There are actually three different cars in this group. The 3.0 SC (yes it does stand for Super Carrera) has the 915 transmission and was built 1978 through 1983. The 3.2 cars were from 1984 through 1989 and are split as you already noted between 915 and Gtransmissions.
The most expensive and most desirable of the three is the 3.2 car with the G50. It is also the heaviest. If money is not an issue, then buy that one and stop looking at anything else.
The 3.2 cars with the 915 are wonderful automobiles but overlooked for the G50 models. I can assure you that the 915 with good shift bushings (they are cheap) shifts FAR better than your spyder. Guaranteed. So while people snivel about the 915's "poor" shifting, it must be put into perspective. With good bushings, these reward the light handed driver (but do sneer derisively at the ham-fisted amongst us). Don't be shy about these cars, the 3.2 motronic engine is awesome.
The cheapest of the three is the 3.0 with the 915. They give away quite a bit of horsepower to the 3.2. The worst 3.2 is 207 hp (217 for later), the 3.0's are 180. The fuel injection system on the 3.0's can challenge mechanics. It not electronic and as it ages assorted things go wrong such as the famous WUR (warm up regulator). THis works or doesn't work, make sure the car is tested cold for startup and run. The MOTRONIC on the 3.2's is much easier to troubleshoot. The fuel injectors on the 3.0's can pretty much be counted on to be bad at this point in time. They are mechanical and can be rebuilt but are sometimes cheaper to just replace.
Of the three choices you list the 3.2 with G50 should be first, the 3.2 with the 915 second and the 3.0 with 915 should be third. The A/C on all of them will suck. There are fixes - you will spend at least a grand upgrading a WORKING ac system to make it cold - much more if the system isn't working right to begin with.
Coupes command a premium, cabriolets next, targas are the cheapest. Run CARFAX and have a PPI done on your final choice including having the headstuds checked. You can easily drop $10,000 on the headstuds. It all starts out cheap, oh just take it apart, do this, etc., Then you decide to do a valve job, hey lets replace those injectors you name it - badda bing - 10K... Big ticket items to look for are clutch and valve guides. Not unusual for the clutch to go 200,000 but if there's no receipt, factor in that it could be your turn soon. The bottom ends of both these engines are very tough and the 3.0 is pretty much bomb-proof.
Regardless of what you choose, its OK to step up and pay more for an exception well documented car (within limits). When a car, like a woman, gets to be of a certain age, more money needs to be spent on upkeep. If someone has already spent it, you could in the long run be getting a bargain. With cars anyway, probably never with women...
There happens to be a very very nice car for sale in Arcata right now... Nice guy owns it too!
angela
