3.2 Carerra in Bristol

[Meldonte]

Hi chaps,

Bit of a weird one perhaps, but if you don't ask you don't get...

Does anyone around bristol have a late 80s 3.2 carerra they could show me round and possibly take me for a quick run in? Are there any local meets I can pop along to ? I am looking to buy one next year and want to understand as much as I can before taking the plunge about the ownership experience, unfortunately none of my mates have such impeccable taste as yourselves;). I'm not looking to buy now so don't want to waste the precious time of a seller really. Think I have settled on a g50 coupe but at this stage I'd be keen to poke round anything air cooled. Want to learn more about diy maintenance, running costs, problem areas really so someone who knows the oily bits well would be ideal.

I currently have a caterham SuperSport as my fun car, and as competent as it is, it's not really grabbed me as I only enjoy it at speeds that aren't really suitable for on the roads, it doesn't come alive until 8/9 tenths. Looking for something now that I can enjoy just as much pottering round in as when I'm wringing it's neck.

I'm not a full weirdo from the internet, promise! I think ill take up about 30 minutes of your time, happy to exchange for some ciders or a run out in the caterham if you want to know what having flies stuck in your teeth feels like

[BertBert]

Meldonte said:

I currently have a caterham SuperSport as my fun car, and as competent as it is, it's not really grabbed me as I only enjoy it at speeds that aren't really suitable for on the roads, it doesn't come alive until 8/9 tenths. Looking for something now that I can enjoy just as much pottering round in as when I'm wringing it's neck.

I can't help on the 3.2 request, but I am intrigued about your thought process. To my view the caterham is the ultimate have fun on the roads at low speeds car. In comparison, won't the 3.2 feel like a bit of a lazy GT/tourer? You'll need to drive one to see if it meets your expectations. I wouldn't get too hung up on it needing to be G50. Condition is more important so you don't want to restrict your choice.

Have fun finding out!

Bert

[BertBert]

As another thought... if your Caterham has still got the aeroscreen and cage, I'd get a normal screen and doors on it, lose the cage and put a 6 speed box in. Then you have the perfect "fun at all speeds" car!
I'll get my coat!
Bert

[DRH986]

If you're looking to talk face to face with someone local on the maintenance aspects, you could go and have a chat with Brian at Woodward Motors in Rockhampton. He specialises in the older Porsches and while his setup is definitely "no frills", he's got a lot of experience on that generation of cars and is very approachable.

[epoch911]

There is a meet in Queen Square on the 2nd Sunday of every month - always a good turnout of Porsche and I've seen plenty of 80's metal there - TIPEC and PCGB often arrange a drive to the meet. You can also check out the South West section on PH for other meets. You might find fewer air cooled out and about now though as the weather turns cr4ppy.

More than happy to take you out in a 2.7RS unless that's too early for what you're looking for...based near Glastonbury but work in Bristol

Ant

[DJWuk]

Have both a caterham R300 and 3.2 911.

Bought the caterham after having a GT3 where as you describe, I only got a buzz at somewhere near silly speeds with the GT3. The caterham gives same buzz at much lower speeds.

The 911 3.2 is much more a GT car than the caterham. If you can't get a buzz from a caterham at normal road speeds, you don't stand a chance with any other cars. Nothing will be as raw as a 7

Just my 2p worth

Dave

[Meldonte]

I get what you guys are saying... It's not like I'm falling asleep in the caterham or anything. It's just part of the ownership for me isn't using it as a mode of transport, when I drive it it is because I want to drive it, not because I want to arrive in style. I think that is a crucial part of ownership for me. When I take it out I bumble around aimlessly having a great time but invariably always end up back at my house because to venture out further afield always ends up in a rain in your face disaster in Britain. (Took it to north wales on the fish and chip blat, forecast bright sunshine all day - it hailed on us on the way back!)

My thinking with the 911 is not for an all out track car like the caterham or anything but a fairly usable weekend GT car that I can make trips to places in and enjoy the drive whilst traveling TO somewhere I couldn't do this in a normal daily driver as I am so drawn to cars of this era for some reason. I also couldn't ever do this in the caterham as I possibly went to far towards the racing car side of things and haven't got enough comfortable bits.

