Pre-89 porsche ownership
Discussion
Myself and the G/f are interested in porsche ownership.
the car needs to be used everyday.
we like the pre 1989 cars for there undeniably cool retor appeal and wonder if its a realistic proposition to have such a vehicle for this purpose.
she will drive it to and from work daily.
i have been looking around and doing research into this era of car. from what i can make out a 3.2 with a g50 coupe (tin top) is the way to go.
i have seen models between 10-15 k and have thought that paying over 12k seems to be the right kind of money.
the mileage does not concern me that much, more finding a cherished example.
i am keen to learn from the experience of others; although i am not new to performance car ownership the idyosyncracies of these vehicles is of course something i know nothing about.
i would be used to an approx £3k maintainence bill per year.
is it a reliable proposition?
this is the sort of car we are attracted to:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/145277.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/144975.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/143710.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/142734.htm
the car needs to be used everyday.
we like the pre 1989 cars for there undeniably cool retor appeal and wonder if its a realistic proposition to have such a vehicle for this purpose.
she will drive it to and from work daily.
i have been looking around and doing research into this era of car. from what i can make out a 3.2 with a g50 coupe (tin top) is the way to go.
i have seen models between 10-15 k and have thought that paying over 12k seems to be the right kind of money.
the mileage does not concern me that much, more finding a cherished example.
i am keen to learn from the experience of others; although i am not new to performance car ownership the idyosyncracies of these vehicles is of course something i know nothing about.
i would be used to an approx £3k maintainence bill per year.
is it a reliable proposition?
this is the sort of car we are attracted to:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/145277.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/144975.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/143710.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/142734.htm
Edited by mista weava on Sunday 18th March 14:12
Edited by mista weava on Sunday 18th March 14:13
Hi 
Why not a 928...for that sort of money you would get a good one and I use mine as a daily driver....
You would get 170 mph plus speed and appalling fuel consumption (think less than 20 mpg)
But you would also get a huge smile on your face every time that big V8 rumbled into life...
All the best Brett
Why not a 928...for that sort of money you would get a good one and I use mine as a daily driver....
You would get 170 mph plus speed and appalling fuel consumption (think less than 20 mpg)
But you would also get a huge smile on your face every time that big V8 rumbled into life...
All the best Brett
Richard - the journey is open country roads most of the way and there are no traffic issues on the way there. the only traffic that is likely to be encountered is an occasional 5 mins on the return journey which would be around 10 minutes after the car had been started. the car would have a 30minute run minimum twice a day.
edited to say that mileage on each of the journeys is approximately 18 miles (36 round trip)
edited to say that mileage on each of the journeys is approximately 18 miles (36 round trip)
Edited by mista weava on Sunday 18th March 14:46
Edited by mista weava on Sunday 18th March 14:47
Doing 18-mile trips would be fine, if you see a build up of sludge under the oil filler cap just change the oil more regularly. On another note my girlfriend has real trouble driving my 930, once she's moving it's OK but with no power steering she really struggles doing slow manoeuvres, she is dainty though.
If the steering isn't an issue for her go for it, they are an event to drive every time, it won't depreciate and it will always make you smile.
On another note, try and find one that has had a top end rebuild if you can, and get a compression/leakdown test done if it hasn't. One last thing, don't get the green facelift car, if you want a 964 buy a 964, besides the wheels look shite on it
If the steering isn't an issue for her go for it, they are an event to drive every time, it won't depreciate and it will always make you smile.
On another note, try and find one that has had a top end rebuild if you can, and get a compression/leakdown test done if it hasn't. One last thing, don't get the green facelift car, if you want a 964 buy a 964, besides the wheels look shite on it
Ditto. Steering is non PAS, so its heavy. If your G/F has dainty arms and shoulders, she'll feel it for sure when trying to park or manouvre at very slow speeds.
