Discussion
Good Morning
I have been seriously thinking of buying an old 911 and I have up to £15k to spend and I have a few questions. Which it would be great if people who have owned one could answer.
Firstly for £15k what can I expect to get and what would be the wisest model to choose ?
What are the performance figures for the various 911's that fall in my price range?
Are the 911's really as akward to drive as people say? ( I have heard many people say they are fidgety at speed and have a bad driving position) a brief summary of what it is like to drive one would be brilliant
Finally how would the 911 match up to some of the highly rated modern cars on the track say against cars like the DC2 Integra Type R and Focus RS etc?
Thanks in advance for any assistace
>>> Edited by GermanCarFan on Sunday 11th January 10:54
I have been seriously thinking of buying an old 911 and I have up to £15k to spend and I have a few questions. Which it would be great if people who have owned one could answer.
Firstly for £15k what can I expect to get and what would be the wisest model to choose ?
What are the performance figures for the various 911's that fall in my price range?
Are the 911's really as akward to drive as people say? ( I have heard many people say they are fidgety at speed and have a bad driving position) a brief summary of what it is like to drive one would be brilliant
Finally how would the 911 match up to some of the highly rated modern cars on the track say against cars like the DC2 Integra Type R and Focus RS etc?
Thanks in advance for any assistace
>>> Edited by GermanCarFan on Sunday 11th January 10:54
GermanCarFan said:
Firstly for £15k what can I expect to get and what would be the wisest model to choose ?
I would recommend either 3.2 Carrera Coupe LHD/RHD from 1988 onwards or 964C2 LHD. Find another 5k and the 993 is a better proposition. Also consider a 968CS.
GermanCarFan said:
What are the performance figures for the various 911's that fall in my price range?
Check out Dr Alex's articles in the Porsche section of Pistonheads main pages. He has buying guides and explains the range. Essentially 3.2s are 0-60 in 5.5 and 155 top whack, C2s are 0-60 in 5.2 and 160 top whack.
GermanCarFan said:
Are the 911's really as akward to drive as people say? ( I have heard many people say they are fidgety at speed and have a bad driving position)
They ARE different to drive, and awkward to start off with. Although iof you have driven an old beetle, floor mounted pedals will be no problem. They are NOT fidgety at speed nor have a bad driving position as a rule (my 964RS is planted at 160mph etc and has a aperfect driving position). The main awkwardness apart from the pedals is the rear engined characteristics, which make the car feel unbeatable under certain circumstances but very strange in others. If you don't brake in a straight line, aren't a smooth driver, like to lift off on corners or have a heavy right foot around off camber downhill bends then you may find the behaviour lively to say the least. I would say the 911 drives uniquely and takes a lot of learning (which is a fun challenge) and that it rewards good driving highly but punished poor driving viciously. Fun, but be aware.
GermanCarFan said:
Finally how would the 911 match up to some of the highly rated modern cars on the track say against cars like the DC2 Integra Type R and Focus RS etc?
Track cars can only compete against track cars. As DAZ will admit, a track spec Daihatsu Charade GTti can keep up with his 996TT around most of teh Nurburgring with the right driver at the helm. A track biased Porsche (968CS, 964RS etc.) will generally murder track biased hot hatchery. However, a bog 3.2 Carrera may find it difficult to pull away from them.
If you want to go on track, buy a 968CS or save up another 10k and get a 964RS. These are basically track cars out of the box. You can modify a standard 964C2 to be better on track, but originality can often affect resale.
ATB
Domster
The only real answer is to go and take a look, and drive a few cars.
If you have not driven a 911 before, and you are used to modern front wheel drive hatches , be prepared for a big difference!
There is nothing else in the driving world like a 911. And the older 911's show this more than any other.
You have to drive them differently compared to a regular car, especially if you want to go quickly. This is even more true on the track.
But a good Porsche will do well against most things on the track.
For a more "conventional" driving experience in a Porsche ( especially on the track ) get a 968 Sport or Club Sport.
The 968 is accepted as probably one of the best handling cars EVER made. And on the track they are Sooo much fun.
If you have not driven a 911 before, and you are used to modern front wheel drive hatches , be prepared for a big difference!
There is nothing else in the driving world like a 911. And the older 911's show this more than any other.
You have to drive them differently compared to a regular car, especially if you want to go quickly. This is even more true on the track.
But a good Porsche will do well against most things on the track.
For a more "conventional" driving experience in a Porsche ( especially on the track ) get a 968 Sport or Club Sport.
The 968 is accepted as probably one of the best handling cars EVER made. And on the track they are Sooo much fun.
Thanks for the help
I have a good grounding RWD cars currently own 2 RWD cars and also my first 2 cars were rear engined RWD cars (skodas admittedly) so I know the dangers of braking mid bend etc with the weight at the back.
As you say I will just have to drive them and see personally I prefer a car that takes a little more driver input to make them go so I think the 911's may be perfect for me.
I suppose a bigger factor is whether I can cope with LHD.
>> Edited by GermanCarFan on Sunday 11th January 11:21
I have a good grounding RWD cars currently own 2 RWD cars and also my first 2 cars were rear engined RWD cars (skodas admittedly) so I know the dangers of braking mid bend etc with the weight at the back.
As you say I will just have to drive them and see personally I prefer a car that takes a little more driver input to make them go so I think the 911's may be perfect for me.
I suppose a bigger factor is whether I can cope with LHD.
