Looking at a 1988 911 coupe and a 1983 SC coupe. 88 is in nice shape with just under 100,000 miles 3 owners and lots of documentation. 83 low miles just under 60,000 miles (concerns me a little) in very good shape also comes with a fair bit of documentation 2 previous owners and recent paint job in the last four years. Looking to make this first Porsche my daily driver to work, also like to try a track day couple times a season. I'd appreciate your thoughts oh by the way I live in Ottawa Ontario region so it will be stored for 5-6 months a year. But I figure I'll have the feeling of a new Toy every spring.

 

I'd recommend the '88, but I'm biased.
The motronic fuel injection on Carreras is much easier to live with than the CIS on SCs. 100,000 is relatively low mileage for these motors.

 

I'd go with grambo's suggestion and add that the '88 has the G50 transmission which, saying it is a big improvement over the 915, it's an understatement.

 

id go with the newer one, i dd my 87 for a few years, rain, sleet, snow, sunny days. i had 224k on it when i sold it and the only things that had been done were wheel bearings, brakes, oil ect. normal wear and tear. i deff regret selling the car but i was too young to afford the growing repair bills for the more expensive wear and tear items that were needing replacement.

 

I enjoyed my 79 SC for 324k miles. rebuilt the top end at about 160k, and kept up all regular service. whatever you end up doing, keep up regular work or you will be sorry down the line. the other posts are right about the newer trans and injection in the carerra 88, but I'm still partial to the SC's. the 3.0 and 3.2 were the best Porsche has put out, in many folks humble opinions. and I still like the looks of the SC's. I'd personally go for the lower mileage 83 SC, I believe the last year the SC was produced. Either way you will have a great daily driver, rain or shine. don't drive them in snow without special MS tires, summer tires are too wide for snow country. And drive it during the winter, long sits are not good for these cars. consider a trickle charger on the battery, and for sure start it every week or two and let the engine get semi-warmed up. the air-cooled cars like to have the throttle rapped, as the rpm jump pushes the oil around. oh, if you dont drive the car, then for sure put on a new fan belt in the spring each year. hope this helps....

 

I couldn't wait for spring to enjoy my '82 SC. There are several opinions out there about winter storage, but i did keep mine on a charge, started it up regularly ( loved to do that to keep up the enthusiasm on those cold snowy winter days...)
I enjoyed the raw flavour of these cars. As far as choice is concerned, I think either would be great daily drivers as mine was. However, I would agree with others that the G50 trans would probably be a better choice for daily driver for smoother shifting enjoyment as opposed to the 915 trans in the SC series. That being said, the 915 kept it "my" car, as wifey didn't care to endure the 915 after a few outings... More ME time!