Top end re-build is normally the older side of 85K miles, but quite expesnive 6K + so try and get one that's had this. Regular oil changes are a must and try to find a DRY one - they DO exist. Mine had the 915 G'box.....%^&#*&@king thing.......!!!! Stick with the G50 idea. Check for corroded heat exchangers too. Just a wonderful car though. The coolest looking 911 they ever made (IMHO). But, JEEPERS.....don't lift off round a bend, and be VERY careful in the wet!
Top end re-build is normally the older side of 85K miles, but quite expesnive 6K + so try and get one that's had this. Regular oil changes are a must and try to find a DRY one - they DO exist. Mine had the 915 G'box.....%^&#*&@king thing.......!!!! Stick with the G50 idea. Check for corroded heat exchangers too. Just a wonderful car though. The coolest looking 911 they ever made (IMHO). But, JEEPERS.....don't lift off round a bend, and be VERY careful in the wet!
thanks chaps.
Anna is thin and size 10 but is tall at six foot and a fit, strong girl. i think she would be ok with the non-power steering thing and certainly power wise she is used to the pokey motors o have had and the ones she has had; she currently has a toyota supra 3.0.
hear you on the liftoff over steer!
i am very hot on oil changes, as i have had alot of turbo cars and always do them every 3k miles.
i would definitely seek one with the top end done from what you guys have said and also the G50 'box.
i am aware that heat exchnagers/pipes are a pest; presumeably that is why people say look out for wet carpets?
where do the cars suffer with leaks from rain etc?
do these cars suffer with oil leaks?
Anna is thin and size 10 but is tall at six foot and a fit, strong girl. i think she would be ok with the non-power steering thing and certainly power wise she is used to the pokey motors o have had and the ones she has had; she currently has a toyota supra 3.0.
hear you on the liftoff over steer!
i am very hot on oil changes, as i have had alot of turbo cars and always do them every 3k miles.
i would definitely seek one with the top end done from what you guys have said and also the G50 'box.
i am aware that heat exchnagers/pipes are a pest; presumeably that is why people say look out for wet carpets?
where do the cars suffer with leaks from rain etc?
do these cars suffer with oil leaks?
Late 80's 911's are great.
Yes they are non PAS, but the steering is not to heavy. My wife used to drive my 3.2 Club Sport & that had a smaller momo steering wheel + 7" front rims.
The standard steering wheel & 6" rims will be a bit lighter on the arms. Coming straight out of a contempary car it will still feel heavy at first though.
Running costs on these cars are not normally too bad as long as you buy well in the fist place.
Try here from some really in depth knowledge
www.impactbumpers.com
Yes they are non PAS, but the steering is not to heavy. My wife used to drive my 3.2 Club Sport & that had a smaller momo steering wheel + 7" front rims.
The standard steering wheel & 6" rims will be a bit lighter on the arms. Coming straight out of a contempary car it will still feel heavy at first though.
Running costs on these cars are not normally too bad as long as you buy well in the fist place.
Try here from some really in depth knowledge
www.impactbumpers.com
i have reg'd on IB - thanks for that.
i have been perusing all over the net and i have to say that not many of the cars offered for sale mention any top end rebuilds!
finding a really good one could be harder than i thought, which kind of means you are heading in to the territory of 964 and even 993 money.
maybe a later car is worth consideration? they still look classic afterall and i think there may be more cars available.
i have been perusing all over the net and i have to say that not many of the cars offered for sale mention any top end rebuilds!
finding a really good one could be harder than i thought, which kind of means you are heading in to the territory of 964 and even 993 money.
maybe a later car is worth consideration? they still look classic afterall and i think there may be more cars available.
Forgot to say...look our for tin worm behind headlights where the moisture and salt gets a hold from under the front wheel arches. Also check out the B pillars from in front of the rear arches. They're notorious for getting a bit rotten there. This can be important as this is the post that the seat belts are attached too! Also take a look at the bonnet pull on the p/x side and also the A and C pillars, and a the bottom corners of the windscreen. They're all glavanised, but you're looking at a 20 year old car (ish) so take your time. There's some beautiful examples out there if you look around. Beautiful, beautiful car though. Good luck! 
