Which 930 and how much?
Discussion
I'm looking at 911s and to me as an eighties child it has to be a 930 and instinctively I want a turbo coupe with a 5 speed. Or should I consider a super sports? I know the usual things to look out for on classic cars but is there anything particularly on a 930? Also tge prices seem all over and I'm struggling to figure out what's reasonable for each. It would have to be a very good example.
Jonny TVR said:
I'm looking at 911s and to me as an eighties child it has to be a 930 and instinctively I want a turbo coupe with a 5 speed. Or should I consider a super sports? I know the usual things to look out for on classic cars but is there anything particularly on a 930? Also tge prices seem all over and I'm struggling to figure out what's reasonable for each. It would have to be a very good example.
I used to have air cooled 911s, including a 5-speed 930. It took me forever to find a half decent 930, I spent a lot of money on it and then didn't like it that much. I had a 911SC at the same time and it was a far nicer car to drive.
The thing with a 930 is that they are the icon and the fastest, so they have to be the one to have, right? But with the sports seats they can feel a little claustrophobic to drive and stuffy. The air con rarely works on them, which doesn't help. Then of course there is the power delivery....
I am pleased that I owned one, but prices notwithstanding I don't regret selling it.
The main problem, apart from the price, is that they were once a car that became unloved and you could buy a cheap one for not much over £10k. So people messed about with them and not always well. They also struggled with rust.
If at all possible, see if you can get someone to let you have one on an extended test drive.
There’s another thread running that celebrates the ‘iconic’ image of the original 911 Turbo, with its aggressive looks.
However, if I was in the market for a 911 model from that era, it would actually be the unspoilered, narrow-body 3.2 Carrera - and I’d pay a premium for the later G50 gearbox
However, if I was in the market for a 911 model from that era, it would actually be the unspoilered, narrow-body 3.2 Carrera - and I’d pay a premium for the later G50 gearbox
I had a 3.2 Carrera Supersport back in the 90's .
Turbo body, brakes , suspension , but without the turbo and the problems that brings.
The slightly less performance figures for the Supersport compared to the 911 3.2 Carrera narrow body are not really worth bothering about .
A few good ones here worth looking at .
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10915490
Turbo body, brakes , suspension , but without the turbo and the problems that brings.
The slightly less performance figures for the Supersport compared to the 911 3.2 Carrera narrow body are not really worth bothering about .
A few good ones here worth looking at .
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10915490
Edited by runner911 on Monday 3rd May 11:40
I have both a 911SC and a 930, in flatnose configuration (aka ASBO). To my mind, these two bookend the range of abilities in 80s aircooled 911s.
The guys who look after these cars (autoumbau in Wrest Park) claim that an SC is the pinnacle of aircooled 911s; whether you agree or not, they're absolutely right in that a well sorted SC is a delight. It's quite a delicate thing, supple, accurate handling and enough punch to keep things interesting. I use this car as a daily driver in the non-salt months and it's well up to the task. If I have a criticism of it, it would be that I could do with a bit more power for overtaking.
I bought the 930 on the spot, 13 years ago now. It's a 1985 and had been rebuilt as a flatnose in the late 80s when they also replaced the standard 4 speed gearbox with a 5 speed 915 unit. Technically speaking, it has a bit too much power for the 915 but it can take much more torque than you'd think. More importantly a previous owner had upgraded the turbo to a later, less laggy unit, and uprated the shocks. Most 930s are baggy old things, but this one was a revelation, which is why I agreed the deal in the first 100 yards of the test drive. But it's the other end of the performance spectrum to the SC. Huge thrust out of corners and you hustle it, rather than guide it, through the twisties. It's an absolute weapon, and even after all these years it's gets my pulse rate up. It's properly quick and handles way better than an 80s car should.
In either case (and in fact generally with older cars) I would work on the basis that you can improve on them. I put better shocks on the SC, and the steering arm bushes from, I recall, a 993 to improve steering feel. Not changed a huge amount on the 930, but rather than replace the 915 with a G50 I've got a Ruf 915 gearbox. I know people eulogise about the G50 but it's a ponderous old thing. And when this car is on boost you'll need to be rattling through the gears.
