I want to buy a Porsche. Where to Start....?
Discussion
I want to buy an air-cooled 911.
Trouble is, I know next to nothing about Porsches. This makes the task that I'm embarking on difficult, and potentially very expensive. Hence, this thread. I want to suck your brains and in return I will probably have you scoffing at my inane and simplistic questions. Nonetheless, I have to ask.
After months of agonising, I've decided to sell my Hawk Stratos replica and buy an air cooled Porsche. Ever since I drove a friend's brand new Carrera 2 back in 1989, I've had a hankering for something similar. I really like the late 80s - early 90s 911, with its whale tail and before it grew those rounded haunches. You know the ones. I'd really like to buy a targa topped car. Something like this would be ideal:
Once my Hawk is sold, I'll have a budget of about £25,000, possibly a tad more.
However,, I have no idea about what's a good 'un, what are the things to look out for, running costs, bits that can and do go wrong, the type of car to avoid, etc. etc.
What's it like running a late, air cooled 911? Are they all money pits? Or, will a well sorted and looked after example offer reliable, care free motoring?
Who are the dealers out there - I live in London - with good, trustworthy reputations? Where are the specialist independent garages that look after these models?
Where on earth do I start?
Thanks.
Trouble is, I know next to nothing about Porsches. This makes the task that I'm embarking on difficult, and potentially very expensive. Hence, this thread. I want to suck your brains and in return I will probably have you scoffing at my inane and simplistic questions. Nonetheless, I have to ask.
After months of agonising, I've decided to sell my Hawk Stratos replica and buy an air cooled Porsche. Ever since I drove a friend's brand new Carrera 2 back in 1989, I've had a hankering for something similar. I really like the late 80s - early 90s 911, with its whale tail and before it grew those rounded haunches. You know the ones. I'd really like to buy a targa topped car. Something like this would be ideal:
Once my Hawk is sold, I'll have a budget of about £25,000, possibly a tad more.
However,, I have no idea about what's a good 'un, what are the things to look out for, running costs, bits that can and do go wrong, the type of car to avoid, etc. etc.
What's it like running a late, air cooled 911? Are they all money pits? Or, will a well sorted and looked after example offer reliable, care free motoring?
Who are the dealers out there - I live in London - with good, trustworthy reputations? Where are the specialist independent garages that look after these models?
Where on earth do I start?
Thanks.
Edited by Blib on Monday 17th June 16:48
Just bought my first 911 and like you didn't know too much about them. Mine was from the guys at 911 Virgin, very helpful and highly recommended, not just by me, but many others as well.
You could always give them a call and find out more from them.
This one was in stock when I picked mine up last week - looks lovely.
http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/706/9113.2...
You could always give them a call and find out more from them.
This one was in stock when I picked mine up last week - looks lovely.
http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/706/9113.2...
Edited by pottman on Monday 17th June 19:05
Great choice of 911. As someone has said, impact bumpers.com is a good site, when I bought my first one I wasn't an expert, but having had a couple you learn as you go along.
As a lot of people will say, the main problem is rust. They rot from inside out and most of it is not visible and hidden away.
If you've got 25k to play with then you're gonna be able to go for a really sorted 3.2 carrera, which you'll definately want someone with experience to check over.
Running costs obviously depend on how much you're gonna use it, but generally a full service on one of these can be around £500. Driving one is unlike any new car, no power steering, every bump on the road echoes through, but the sound of the air cooled well outways that, Anyway I'm sure you'll get plenty of useful info here, and enjoy the hunt, get in as many as you can.
Good luck
As a lot of people will say, the main problem is rust. They rot from inside out and most of it is not visible and hidden away.
If you've got 25k to play with then you're gonna be able to go for a really sorted 3.2 carrera, which you'll definately want someone with experience to check over.
