I got the 911 flu. I have been looking at buying a 996. But after watching a program about 911 on Fine Living channel, I think I change my mind.

This program suggests buying 78-83 911SC or 84-89 3.2. Because it's not much money for a weekend toy car and this 2 segments are the best value Porsche. What are the other reasons? Air cooled? Classic Porsche design?

I appreciate your insight.

 

I would go for the 3.2 Carrera. While the 3.0 in the SC is bulletproof (as is the 3.2), the newer car is better, faster and and improvement in every way. Try and get into a G50 tranny car 87-89 if you can.

 

I have both, the 3.0 has better low end than a 3.2, not only do the 87 up have a G50, but bigger AC vents too, instant heat isn't bad either My daily is an 88 You can chip an 84 up too very easy. Here is a cheap 89 that doesn't look like a bad deal, put a set of Fuchs and a valve job and you have the last of the breed. The last "real" 911, mid year the 964 came out. To me this is tempting, but I already have too many cars

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I should concentrate on 87 - 89 3.2.

What is reasonable price / mileage? Anything major I should look out for?

Any good shop in Los Angeles / Pasadean area that specialize in older Porsche?

Thanks again.

 

from wikipedia


911 3.2 Carrera (1984–1989)

964 Series (1989–1993)


1989 has both 911 & 964?

 

I'd vote for the 3.2L as well. Any model during the run (84-89) is fine. Yes, the later models had the G50 trans, but a good 915 will last forever as well (and will cost a little cheaper to maintain/repair as well). The euro cars had ~20 more HP than the US/Japan versions so keep an eye out for one of those. Cab and targas have an engine tray strut that dampens radial engine movement. Makes them much stiffer. If you can find one of these in a coupe.. get it. As mentioned by another post, Carrera's can be chipped easily. Cammed, chipped, bored throttle body, cone filter, boosted fuel, straight exhaust... mine is pulling over 275hp!!! Big advantage over the 3.0 is the Motronic management system. Pretty bullet-proof.

Here is a link to an outfit in Houston that has many of what you are looking for. Lots of online sales, take a look...

http://www.victorymotorcars.com/

 

Yes,
The Carrera 4 (964) came out in mid 89.

 

Yes, you could buy both after mid year. BTW, the 964 went until 1994

 

Wow, thanks for all your input. This is better than internet searching. So now I know for year 1989 I can get 911 3.2 or 964 but I will stay with 911 3.2.

I recently saw a 1989 964 in Pasadena, CA and got confused with 1989 911 3.2.

 

915? Is that a transmission code? I can't find any info on Porsche 915.

 

For me? I would rather have an 89 3.2 Carrera than an 89 964 Carrera 4 (3.6). I would take a 90 and up C2 over the 3.2 though.

 

To LUIS95993,

I was going to buy a 02 996 but after watching Fine Living and some reading / thinking, 3.2 is not bad idea (save a lot of money).

Why would you take a 90+ C2 over 3.2?

I guess it boils down to how much I am willing to spend, right?

 

a Porsche 915 is the transmission Porsche used in the 911 from 1972 (switching from the 901) until 1986 (Porsche went to the hydraulic G50 in 1987) which weighed more, was stronger and shifted better

I sold off my 964 and went back to an 88 911

 

Of the ones you listed I like the earlier '78 to '80 SCs for value right now, depending on what kind of money you have to spend. For $15k or so you can get an excellent condition early car, perhaps with a full fresh repaint and great mechanicals. The same money won't get you a very good '87 to '89 Carrera.

The later '87 to '89 carrera's extra power is offset by more weight, and they had to move the engine further back to fit the G-50 transmission, so the weight distribution is worse. The transmission is better, but if you can find someone who has spent some money rebuilding their 915 transmission it will be better than a tired G-50. So I personally don't believe the extra money for the '87 to '89 is worth it.

The other car that's been undervalued for some time (but is coming back) is the '89 to '94 964 C2. If you have the 20k+ for a great late carrera I think you'd do better spending it on a '89 to '94 C2.

Arguably the best 911 values right now are the unloved '74 through '77 cars. The rep on the cars is that they are the worst 911s made, and they were when they were stock. Today, however, there are highly upgraded cars from these years that are going for cheap. For the experienced buyer they make great deals...

 

Because I like the 3.6, just not when it's attached to an AWD configuration.
Prices for an 90+ C2 964 are the same as an 88-89 G50 car.