'89 Carrera 3.2 - a diamond amongst jewels?
Discussion
Porsche 911 ('89)
This article written for a publication - so please ignore the driving tutotial and other bits that are no way intended to be patronising to Porsche owners.
Originally written 2005 - revised 2008 - still a great road machine - still own it.
In Sept 04 CAR magazine published my letter, damning the plethora of driver and comfort aids in the new 997. I think they must have agreed and sent me a Playstation.
In the letter, I suggested that the best all round enthusiasts Porsche (2.7 RS excepted) may have been the Carrera 3.2 Sport, produced between '87 and '89.
Hitherto, I have now reinvested out of my supposedly awesome Audi RS6 Avant mother ship and back into a relatively simply engineered 1989 Carrera 3.2 Sport Coupe. The car cost me 16.5K (Sept 05) but I reckon 22-25K would be nearer it's true value, if you all knew how good they were.
The plain truth is that time has not minimised this cars qualities. Sometimes a design reaches a pinnacle, that later developments actually diminish rather than improve upon - just like the proverbial lily.
That doesn't mean later Porsches are bad - nothing could be further from the truth. It's just that the eighties are ignored bu buyers who can spend more. So this article is simpley intended to highlight this sadly often overlooked car.
Adored by road testers whilst current, the eighties Carrera suffered from an unfortunate yuppie label and was practically despised by the average motorist. If they new how lucky, the enthusiast owner/drivers of these cars actually were - it might have been far worse!
Coming in at a tad over 1200kg and with the iconic 231bhp flat six at the peak of it's development, the car is bereft of today's driver aids. No power steering, no ABS, no traction control, no sat nav, no climate control, no parking sensors, no radiator fluids, no memory seats, no cat, no butt warmers, no four wheel drive and no button with PSM on it.
So it's up to you sonny - what are you going to do - learn to drive or what?
It's worth reading The Porsche Driving book. If you do you'll learn that that rear engine position is really quite well thought out. The deletion of the transmission tunnel between the seats, which allows the seats to be closer together, offers a roomy interior that is narrower than a similar front engined equivalents.
A narrow car, means a wider road and if you like what this car does best, then that's just what you need.
Also, on any high performance car, one thing you don't ever want is wheelspin mid corner - 'cos when the wheels are spinning there's no grip. With a rear engined car, when you accelerate, the inertia coupled with the engines mass, forces more weight on the back wheels than normal. The result is massive traction, which helps prevent the dreaded wheelspin. If thats not enough, there a usually wing on top too.
The only downside is if you back off abruptly, or worse brake hard mid corner, the inertia change forces the weight onto the front wheels, which in extreme conditions will be enough to unload the rear wheels enough for then to loose all grip. At this point you heart will stop as the car pivots on the front kingpins and the rear steps out, due to centrifugal force. It's where all the hedge backwards stories come from.
Know this, you can opposite lock the car out of near death situations, if you are quick. Alternatively, always drive within your braking vision envelope (as you would on the road anyhow), thus ensuring you will not have no cause to unsettle the car.
When these cars are in equilibrium, they corner as if tied to a post.
Anyhow lesson over and back to the eighties everyday supercar, that weighs less than a modern Mini One.
Even when they brought out the Lightweight CS version they could only trim off 50kg. No wonder today's 997 needs around 100 bhp more to outdrag this little gem.
The upshot is a drivers car par excellence. Not exactly awesome, but pretty acceptable acceleration (5.7sec 0-60) combined with that classic engine that changes character above 3500 rpm.
Unmufffled by today's water jackets, the flat six howl will have you turning off the radio and taking the long way home. The remote 5 speed G50 box fells anything but and the acceleration from 130mph in fifth, is as much an eye opener, as it is an ear basher.
You can get a 30" suitcase in the front, plus the rear child seats fold for even more space. It gets 24 mpg overall and servicing costs circa £450PA.
Unassisted steering is heavy at first, but soon becomes normal. I defy any non 911 aficionado not to at least admire this machine's virtues.
Low weight, real performance, almost affordable, challenging drive, fantastic soundtrack, galvanised panels, quality build, practical, bulletproof residuals and future classic - what's not to like?
This article written for a publication - so please ignore the driving tutotial and other bits that are no way intended to be patronising to Porsche owners.
Originally written 2005 - revised 2008 - still a great road machine - still own it.
In Sept 04 CAR magazine published my letter, damning the plethora of driver and comfort aids in the new 997. I think they must have agreed and sent me a Playstation.
In the letter, I suggested that the best all round enthusiasts Porsche (2.7 RS excepted) may have been the Carrera 3.2 Sport, produced between '87 and '89.