Running costs obviously depend on how much you're gonna use it, but generally a full service on one of these can be around £500. Driving one is unlike any new car, no power steering, every bump on the road echoes through, but the sound of the air cooled well outways that, Anyway I'm sure you'll get plenty of useful info here, and enjoy the hunt, get in as many as you can.
Good luck
If you want the G50 gearbox they were fitted to 3.2 Carreras from 1986 on. It's heavier, but feels like a modern box. The 915 gearbox when in good condition and set correctly is a joy and all part of the experience of the older cars. With a budget of £25k you'll get a cracking car, especially if you want a Targa. They tend to be cheaper as the coupe is more desirable to the market. My first 911 was a 1982 SC Targa. It was a fabulous little car.
Rust is the biggest killer on these. Even if they look good externally they can be hiding a lot of rot in kidney bowls and at the top of the rear arch where it meets the C pillar. Targa tops aren't always entirely waterproof and need to be set up properly to keep the rain out. As long as you have a garage and intend to use as a dry toy you'll be fine. The Targa will keep the moisture if you're caught out.
Rust is the biggest killer on these. Even if they look good externally they can be hiding a lot of rot in kidney bowls and at the top of the rear arch where it meets the C pillar. Targa tops aren't always entirely waterproof and need to be set up properly to keep the rain out. As long as you have a garage and intend to use as a dry toy you'll be fine. The Targa will keep the moisture if you're caught out.
Blib said:
I want to buy an air-cooled 911.
Trouble is, I know next to nothing about Porsches. This makes the task that I'm embarking on difficult, and potentially very expensive. Hence, this thread. I want to suck your brains and in return I will probably have you scoffing at my inane and simplistic questions. Nonetheless, I have to ask.
After months of agonising, I've decided to sell my Hawk Stratos replica and buy an air cooled Porsche. Ever since I drove a friend's brand new Carrera 2 back in 1989, I've had a hankering for something similar. I really like the late 80s - early 90s 911, with its whale tail and before it grew those rounded haunches. You know the ones. I'd really like to buy a targa topped car. Something like this would be ideal:
Once my Hawk is sold, I'll have a budget of about £25,000, possibly a tad more.
However,, I have no idea about what's a good 'un, what are the things to look out for, running costs, bits that can and do go wrong, the type of car to avoid, etc. etc.
What's it like running a late, air cooled 911? Are they all money pits? Or, will a well sorted and looked after example offer reliable, care free motoring?
Who are the dealers out there - I live in London - with good, trustworthy reputations? Where are the specialist independent garages that look after these models?
Where on earth do I start?
Thanks.
IMO If you want the best hassle free experience and honesty out there. The man you want to speak to is Adrian Crawford. He knows more about older 911s than just about anyone. There are few others I would buy from blind.Trouble is, I know next to nothing about Porsches. This makes the task that I'm embarking on difficult, and potentially very expensive. Hence, this thread. I want to suck your brains and in return I will probably have you scoffing at my inane and simplistic questions. Nonetheless, I have to ask.
After months of agonising, I've decided to sell my Hawk Stratos replica and buy an air cooled Porsche. Ever since I drove a friend's brand new Carrera 2 back in 1989, I've had a hankering for something similar. I really like the late 80s - early 90s 911, with its whale tail and before it grew those rounded haunches. You know the ones. I'd really like to buy a targa topped car. Something like this would be ideal:
Once my Hawk is sold, I'll have a budget of about £25,000, possibly a tad more.
However,, I have no idea about what's a good 'un, what are the things to look out for, running costs, bits that can and do go wrong, the type of car to avoid, etc. etc.
What's it like running a late, air cooled 911? Are they all money pits? Or, will a well sorted and looked after example offer reliable, care free motoring?
Who are the dealers out there - I live in London - with good, trustworthy reputations? Where are the specialist independent garages that look after these models?
Where on earth do I start?
Thanks.
Edited by Blib on Monday 17th June 16:48
http://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/
With older 911s, you really do get what you pay for, and I haven't had a duff one from him yet.