>> Edited by GermanCarFan on Sunday 11th January 11:21
LHD is really not an issue except for:
1) Drive thru's - a good excuse to stop doing this.
2) Car parks - how often per annum?
3) Overtaking trucks on A roads - Is an issue if you are in a hurry. Cars are no problem as you can see past them.
Good luck and remember a PPI from a Porsche specialist is essential.
Piers
993RS LHD (+ £20K saved in the pocket!)
>> Edited by roygarth on Sunday 11th January 12:23
1) Drive thru's - a good excuse to stop doing this.
2) Car parks - how often per annum?
3) Overtaking trucks on A roads - Is an issue if you are in a hurry. Cars are no problem as you can see past them.
Good luck and remember a PPI from a Porsche specialist is essential.
Piers
993RS LHD (+ £20K saved in the pocket!)
>> Edited by roygarth on Sunday 11th January 12:23
Also go to the search function, type in early 911s, select- Porsche forum & all dates & it will bring up a selection of usefull threads- one of which was the not to be missed & classic iguana vs rubystone handbag fest
If track use is your bag, might be worth considering an ex race 911- say an SC or 3.2 from the Porsche open or similar series. Torsion bar race cars are not generally as harsh on road as even a standard 964RS, & far more capable on track than a standard 3.2/SC etc. Good selection about for sub £15k & even ex race 964s are available too.
>> Edited by iguana on Sunday 11th January 15:06
If track use is your bag, might be worth considering an ex race 911- say an SC or 3.2 from the Porsche open or similar series. Torsion bar race cars are not generally as harsh on road as even a standard 964RS, & far more capable on track than a standard 3.2/SC etc. Good selection about for sub £15k & even ex race 964s are available too.
>> Edited by iguana on Sunday 11th January 15:06
My dad had a 1981 911 SC which was an excellent car, but, as people have said, takes a little getting used to. He's now got a 1993 968 CS, which is without a doubt, the dogs danglies. Stonking performance, and one of the most balanced cars ever made. Paid circa £14K. An absolute bargain, highly recommend one.
The dvice has got to be spend a while, shop around and by the best you can afford. For this budget, you should get an immaculate SC 3.0 204bhp or a really good Carerra 231bhp. You might get an indifferent 964.
As easy to drive as an Alfa GTV/BMW Z3 and miles cheaper to run if you are snsible with your regular, non franchised specialist like Autostrasse.
Take the plunge - you'll never regret it!
As easy to drive as an Alfa GTV/BMW Z3 and miles cheaper to run if you are snsible with your regular, non franchised specialist like Autostrasse.
Take the plunge - you'll never regret it!
My old 82 SC may be available again soon for around £15-16k, this has a rebuilt 3.2 with twin SS exhaust, 3.2 LSD 915 box, bilsteins all round, strut brace, clubsport seats, EW/ESR/EM, guards red with black pinstripe, 17" OZ wheels, SO2's, 3.2 brakes on Porterfield pads, cooling scoops.........etc
Call me on my usual number if anyone is seriously interested in a fully sorted early 911.
Call me on my usual number if anyone is seriously interested in a fully sorted early 911.
I don't think GermanCarFun ever actually said whether he was looking for a track car or not :-)
On the LHD issue, it took me all of 20min to adjust to driving a LHD car in Britain, and my wallet was _sooo_ grateful
Or you could give me your money for my clean 964C2 and then I could join Kudos Cars and have enough left over for a runabout! :-P (but sadly not enough for Iguana's 340i...)
Fox
---
964C2
On the LHD issue, it took me all of 20min to adjust to driving a LHD car in Britain, and my wallet was _sooo_ grateful
Or you could give me your money for my clean 964C2 and then I could join Kudos Cars and have enough left over for a runabout! :-P (but sadly not enough for Iguana's 340i...)
Fox
---
964C2
neon_fox said:
I don't think GermanCarFun ever actually said whether he was looking for a track car or not :-)
On the LHD issue, it took me all of 20min to adjust to driving a LHD car in Britain, and my wallet was _sooo_ grateful
Or you could give me your money for my clean 964C2 and then I could join Kudos Cars and have enough left over for a runabout! :-P (but sadly not enough for Iguana's 340i...)
Fox
---
964C2
Having had both, LHD is better than RHD for a 911 - the wheel and pedals are not off-set in an LHD & the car is both so fast and so narrow that you virtually never notice any handicap (except at car park ticket barriers!)
I know this thread has been dormant for a little while, but I was wondering why a 930 Turbo wasn't mentioned as a reccommended car.
It's a mammoth bit of kit. I guess 15 grand would perhaps get you into an early one. I was considering one at one time, was thinking of a late 5 speed LE. The simplicity and lack of potentially troublesome emissions kit really appealed to me.
The reason I didn't go for one was because I was used to the low speed pull of a 5 litre 928 and needed something vaguely comparable which the 993TT does reasonably well.
It's true that the 930 Turbo is a bit languid at lower speeds and demands good drivers on the track, but I guess that's the nature of this Brute force beast!
It's a mammoth bit of kit. I guess 15 grand would perhaps get you into an early one. I was considering one at one time, was thinking of a late 5 speed LE. The simplicity and lack of potentially troublesome emissions kit really appealed to me.
The reason I didn't go for one was because I was used to the low speed pull of a 5 litre 928 and needed something vaguely comparable which the 993TT does reasonably well.
It's true that the 930 Turbo is a bit languid at lower speeds and demands good drivers on the track, but I guess that's the nature of this Brute force beast!
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