Hitherto, I have now reinvested out of my supposedly awesome Audi RS6 Avant mother ship and back into a relatively simply engineered 1989 Carrera 3.2 Sport Coupe. The car cost me 16.5K (Sept 05) but I reckon 22-25K would be nearer it's true value, if you all knew how good they were.
The plain truth is that time has not minimised this cars qualities. Sometimes a design reaches a pinnacle, that later developments actually diminish rather than improve upon - just like the proverbial lily.
That doesn't mean later Porsches are bad - nothing could be further from the truth. It's just that the eighties are ignored bu buyers who can spend more. So this article is simpley intended to highlight this sadly often overlooked car.
Adored by road testers whilst current, the eighties Carrera suffered from an unfortunate yuppie label and was practically despised by the average motorist. If they new how lucky, the enthusiast owner/drivers of these cars actually were - it might have been far worse!
Coming in at a tad over 1200kg and with the iconic 231bhp flat six at the peak of it's development, the car is bereft of today's driver aids. No power steering, no ABS, no traction control, no sat nav, no climate control, no parking sensors, no radiator fluids, no memory seats, no cat, no butt warmers, no four wheel drive and no button with PSM on it.
So it's up to you sonny - what are you going to do - learn to drive or what?
It's worth reading The Porsche Driving book. If you do you'll learn that that rear engine position is really quite well thought out. The deletion of the transmission tunnel between the seats, which allows the seats to be closer together, offers a roomy interior that is narrower than a similar front engined equivalents.
A narrow car, means a wider road and if you like what this car does best, then that's just what you need.
Also, on any high performance car, one thing you don't ever want is wheelspin mid corner - 'cos when the wheels are spinning there's no grip. With a rear engined car, when you accelerate, the inertia coupled with the engines mass, forces more weight on the back wheels than normal. The result is massive traction, which helps prevent the dreaded wheelspin. If thats not enough, there a usually wing on top too.
The only downside is if you back off abruptly, or worse brake hard mid corner, the inertia change forces the weight onto the front wheels, which in extreme conditions will be enough to unload the rear wheels enough for then to loose all grip. At this point you heart will stop as the car pivots on the front kingpins and the rear steps out, due to centrifugal force. It's where all the hedge backwards stories come from.
Know this, you can opposite lock the car out of near death situations, if you are quick. Alternatively, always drive within your braking vision envelope (as you would on the road anyhow), thus ensuring you will not have no cause to unsettle the car.
When these cars are in equilibrium, they corner as if tied to a post.
Anyhow lesson over and back to the eighties everyday supercar, that weighs less than a modern Mini One.
Even when they brought out the Lightweight CS version they could only trim off 50kg. No wonder today's 997 needs around 100 bhp more to outdrag this little gem.
The upshot is a drivers car par excellence. Not exactly awesome, but pretty acceptable acceleration (5.7sec 0-60) combined with that classic engine that changes character above 3500 rpm.
Unmufffled by today's water jackets, the flat six howl will have you turning off the radio and taking the long way home. The remote 5 speed G50 box fells anything but and the acceleration from 130mph in fifth, is as much an eye opener, as it is an ear basher.
You can get a 30" suitcase in the front, plus the rear child seats fold for even more space. It gets 24 mpg overall and servicing costs circa £450PA.
Unassisted steering is heavy at first, but soon becomes normal. I defy any non 911 aficionado not to at least admire this machine's virtues.
Low weight, real performance, almost affordable, challenging drive, fantastic soundtrack, galvanised panels, quality build, practical, bulletproof residuals and future classic - what's not to like?
Edited by crbox on Saturday 5th July 10:16
I've always admired this car for it's quality engineering. Those who are quick to criticise the rear engined layout really don't understand the advantages for road use. An equivalent mid-engined car may well turn in slightly faster laptimes around a track, but safe fast road driving is all about slow-in fast-out. Driven like this, the immense traction is a huge advantage. Straight line braking is also better with the rearward weight distribution, which many people are simply not aware of. Another big benefit on a road car. So brake in a straight line, turn-in conservatively off the brakes, get back on the power early and not much will stay with you on the road. I always laugh when journalists think these traits are somehow achieved in spite of the rear layout, when in fact they are fundamental characteristics of it.
The argument is interesting - pre 89 911s are becoming valid propositions in these days of increasing car tax for anything post 2001 which is starting to put me off other potential 2nd/fun cars.
As they are quite old though, would owners say they are becoming quite needy with respect to rust and tired suspension etc.? Apologies if this is asked too often, but is there a good internet resource to find out about what to look for (apart from a specialist PPI!) on pre-89 911s?