Yes, she'll be garaged. I've owned a Fiat X1/9 and so, I'm aware that targas can be a little hit and miss, if you don't look after them.
I like the idea of a targa as it seems to be a happy compromise between the coupe and the full convertible, which for some reason I don't like the look of.
The targa 911 just looks different, unusual. But "right" in my opinion. I'm not set on the whale tail. I do like the clean lines of the later cars. As I mentioned, my friend's car back in 89 was a Carrera 2, which I don't think had a whale tail.
I suppose that the later the car, the better?
I like the idea of a targa as it seems to be a happy compromise between the coupe and the full convertible, which for some reason I don't like the look of.
The targa 911 just looks different, unusual. But "right" in my opinion. I'm not set on the whale tail. I do like the clean lines of the later cars. As I mentioned, my friend's car back in 89 was a Carrera 2, which I don't think had a whale tail.
I suppose that the later the car, the better?
pottman said:
Just bought my first 911 and like you didn't know too much about them. Mine was from the guys at 911 Virgin, very helpful and highly recommended, not just by me, but many others as well.
You could always give them a call and find out more from them.
This one was in stock when I picked mine up last week - looks lovely.
http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/706/9113.2...
+1 for above, especially if you're not up on the different Porsche models. Speak to Tom at 911 Virgin, and he'll be more than happy to tell you about the car above and also advise you about other models. Might be worth a trip to 911v and speak to Tom face to face, he's a real gent, and honest too. Good LuckYou could always give them a call and find out more from them.
This one was in stock when I picked mine up last week - looks lovely.
http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/706/9113.2...
Edited by pottman on Monday 17th June 19:05
Wozy68 said:
IMO If you want the best hassle free experience and honesty out there. The man you want to speak to is Adrian Crawford. He knows more about older 911s than just about anyone. There are few others I would buy from blind.
http://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/
With older 911s, you really do get what you pay for, and I haven't had a duff one from him yet.
Thanks for the suggestion, Wozy.http://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/
With older 911s, you really do get what you pay for, and I haven't had a duff one from him yet.
carcrazypop said:
+1 for above, especially if you're not up on the different Porsche models. Speak to Tom at 911 Virgin, and he'll be more than happy to tell you about the car above and also advise you about other models. Might be worth a trip to 911v and speak to Tom face to face, he's a real gent, and honest too. Good Luck
I think that I will pop up there when the Hawk's gone. I spend a lot of my time in Richmond. He's just up the road from there.Morning Blib,
Don't worry about waiting until the Hawk is sold. Advise is free regardless of whether we have a car of interest or not. When you have a spare 20 minutes give me a call in the office and I'll talk you through the pitfalls associated with cars of the period.
Cheers
Tom 911Virgin
Don't worry about waiting until the Hawk is sold. Advise is free regardless of whether we have a car of interest or not. When you have a spare 20 minutes give me a call in the office and I'll talk you through the pitfalls associated with cars of the period.
Cheers
Tom 911Virgin
As above. All top info. If you want to see build threads, advice, horror stories, adventures and the lot, get yourself on Impact Bumpers.
Don't even have the right model but i read through the forum everyday.
Car in your pic is a Carrera 3.0 possibly, judging by the spoiler. Some like that engine more than the later 3.2's, it's revvier.
Don't even have the right model but i read through the forum everyday.
Car in your pic is a Carrera 3.0 possibly, judging by the spoiler. Some like that engine more than the later 3.2's, it's revvier.
Wozy68 said:
IMO If you want the best hassle free experience and honesty out there. The man you want to speak to is Adrian Crawford. He knows more about older 911s than just about anyone. There are few others I would buy from blind.
http://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/
With older 911s, you really do get what you pay for, and I haven't had a duff one from him yet.
Would agree 100% Adrian is a great bloke, I bought my 964 from himhttp://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/
With older 911s, you really do get what you pay for, and I haven't had a duff one from him yet.
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