The ideal car would have had a top end rebuild but don't rule out a car if it hasn't, this one that you pointed out earlier looks lovely www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/144975.htm Just make sure you give the engine a health check, at the end of the day buy a car on it's condition and it history, if it has been looked after it will be fine, there are pre 89 cars out there with 250k miles on the clock, there really isn't all that much to go wrong, if the body checks out and the engine is healthy and it has all it's receipts, service stamps, etc etc then just get in and have fun!
This is my '89 Carrera 3.2. Bought September '05. Used everyday single day for work since. 23 miles each way, most of it in traffic. Perfectly reliable. Gets 24 mpg in mixed traffic driving. Uses no oil and the '89 model is the widest wheeled and by virtue of that the most tamed as far as the l/o oversteer is concerned in the dry. Read the Porsche Driving Book, understand the dynamics, and you won't get er.... unstuck.
Seriously though, this is a sweet handing car, with unparalled traction out of bends. All the tales of backward hedge sorties, could have I expect have been avoided by smart witted drivers - even after the car let rip. I've done that once myself. It's all about quickly steering out of trouble and not waiting too long to see what happpens next.
Motorsport is full of heroic tales of 911's being pulled back from the brink.
Expenditure in 18 months(car was perviously in long term storage)
£300 alarm fix
£1700 new partial exhuast/heater repars.
£100 6K oil/filter service - did it myself.
Car is simply sublime and will appeal to any 'driver'. It's hidden secret is it's roomy interior, in a narrow body, that in effect gives you a wider road. One of the all time greats IMHO. Proves you don't need mod cons. Hand built from new to higher standards than today's Porsches. In it's day was the best 911 all rounder ever and one of the world's most desirable cars.
I'd suggest that while you still can, seek out a mint and standard car with G50 only. Porsche considered it a worthwhile enough improvement and so should you.
Steering is heavy but you'll get used to it very soon. It wasn't ever criticised when new. We've all just gone bit soft I think!
Think about colour & trim combo carefully. Black interiors suit car best and personally I don't like contasting seat piping.
I just love it and everything about it and I've had a lot of sports cars. Soon everyone will realise. If you click on my screen name there's a comprehensive appraisal of this car under My profile/Cars/89 Carrera 3.2
Car is likley future investment, it was the final phase of the classic 911. 20 years from now, they'll be saying remember 2007, when you could get a 3.2 for 15K...........
Edited by crbox on Sunday 18th March 20:11
Jbl930 -
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/144975.htm the only draw back is the burgundy half leather iMO, but i could live with that.
CRbox - thats a fantastic appraisal and ownership report and has allayed many of my fears.
as for the dynamics of driving a 911, anna had an mr2 which is of course rear engined and rear drive and rwd s my layout of choice - i have a mk1 escort rs2000 stage rally car.
needless to say i agree with all thats been said and compared to an old FORD the rot ptoential is not half as real a problem! obviously anything we intend to buy we will have independently inspected by a reputable specialist.
great stuff guys, thankyou and keepit coming!
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/144975.htm the only draw back is the burgundy half leather iMO, but i could live with that.
CRbox - thats a fantastic appraisal and ownership report and has allayed many of my fears.
as for the dynamics of driving a 911, anna had an mr2 which is of course rear engined and rear drive and rwd s my layout of choice - i have a mk1 escort rs2000 stage rally car
. needless to say i agree with all thats been said and compared to an old FORD the rot ptoential is not half as real a problem! obviously anything we intend to buy we will have independently inspected by a reputable specialist.
great stuff guys, thankyou and keepit coming!
hab said:
That is just beautiful. Looks great with the white Fuch
Edited by hab on Sunday 18th March 20:01
mmmmmm...sport pack.