The guys who look after these cars (autoumbau in Wrest Park) claim that an SC is the pinnacle of aircooled 911s; whether you agree or not, they're absolutely right in that a well sorted SC is a delight. It's quite a delicate thing, supple, accurate handling and enough punch to keep things interesting. I use this car as a daily driver in the non-salt months and it's well up to the task. If I have a criticism of it, it would be that I could do with a bit more power for overtaking.
I bought the 930 on the spot, 13 years ago now. It's a 1985 and had been rebuilt as a flatnose in the late 80s when they also replaced the standard 4 speed gearbox with a 5 speed 915 unit. Technically speaking, it has a bit too much power for the 915 but it can take much more torque than you'd think. More importantly a previous owner had upgraded the turbo to a later, less laggy unit, and uprated the shocks. Most 930s are baggy old things, but this one was a revelation, which is why I agreed the deal in the first 100 yards of the test drive. But it's the other end of the performance spectrum to the SC. Huge thrust out of corners and you hustle it, rather than guide it, through the twisties. It's an absolute weapon, and even after all these years it's gets my pulse rate up. It's properly quick and handles way better than an 80s car should.
In either case (and in fact generally with older cars) I would work on the basis that you can improve on them. I put better shocks on the SC, and the steering arm bushes from, I recall, a 993 to improve steering feel. Not changed a huge amount on the 930, but rather than replace the 915 with a G50 I've got a Ruf 915 gearbox. I know people eulogise about the G50 but it's a ponderous old thing. And when this car is on boost you'll need to be rattling through the gears.
My first Porsche was a black 930 with 5-speed G50 gearbox, still have it, won't ever sell it as it's part of my family
As mentioned the power delivery is quite unique, put your foot down, nothing happens and then all hell breaks lose. When I collected it the previous owner warned me if I'm behind a queue of car don't worry about the first 2 or 3 cars pulling out on you but watch out for the cars further up the queue as they won't see you coming. Didn't understand at the time but do now
Brave or stupid my first drive was across Europe over the Alps to Italy with the family onboard, took me most of the trip to feel like I was driving it, rather than the other way round. Great car for crossing a continent, not so great car for UK roads
Also have a 964 C2 which is much easier to hustle along mountain roads due to the generous, linear torque compared to the spiky all or nothing with the 930.
When you get it right in the 930 and you're driving is smoothly instead of hanging on for dear life it's a much more satisfying achievement as it's definitely not an easy car to drive.
I'd try driving one before buying as not everyone enjoys the driving experience. As cars go it's quite an agricultural beast, don't expect modern car performance, comfort or handling. That's all part of it's 80's charm. Only car I've ever had where I can see the fuel gauge needle moving to empty when it's on boost
Buy on condition not mileage and don't expect to get a good one for less than £75ishK but I'm probably way out on value as I bought mine back in 2009
Need to give mine some love, respray, return it to stock looking impact bumper spec., bit of interior tidying. Might also take take the opportunity to increase the boost slightly, suspension refresh with modern dampers and maybe a 6-speed 993 G50 gearbox conversion.
Anything I do I'll make sure I can return it easily back to stock as there are very few unmolested examples in good condition left.
As mentioned the power delivery is quite unique, put your foot down, nothing happens and then all hell breaks lose. When I collected it the previous owner warned me if I'm behind a queue of car don't worry about the first 2 or 3 cars pulling out on you but watch out for the cars further up the queue as they won't see you coming. Didn't understand at the time but do now
Brave or stupid my first drive was across Europe over the Alps to Italy with the family onboard, took me most of the trip to feel like I was driving it, rather than the other way round. Great car for crossing a continent, not so great car for UK roads
Also have a 964 C2 which is much easier to hustle along mountain roads due to the generous, linear torque compared to the spiky all or nothing with the 930.
When you get it right in the 930 and you're driving is smoothly instead of hanging on for dear life it's a much more satisfying achievement as it's definitely not an easy car to drive.
