Best book on Porsches?
Discussion
Hi folks, I'm a stranger to the Porsche forum and Porsches in general but I'd like to learn more.
I wonder if anyone could reccomend a good informtive book (preferably available from Amazon) on the 911?
I'm particularly interested in cars between the mid 80's and early 90's (964).
Not suprisingly, I am looking into the prospect of a 911 as a potential purchase in the near future, I have heard great things about 911's but I wonder if anyone on here could give me a little more insight into using one as an everyday car?
Many thanks for all advice given!
Bob.
I wonder if anyone could reccomend a good informtive book (preferably available from Amazon) on the 911?
I'm particularly interested in cars between the mid 80's and early 90's (964).
Not suprisingly, I am looking into the prospect of a 911 as a potential purchase in the near future, I have heard great things about 911's but I wonder if anyone on here could give me a little more insight into using one as an everyday car?
Many thanks for all advice given!
Bob.
Marki said:
Best book IMHO by far is Paul Frere's Porsche 911 story - more info than you'll ever want. thats the fellow ,a most excellent book
Indded - very very good. However, pretty technical - it covers in great detail the specific technical changes that were made for each version for each year. Fantastic to see how a legend evolves. By the end I did feel a little boggled by it all though.
i did not say it was an entertaining read , but the devil is in the detail 
bobfrance said:
Does anybody have any 911/964 ownership experience they'd like to share? (or would I be better starting a fresh thread?)
Loads - but just one thing - the 964 was built between 1989 and 1993 - mid '80s cars will be 3.2 Carreras.
Alex Sharp wrote a great guide on the 964 and I am sure you'll find it on Pistonheads - a recent thread had a link to it as it happens
www.sportscarguides.com produce buyers guides to all porsches at a fiver each and also provide a pre purchase isnepction servcie for buyers at typically £150 all in.
Plus I used to own a 964 and used it every day without any trouble so am happy to recommend them - many folks want the 'iconic' (read old fashinioed) 3.2, and people with enough cash for a 993 look down on teh 964 - which is lucky as it makes them cheaper. Pay around £11-12k for a LHD, £13-15 for RHD in average miles etc, more for low miles. top nick etc. Year doesnt matter and don't listen the the 'oil leak/dual mass flywheel' brigade - all Porsches leak and all teh flywheels have been doen by now.
Plus I used to own a 964 and used it every day without any trouble so am happy to recommend them - many folks want the 'iconic' (read old fashinioed) 3.2, and people with enough cash for a 993 look down on teh 964 - which is lucky as it makes them cheaper. Pay around £11-12k for a LHD, £13-15 for RHD in average miles etc, more for low miles. top nick etc. Year doesnt matter and don't listen the the 'oil leak/dual mass flywheel' brigade - all Porsches leak and all teh flywheels have been doen by now.
Hi Bob
I have a 3.2 Carrera which I drive everyday. When I first considered buying it (always been a dream car) I was in two minds firstly whether to have a 911 at all because of the practicality required for daily use and secondly whether to go for a 3.2 or have the more modern driving 964.
The 964 does have pitfalls - early cars suffered from oil leaks and all pre-93 cars had a very fragile flywheel which caused many problems (you'll read about this in Paul Frere's booK). Much of the 964 stock available has now had a new clutch and had the flywheel replaced at the same time but they are nevertheless a significantly more expensive car to maintain than a 3.2 so bear than in mind.
Something else that came to light in a recent discussion with a dealer is that, because of the 964 (and subsequent models) being suited to a greater number of drivers, due to it's additional driver aids (power steering, abs etc), more have come into the hands of complete muppets that have abused them and then tarted them up for sale - you'll find loads of very questionable 964s but very few 3.2s which generally seem to fing good and loving homes in the hands of true enthusiasts.
I have to say that I've now had two 3.2s (swapped the Targa for a Coupe in the end because the noise bacame intolerable on long journeys) and they have been the best daily car I've ever owned - you really only notice the lack of power steering at parking speed and you soon learn to deal with it, plus the brakes are very progressive so the lack of ABS is not the end of the world so long as you're a competent braker.
Plus, and here's the controversial one, the 3.2 is the last of the true 911s - after that they didn't carry the factory model number 911 or have it on their VIN numbers.
