Could my next car be my ‘forever’ car?

[gwsinc]

I’m currently the proud owner of a very well specced 987.2 Cayman S.

I’m really enjoying it, but conscious it’s not a ‘forever’ car. I’m very lucky to no longer be using it as a daily, so I’m starting to consider moving it on in the coming year for a classic 911, which is my ‘achievable’ dream car (unlikely to be getting my proper dream F40 or DB5 any time soon!)

The budget will be low, relatively speaking, but enough for a mechanically and structurally sound car for max 6000 miles a year. I estimate my price ceiling to be £40k.

This won’t be a concourse car, but one I will modify over the years, both mechanically and visually. I’ll do most work myself except the more complex stuff. It’ll be a car I drive mainly for enjoyment, as well as to work now and the occasional trip abroad.

The question is, given the above, what 911 do I go for? An SC, or a 964 that’s a little rough around the edges.

My only must haves in addition to the above are a manual transmission and coupé body.

[Porsche911R]

"but enough for a mechanically and structurally sound car for max 6000 miles a year. I estimate my price ceiling to be £40k."

not possible imho.

[Monkeylegend]

.......................until you can afford your proper dream car

[Magnum 475]

Porsche911R said:

"but enough for a mechanically and structurally sound car for max 6000 miles a year. I estimate my price ceiling to be £40k."

not possible imho.

It can be done, if bought privately with good inspection. Not possible from any of the 'big name' dealers such as 911V, JZM etc.

[Porsche911R]

Magnum 475 said:

It can be done, if bought privately with good inspection. Not possible from any of the 'big name' dealers such as 911V, JZM etc.

I'll await the calls from private sellers on C2 manual 964's at £40k which are sound :-)

[Magnum 475]

Porsche911R said:

Magnum 475 said:

It can be done, if bought privately with good inspection. Not possible from any of the 'big name' dealers such as 911V, JZM etc.

I'll await the calls from private sellers on C2 manual 964's at £40k which are sound :-)

I was thinking more 911 SC or 3.2 Carrera. There are a few around if you look, how good they really are underneath the shiny paint is another matter.

[gwsinc]

Magnum 475 said:

I was thinking more 911 SC or 3.2 Carrera. There are a few around if you look, how good they really are underneath the shiny paint is another matter.

This is my worry, I’ve seen a few 964s and SCs online for this kind of price, mainly Cat Ds and/or LHD. Cat Ds aren’t an immediate no-no depending on damage done and quality of repair work. Neither are LDH, again as long as there’s decent history.

Privately is the only way this is going to happen, so will definitely be getting a PPI.

I hadn’t considered 3.2 Carreras, I’ll looks into this.

[gwsinc]

Monkeylegend said:

.......................until you can afford your proper dream car

Thank for believing in me Monkeylegend, but a £1m car will realistically always be a dream!

[n12maser]

If SC/3.2, spend some time browsing Impact Bumpers to get a feel for what often lies beneath and what to look out for!!

https://www.impactbumpers.com/forum/index.php

[gwsinc]

n12maser said:

If SC/3.2, spend some time browsing Impact Bumpers to get a feel for what often lies beneath and what to look out for!!

https://www.impactbumpers.com/forum/index.php

Very useful, thanks!

[supersport]

gwsinc said:

This is my worry, I’ve seen a few 964s and SCs online for this kind of price, mainly Cat Ds and/or LHD. Cat Ds aren’t an immediate no-no depending on damage done and quality of repair work. Neither are LDH, again as long as there’s decent history.

Privately is the only way this is going to happen, so will definitely be getting a PPI.

I hadn’t considered 3.2 Carreras, I’ll looks into this.

Nothing wrong with LHD, it's the best way to be

[n12maser]

yep, the LHD air-cooled 911 don't have the pedals squashed over to the left (like RHD) which annoys some people.

also if lucky enough to get one that's spent most of its life in southern Europe then the bodywork is prob in much better condition than one from our rainy isles.

[Monkeylegend]

gwsinc said:

Monkeylegend said:

.......................until you can afford your proper dream car

Thank for believing in me Monkeylegend, but a £1m car will realistically always be a dream!

Never say never, that bubble might deflate yet, who knows what's going to transpire over the next decade.

Funnily enough, albeit at a much lower cost level, I have always found in retrospect that I wished I had never bought my dream car, and should have left it as a dream. A bit like never meet you idols/heroes.

[jackliebling]

They are probably going to end up as expensive paper-weights...

[phib]

Have you thought about a 993 ?

I just bought one ( that needed work .... Lots of work !!) but it will be my forever Porsche and by the time I have rebuilt it I will know every nut and bolt

I also have a fully sorted one but that was for sale due to the new arrival

Phib

[gwsinc]

phib said:

Have you thought about a 993 ?

I just bought one ( that needed work .... Lots of work !!) but it will be my forever Porsche and by the time I have rebuilt it I will know every nut and bolt

I also have a fully sorted one but that was for sale due to the new arrival

Phib

It was actually a 993 Targa at Brookspeed Porsche that got me thinking about a classic. I really liked the airy feel of the cabin whilst not being too big (like a 991/992). It also has some nice (basic) mod cons but feels classic.

This is personal preference, but I like the SC/3.2/964 rear end more than the 993. And as a ‘forever’ car it has to be right.

However if the right 993 came along I’d certainly have a look, and may get over my rear ended preferences...

[gwsinc]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks Cmoose, you’re right (apart from you valuation, I was very surprised/pleased with my PCGB valuation last month!) there are pros and cons to each, and perhaps the time has passed for making a sideways swap (give or take a few £k).

I’m under no illusion that modern and classics are different animals, and will be driving as many as I can in the next few months.

Unfortunately I see prices only going up for classics regardless of condition with emissions regs and EVs etc hence considering to make the jump now.

Edited by gwsinc on Tuesday 4th June 11:46

[Gio G]

Something like this.. fits within your budget..

https://philipraby.co.uk/product/1981-porsche-911s...

G

[gwsinc]

Gio G said:

Something like this.. fits within your budget..

https://philipraby.co.uk/product/1981-porsche-911s...

G

Thanks for this, I've booked in to see them on Saturday. They seem to have some quite good stock which may help sway me, they're also fairly local to me which helps!

[gwsinc]

I test drove both an SC and 993 today. It was a great experience, and cemented my decision to go down the classic route.

After a little deliberating I’m going to go for a 993, the cars I drove were built only 13 years apart and although fairly similar inside, the 993 seems like a better balance between fun and practical usability.

I’m not sure if I’ll go for the one I drove or how soon I’ll get one, but I will be getting one.