Question : Best 911 Daily Driver For 25K

Subject says it all.. I want to start my search for a 911 (or 356 Coupe, but I can't get a good one for that money) and would like to tap the knowledge here on do's and do not's in regards to buying a used 911. I don't mind vintage as long as the reliabiity is proven. If anyone knows of a WONDERFUL one that is for sale in some nook or cranny of the country, please let me know. This will be my daily driver, so I need reliability... if none exists I will keep my current DD...

James

James - your price puts you squarely in the 911 "sweet spot" (IMO) of 1985-88. That vintage is the 3.2L Carrera with the superb G-50 transmission. A low mileage, clean 911 in that bracket should sell for $20-$24k (depending on location), and could definitely be a "daily driver."

The only downside to this era is a rather anemic air conditioning system, but that can be easily upgraded to modern standards for about $1k. It's worth doing on a DD that you'll be keeping for a while.

And maybe the best part is...if you take good care of it and don't put 20k miles a year on it, the car will probably not lose much value over several years of ownership. It may even appreciate slightly.

I sold my Black/Black '88 Carrera to my neighbor two years ago. He's still lovin' it. Those late-80s 911s are bulletproof.

I would suggest visiting the Craigslists for the warm-weather cities (Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, etc.).

For a quick education on buying a used 911 (of any era) get the Randy Leffingwell book "Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide." It's a trade paperback you can probably find on Amazon.

You're not going to find a 356 coupe (A,B, or C) at $25k that you'd be happy driving every day.

For a 911 at that (or under) price range, look for a 3.0 or 3.2 coupe. Though the cabriolets are an excellent bargain. Pelican BBS has a for sale section, browse there, always nice cars. There are enough of them out there that you are very likely to find them advertised locally or on dealer lots. Get a good PPI from a qualified Porsche mechanic to look for neat-o stuff like broken head studs, hidden accident damage etc. All of those cars are new enough (17 digit VIN) to run a carfax on, expect it to be clean. Check this car out... It is a 915 transaxle, but it would not present any shifting issues to an experienced speedster driver.

http://66.236.61.177/showthread.php?t=367435

Also, Paul Harford had a very nice 3.2 cabriolet for sale recently - don't know if he sold that car or not.

angela

What's wrong?
This thread has been active for over an hour and Vince hasn't posted a "911 THIS!" yet.

...he must be busy with the Goo-Be-Gone!!

James,

With all due respect to John, the G50 transmission first came available in 1987. It replaced the 915 transmission, which Porsche used on all 911s since 1972. The 1987-89 3.2 Carreras have the reputation among many as the most desireable of the "classic" 911 Porsche.

I have my 1987 3.2 Carrera Coupe for sale. It's listed on the PCA site and Cars.com. Email me at mkimber@comcast.net if you want more details.

Michael

I'd give my left giblet for a 1982 911 SC. They can be had in great shape for $10-$15K, from what I've seen in the Washington Post Classified section. Sooner or later, they'll probably appreciate beyond that.

Maybe an e-mail to this guy?
The auction ended with ZERO bids.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270154561685&rd=1

Thanks for all the reply's, I guess I was on the right track. I am looking at low mileage (50-75K miles is low to me) pristine 87-89 911's, and want a coupe as I already have a convertible in the speedster and would like to not worry about leaky targa top or convertible motors, plastic windows, and cables etc.

Additionally, if I can find one, I would like to get the factory turbo look widebody without the turbo motor. It was a 12K dollar option from what I understand, but includes all sorts of brake and suspension upgrades, and it looks AWESOME. I am in no rush to buy one but the next few months is the best time to do so if I am going to (off season for sports cars).

So, is the 915 much nastier than the G50?

James

People who have driven both are ADAMANT that the G50 is hugely better. I've never driven a G50 car so can't really quantify the difference.

Frankly, I've always thought the 915's shifted quite well as long as the bushings (cheap and easy to replace) are in good condition. The "vague problem shifting" with 915's on a healthy shift linkage is inevitably a driver problem. They, like the earlier 901, reward a light handed driver and punish the ham-fisted.

angela

Thanks to Michael for the correction on the G-50 tranny; it first appeared in 1987.

As to the comparison between the 915 and the G-50...having driven both, I much prefer the G-50. It just feels much tighter and more precise than the 915 (which is still a very good transmission). The G-50 is a better choice all around.

Well, I bought a new DD... its not the older porsche, or the newer Cayman, but I stuck with the german rocket theme. I decided the Cayman was too impractical and the older porsche scared me with thoughts of expensive repairs... so.. I went out and bought me a BMW 335i..

Now before anyone yawns, you must drive this car to appreciate it. Its a twin turbo and as such is easily modifiable (is that a word) to create ungodly amounts of HP and TQ. Out of the box its a 300HP (although its actually supposedly running around 325HP) and 300 Lbs of torque. This torque comes on full at about 1500 rpm and runs until over 5K rpm. The magazines put this car at 0-60 in 4.8 seconds stock. With a simple piggy back chip that ups the fuel and boost (it is set really low by bmw) its supposedly running close to 400HP/400NM and runs low 4 second 0-60. Plus its got 4 doors and steptronic with the formula 1 type paddles on the wheel. I gotta tell you, this is the nicest driving car I have ever owned.


James

Sweet car (no yawns here), but I know it didn't go for your original $25k.

Yes, it was slightly more than that.. but on a side note, the kids are getting used to eating kraft dinner and bologna at every meal... easy to prepare and helps daddy with his obsession of wasting money on pollution making devices.

James

The $25k covered the "down" ...Seriously, enjoy the ride and the mac n' cheese! ~Alan

Hey James.....Eat this......