She's lovely. Mine was a 1984 with sport pack and colour coded fuchs too. mmmmm. Miss her terribly. Consoling myself with an 02 though, so life's not too bad. Doesn't have the same soul though. (but I'm not tempted to roll the sleeves up on my suit jackets when I get in it anymore......)
Beautiful looking car though.
mista weava said:
as for the dynamics of driving a 911, anna had an mr2 which is of course rear engined and rear drive and rwd s my layout of choice - i have a mk1 escort rs2000 stage rally car .
Sounds like you will find a 911 pretty understandable in its dynamics. .An MR2 is mid engined (engine in front of rear axle line) which gives it a lot less lateral inertia. Lift off round a corner in an MR2/MGF/Elise and you'll be travelling backwards in the blink of an eye because they flick so quickly. Because of that low lateral momentum/inertia.
A 911 is a more pendulous affair and happens slower. If you are half-expecting it therefore you have more time to do something about it - I'd suggest a skid pan if you really want to find its full character. As long as you keep power down then the back will not do anything you cannot catch unless you are on wet or icy roads, in which case you need to use the clutch to isolate the engine while you regain the car.
In normal road use just treat throttle lift off with respect but use it through the corners - remember they race these cars, they can drift with the best of them - just don't deliberately try to bin it.
A top end rebuild on a 3.2 is about £4k (menu cost) at JZM, and they are not renowned for needing it - the engines last a long long time. See how it goes, how it idles, and get a leakdown test if you are not sure. The 915 gearbox is still very sweet but does wear, although Swepco 201 is recommended to keep the life in them for longer. If you get a good 915 it will be fine for a long long time unless you really drag the syncros, they are cone syncros that are much weaker than the borg-warner ones. And when 915s wear, you just have to be a little more gentle on the shifts - thats all.
In 1986 the interior was facelifted with bigger A/C vents, bear in mind A/C on a 911 is not the same as a modern car unless the owner has fitted barrier hoses, new dryer etc etc.
With all of them check the condition of the exhausts under the engine and check the heating works and switches off and on well. Check very carefully for rust on the door shut pillars, and near the front and rear windows. Scan the internet to find rust traps on the 911 so you know what to look for and what it means, rust is far more important than the top-end history IMO.
Edited by Globulator on Monday 19th March 09:40
Hi,
Buy one.
I've had an '89 3.2 for the last 2 and a bit years and use it everyday, 50 miles round trip. I take three kids to school in it, Mrs Mamba uses it every now and then to pop to Sainsbury's, it truly is amazing, it has never missed a beat in 25k miles, insurance it cheap(ish) £550. All this for £14.5k with nearly zero depreciation. Buy a good one, let it warm up before you get heavy with the right foot keep it serviced at least every 10k and you will not be disapointed.
Also you will look the mutts nuts
Blacky
Buy one.
I've had an '89 3.2 for the last 2 and a bit years and use it everyday, 50 miles round trip. I take three kids to school in it, Mrs Mamba uses it every now and then to pop to Sainsbury's, it truly is amazing, it has never missed a beat in 25k miles, insurance it cheap(ish) £550. All this for £14.5k with nearly zero depreciation. Buy a good one, let it warm up before you get heavy with the right foot keep it serviced at least every 10k and you will not be disapointed.
Also you will look the mutts nuts
Blacky
Yup they're special cars and you don't realise how special until you own one! For an every day driver make sure the heat exchangers are good and the rest of the heating system works properly as air cooled cars are not the best fun on cold frosty mornings!
A late G50 car would be slightly easier to drive but dont dismiss late SC's as condition and histoy is much more important than a few years newer! Check very carefully for rust.....everywhere! I love my SC....but I admit it's not a daily driver!
A late G50 car would be slightly easier to drive but dont dismiss late SC's as condition and histoy is much more important than a few years newer! Check very carefully for rust.....everywhere! I love my SC....but I admit it's not a daily driver!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff