911 Info Source Needed

All,

I have a friend who is considering purchasing an older (Mid-70's - Mid-80's) 911. He is attempting to "do the right thing" and research the "in's and out''s" and "do's and don'ts" but is having difficulty getting a comprehensive set of facts on the various iterations of 911's, particularly with regard to what to avoid and what to look for.

I've already told him that the best "older" 911 is the 993, but he's interested in something older than that.

Can anyone point me to an authoritative "buyer's guide" or technical evaluation source spanning the 70's and 80's that I can point him to?

Thanks in advance!

TMc

Dean Batchelor's Porsche buying guide is an excellent source to help him. My personal preference is the SC, 1978-1983. Galvanized body, 180-200 hp, most suspension and brake upgrades from the factory are good ones, and there is a huge assortment of parts available. If I wanted to spend a little more, the 993 would be my choice. Always buy the newest one you can afford, I hate fixing other people's mistakes!

Terry,

I have a 1985 3.2 car that has been fantastic. I now have 240,000 miles on it with hardly any issue over the last 15 years.

My mechanic says the 1987 is the best year (due to the gearbox change that year).

You can get these for $15k - 20k.

The is a nice bulletin board at www.pelicanparts.com for his inquiry...

Regrds,
Mike

Daniel: As an older 911 owner, the best 911 (imho) was the '69-'70 S. My '69 S was wonderfully in balance. When they started fender flaring and whale tailing them, they were getting faster than the shape was designed for. Just look at the 0-60 times and top speeds between a '69S and, say, an '80SC, the later cars aren't very much quicker or faster.
I've driven SC's and while they are better traffic drivers (that's why they build Escorts so you don't have to drive your 911 in traffic) the interior is considerably less roomy than the early 911's. Also, the 2.0 liter engine was even more bombproof than the 3.0 and the 901 tranny had a very rational shift pattern.
I could run all day at 105mph and get 28 mpg.
Sorry, to get off track on this thread. However, 911's to avoid are the 1974-1977's unless they've been de-smogged.
Thanks for listening to me rave.
Cheers!

Thanks guys...I'll pass this info along and he can take it from there.

TMc

Tom, I like the early cars too. It's just that a friend of mine keeps trying to make his '72 an SC. Early bumpers and narrow fenders rule!

Hi Tom,
I like the early "long hood" 1973 and older cars also, my favorite of course the "S" version. Road & Track, 1970 911S, 0-60 in 6.0! But those are rapidly gaining in price and actually the newer cars are in most respects better daily drivers with more creature comforts. They are all prone to rust as Porsche did NOT begin galvanizing their body work until later. Check floor pans, longitundinals and UNDER THE BATTERY ON EVERY CAR.

If possible, avoid the 74-77 2.7 liter cars (150 to 175 hp). They are a bargain and we've had several but the 2.7 engine has issues that the earlier and later cars lack. Beginning in 78 the engine was 3.0 liters and offered more than just additional power. The cooling was improved with an 11 blade fan (76-77 had 5 blade), electronic ignition, and changes in the engine block to overcome the 2.7 problem with pulling headstuds. Can't remember what they did with the block. 1978SC (3.0)per Road and Track 0-60 in 6.3. More power, but heavier than the old "S" quoted above.

In 84, the 3.2 debuted, IMHO a better engine in every way including power (207 to 217). Much luxury equipment became standard by that time.

In short, I'd buy either an earlier car (73 or older "S") or the newest 911 I could afford.
angela

Wow, its nice to hear from some old 911 fans. I agree that the later cars are better rush hour vehicles and have more creature comforts. Its just that the old 2 liter 911's are kinda like Spyders, long on go and short on luxury.
I ran a factory sport muffler (Monte Carlo muffler) on my '69S and if you think our Spyders are raucous, 7400rpm with a sport muffler was enough to scare away L-88 'vettes.

I have a 1987 911 Turbo. The SEXIEST car ever made!
No issues with it, except the A/C, which sucks on all these cars.
With the 993 they corrected that issue.
Good Luck!