As they are quite old though, would owners say they are becoming quite needy with respect to rust and tired suspension etc.? Apologies if this is asked too often, but is there a good internet resource to find out about what to look for (apart from a specialist PPI!) on pre-89 911s?
///ajd said:
The argument is interesting - pre 89 911s are becoming valid propositions in these days of increasing car tax for anything post 2001 which is starting to put me off other potential 2nd/fun cars.
As they are quite old though, would owners say they are becoming quite needy with respect to rust and tired suspension etc.? Apologies if this is asked too often, but is there a good internet resource to find out about what to look for (apart from a specialist PPI!) on pre-89 911s?
Yes the specialiat 911 and Porsche glossy magazines you see at W H Smith fior example, have all done buyers guides for the 3.2's. They will be pleased to sell you a back issue for around £5 and it's exacly what I did myself.As they are quite old though, would owners say they are becoming quite needy with respect to rust and tired suspension etc.? Apologies if this is asked too often, but is there a good internet resource to find out about what to look for (apart from a specialist PPI!) on pre-89 911s?
The cars are amongst the best rustproofed in the industry. Even after 20 yrs mine is still virtually imacc, although the aluminium bumers are starting to electolytically corrode and need attention to make it perfect.
I needed a new exhaust for mine, but only because the steel nuts had rusted through - the actual system was fine!
Otherwise nothing has been logged or requires attention except consumables.After almost 20 years use it feels like a 5 year old car and has virtually no rattles at all.
Also go for a rebuilt engine car, cos they all need one at around 70-130K miles. If it's already been done, then you shouldn't have to spend the £6k it might cost.
uktrailmonster said:
Straight line braking is also better with the rearward weight distribution, which many people are simply not aware of.
Good point UKTM - My rally mates are always amazed at how fast the car stops + you get long lasting front brake pads.uktrailmonster said:
I always laugh when journalists think these traits are somehow achieved in spite of the rear layout, when in fact they are fundamental characteristics of it.
Indeed. They normally say 'A triumph of development over design' when really they should stop at the word 'Triumph'Yeah but journalists still bang on about the Corvette having 'leaf springs', completely ignorant of the actual mechanicals present. Same thing with the latest Civic's torsion beam - they'd pre-judged the car before even driving it. Which is ironic when they blow their own trumpets as if they only look at 'driving pleasure' or whatever - if that's all you cared about, you wouldn't be banging on about the mechanicals as if you understood them to support your opinion...
Anyhow, small rant aside, that's a great article. With that power in such a light body it must really be a quick car. Worth saving up for!
Anyhow, small rant aside, that's a great article. With that power in such a light body it must really be a quick car. Worth saving up for!
///ajd said:
As they are quite old though, would owners say they are becoming quite needy with respect to rust and tired suspension etc.? Apologies if this is asked too often, but is there a good internet resource to find out about what to look for (apart from a specialist PPI!) on pre-89 911s?
Mechanically they are very robust cars. Quite capable of covering huge mileages. There is a well known 3.2CS kicking around with over 400,000 miles on the clock. BUT they do need looking after. If neglected for long periods, as many have been, they can become a bottomless money pit. Despite the galvanised shell, rust is still the primary concern. But buy a well cared for example and it should be relatively cheap to own.I'm really lucky to have a friend who ran a 997 Carrera as a company car and has a 3.2 Targa ('89 I think). Having driven the 3.2 and then gone straight out in the 997 as a passenger the old car was one of the most exhilarating cars I've driven.
The 997, by comparison, was fast but anodyne. I'd still have one, of course, but one day I'll have a 3.2...
Cheers,
Animal
The 997, by comparison, was fast but anodyne. I'd still have one, of course, but one day I'll have a 3.2...
Cheers,
Animal
Great write up, what more can you say?
The 3.2 is the ultimate "modern classic" 911, not to old to wrap in moth balls and not to sanitized to get bored as in modern machinary, hey i sold "the last of the air-cooled,as they state, 993 C4S" to get back into a 930 derived pork.
Supply and demand will determine the next 3-4 yrs in value IMO..........GREAT CARS.
911/930 TURBO
3.2 CARRERA
The purist choice fellas?
The 3.2 is the ultimate "modern classic" 911, not to old to wrap in moth balls and not to sanitized to get bored as in modern machinary, hey i sold "the last of the air-cooled,as they state, 993 C4S" to get back into a 930 derived pork.
Supply and demand will determine the next 3-4 yrs in value IMO..........GREAT CARS.
911/930 TURBO
3.2 CARRERA
The purist choice fellas?
