911 SC

NO! , and let me tell you why. I am 22. I was shopping for a 911sc when I was 17. I got a 944turbo instead. I just let go of my 951 (to pay for some school) but I realise that I could BARELY afford to maintain my 951 the way I wanted to. The 911 would be even more of a challenge. I would suggest something inexpensive and fun that you can be a maintanance slut about and afford like a VW gti!

If you decide to go with the sc... watch for Head stud issues and make sure it has the carrera chain tensioners.


My Gti and a project I did yesterday that I can afford.

New Calipers, rotors, bearings pads, SS hoses and a Sachs Sporting set. NO matter what I do, the Gti gets 35mpg; even when I'm driving sideways
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An SC will run a 14 second 1/4 mile. I have weighed 78's in the 2450lbs range.

 

They got heavier as time went by, up around 3200 lb.

Here is a little info.

http://www.answers.com/topic/porsche-911

 

I'll give you a nickle if you can find a pre-3.2liter 911 that weighs more than 2800. Most 964's (c2's) weigh in at around 2900 wet.

 

My friend Aaron in VW is selling his 1978 911 S/C. From what I know it's a yellow ext/blk interior 1978 with 144k miles on it. I have seen it only in pics and it's a goregous shape.

Drop me an email at [email protected] if you would like me to have him email you more info and pics.

Mike

 

I agree with luke9583!

I've owned 911s since I was 23, and they are great cars. However, they are not the best for a 16/17 year old. The handling is very unforgiving at the limit, and if you are anything like me, at 16-17 you will test out the limits of your car. I'm glad I wasn't driving a 911 back then!

That said, you might consider a non-turbo 944, if you really want a Porsche. I think that would be a better choice than a 911, but not as good as a VW GTi or something like that.

 

I remember that the SC's used to blow up their plastic air boxes all of the time... upgrade it to an aluminum one. These were very solidly built cars that were a real drivers car. If you can afford the maintainaance then go for it!

Good luck.

Brad

 

Yeap! THe fix for that was a pop off valve. Very inexpensive.

 

The 1983SC is one of the most reliable 911's you can buy. The whole SC series for that matter from 78-83 are bullet proof when properly maintained. Also, by that time, Porsche had mastered the art of treating their cars against rust.

If it checks out PPI wise, the car will be far more reliable than 99% of the other cars out there in your price range. Take it from a guy who drove a '76 while in Grad School (Read NO $$$), when properly maintained, they are about as reliable as an old-school VW Bug.

Besides, I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but I bought the shop manuals for mine, and when it needed repairs I did a lot of the work myself. I often called the parts houses & bought used parts off of wrecked 911's. In the end, I learned a hell of a lot about cars, and did not spend as much as you might think maintaining the thing. Besides the "brain" under the driver's seat, these cars are basically old school mechanical beasts.

As for learning to drive the car, yeah it does have handling characteristics that are MUCH different than anything you have probably ever driven. Lifting off of the throttle in a corner will pretty much garuantee you getting slapped in the mouth by a big fat whale tail. BUT on the other hand, you can also steer the car through corners very easily with the throttle...the good thing is that it can be mastered and will make you a better driver. If you take the plunge, I highly recommend joining your local PCA club and doing some Driver's Ed events. That way you can learn your car in a safe, controlled environment & meet people that can help you learn your car.

And if that is not enough to sway you, think about the fact that these cars are practically done depreciating...so when you decide to trade up, you will find that you drove the car for the cost of gas, insurance, and maintanence over the time that you owned it... Can you say that about any of the cars your friends are buying???? I am getting out of my '76 for about what I paid for it a couple of years ago...I did not lose a dime....

Just my .02

 

Cajun's analysis is spot-on. As the owner of an '82 Sc with all the proper upgrades (pop-off valve, carrera-chain tensioners and newer head studs) these cars are reliable, relatively easy to fix and tons of fun. Get into PCA and do some track events. Peter Morgan has a great book on 911s if you are so inclined, and I find that the Porsche websites (Rennlist, Pelican) are as great an aid as is this website. Enjoy!

 

Regardless of the past maintanance of the vehicle, every future oil change will be 13 quarts of mobile one..... :|

 

I'd go for an SC or even a 944 if I could only convince my parents to let me (they won't) I believe I have the deal sealed on an audi however.

 

I've never seen a pop-off valve used in a normally aspirated car... I thought that the fix was converting the plastic intake manifold to an aluminum one. Now that was also very expensive...

Brad

 

You do not want the 911 yet. I think very few 16 year olds are ready to handle this car driven aggressively and there will be maintenance expense associated with it. The newest SC is 22 years old, stuff won't necessarily break but parts will be wearing out.

A POrsche that meets your criteria is the 968. Only 2500 coupes and 2500 cabs were made, so they are rare, quick, and reliable. Handling is also very neutral, have driver and passenger side airbags, ABS and power steering. The hatch also gives you lots of cargo space. The 911 has none of these things. A good one can be had for under $15K.

I have both a 911SC and a 968. The 911 is my favorite of the two, but not the one I would pick for your current situation.

 

Go with an 84, the carrara's have a better fuel injection system.

 

The car looks okay for the age but it must've been driven pretty hard. Witness the orientation of the instruments,i.e revcounter and oil pressure. It's orientated as such so that the redline and the very important oil pressure instrument is within the line of sight...signs of a serious racer. However, if the engine feels tight and responsive and also no serious leaks as advertised and finances allow...go for it !

BTW, putting on 930 tie-rods in lieu of the originals tighten up the handling somehow and the torsion bar suspension allows for ride height adjustments easy. Previously mentioned pop-up valve for the airbox and carrera chain tensioners a must.

Good Luck.

 

just insurance alone....

 

I think you are confusing pop off and 'blow off'

 

And more displacement, but The price jump from an sc to a 3.2 is kind've considerable.