I have a 3.2 Carrera which I drive everyday. When I first considered buying it (always been a dream car) I was in two minds firstly whether to have a 911 at all because of the practicality required for daily use and secondly whether to go for a 3.2 or have the more modern driving 964.
The 964 does have pitfalls - early cars suffered from oil leaks and all pre-93 cars had a very fragile flywheel which caused many problems (you'll read about this in Paul Frere's booK). Much of the 964 stock available has now had a new clutch and had the flywheel replaced at the same time but they are nevertheless a significantly more expensive car to maintain than a 3.2 so bear than in mind.
Something else that came to light in a recent discussion with a dealer is that, because of the 964 (and subsequent models) being suited to a greater number of drivers, due to it's additional driver aids (power steering, abs etc), more have come into the hands of complete muppets that have abused them and then tarted them up for sale - you'll find loads of very questionable 964s but very few 3.2s which generally seem to fing good and loving homes in the hands of true enthusiasts.
I have to say that I've now had two 3.2s (swapped the Targa for a Coupe in the end because the noise bacame intolerable on long journeys) and they have been the best daily car I've ever owned - you really only notice the lack of power steering at parking speed and you soon learn to deal with it, plus the brakes are very progressive so the lack of ABS is not the end of the world so long as you're a competent braker.
Plus, and here's the controversial one, the 3.2 is the last of the true 911s - after that they didn't carry the factory model number 911 or have it on their VIN numbers.
Hiya Mike!
Well, as you know I'm not exactly obsessed with economy, but the prospect of saving a few quid (probably to pay for more expensive parts) is always appealing.
I'm considering replacing the Jag & TVR with a single car, and so far a 911 seems like the only car that could satisfy me by being a reliable daily driver that's still rewarding to drive.
Well, as you know I'm not exactly obsessed with economy, but the prospect of saving a few quid (probably to pay for more expensive parts) is always appealing.
I'm considering replacing the Jag & TVR with a single car, and so far a 911 seems like the only car that could satisfy me by being a reliable daily driver that's still rewarding to drive.
I agree Bob, a great choice. I will be aiming for a 911 next. The 944 so far has been faultless, and judging by owner recommendations of 911's is that they can be used rather than pandered to which does appeal to me.
Friendly bunch too, which always helps. Lets hope the s goes to another suitable owner.
Friendly bunch too, which always helps. Lets hope the s goes to another suitable owner.
bobfrance said:
Interesting points there ICSD and good to hear for someone who uses the older models every day.
I've beeen considering a targa as a good compromise, but is it really that much more noisy (and leaky?) than the fixed head?
Targas are great but they are quite noisy, although the noise (and the leaks) can apparently be improved by Southbound Trimmers but at huge cost.
It always amazes me that, with the incredible engineering that goes into Porsches and considering the Targa (original style) was produced for approximately 30 years, Porsche never really improved it - a T-Bar and 2 metal panels would have been so much better.
Targas are cheaper but then you'll get less back at the end so it's as broad as it's long.
My advice really would be to buy a Targa if that's what you like so long as you're not doing long journeys and you can keep it in a garage or under a good cover (although this has a downside when the car is dirty - harline scratches that need to be polished out). Otherwise buy a Coupe - inevitably you'll question your decision when the sun comes out but it is the better compromise.
Got the book!
As you guys said - it is extremely detailed.
My only critisism would be the way is its divided up to cover different parts of the car, such as sections on engine, gearbox, body etc.
I would prefer that it was divided up by model. I'm currently trying to learn about the 911SC so a chapter dedicated to it would make life far easier.
Good book though.
As you guys said - it is extremely detailed.
My only critisism would be the way is its divided up to cover different parts of the car, such as sections on engine, gearbox, body etc.
I would prefer that it was divided up by model. I'm currently trying to learn about the 911SC so a chapter dedicated to it would make life far easier.
Good book though.
bobfrance said:
Got the book!
As you guys said - it is extremely detailed.
My only critisism would be the way is its divided up to cover different parts of the car, such as sections on engine, gearbox, body etc.
I would prefer that it was divided up by model. I'm currently trying to learn about the 911SC so a chapter dedicated to it would make life far easier.
Good book though.
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