CB

As most of you out there seem to know alot about most cars. I'm looking to purchase a used 911. To spend around 20K.

What will the performance be like against my STI? (which after 2 years still leaves me stunned at its performance).

I would want only a Carrera 2 or 4 and a hard top (targa's can leak, Convertables are not for me).

Primarily the car will be for my girlfriend who has a 22 mile commute down the A3 every day (that rules out a TVR!!)

Many thanks
CB

The Zohan

GCollier

For that sort of money, you're looking at a mint classic carrera with the whale tail spoiler, or an early 964 model from 1989-90. I used to own a 944, and toyed with the idea of buying a 911 a few times (as did a friend of line), so did quite a bit of reseach.

I think you'll find pure straight line performance a little lacking compared to your STi, but they're still a quick car. Jump into a pre-89 carrera and the car feels archaic, yet bursting with charisma.

You really need to do your homework before buying on of these machines, even at supposedly reputable specialists, cars with large numbers of owners, signs of accident damage and bubbles of rust are not uncommon. There are also (if I remember correctly) a number of known problem areas with the 964 car (failure of double mass flywheel, broken distributor belts causing major engine damage on the twin-spark engine to name just two). Be on your guard, expect a reliable motor if you buy a good one, but brace yourself for the occasional big bill. Try to get some copies of 911 and porsche world magazine, if you're in luck you'll be able to order back issues with buying guides for the cars you're interested in.

Oh, and you also need to be careful where you leave them - a recent article in the times reckons that they're one of the most stolen cars in the country (90 something stolen per 1000 vehicles).

Regards,

Gary.

PS: If you want a porsche, and it doesn't have to be a 911, consider a 968 (maybe a club sport). A friend of mine had one for 2 years, they're really a great car.

IntegraR

For that amount, you will be looking for a low milage 1987-'90, though you may battle to find a '90 for £20 000 or under, specially as you'll want it in mint condition, FPSH, and low miles.
That means going for a '89 or earlier, which are pre facelift models.
The performance is good for their time, but after your STi, you may not be all that impressed, if you are doing this as a way to step up in the performance ranks (or are you keeping your car?).
The 0-60 times for the pre '90 model year range from 5.3 - 5.5 secs for the Carrera models, and both top out at around 150MPh.
Pretty good really, just make sure you buy from a reputable dealer, and get at least a years warranty.
Thing is, it is a bit of a classic, so as such, it doesnt come with all the experience gained in cars over the last 10 years. That means it doesnt benefit from any advances in technology, handling, safety etc that have appeared during this period.
The main thing you would want to find out is how reliable they are, cause even with a warranty, you dont want your girlfriend stuck on the side of the road, or paying Porsche prices to keep an old Porsche running (I imagine clutches etc are way expensive).

IntegraR

Collier, you beat me to it

Richard Simpson

I'll re-post this here then shall I as there seems to be a better response....

Guys (& Gals),
I have agreed to help my Uncle buy a Porsche so that he can import it to Australia (where he resides). Apparently if it is over 15 years old he does not have to pay tax on it as an import.

Therefore I am looking to buy a 1985/86 Porsche Carrera (non turbo) I have seen quite a few at around the 10K – 15K mark.

Does anyone have any experience with these or Porsches in general – tips, sources for buying would be useful. Obviously I want to get a good price, but not a dog.

Also has anyone exported cars abroad – do you have to pay UK tax?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

I’m just looking forward to the test drives…..

Cheers

Richard

GCollier

Richard,

My porsche ownership experience stretches as far as owning a 944 for 18 months (before getting a scooby). My father has owned the car for over 2 years now, and it's never missed a beat. That said, during my period of ownership I did have one big bill (£1200 for replacement of part of the front suspension). Be prepared for this to happen occasionally on any porsche.

With regard to a 911 of that vintage, be prepared for possibly the lousiest gearchange you've ever encountered. Check for rust and accident damage. A lot of cars seem to have had engine rebuilds around 80-100K miles, so see what the score is with that. I think the oil pipes which run the length of the car are also prone to corrosion and are also expensive to replace.

I'm sure there's lots more - try to get hold of the buying guide for this car from 911 and porsche world. I'm sure there's also a book available specifically aimed at buying and running this vintage of 911 'cos I'ved looked at it in Foyles - perhaps try a search of amazon.com.

