> Could you happen to point me towards decent resources on purchasing
Porsche 911s
> from about 20 years ago? I've just waded through a lot of internet fluff
from
> Porsche admirers, but not actual owners, who feel they're entitled to
write a
> Porsche buyer's guide. I'm looking for a 1970-early 80s 911, and due to
my lack
> of familiarity with the cars I'm actually leaning towards purchasing one
from a
> dealer... collective wisdom is more than welcome on that topic as well.
Back issues of Panorama (Porche Club of America magazine) would be an
excellent source of info.
I've owned a 924, a 944, and a couple of 911s ('74 and '78), and have had
the opportunity to drive almost every year/model Porsche built prior to '90,
as I used to be in that business. If you want the car for a daily driver,
generally newer is better in 911-land. Pre-74 911s are neat, light, "bare
bones" sports cars, but not terribly comfortable or practical as daily
drivers. They're also incredibly rust-prone. '74-'77 911s should be
avoided -- problems with emissions controls and exhausts, funky fuel
injection issues, cylinder studs that pull out of magnesium cases, rust
issues, etc., etc. The '74s are slightly better than the '75-'77, but not
much. '78 -'83 911SCs are good solid cars -- 3.0 litre engines, few known
problems (air boxes blow up, cam chain tensioners collapse, clutch centers
disintegrate -- chances are those problems have been addressed with upgrades
by now). The '84 and new Carreras are really the way to go if you can swing
the $$$ -- 3.2 litre motors, Mototronic fuel injection (no more exploding
air boxes), pressure-fed chain tensioners, factory (as opposed to dealer
add-on) air conditioning that actually keeps the car cooler (just slightly)
than the outside temperature. The '87 and newer Carreras added some
niceties like a dash re-design (with AC ducts that now actually route air at
the driver!), hydraulic clutch (no more quaking thigh muscles), etc.
If you're purchasing a car, stay away from any Porsche with an unknown
history. Hold out for one with solid "books and records" (service history).
They aren't cheap cars to maintain properly, and as examples become more
affordable on the used market, they fall into the hands of owners who can't
afford or don't understand the importance of proper maintenance. You can
throw a *ton* of money at a 911 trying to get it sorted. An pre-purchase
inspection by a good independant Porsche mechanic is money well spent.
Panorama has a great classified section as well. You'll find the average
prices of the cars tends to be on the high end (or higher) of book, but they
also tend to be very straight cars with good books and records, and usually
owned by caring, somewhat fanatical owners.
So, now that I've come out of lurk mode to contribute something that has
*absolutely* nothing to do with British cars, I might as well ask a British
car question before I go back into hiding. :-) I'm looking for a nice,
soft cover for my TR3, which is stored in a dry, unheated garage. Just
something to keep dust/cat tracks off. Any specific brand/vendor
suggestions would be appreciated.
Mark Hatten
One '59 TR3 and too many motorcycles to count
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