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.

[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!

[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!

[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

[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.

[gwsinc]

Gio G said:

Did the SC feel a bit too classic? 993 is much more modern and I think look great! 993 would be where I put my money after our 3.2.

G

It did, it was fun to drive and made a lovely noise, but it was hard work and proportionally it didn’t work for me, the pedal placement wasn’t great and my head rubbed on the roof lining. Both minor things which of course can be remedied or got used to. What drew me to the 993 the most was that the cabin felt that bit more sophisticated and its 6th gear giving it an ability to cruise at 70(ish...)mph without any drama, yet still fun in the twisties.

[gwsinc]

Paynewright said:

I’ve been over this dilemma a lot recently. Currently I have started a journey with a reasonable 996.2 C2.

Whilst I can afford a purchase of an air cooled at a similar budget, its the repair pot that I’m not comfortable with. Worse case with the current car is an engine rebuild with Hartech which is probably 12k. An older SC / Carrera could throw up several of these big bills.

I’ve decided to stick with the 996, get it the best it can be (within reason / budget) and stop lusting after other 911s. I’ll always have an admiring look at air cooled cars but unless I come into a significant amount of money I dont think I’ll be having one!

The car I have is special to drive and makes me smile every time I use it!

Glad you’re enjoying your 996, I’m very conscious of the potential money pot this may become. But on the flip side, given their relative simplicity much more is DIYable than more modern 911s, or indeed Caymans etc, certainly more DIY that I’m comfortable with!

One of my reasons for choosing a 993 is that it was built in a period where build quality was at its peak in the Porsche factory, and if maintained these engines can go for for up to 200,000 miles without a rebuild. The key thing here is maintenance of course.

I’m looking forward to a number of things from my future 993, the air cooled noise, the mechanical simplicity of driving, not requiring a PIWIS after the simplest of tasks and losing the restrictions of the Extended Warranty.

[gwsinc]

I've driven a few 993s now and my mind is made up, 993 C2 coupe it is!

My Cayman S has been up for sale for a week or so, lots of interest but it hasn't gone yet. To that end if anyone is looking for an exceptionally specced and maintained 987.2 Cayman S let me know!

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[gwsinc]

So, it's done. They Cayman is no longer in the garage, and in its place is a lovely Iris Blue 993 911. I'm amazed it worked out so quickly, but everything lined up perfectly!

Big smiles all round

[gwsinc]

Thanks all, things really couldn't have lined up better, it just so happened that the buyers of my car lived 3 hours away from my house, but only 15 mins away from the chap selling the 993. So I delivered and collected in the same journey! Its a 1994 993 C2, originally registered in Italy and owned by a Doctor from 2001 who settled in the UK in 2013.

My 'must haves' were:
Good mechanical condition - thousands of £ spent recently with engine out gasket job by Porsche late last year
No rust anywhere
LHD (i liked the driving position better)
Manual
Coupe

It just so happens that there were quite a few other options fitted:
Air Con
Heated electric seats
Digital computer/display
cruise control
Upgraded sound
Sunroof
Aftermarket HID lights - legal spec!
aftermarket rear parking assist
And probs a few more I haven't discovered yet

It drove the 3 hours back with ease at decent motorway speeds, the only issue was getting used to LHD!

My plans are to keep it relatively stock, work I plan to do so far is:
Hardwire CTEK charger - done last night
Hardwire dash cam
Tyres - new PS4s later this week
New Stereo - removed aftermarket amp and CD player from the frunk last night, I just hope some original wiring is still there
rear wiper delete (wiper arm broken so cheaper to delete, and I like the look better)

I really couldn't be happier with it. Photos to follow!

[gwsinc]

FocusRS3 said:

Have you considered the drive will feel very agricultural by comparison?

I've been down this road and regretted it

I did, and I’m very happy with my decision, I love how civilised my Cayman could be, but the 993 is just much more involving and rewarding. It’s not my daily, and as an evenings and weekends car, it’s perfect!

[gwsinc]

First couple of photos, excuse my slightly disheveled look, it was the second hottest day of the year, I’d been driving home for 3 hours and the air con is very 1994...

[gwsinc]

Gio G said:

Congrats!! Looks awesome, loving the number plate too..I am sure you will miss your Cayman, however this is a 911!!

G

My personalised plate is going on as soon as I get the V5 through the door, perhaps I can sell this one on to Castrol?!

[gwsinc]

Thought I'd post a quick update now I've had the car for a month or so:

BLUF: it's excellent, very happy with it!

Things I've had done to it so far:
-New Michelin PS4s all round
-4 Wheel alignment
-Air con regas x 2
-MOT (pass, no advisories!)
-Gearbox Oil change booked in for later this week

Things I've done to it myself:
-Rear wiper delete
-Remove aftermarket Amp and CD player and the 3 miles of associated cabling (plus 3 GPS receivers and random ethernet cable [from tracker I think!?])
-New OEM look radio and aerial wiring
-Air Con valves replacement (after 1st regas lasted 3 days!)
-Replace cassette storage with storage cubby
-All belts replaced (Porsche belts of course)
-ISV cleaned out
-Fan pully bolts
-DME Relay replacement
-O2 sensor replaced
-Fuel filter replacement
-Air filter replaced
-Fixed cruise control sensor and greased clutch shaft
-Tightened and cable tied all vacuum lines
-General cleaning, degreasing and making good.

After all the work I've done the engine is much smoother, especially at idle, the biggest changes seemed to be after the fuel filter change and after the ISV clean. Many of the sensors/filters/components etc appear to be original and therefore 25 years old, so I'm seeing significant changes from replacing or even giving them a good clean.

So far everything has been reasonably priced (even parts from Porsche, with PCGB discount) and I've avoided labour fees wherever I can, which was exactly my plan when I bought this car.

I'm going on a trip to Northern Scotland next week as my first adventure with this car, I don't really have any worries for this 1400 mile trip (except perhaps the lack of 99RON north of Inverness - you may have seem my other post about this) really looking forward to the A9 north of Inverness :-)

Edited by gwsinc on Monday 5th August 19:06