Good luck,

Gary.

CC

For 20k you're looking at a mint 3.2 Carrera or an early 964 C2 or C4.

I owned a 3.2 a while back and nearly bought a 964 C4. The 3.2 was quick, but didnt feel 5.3secs quick (and i'd drove a few) and it struggled to hit 150mph. The C4 i test drove was quicker but it felt a little too 'removed' for me. Just a bit too civilised and safe after the oversteery antics of the earlier car.
The 964 will touch 160mph though and would probably match your sti in terms of performance?

The best things about these cars imo is the glacial depreciation and thier excellent build quality and reliability. Mine never failed mechanically and i thrashed it everywhere. Only problem was a dodgy window switch. I also got what i paid for it when i sold it.

ps clutches are a known weakness on the 964s so look. You MUST get it inspected. Obviously you'll want a FSH but check out the history as the stamps have been known to be fake.
Also if u think you get envious remarks in your scoob, you aint seen nothing yet, you'll see .

GCollier

"Ain't seen nothing yet" - quite right CC. Even in my lowly G-plate 944, I've had girls flash their **** at me

CC

Richard in the end after much scouting i bought mine from Hanley Porsches in Stoke On Trent in the midlands.

No probs with them. Fixed the window switch asap, good friendly service etc etc...and most importantly a good price. Not sure if they have a website??

You'll find that they are quite hard to drive quickly with having no abs etc. And when it oversteers, it really oversteers as in very scary. Not progressive at all like in my rwd cos that i have now. Maybe a more skillful driver would love it? Gave a great feeling though when you knew you'd got something right, something lacking in todays cars i feel.

CC

i had a 944 before the 911, i traded it in against it actually. Excellent plate on it, something like RX1 944. That was a good car too, 1984 and it would put most cars ten years newer to shame (looks, condition wise).

You do get the sly, under the breath, thinking you cant quite hear them comments though dont you? Or maybe that was just me lol ?

[This message has been edited by CC (edited 10 January 2001).]

IntegraR

Girls flashed their **** at you in a 944? hmmm, I was under the impression that the number of girls **** flashed/mile was a spec reseved only for Ferrari drivers.
So a Porsche can have that effect? I think I may have to look at getting a 944 as a second run around car, now, what sort of car would you have to drive before girls would flash their m**f's at you?, just so I know a figure to start saving to

GCollier

ROFL @ Integra

It was a nice guards red 944, did look a bit flash, especially if you don't know your cars.

My friend bought an F355 a couple of months ago, I'll see what his m**f count stats are looking like in a week or two when I catch up with him

Gary.

[This message has been edited by GCollier (edited 10 January 2001).]

CB1

Thanks for all your replies guys

Looking in this weeks trader (even though I'm not buying yet I wanted a rough guide) There are a number of 91/92 Carrera's from 19-22K with less than 60K on the clock. So I am going to aim for one of those. However I'm gonna have it well checked out before buying and have at least 1 yr warranty.

I'm not looking for a performance upgrade as finances will not allow anything faster than my STI (lets be honest, there ain't alot of cars that are quicker this side of 50K, hell make that 60K). Its just time for a change and as I have a company Merc. I fancied something swift but solid enough for my girlfried to drive to work in. The STI only does around 15mpg of SUL anyway. If I'm honest, it is so rare when you can put your foot down safely. When I've driven UK Impreza's I've actually found them marginally more enjoyable as you can use all of the power without doing silly speeds.

Thus I now have just a few short months to enjoy my Impreza. That is until any kiddies come along. In which case we will have to sell the Porsche for a 4 door saloon. Now let me think what car fits that criteria......hmmm, that will be a new STI then.

cheers
CB

Mac's Power

A good friend of mine just purchased a 911 Carera 4S . It a 96 and he paid £75,000 irish punts for it.

I took it for a drive today and he gave it to me for the morning. He took my scoob.

I could see the look of disappointment on his face when he realised that his 70k car was slower than my 30k one.

I really enjoyed the porche. it is really a quality piece of kit. While it didn't light my fires on take off, it could really move a "high" speeds.

best of luck with your purchase.
Paul.

AWD

Have a look at

MorayMackenzie

I thought this topic would be about emergency service phone numbers... "911 help"...

Most mobile phones will take 911 as well as 999 for emergency calls, IIRC.