Considering a classic Porsche
Discussion
Never had a classic. Not interested in doing any spannering. Looking to do some nice road miles at a nice pace but understand it won't match the performance of current stuff.
Never had a Porsche, am only just learning model numbers. I want something open top, whale tail, reasonably reliable and will at least hold it's value.
Currently thinking a Guards Red 1987 3.2 Targa Sport would do the trick. I think thats the correct name.
Looking to pay around £32k for a nice one.
Any advice?
Thanks
Rick
Never had a Porsche, am only just learning model numbers. I want something open top, whale tail, reasonably reliable and will at least hold it's value.
Currently thinking a Guards Red 1987 3.2 Targa Sport would do the trick. I think thats the correct name.
Looking to pay around £32k for a nice one.
Any advice?
Thanks
Rick
OK - a few thoughts.
Buy a model you love not one you think is financially safe - don't start thinking of it as an asset - it's a car that will cost you in maintainance and maybe depreciation - as such you have to love it.
Buy on condition and from dealers that are good - I would recommend Greig at RPM Technik and Tom at 911Virgin. I'm sure that there are others.
Make sure the car is set up properly - identical models can feel miles apart - Gentre of Gravity are excellent.
Simple timeline :
The air cooled era :
1963 to 73 - 911's - these are now very expensive (but very beautiful) and are lovely to drive - small, free flowing things.
1973 - 1989 - cars bumpers charged (some people call this iteration "impact bumpers" - G series) In the late 80's the gearbox changed from a 915 box to a G50 box - most people prefer the G50 box as it's easier and say the 915 box is poor - it is true that the G50 is easier to use - however the 915 box when working properly is a lovely thing - I prefer it.
The first Turbo appeared in this generation - the 930.
1989 - 1993 - The 964 - The last generation where the headlights are upright . They are starting to feel more modern now. The Turbo continues and the RS is introduced.
Then my dates get hazy - but I think it's 1993-1998 and the 993 arrives - feeling a lot more modern now , headlights start to slant - The 993 is the last of the air cooled engines.
This was followed by the 996 (the first water cooled car)
The 997 - Gens 1 and 2
The the current iteration the 991 Gens 1 & 2 .
There are plenty on here who can correct my dates and pad this out properly - it was just meant to give you a quick overview with some reference points to allow you to explore.
Good luck - they are wonderful, wonderful things
Buy a model you love not one you think is financially safe - don't start thinking of it as an asset - it's a car that will cost you in maintainance and maybe depreciation - as such you have to love it.
Buy on condition and from dealers that are good - I would recommend Greig at RPM Technik and Tom at 911Virgin. I'm sure that there are others.
Make sure the car is set up properly - identical models can feel miles apart - Gentre of Gravity are excellent.
Simple timeline :
The air cooled era :
1963 to 73 - 911's - these are now very expensive (but very beautiful) and are lovely to drive - small, free flowing things.
1973 - 1989 - cars bumpers charged (some people call this iteration "impact bumpers" - G series) In the late 80's the gearbox changed from a 915 box to a G50 box - most people prefer the G50 box as it's easier and say the 915 box is poor - it is true that the G50 is easier to use - however the 915 box when working properly is a lovely thing - I prefer it.
The first Turbo appeared in this generation - the 930.
1989 - 1993 - The 964 - The last generation where the headlights are upright . They are starting to feel more modern now. The Turbo continues and the RS is introduced.
Then my dates get hazy - but I think it's 1993-1998 and the 993 arrives - feeling a lot more modern now , headlights start to slant - The 993 is the last of the air cooled engines.
This was followed by the 996 (the first water cooled car)
The 997 - Gens 1 and 2
The the current iteration the 991 Gens 1 & 2 .
There are plenty on here who can correct my dates and pad this out properly - it was just meant to give you a quick overview with some reference points to allow you to explore.
Good luck - they are wonderful, wonderful things
Edited by RSVP911 on Saturday 22 October 09:26
Rick101 said:
Never had a classic. Not interested in doing any spannering. Looking to do some nice road miles at a nice pace but understand it won't match the performance of current stuff.
Never had a Porsche, am only just learning model numbers. I want something open top, whale tail, reasonably reliable and will at least hold it's value.
Currently thinking a Guards Red 1987 3.2 Targa Sport would do the trick. I think thats the correct name.
Looking to pay around £32k for a nice one.
Any advice?
Thanks
Rick
I've owned two 3.2 Carrera's and they are reliable and easy to repair/maintain.Never had a Porsche, am only just learning model numbers. I want something open top, whale tail, reasonably reliable and will at least hold it's value.
Currently thinking a Guards Red 1987 3.2 Targa Sport would do the trick. I think thats the correct name.
Looking to pay around £32k for a nice one.
Any advice?
Thanks
Rick
The big concerns are RUST, RUST and RUST especially around the kidney bowls behind the door shuts where much is sprayed up by the rear wheels as there is no wheel arch liners. And it costs to chase rust out of a car once it's in.
I'd check if it's had a top end rebuild, if gearbox has needed work, when suspension was done and being a targa look for signs of water leaks (the targas tops can be a pain if not sealing properly).
Get it inspected by a reputable specialist.
Worth joining ImpactBumpers.com to read up more on them, you might even find a car there.
I bought my 3.2 at the end of June this year. Always a Ford Escort RS man before this & was quite a scary move. I have never looked back. I absolutely love it.
It came from a relatively new dealer D Taylor Classic Porsche who so happens to be a good friend of mine & knew I had an itch for one. So happy with the car.
Do some reading up on them & go & look at a few. Mine has the 915 box which I prefer as it is with keeping with the "Proper" feel of a 911. The G50 box to me was just too modern I though & dampened the experience. My 915 was rebuilt 20k ago & is fitted with a factory quick shift kit. Very precice & once warm. a joy to use.
It came from a relatively new dealer D Taylor Classic Porsche who so happens to be a good friend of mine & knew I had an itch for one. So happy with the car.
Do some reading up on them & go & look at a few. Mine has the 915 box which I prefer as it is with keeping with the "Proper" feel of a 911. The G50 box to me was just too modern I though & dampened the experience. My 915 was rebuilt 20k ago & is fitted with a factory quick shift kit. Very precice & once warm. a joy to use.
If previous owner has had the level of bodywork done to high standard I'm sure the mechanicals would not have been overlooked and sure doccumented. Even if worst case those engines are bullet proof . Sound investment.I would and have Aircooled over water cooled think metals were better but thats only my opinion..
Rick101 said:
Don't think so. Would need to look through the paperwork.
I'd spend a few more quid and buy this left hooker. Very good place to have £39khttp://www.elite-carsales.com/cars/porsche/911clas...
Definitely get it thoroughly checked over by an independent Porsche specialist engineer. Buying the right car is key to having a great usable classic at sensible cost that you should be able to recover when you eventually pass it on. Buy the wrong car and you'll be pouring money into a black hole of hassle, time and frustration.
There are considerable differences in the driving characteristics between the different models. The SC and 3.2s offer a radically different driving experience from modern cars. The 964 is a sort of a half way house between tradition and modernity. 993s offer another small step forwards again. I would advise test driving each type before making your mind up.
Good luck.
There are considerable differences in the driving characteristics between the different models. The SC and 3.2s offer a radically different driving experience from modern cars. The 964 is a sort of a half way house between tradition and modernity. 993s offer another small step forwards again. I would advise test driving each type before making your mind up.
Good luck.
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