance on 2 cars. Money I'd rather not spend. It would also be a huge PITA when I wanted to drive the car that lived in storage. So it doesn't seem very realistic or practical to keep both vehicles, but I'm having hard time with the thought of selling the 914.

Would love to hear from those that chose one model over the other after having owned both.

[Mike Bellis]

I've owned both. Sold the 911 and bought another 914. The 914 is more fun to drive. 911's will only get you more props from the main stream drones.

Your deal to temporarily own a 911 is not a good deal. You will end up putting money into it and then never own or benefit from it. I would not go for it. Plus Targa 911's are the least desirable models.

If you can work out a deal to keep it and own it, then go for it.

[jor]

I've owned both. Sold the 911 and bought another 914. The 914 is more fun to drive. 911's will only get you more props from the main stream drones.

Your deal to temporarily own a 911 is not a good deal. You will end up putting money into it and then never own or benefit from it. I would not go for it. Plus Targa 911's are the least desirable models.

If you can work out a deal to keep it and own it, then go for it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 911s are expensive to run and you won't really own it so you won't benefit from the money you put into repair and maintenance. From an economic perspective, it certainly would be more sound to stay with the car you actually own. From a fun-to-drive perspective -- well, that's really up to you. Have you driven this particular 911?

[My 914]

There is another option you might consider. Keep the 914 but put it in the storage facility for one year. Get the 911 and put it in your garage and drive it for the year and enjoy it. Once in a while, take the 914 out for a spin as well. At the end of the year, make your decision. A year of storage payments and insurance is not a lot for the option of having a 911 around and you'll have no regrets about the decision you make at the end of that time.

[rjames]

There is another option you might consider. Keep the 914 but put it in the storage facility for one year. Get the 911 and put it in your garage and drive it for the year and enjoy it. Once in a while, take the 914 out for a spin as well. At the end of the year, make your decision. A year of storage payments and insurance is not a lot for the option of having a 911 around and you'll have no regrets about the decision you make at the end of that time.

Hadn't considered that....

911s are expensive to run and you won't really own it so you won't benefit from the money you put into repair and maintenance

I should have stated that it's being willed to me. The owner's wife is still alive. The agreement I would make is that if I ever sold it I would give the $ back to her. She is 20 years older than me, so if I kept it long enough, it would be mine outright and if sold I would keep the $.

[Steve]

I would do the storage thing. I also bought a 993 and sold my 914. Four years later I bought the same 914 back and sold the 993. I hated the lift throttle oversteer in the 911. The 993 lift throttle oversteer is not nearly as bad as an SC or early 911. The build quality is nicer and it is more comfortable.

[Mark Henry]

Can you build a shed big enough for a car? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[mepstein]

Simple - use the engine from the targa for a conversion. Keep the 914-(6) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Larmo63]

I would do everything in my power to accept a 'willed' 911 Targa, even if it is an '81.

Get the car, figure out the logistics later.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[theleschyouknow]

Simple - use the engine from the targa for a conversion. Keep the 914-(6) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

beat me to it!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) cjl

[0396]

These opportunities are rare, if you've never owned a 911, I would take ownership. Enjoy it for as long as you wish. If you sell it, give her the money back.

The cost to "store" the 914 is simply that. If you want the opportunity to really " experience" the joys of driving a 911...its going to cost you until you actually decide.
The 911s are not difficult to drive and maintain, from someone that's been there done that.

[Coondog]

Paid back in today's market value or in 10 years market value ?? You should at least have a timeline on when you could purchase the car at today's price, nobody gets a car forever so there should be something in there that protects you when that kid grows up and wants his grandads 911 back and sues you and the estate for it.
And who pays for the 911 major repairs.....?? and is all that deducted from the sale price.

I could come up with 20 more questions on a transaction like this. Hope you do your homework.

[My 914]

Simple - use the engine from the targa for a conversion. Keep the 914-(6) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

beat me to it!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) cjl

Or to take it one step further along these lines, put the 914 into storage as I suggested earlier, drive the 911 for a year and if you end up liking the 911 engine more, then go ahead and build the conversion. Amazing how many options you have!

[flyer86d]

In 1988 I bought a 1983 911SC Targa as a daily driver. I bought it right, it was a little rough but I cleaned it up. I was restoring my 58 coupe at the time, I had the 6, the 73 911 was being repainted and we had the SC track car to use on weekends. The whole intent was to drive the Targa everyday commuting 53 miles each way to work all four seasons of the year. Hell, it was galvanized, ziebarted, had great heat and lousy A/C. It was the Porsche that I drove the most in my 43 years of Porsche ownership putting 90K on it in the 5 years I owned it but I never really loved the car. We drove it at Lime Rock and Pocano DEs when it was too cold to take a car without heat. I drove it in snow storms but we lived in New Jersey at the time not Vermont.