I'd try driving one before buying as not everyone enjoys the driving experience. As cars go it's quite an agricultural beast, don't expect modern car performance, comfort or handling. That's all part of it's 80's charm. Only car I've ever had where I can see the fuel gauge needle moving to empty when it's on boost
Buy on condition not mileage and don't expect to get a good one for less than £75ishK but I'm probably way out on value as I bought mine back in 2009
Need to give mine some love, respray, return it to stock looking impact bumper spec., bit of interior tidying. Might also take take the opportunity to increase the boost slightly, suspension refresh with modern dampers and maybe a 6-speed 993 G50 gearbox conversion.
Anything I do I'll make sure I can return it easily back to stock as there are very few unmolested examples in good condition left.
I remember a stockbroker in a red 930 trying to leave car park without paying ticket. Barrier landed on roof 
There's an attractive and quite amusing youtuber who's just bought one. Quite funny watching the respect she has to show the car as I've seen the same youtuber driving a drift car very well so she knows oversteer but still drives her 930 with proper respect. She's the coolest youtuber on the planet. My fave car. Condor man.
There's an attractive and quite amusing youtuber who's just bought one. Quite funny watching the respect she has to show the car as I've seen the same youtuber driving a drift car very well so she knows oversteer but still drives her 930 with proper respect. She's the coolest youtuber on the planet. My fave car. Condor man.
Thank you all .. I think for me it still has to be a 930.
There is a restored one on CC https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1989-porsche-9... that I'm very interested in but imagine that it will go for a very strong price.
There is a restored one on CC https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1989-porsche-9... that I'm very interested in but imagine that it will go for a very strong price.
Jonny TVR said:
There is a restored one on CC https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1989-porsche-9... that I'm very interested in but imagine that it will go for a very strong price.
That looks lovely! Before you baulk at the price, I would take a close look at what has been restored and by whom. All cars will need to have or have had the kidney bowls done, it seems to be a design flaw that creates an unprotected area that accumulates dirt. Many will be carrying bodywork repairs (it was the first of the widowmakers), and the mechanicals can be carrying a lot of damage but still working well. I spent virtually nothing on my 930 for the first 10 years of ownership. It developed a rattle a couple of years ago on the cooling fan. Which is driven from the crank. We opened up the engine and the car had been carrying loads of issues- scored bores, worn bearings, pitted pistons, broken rings, blocked galleries etc. But it was still pulling like an absolute train before that point, albeit a noisy one. So, with it having gone from zero spend to tens of thousands for bodywork, engine rebuild, new gearbox etc. I wouldn't be too fast to dismiss something as too expensive, even though CC seems to get consistently strong prices.
Jonny TVR said:
supersport said:
Yep, need to dig out photos and check.
I would appreciate it.At this point I don't know if it is the same car, maybe the description will shed light when it arrives. (It does have JCT600 plates on it though).
The PC Leeds car was Guards red with air con. I saw it being dismantled, and the bare shell before it was repaired. Also got to have a good sniff around when it was complete. I remember it handing around for a while and when eventually sold it seemed expensive.
I am guessing the CC car is part of that very nice collection that is going up for sale, the "garage" it is in looks to be the same.
supersport said:
Oddly I can't find any photos, I will ask around.
At this point I don't know if it is the same car, maybe the description will shed light when it arrives. (It does have JCT600 plates on it though).
The PC Leeds car was Guards red with air con. I saw it being dismantled, and the bare shell before it was repaired. Also got to have a good sniff around when it was complete. I remember it handing around for a while and when eventually sold it seemed expensive.
I am guessing the CC car is part of that very nice collection that is going up for sale, the "garage" it is in looks to be the same.
Thank you .. can you remember how much it was selling for at the time?At this point I don't know if it is the same car, maybe the description will shed light when it arrives. (It does have JCT600 plates on it though).
The PC Leeds car was Guards red with air con. I saw it being dismantled, and the bare shell before it was repaired. Also got to have a good sniff around when it was complete. I remember it handing around for a while and when eventually sold it seemed expensive.
I am guessing the CC car is part of that very nice collection that is going up for sale, the "garage" it is in looks to be the same.
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