For context if saab made this in RWD I think it would be my perfect car, timeless yet retro, noisy, reasonably quick, practical mile muncher and a real head turner. The way I see it the 911 is all those things (I am not saying it is a RWD saab, don't get offended )

Edited by Meldonte on Sunday 20th October 12:46

[Meldonte]

epoch911 said:

There is a meet in Queen Square on the 2nd Sunday of every month - always a good turnout of Porsche and I've seen plenty of 80's metal there - TIPEC and PCGB often arrange a drive to the meet. You can also check out the South West section on PH for other meets. You might find fewer air cooled out and about now though as the weather turns cr4ppy.

More than happy to take you out in a 2.7RS unless that's too early for what you're looking for...based near Glastonbury but work in Bristol

Ant

I've been to a few of the queens square meets but never really seen much old porsche stuff apart from a bright orange (I presume) RS from the 70s - it had a giant oil cooler in a square recess in the front valance? Perhaps I've been unlucky or arrived too late, I'll keep loitering.

That's a really kind offer Ant, do you go to the meets or have you garaged for winter yet? Would be great to see you at the next one but I understand if you can't make it. Although it's earlier than what I'm looking for at this point anything air cooled with big round dials and a musty smell of oil and leather is perfect. Give me a heads up when you are planning to be in the area and we'll see if we can sort something!

[BertBert]

When I decided that I wanted a car that retained the fun and engagement of the Caterham but was a more grown up car I ended up in a 6GT3RS. The choice of it being an RS was just the product of the hunt. I was looking for a non-silver mk1 or mk2 and didn't really find what I was looking for but did find the RS in outrageous condition!

Anyway back to my point, you might look to GT3s as an alternative if the 3.2/Saab/Volvo idea doesn't work out

Bert

[epoch911]

Meldonte said:

I've been to a few of the queens square meets but never really seen much old porsche stuff apart from a bright orange (I presume) RS from the 70s - it had a giant oil cooler in a square recess in the front valance? Perhaps I've been unlucky or arrived too late, I'll keep loitering.

That's a really kind offer Ant, do you go to the meets or have you garaged for winter yet? Would be great to see you at the next one but I understand if you can't make it. Although it's earlier than what I'm looking for at this point anything air cooled with big round dials and a musty smell of oil and leather is perfect. Give me a heads up when you are planning to be in the area and we'll see if we can sort something!

Hi. Generally go to QS every month though not always in a 911.
I don't tend to store the car for winter at all so there's a good chance we can get together at some point
Ant

[plavix]

epoch911 said:

More than happy to take you out in a 2.7RS unless that's too early for what you're looking for...based near Glastonbury but work in Bristol

Me, me, me.

[Chester Lampwick]

I have an '85 3.2, with fully adjustable electric leather seats, and they are the comfiest seats I've had, including a few Mercs. If you start to feel stiff on a long run you can just change the shape a bit, and you can actually use the built in headrests. They will be a revelation after your race seats.

Mine has a 915 box, once you get used to the rather 'light switch' clutch bite point, you wonder what all the fuss about G50's is for. Everyone else who tries my car seems guaranteed to stall it though, but I look at the rev counter as I start off.

I'd be happy to show you round mine, but sadly although I bought it from your neck of the woods, its now 180 miles away. What you want to see is where they rot best, places like the back of the 'B' pillars, scuttles and around the sills, places to test with your trusty magnet.

[Fishy Dave]

Hi Meldonte,

I have just been in a very similar position to you, having sold my Caterham Supersport on Saturday and bought a 1985 3.2 Coupe yesterday. For me the reasons for changing came down to work, not having the opportunity to race or trackday as much as I have done previously and getting tired of both myself and the car getting dirty on every drive down our local lanes (we live a few miles from any main road).

I'll let you know how I get on....

Cheers, Dave

[RVVUNM]

I'm in Bristol and I have a 1989 Turbo but I have also had two 3.2's (a 915 and a G50) I'm in Downend and I'm always up for a chat.

[Meldonte]

RVVUNM said:

I'm in Bristol and I have a 1989 Turbo but I have also had two 3.2's (a 915 and a G50) I'm in Downend and I'm always up for a chat.

Thanks! ( car in profile looks great btw)I work in Emerson's green if you are about down end way at lunchtimes in the week I could easily pop over? I suspect you won't be so no worries

Thanks folks, I've had messages off a couple of very kind people now so i reckon I'll be able to sort something in the near future!

[RVVUNM]

At work in Avonmouth every day, sorry.

[drmark]

Edited by drmark on Sunday 10th November 21:37