years ago I had a 76 911 S and I realy enjoyed that car....... I am considering getting another older Porsche and I know that some years are much better than others but really don't know why. Example, I met a BMW "wrench" who explained to me that the E36 is the M3 that he likes because the iron block is about indestructable and the the new M3s like to "spin bearings (sp. looks wrong?) So which are the older Porsches that seem to be fun?

 

The air cooled ones, so they say

 

air cooled.. always!

i personally like 911 (930 turbo!) that would be awesome on a track, if not esepcially easy to drive

how about a nice 914.. butt ugly they maybe, but light... very light!

 

Best of both worlds: 914/6 - Performance, handling and "unique" beauty.

 

I had a 914/6 some time ago. They were made from 1970-1972 with only a few made in 1973. I think the total world wide production was something like 3,000 units. I understand the reason for the poor sales was that the 911 cost within a couple hundred dollars of the /6 and most people went that route.

The car is mid-engined which provides very nice handling. There are all types of upgrades available to boost the output of the original 2.0 liter motor. I rode in one that was rebuilt to 2.55 liters and it was very quick. There are also suspension upgrades. The car has torsion bars in the front with struts and coil springs in the rear.

I would suggest you look for rust on this or any other older Porsche. They were susceptable to deterioration in a number of areas. Also, some parts on one that old may be getting hard to obtain. The heat exchangers around the exhaust pipes that provide heat to the car (like the old VW's) were particularly susceptable to rust. Once they started, you got almost no heat in the car.
914's in general never got much respect as they were marketed as VW's in Europe. The /6 versions were much better cars but most people didn't even know they existed.

I haven't kept up on prices so I don't know what the 914/6 go for today.

If your budget allows, I'd look at mid to late 70's 911's. I like the lines of those cars.

Of course, if you're Jay Leno, look for a 917/30 (I think that's the model). It set a closed course speed record at Talledago years ago. Something like a 200 MPH average over 24 hours.

Be prepared for high repair bills if you need to do major engine work. I've heard people are buying used 928's (front engined, V-8) and scrapping them if the engine goes. The rebuild costs more than the car is worth.

Good luck!

 

I have to agree, plus, all the parts are readily avaliable for them still. lots of VW parts seems to still be interchangable....

 

I am biased, but the early air-cooled cars (late 60's-early 70's) would be the choice--"everything you need, nothing you don't!" Some nice examples here :

http://roddw.com/rgp.htm

 

I would say go with something a bit newer than 70's ones. I would go with 911 993. It is a last of the air-cooled 911 and these car were built in 1996-1998 which you could find one in deccent condition and good price.

70's Porsche is too old. If you ask this question 20 years ago I would say go for it. You want a Porsche that you could keep it for weekend and enjoy it when you have a chance....not the one that always sit in the garage and dripping the oil all over.

 

993 is the best series I have ever driven....

 

If you are looking for the earliest models that will still probably be very reliable, the late 70's - early 80's SC is the best bet. They still have most of the classic shape, but for the SC most of the weeker aspects of the engine had been addressed.

Having said that, visually I like the earlier cars before all the spoilers, tails and flares. Classic shape, but not as streetable as the SC or later cars any more.

Scott
90SM

 

1985 - 1989 911's - superb cars. Best to buy odd year cars. Final refinement and improvements begun with the SC series and still have the classic 911 look and feel.

I had a 1987 Cab and loved it.

 

If you can live with a car that constantly is trying to turn itself into iron oxide, the most fun is a 1972 or 73. Mines a '70 hot rod. 2100# 290HP. Your best bet however is a later SC. They went to stainless in '78 with the first SCs so if you're being practical thats the first year to think about. The late ones have a better version of the 3.0. A carrera's a great car as well but heavier although the 3.2 is a great motor. One thing to remember though, they ain't cheap to run. I look at parts for MINIs and I'm giddy. Decent 17" wheels for under $150?!?! With a 911, its a set of Fikses or their equivalent and close to $3k a set. Paid $1k for the fuch 16" 7s & 8s and felt like I got a deal. Ledas for my 911? $2500. If you intended to track it, find one thats done or prepare to sacrifice you kids College education. This is the one I have insane amounts of joy in:

 

If I ever get the chance I'd get another 914. But this time I would buy one with a blown engine so I could rip that piece of crap out (and save a couple dollars) and put in a V6 or small block V8. The kits are pretty cheap and you can still use the stock tranmission with an adapter. Sure sould be a blast to drive.

Just my $.02...

 

That is a thing of beauty........thanks for the advice....... in 78' I had a 76' S that needed a clutch $650 a Ford F150 clutch $30......nuff said

 

Thanks for the compliment! MINIs and 911s have a lot in common. If you think of the sports car that started it all, went its own way and defined a genre... FWD, small, light, mini. Rear engine, aircooled, H-opposed engine? 911. And they have another thing in common too, a man who figures significantly in the racing history of both marques, my hero, the namesake of my MINI, Mr. Vic Elford. The $$$ aside, its rewarding as hell to go out and drive a nasty old tub of tin just as fast as you can. Scary, but extremely satisfying. For me, Mr. Whitey Wicked Weasel (my RS clone) is a time machine. Makes me feel like I've experienced just a little piece of what it was like to race when Vic was in his prime. Certainly, hope you get a chance to renew your acquaintence with the 911! A couple of links to photos of the my hero rallying in both cars just to inspire you (and me too!):

 

This is JCWgurls fiance. I am the current owner of a 1980 911SC and with just intake/exhaust work, it's a 5.5 second 0-60 mph car. It's a ton of fun, looks great and parts are plentiful-with that being said, the transmission and factory fuel injection are weak points so I would go with a 1987-1989 Carrera. They have a larger (3.2 litre) engine, modern fuel injection plus the sweet shifting G50 transmission. Do your research and buy some issues of "Excellence" magazine and "The used 911 story" by Peter Zimmermann.

 

You could always buy mine ..see my picture post

 

What's wrong with even year cars?