looking to add a 911 to the family, thinking the 911SC targa or convertible Options

[rgolia]

I know very little about the 911, but it seems the SC model years (1978-1985?) are the least expensive at this time. I know the the faithful here has plenty of experience with these cars so looking for some expert advice. Budget is in the 35k range.

A big plus will be the wife can drive it and stay out of my 914. You got it, fight broke out while doing a nice Sunday drive through the country, I was going to fast. I was doing around 50 in a 45 and a honda accord was on my bumper - still I was going to fast.

[ValcoOscar]

I know very little about the 911, but it seems the SC model years (1978-1985?) are the least expensive at this time. I know the the faithful here has plenty of experience with these cars so looking for some expert advice. Budget is in the 35k range.

A big plus will be the wife can drive it and stay out of my 914. You got it, fight broke out while doing a nice Sunday drive through the country, I was going to fast. I was doing around 50 in a 45 and a honda accord was on my bumper - still I was going to fast.

I have a great lead on a 87 Targa, triple black.

Awesome condition.

PM me

Oscar

[My 914]

I don't know much about the SC but I do know about going too fast with the wife in the car. Once you get tagged for that offence, you're always under suspicion. Its funny how well wives can see the speedometer even from the extreme right side of the car.

[914-300Hemi]

I would suggest that you test drive a couple of 911’s from different years before buying one.

[BeatNavy]

I know very little about the 911, but it seems the SC model years (1978-1985?) are the least expensive at this time. I know the the faithful here has plenty of experience with these cars so looking for some expert advice. Budget is in the 35k range.

A big plus will be the wife can drive it and stay out of my 914. You got it, fight broke out while doing a nice Sunday drive through the country, I was going to fast. I was doing around 50 in a 45 and a honda accord was on my bumper - still I was going to fast.

Blame it on Foley for giving you that sweet rebuilt engine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm actually (kind of) in the market for the same thing, Ralph. Once I have the space I need to store it, which will hopefully be soon.

[Shadowfax]

SCs are great cars. Heck, I think all 911s are great cars. You may want to check out the Panorama magazine classifieds or at pca.org. The “mid-year” models from 74-77 aren’t too bad as far as price and seem to be getting appreciated again.

Also, with your budget you could find a nice Carrera. I love my ‘84 coupe.

If you do get an SC there are some upgrades you can do such as the Carrera chain tensioners that will help prolong the life of the motor. Also need to look out for broken head studs. Lots more info on the Pelican forum too.

Good luck with your search!

[IronHillRestorations]

For $35 you should be able to get a 964 cab. The 964 is a much better car than an SC in many ways. Just my .02

[Mueller]

For $35 you should be able to get a 964 cab. The 964 is a much better car than an SC in many ways. Just my .02

Loved my 964..however if I get another 911 it might be a 996 since those are so much more affordable (and I like them)

[Ferg]

Lots of opinions, no surprise.

First make sure you drive a coupe and a targa. More different in road feel than one would expect.

For me given a 35k budget, I'd be looking at a 84-86 3.2 Carrera. I prefer the 3.2 to the 3.0 and I think the whole hype of g50 gearbox of the 87-89's has made the 84-86's a bit of a bargin.

[ThreeV8s]

Yep, I agree. The SC was built from ‘78-83. They switched to the Carrera (3.2) in ‘84 and built them thru ‘89. They switched from the 915 to the G50 for ‘87. My father has an ‘86 sunroof coupe. In my opinion, the ‘78-‘86 model years are the current sweet spot in the air-cooled realm and you can probably get the most bang for the buck in a targa. The G50 drives up the price of admission. Some people love it and others prefer the 915. I happened to drive both the 914 and the 911 back to back last night for long rides. I love my 914, but there is no price we’d sell the 911 for. Like the 914, they’re not for everyone, but that’s part of what makes them special.

There are plenty of people who know more about these cars than I do, but I’d be happy to give feedback from the perspective of a 914 owner with occasional seat time in a 911 for the past 25 years. Shoot me a pm and we can connect if you’d like.

[IronHillRestorations]

For $35 you should be able to get a 964 cab. The 964 is a much better car than an SC in many ways. Just my .02

Loved my 964..however if I get another 911 it might be a 996 since those are so much more affordable (and I like them)

996 is a good choice if you don't care about depreciation. Air cooled cars will continue to appreciate.

