Possible 1st Porsche

[Mr_Yogi]

I’m thinking of changing my car in the next few months and am considering a number of options, one of which is an 80’s 911. I have about 12-13K to spend on a car and noticed that Carrera 3.2’s are available for this sort of money. Which is pretty handy as I’ve always loved the 80’s porsche’s (not a fan of the rounded bumper 964’s). The problem is most of these cars have done at least 80K miles and I have quite a drive to work and no room for a second car. So I was wondering what kind of problems (and how expensive these problems can be) occur on cars of this age and mileage. How much they cost to run? How many miles you can expect to get out of one? Servicing cost etc. and whether or not I would I be better off getting something newer like an Accord Type R as I average about 14-15K miles a year? Also after which year was the 5 speed gearbox introduced?

Just one thing i'm a tad confused about, some Carreras have rear spoilers and some don't, i've also read some add's stating that people have had them removed. Did all Carreras come with spoilers? I personally think they look better without.

Any views, experiences or nuggets of info appreciated

[domster]

Welcome Mr Y.

OK, the main thing is the budget should get you a decent 3.2, as 964s can be got for this these days.

Now mileage will be tricky for you. They stopped making the 3.2 14 years ago. Now I'd say that you really want a car that's been used regularly as they tend to have less problems, but even at 6k miles a year we are approaching the 80k threshold on an 89F Carrera.

Best thing will be to buy on condition, and service history. Don't be hoodwinked by very low mileage examples that may have been clocked or underused. Maybe break the 80k barrier if the car is sweet enough.

If you get a well looked after 3.2 running costs and maintenance will be very small.

First tip:

Buy as late as you can, as they modded the 3.2 throughout its life. The A-reg cars are less developed, and can go wrong more, than the 89F ones. Also, you'll need an 88E or so for the G50 gearbox (I think this is the '5 speed box' you refer to). I don't like the earlier 915 much, and you may not either (it has its fans, but not me).

Second tip:

Get an inspection. Simply because for 100-200 quid these guys will look out for the minor problem areas (clutch, sunroof, heating fan, heat exchangers, leaking cylinder barrels etc) and probably negotiate you three times as much off the price. Also, many 911s will have been crashed, and they can spot poor panel repair or respray.

OK, they can be serviced for between 150-350 a service, at 12k intervals, but I'd suggest every 6k on an older car used regularly. Budget money for rear tyres though, as they will get through a set or two a year. Overall, put aside 1500 quid and you should be OK, assuming no major problems. The biggest headache will be leaking oil barrels or engine compression problems; top end rebuilds are around 3k, but this is cheap in supercar terms and an inspection should help you prevent against this.

In terms of ultimate mileage, you can get 200k plus out of a 3.2, but the engine will need a rebuild at about the half way point, plus you'll get through normal wear items like shocks, brake discs etc.

Honda Accord Type-R? Well, it will be less hassle to run, merely by dint of its age. However, it will not have as much classic character as a 3.2 Carrera 911. The engine note alone will make you fall in love with the 3.2 - the Type R's will be nice, but a bit too refined and it's two cylinder's short!

Re rear spoilers, I believe they were an option, then became standard. It is easy to get one removed or fitted after. They do generate downforce, so if you go above 130mph often, I wouldn't risk driving a 3.2 without.

Hope this helps.

Domster

[HermanTheGerman]

I can't really answer the questions about the Carrera 3.2 I'm afraid but have you considered a 928. You HAVE to get a good one, full OPC history, every bit of recommended work done etc. but they will eat up the kind of miles you're gonna be doing and it'll be quicker. With your budget you could get a really nice S4 or even maybe a GT if you prefer a manual, and still have money left over for any unforseen bills.

[domster]

HermanTheGerman said:...and still have money left over for any unforseen bills.

They haven't printed that amount of money yet

OK, bit unfair, but things like trip computers can cost 3k to fix, and they are quite a bit costlier to run than a 3.2 anyway.

Still, it's a good suggestion if you want a big GT for cruising around in



>> Edited by domster (moderator) on Friday 24th January 12:52

[dazren]

Ref the whale tail rear spoiler.

Sometimes these are fitted at a later date. Make sure if you're looking at a car that has one the car is also fitted with the corresponding lower lip front spoiler. You must have either both spoliers or neither. Just having one of them will lead to instability at higher speeds.

Good luck with your search.

DAZ

[Basil Brush]

I'd say consider buying one with more miles that has had all the top end work done if possible. Better to have a car with 110k miles, but potentially 90k before big bills than one with 90k that you know is likely to cost you £4k+ in a year or so's time.

[iguana]

domster said:
Re rear spoilers, I believe they were an option, then became standard. It is easy to get one removed or fitted after. They do generate downforce, so if you go above 130mph often, I wouldn't risk driving a 3.2 without.

Spoilers (the wing & a front spoiler) were standard on the sport spec cars along with Bilstein shocks, but lots of non sports have had 'em added or sports had em taken off! you can certainly feel the difference without 'em but the baloon tyres & lack of bilsteins on the non sports is even more noticable



>> Edited by iguana on Friday 24th January 13:51

[clubsport]

Dazren is spot on with respect to fitting the front lip to balance the fitment of a rear spoiler.
just to clarify things.
it started with the SC the "sport". option ...but with reference to the Carrera 3.2.From their introduction in 10/83,the sport pack was shown in the brochures as a seperate model carrera Sport as opposed to carrera.
Differences to sport model were bilstein suspension,front & rear spoilers,16" instead of 15" wheels& sports seats.


Sorry Iguana,,,i was typing as you posted..
Towards the end of the 3.2 life even the base Carreras were coming through with Turbo 16" rear wheels & sports suspension (no spoilers).

>> Edited by clubsport on Friday 24th January 13:58

[rubystone]

Dom, point to note, G50 came in on 1986 cars I believe. 915 box was OK but was right on the limit in the 3.2...synchro gets a bit dodgy on 1st and third gears on high mileage models

[danny hoffman]

I bought an '81 SC with 124,000 miles on the clock a couple of years ago. I now have 146,000 miles on the clock and the engine has never been apart.

Condition is everything.

The only major extra ordinary expenses were a starter motor (less than £200), new heat exchangers (I knew these were needed when I bought it - over £500 for stainless) and a new fuel distributor (over £300).

I use it whenever the weather is bad, as my other car is a TVR

Danny

[rich 36]

yeah the SC's are good entry level, had mine, an 82' for 18 months, no cause for concern really, needed 2 new tyres on front within half an hour of ownership my fault naturally, but apart from that great fun car, Daz according to Francis Tuthills, they say you can run about with front spoiler without any problem, as i was going to get my rear spoiler removed, and got a qoute from them just the other month for it