Hi All,

Only recently I picked up my first 997.2 C2S. Can't help myself but research the 930 Turbo though and possibly extend the "collection" one day.

I never bought a car more than 3 years old so I could really use some advice:

- Are there any years that produced specifically good runs; sought after models

- Are there any years that had particular known issues and should be avoided (within mid 80s and up)

- what do I need to specifically look out for when inspecting the car (def would do an independent PPI)

- Any options that are must haves (assuming I also want to track the car occasionally)

- For a car with 30K miles or less, depending on options and exact year of course, what is a reasonable price range?

I know these are very basic questions but I need to start somewhere and really appreciate any input that will get me going in the right direction.

 

The most desirable year is the 89 because it is the only year with a 5 speed. The 86-88 are also good. I would stay away from gray market cars. Be careful of non-factory slope nose versions

 

Check out the 930 board on pelican, and rennlist, very good info.
Agree re the 89 5speed, but I wouldn't fear grey market cars, many great cars out there. Euro cars are better than US cars in many respects, just gotta do your due diligence.
I would also avoid slant conversions, only consider factory 505 cars (slant nose option), conversions are rarely done right.

 

I think that the only concern about Euro (gray market) cars is the odometer accuracy. When they switched it over from KPH to MPH; How many miles were on the car and did they accurately report the mileage on the new MPH odometer?

 

Just posted a 1987 black on black I am considering selling over in the 930 section on Rennlist.com PM me if interested.

 

I love my 930, definetly would add it to you "collection" if you can

 

Dont buy one if you're worried about maintenance. Even the best kept 911 will have issues. They are AWESOME cars and worth buying but just know what you're getting in to. If you're going to compare it to a new 997 turbo....stop right there. Its not even close to a new 997 Turbo in respects of reliability, ease of driving, ease of owning and maintaining..... I've had a 930 for almost 2 years now and I can say I would buy it again. BUT it is a very high maintenance car. My family thinks I'm an idiot for spending money on this thing, and some days I am close to agreeing, but then I take it out and for a cruise on a nice clear day and hit the on-ramp and push it like I'm qualifying for the LeMans and by the time I'm on the highway I hear the waste gate screaming and the exhaust note thundering and probably making little kids cry (sorry) and then I remember why I got it and why I will likely never sell it. My advice is to go drive a few, then go drive any other car in the world. If the 'other' car still feels fun to you, then go get the other car.


And to answer some of your questions:

1. PPIs are useless. The new dealers dont know jack about the older 930s unless its a dealership specifically known to work on these cars. Step one before buying a 930 is to find out where its going to be worked on and who the mechanic is...have him inspect it for you.

2. Options are good: 5spd trans, upgraded turbos are nice, modified suspension would be really nice, larger intercooler (as large as you can get it...bigger is definitely better here), sport seats would be nice..roll cage and harness bars are expensive if you have them done yourself,

3. STAY AWAY FROM AFTER MARKET SLANT CONVERSIONS...could not agree more.

4. Make sure its going to pass emissions if your state is a ***** about that kind of stuff.

5. Are you going to collect it or drive it? If you plan to drive it don't buy one with 30k miles on it....lots of room for things that still need to fail and break on you. Get one with a healthy amount of miles 60K or more so at least you know its been driven and the stuff that breaks has already been broken and replaced.


Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

Interesting feedback. Really appreciate it. I would have automatically gone for lowest mileage possible. Shows how much I need to learn.

Well, I'm not a great mechanic myself so I hear you I need a person whom I trust to keep the car in shape without grabbing deeply into my pocket before I do anything else.

It would def be a once-in-a-while fun thing. My dad had two oldtimers and other than battery issues caused by not moving them enough they were very reliable (one MB 180 SL and a '63 Porsche 356 convertible, both of which sadly have been sold years ago).

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems you can still get a nice 930 at a somewhat decent price (assuming you find one in good shape which is my biggest concern to evaluate).

I'll keep educating myself and track prices for a while but everything said has already been tremendously helpful.

 

Are there some telltale signs to identify factory vs aftermarket slope nose.

 

I think the factory option code should show up in the VIN or on the ID plate. I want to say 505 but that's from memory.

 

Any car after 1978 is worth considering.

 

505 is the USA option code from 87-89, 506 is the ROW option code for 87-89

TT Surgeon knows more about this than anyone

also there is a long thread on the pelican board about slants that is great info