The 964 has a better engine, better HVAC, and better suspension compared to an SC or the next version, but the 996 probably even better creature comforts. You just want to get a later '91 or one that's had the cyl mod.

The problem with the 996's is the plastic pieces in the interior get gummy and don't hold up as well as the older cars.

[TravisNeff]

Just do it..

Watch for speedo changes in the 80-*83 models. The us spec cars came with an 85mph speedo. I see a ton of these now with 160mph speedo and the sellers state the mileage is accurate. Other than that I would buy the best car that your money takes you instead of honing in on a specific year (middies to carerra)

I personally like the earlier 78-79 cars with the tombstone sport seats and polished trim instead of black. I have an 82

[mepstein]

A SWB car. 65-68. It’s a real Porsche. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Racer]

SC cab is a one year only model (1983).. Otherwise you are looking for a 3.2 Carrera Cab.
Definitely need to get out and test drive samples of each.. Given their age, there can be a huge variation in how one drives compared to the next.

Depending on how you plan to use it, often times, the newest version is the nicest version. If you need the spouse to be comfy, a 964 or 996 would be a better choice.

not sure when seat heaters came into play for the cab.. certainly on a 996.. not sure about 993.. don't think te 964 had them. Living in a cooler northern climate, no point having the top down if you can't stay warm!

[flyer86d]

Here is my take. I have and have had a 1973 911, a 68 911 (which I am restoring presently), a1983 911SC Targa, and a 1980 911SC hotrod. The 73 has always been my favorite as it falls right into my hands and feels the most like a natural extension of myself. The 83 was the one that I drove the most. Hell it is the Porsche I drove the most as it was my year round commuter for five years. I could never love it though even though it was one of the most reliable and dependable cars I have owned. The 80 was primarily a track car but it showed my what could be done by swapping in parts from other models. It had Turbo brakes and torsion bars and 325 horsepower. A fairly light 911 with that kind of horsepower is a hoot. I’ll report later on the 68 when I finish it.

As a daily driver in good weather, I prefer my Boxster. It drives and rides very well, has excellent heat and A/C, and is fun both on a long trip or around town. Go figure.

Charlie

[ChrisFoley]

My dad is helping a woman in upstate NY sell her deceased husband's Carrera Cabrio.
I think the asking price is more like $40K. Currently advertised on PCA online classifieds.

[bdstone914]

For $35 you should be able to get a 964 cab. The 964 is a much better car than an SC in many ways. Just my .02

I have $35 and want to buy all the 964 's that I can for that price. Sign me up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[mepstein]

For $35 you should be able to get a 964 cab. The 964 is a much better car than an SC in many ways. Just my .02

I have $35 and want to buy all the 964 's that I can for that price. Sign me up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

Yea, that was a couple years ago price. We just got one for $10K but it's pretty rough.

[thelogo]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif)

Im seeing lots of 993 s for sale in that price range


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d...6691592117.html (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

My wife's 82 SC coupe is amazing. Very solid, feels all of one piece. Like it was carved out of a billet. Writes you long detailed love letters about what is going on at the contact patches. Makes gorgeous noises.

It will bite you if you get careless; trailing-throttle oversteer is no myth! It also doesn't like to change directions like the 914 does. Has good torque, decent power. Gets 20 MPG. HVAC is primitive, but I upgraded the AC using a Kuehl Air kit (modern compressor, extra condensors, new lines and evaporator) and it works pretty decently.

The 74-77 911s use the 2.7 liter engine which is fairly unloved. The 78-83 SC uses the 3.0 motor which is widely reputed to be bulletproof. It's not quite, but the bottom end can certainly last a half-million miles if cared for. The 84-89 Carrera used a 3.2 motor with Motronic engine management and taller gearing. Fuel economy is noticeably better than the SC; acceleration isn't much better.

In 89 they introduced the 964 platform with the 3.6 twin-plug motor, coil-spring suspension, and more. The 89 cars were either the last of the 3.2s, or 964-platform Carrera 4 cars with AWD. The Carrera 2 RWD 964 cars came with the 1990 model year.

They're all good cars. The 996 is probably the best buy in the 911 range right now, but as mentioned they are probably still depreciating. And they're water-cooled, losing some of the older cars' character.

I have also heard several assertions that the 996 Turbo is the best bang-for-the-buck in the 911 series. The arguments are a bit compelling...

--DD