It was by far, the cheapest car that I have ever owned. Other than tires and brake pads, I had to replace the clutch because the throw out bearing failed because the PO had it adjusted wrong. While the engine was out , I installed Carrera chain tensioners and a new oil pressure switch. Later I had to change the alternator. That's it. I sold it for $1,500 less than I paid for it. I do all my own work so my expense was parts.

SCs are perhaps the best that Porsche has made. The engine is bulletproof and the bodies don't rust. As I said, I am not a Targa fan, but they are great, dependable and still simple drivers.

Charlie

[GeorgeRud]

I'm fortunate enough to own both, and they have their attributes. The 914s are certainly more 'go karts' than the 911, and you will feel you're driving a heavier car. As far as being a Targa, I love the ability to still have the open air feel with the top off, and great visibility with it on as well. I don't know if the 911SC will ever become such a great collectable that I'd be unwilling to park it outside if needed, but I'd certainly try to get no keep it. You'll learn to enjoy both cars!

[Cupomeat]

I would do everything in my power to accept a 'willed' 911 Targa, even if it is an '81.

Get the car, figure out the logistics later.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

I agree, get the 911 and savor the experience!

[914-300Hemi]

I'm fortunate enough to own both, and they have their attributes. The 914s are certainly more 'go karts' than the 911, and you will feel you're driving a heavier car. As far as being a Targa, I love the ability to still have the open air feel with the top off, and great visibility with it on as well. I don't know if the 911SC will ever become such a great collectable that I'd be unwilling to park it outside if needed, but I'd certainly try to get no keep it. You'll learn to enjoy both cars!

I agree. The 911 is a different animal than the 914 both are fun and put a smile on your face. I wish I had these dilemmas.

[somd914]

I wasn't keen on 914's until one came my way unexpectedly, and I decided to go for it. I've come to enjoy it quite a bit. The reverse might happen for you.

As for me, I enjoy both my Carrera and 914's. Yes, they are different cars, both have advantages and disadvantages. The 3.2 with a Steve Wong chip and Fabspeed exhaust is intoxicating compared to a Type IV. But yes, even though the Carrera has shed about 200 lbs from stock, it does feel heavy in comparison to the teeners. As for SC's, I find them a bit more sedate in stock configuration, but that can be remidied.

I have not found maintenance to be high (do most of my own work), probably spend more time tweaking odds and ends on the teeners.

In regard to pricing, at least around here targa prices appear to be climbing, but who knows what the future holds in store for any of our cars.

But with that said, I would have reservations about your agreement from a long-term perspective, at least from what I gleaned from this thread. Questions like titling and insurance come to mind. Assume the car is titled to the widow. What happens if she passes away, is it legally clear that you own the car, and if not titled to you, is it subject to probate then? And if you intend on buying her out at some point, an accident which totals the car, or theft, etc. could result in a settlement to the widow and you lose out.

[Michael N]

I sold my 1982 911SC Targa to buy my 914-6. That was the right decision and I do not regret it even after 11 years. Is there any possibility of putting a lift in the garage and keep both?

[Rand]

I may have the option to acquire a silver '81 911 SC Targa at no cost. The catch is that if I ever sold it, the $ would go back to the original owner's estate.

Seems like a no brainer, but I only have one garage space and the 914 is in it. The 911 is in good condition and worth about $20k more than the 914, but I'm not sure I will like driving the 911 as much as I do the 914 (despite the 914s shortcomings in comparison).

I could potentially keep both, but that would mean storing one of the cars off site in a storage facility ($100?+ per month) and paying insurance on 2 cars. Money I'd rather not spend. It would also be a huge PITA when I wanted to drive the car that lived in storage. So it doesn't seem very realistic or practical to keep both vehicles, but I'm having hard time with the thought of selling the 914.

Would love to hear from those that chose one model over the other after having owned both.

BOB! Jump at opportunities, then work out the logistics! Crazy opportunities don't come around every day. Sounds like a no-brainer based on what you've said. But...
As far as knowing what you'll like to drive.... Can you drive the 911 to see? Don't depend on opinions if you have the opportunity first hand.
Figure all that out first. It can't be an A/B choice until then.