Hey guys, im thinking of getting a air cooled porsche, but not sure which ones to even begin to look at. I like the classic look of the 912...and that same design. Does anyone have a recommendation on which models are better then the others...

 

1987 - 1989 911's are a good choice. The engines are bullet proof and they come with the G50 transmission. Many consider them the last of the true 911's.

 

^ +1. I also have an '87 with original paint, factory sports seats, factory limited slip, 8s and 9s color coded Fuchs (my original Fuchs were color coded from the factory so I put the rears in front and got a brand new set of rear ones) and many other things including, what to me is very important in Florida, a complete Griffiths A/C upgrade. Ironically, I find driving it more of an event than my 2006 X51 Carrera S. Make sure to do a very, very thorough PPI and you won't regret getting one; running costs are very affordable and depreciation is nill.

 

Thanks, is there anything specific that i should look for when searching for those years?

 

enjoy.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...immermann.html

 

Here is my post when I got myself a 911 Carrera 3.2 earlier this year.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-yrralis1.html

The 993's have the smoothened appearance much like the 997s. The 964's are more modern cars with power steering, different suspension etc. Running costs on the 993's and 964's are more than the 3.2's which are also very DIY'er friendly.
Carrera 3.2 ('84 through '89) is the best choice in my opinion for a 997 owner. It is a retro feel all the way both in terms of its iconic looks (side impact bumpers, whale tail, bazooka front fenders, red reflectore with PORSCHE lettering) and driving feel with the torsion bar suspension, no ABS, no power steering. Buy one that has a very good service history, preferably low miles, favorable PPI and you will keep it and enjoy it forever. Rennlist, pelican parts and PCA website are the best places to check out as they have some good cars for sale. Try to buy it from a PCA member or member of these forums. Beware the HVAC is usually not that great in these cars but who cares if it is not going to be your primary car. Please do not avoid looking at '84 through '86 year models that have a 915 gearbox with a cable operated clutch. The heavy clutch, notchy gear shifts add that much to the classic feel...something that was missing with the G-50 equipped cars. Don;t get me wrong G-50 gearbox is a great and more modern gearbox. Drive one with a good 915 transmission because often it's been abused (you got to pause for a microsecond in neutral between gear shifts otherwise you will wear out the synchros) and then people just drive these cars with bad 915's and demonize them. Sure the G-50's are more desirable in the market but drive both and you will clearly like one better than the other. View the car as a whole rather then be fixated about the gearbox. Goodluck. The search is half the fun. Take your time and be ready to seek more advice. Get Pete Z's guide.

 

The more research you do, the better. Before I bought my 1987 Carrera 3.2 I read all I could, including the following, which I found to be helpful:
-Porsche Excellence Magazine's Buyer's Guide to the 74-89 911's.
-911 Secrets Revealed (a downloadable book)
-Total 911's Buyer's Guide to the 3.2 911

As well as everything here and on renntech.org. As others have said, look for a clean version with a full maintenance history including for higher mileage cars a top end rebuild.

The 87-88's are easier to drive due to the Getrag G50 transmission, and have fewer valve guide wear issues reported than the SC's. As they were only made for those 2 years, they are more rare than their predecessors, and hold their value very well.

I also own a heavily modified 997S, and I can tell you that the '87 is a joy to drive. It is VERY raw, totally unrefined. The biggest thing you will notice is the lack of power steering, and the heavy clutch. But after a few miles, it's a treat, and is so totally engaging that it makes any post 88 911 feel less connected. Just my $.02.
CATTMAN

 

Cattman is dead right with his advice to read as much as you can on air cooled 911's, browse pelican parts and rennlist forums, use their search buttons, drive several cars, do not rush, there are several good examples out there. Carrera 3.2's ended in mid-89. Pete Z loves thE '89 year model 3.2. I love my '86 coupe. So visceral, raw, light ....i can go on and on.

 

What is your budget?
How will you be using the car?
Investment, Garage Queen, Track Car, Daily Driver, Weekend Warrior?
How spartan?
How much power?

Lots and lots of differences to consider between an early 2.0L and a later 3.2L Carrera.

 

There really isn't a budget, if i like it ill get it...
It would be a daily driver, or ill drive it at least 3 times a week.
Not sure what you mean by spartan?
As far as power, as much as i can get...i have a 996 at the moment.

 

I would steer clear of pre-78 for a daily driver.
You would be better advised to stick with the 3.0L or 3.2L with the G50 g-box better yet.
Early cars are spartan: Without amenities, without good heat, without good a/c. without tight tranys, without attractive power. Enthusiasts will call this visceral, but I call it uncivilized for a highway commute.
For more power, you can consider a 3.6L conversion-That will give you some nice pop.
The 964's and 993's are a much more refined and civilized ride, but with it a higher price tag and maintenance budget, due to the limited production period. Parts tend to be more pricey.

 

The 2.7's are pretty well known to be troublesome, and so I would avoid them.
The SC's are plentiful, and great values if you get one that's been well maintained, and has a crisp 915 transmission. But the 915 transmissions are tough, some love them, but they're troublesome.

That means that a 1987 911 with the Getrag G50 transmission is a good starting point. These cars (87-88) are still very much in the original/ classic 911 bloodline.

Move newer than that, and you're into the 964, which is an interesting car, or a forgettable one, depending upon your viewpoint. They were made as a stopgap to the already in development 993, and to purists, are a modern car. Compare a 911 from 87 or 88 to a 964 and you will find major differences in terms of comforts, technology, and modernity. To me, getting a 964 is a compromise, for if I wanted a modern yet still air-cooled 911, I'd go for a 993.

If you want the more raw, visceral, feel of the original 911 that is easier to drive than something truly from another era, the 87-88 is the one for you.

I am biased. My opinion is only my own, but my logic points to why I made my decision.
CATTMAN

 

Is a 964 considered the years 87-89?

 

Cattman, G-50 equipped 3.2's ended in mid-89 not 88. The 964 is mid-89 thru 93. Grant read a lot, get buyer guides (Pete Zimmerman) , total 911 magazine has some great buyer guides on all 911 models and pointers to what would be a good first 911 to own. Please view the car as a whole and not be fixated on a gearbox. G-50 is a great gearbox and in the epic evolution of the 911, this is just a natural progression snd that does not make cars with other gearbox as inferior. In fact the feel of the cable clutch is also different compared to the hydraulic on the G-50's. The car, some say with the 915's feel lighter too. It would be foolish to turn down a car in immaculate shape (original paint, original stereo, original engine, immaculate service history, very favorable PPI etc) just because it had three or more owners, or not your color of choice or not the "right gearbox". I started out looking for a G-50 car (after reading some of the articles) but now that I have driven my car with the 915 gearbox for 6 months, I can safely tell that you would be making a big mistake if you ignore the pre-87 cars in your search. Good luck.

..also go to pelican parts or Rennlist forum and type in 915 vs G 50...the debate never ends. I can tell you one thing, the 915 is not for everyone. As Cattman says he '87 thru '89 Carrera 3.2's are definitely "more desirable" in the market and you would have no problems selling it.

 

Yep, mid 89. It was a funny year in that you can line up an 89 911 3.2 and another 89 that's a 964. Both 89 cars, yet very few parts in common.

I just want to be clear that I am not saying that the 915 tranny isn't great, just that there's a lot greater tendency for costly repair issues with them than with the G50's, and the G'50's are without debate "easier" to drive. Now, something may be lost in the "ease" of a G50 vs. the 915, but that's pretty subjective.

But, no matter what, take your time. There are plenty out there, don't settle. Find "the one". You'll know.
CATTMAN