I've read this thread with a VERY big smile on my face. 
I bought my first Porsche 8 years ago - an '88 3.2 Carrera Sport in GP White, with white centre'd wheels, EXACTLY the same as the one featured here. Had it for 18 months, loved it, drove all over Europe etc. never went wrong... Replaced it with a 993 Carrera 2. Very nice, although a bit less involving. Replaced that with a 964 Turbo II. Bonkers and brilliant, but not as good overall as the 3.2. Anyway, replaced that with a....1958 Porsche 356A. Still have the 356 and that is for "keeps". Certainly more involving than mot cars to drive! But need something stronger for daily driving....
Then last week, out of the blue, I saw an '88 GP White 3.2 Carrera Sport for sale at a well known Porsche indie. It's identical to my first 3.2 in every way. I've had an eye on the market for 2 yrs to find one in good nick in that colour scheme, and nothing has come up that was 'right'. But this one looked good. Viewed it the next morning, did the test drive, deposit down. Should have collected it today, but ran out of time, so getting it Tuesday now. Can't wait. It is simply the BEST car I have ever driven. Apart from the Porsches I had a Maserati 4200 for a year - great fun, lovely place to sit, lovely noise - but not a patch on the 3.2. A mate of mine has a 996 Turbo. Borrowed that for a few days recently. Very very quick, and an amazing car - but not as much fun as the 3.2. I test drove a 997 S a few months back. I still love the look of them, but it simply was not the same fun as the 3.2
There is a certain something that makes the 3.2 so special. The involvement, the mechanical feel of the gearshift, the feedback through the steering wheel and literally the seat of your pants. You know exactly what each wheel is doing, how much grip it has, where the power is. As a result, hey presto, you feel like YOU are driving the car. You are pilotting your Porsche down the road. No gadgets, no gizmos. Just you! That is what makes it such an enormously rewarding car to drive.
And as others have said, the 3.2 is cheaper to tax, cheaper to service, cheaper to insure, and if looked after then it'll be going up in price over the next few years. It's a total no-brainer.
Anyway - better go and lie down somewhere dark. Can someone wake me up for Tuesday morning please...
I bought my first Porsche 8 years ago - an '88 3.2 Carrera Sport in GP White, with white centre'd wheels, EXACTLY the same as the one featured here. Had it for 18 months, loved it, drove all over Europe etc. never went wrong... Replaced it with a 993 Carrera 2. Very nice, although a bit less involving. Replaced that with a 964 Turbo II. Bonkers and brilliant, but not as good overall as the 3.2. Anyway, replaced that with a....1958 Porsche 356A. Still have the 356 and that is for "keeps". Certainly more involving than mot cars to drive!
But need something stronger for daily driving.... Then last week, out of the blue, I saw an '88 GP White 3.2 Carrera Sport for sale at a well known Porsche indie. It's identical to my first 3.2 in every way. I've had an eye on the market for 2 yrs to find one in good nick in that colour scheme, and nothing has come up that was 'right'. But this one looked good. Viewed it the next morning, did the test drive, deposit down. Should have collected it today, but ran out of time, so getting it Tuesday now. Can't wait. It is simply the BEST car I have ever driven. Apart from the Porsches I had a Maserati 4200 for a year - great fun, lovely place to sit, lovely noise - but not a patch on the 3.2. A mate of mine has a 996 Turbo. Borrowed that for a few days recently. Very very quick, and an amazing car - but not as much fun as the 3.2. I test drove a 997 S a few months back. I still love the look of them, but it simply was not the same fun as the 3.2
There is a certain something that makes the 3.2 so special. The involvement, the mechanical feel of the gearshift, the feedback through the steering wheel and literally the seat of your pants. You know exactly what each wheel is doing, how much grip it has, where the power is. As a result, hey presto, you feel like YOU are driving the car. You are pilotting your Porsche down the road. No gadgets, no gizmos. Just you! That is what makes it such an enormously rewarding car to drive.
And as others have said, the 3.2 is cheaper to tax, cheaper to service, cheaper to insure, and if looked after then it'll be going up in price over the next few years. It's a total no-brainer.
Anyway - better go and lie down somewhere dark. Can someone wake me up for Tuesday morning please...
This one sure is a diamond. Slate Grey Metallic over Cashmere Biege. Collectors Grade.
https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-911-carre...
https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-911-carre...
Jones the cat said:
This one sure is a diamond. Slate Grey Metallic over Cashmere Biege. Collectors Grade.
https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-911-carre...
That does look incredibly nice.https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-911-carre...
But think it would look even prettier without that rear spoiler.
Guess that’s not too difficult to do?
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff