Which one to buy???

Hi. I've been wanting to get a nice older (but sorted) Porsche for the stable. Which model/year would you experts recommend I get if the budget is $20k? Thanks.

 

Depends on what you can find, and depends on your definition of older. A 930, a 993 or a 964 is possibly within 20k.

 

They will all cost a lot of money to fix relative to the $20K purchase price.

Which one works for you ? 914/928/944/968/911/Boxtser......etc.......

 

Might wanna read some of the things posted in this thread.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298586

 

This one's too easy.

87-89 911 Coupe
93-94 964 C2 Coupe
96-98 993 C2 Coupe

Gimme a hard one.

 

+1

 

a nice 930 or 993 for $20k...WRONG!!!

 

buy whatever Uro buys after his wife gets bored with it and decides to sell.

 

Here is a fine example.......assuming a PPI will not reveal anything major...what you guys think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Porsche-Carrera-4-Coupe-5-Spd-Serviced-Gorgeous-/300471577049?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item45f58069d9

Thanks.

 

Looks good in pics, appears original and "all there" with good photographic evidence of the required stickers.........I'd replace the door speakers with something plain looking and black.

Except for what appears to be the excess use of Armorall on the leather seats (uuugghh) it is well worth looking at.

The 1989 C4's (there were no 1989 C2's) were all unique in that they are either red or black (IIRC there were also 2 or 3 white ones out of the 200 or so that were made) and had no airbags. They were early build dealer promo cars used to launch the 964 series.

PPI as usual of course........in Chicago I used to use Napleton Porsche exclusively for my PPI's..........check the front differential for correct function, engine case bolts O-rings/gaskets, cylinders barrels at the base and heads, the usual 964 stuff.....look for evidence (an old receipt) of an updated dual mass flywheel and/or single RS flywheel and recent clutch. Ask the dealer to put their 964 guy on it......they usually have someone who has been around long enough and knows them. Be very explicit about that.......you do not want some 996/Boxster guy looking at it, they are just computer techs and parts replacers nowadays.....not really mechanics anymore and in most cases don't know what goes wrong with them.

There is nothing to worry about if you know what to look for.

 

I'd be scared of a 21 year old 4 WD 911.

 

I would think an early 996 with a few miles (say 70,000) would be near $20k today.

Not sure why so many people dislike these cars, black/black with 18" rims looks good to me.

 

Styling, build quality and complexity.

 

+1 as well.

Lots of articles about this model have the word "bulletproof" in it.

 

80's 911......a classic !

 

+1.

1981 Turbo.

Because I love it when my car tries to kill me.















Kidding, they only do that if you run out of talent.
I do mean it though, I would love to have a '81 911 Turbo. Just something about it.

 

You might want to re-phrase that.

 

You know...

I have a pal in Wis that has a stunning 1987 911 turbo. He has had the car 11 years +/-... He has two other cars that have kept him away from the turbo for some time. I think he put less than 1000 miles on the turbo in the last few years total. It has about 50k miles on it total I believe. Anyhow I have known this car since he bought it. It had a Car Fax hickey way back when so he got a fair buy but I know the current actual title is clean. Its a 3.3 liter that dynoed at 330 HP to the wheels last year (about 400HP @ crank) and its a four speed car. Nice looking silver paint, gorgeous black interior with sport seats. Ran well for all those years with little but normal maintenance. He is a car nut so it got far better than proper care. He said to me last week "I am going to ask $25,000 and see what I get." I would bet you could get him close to your buy price. That is a lot of car for little money. I can hook you up if your interested.

 

LOL

 

I always recommend staying away from the 89-91 964s, and the C4 964s.

 

Even though is a black/black I think I love this car. Very nice and clean. Now, if I could have it for $20k I would write a check today....

 

Bump for a known local car, the car is in very good condition and that is a friend of mines company selling it.

 

Black car looks nice. May consider this targa, at post # 57 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=139937721#post139937721

 

Would agree with the recommendations for an 80s 911. Some say that every 911 is a $20K car. You can buy them for less, but you have to spend the difference to make them as nice as what you want. Maybe that's not entirely true, but you get the drift.

With a $20K budget, I'd look for a Carrera ('84-'89). The earlier three years had a 5-speed gearbox (and cable clutch, IIRC) called the 915 box. There were also about 10 less HP (207). The latter three years had a G50 gearbox--still 5 speeds--(and hydraulic clutch?). Supposedly smoother and less notchy. I think it's a personal preference issue. HP was 217. A nice car will go for upper-teens, low-20s.

If you find a potential car and want opinions on it, post it up on Pelican. It'll get picked apart like you wouldn't believe.

edit: That red 964 you posted isn't bad. The 964 models seem to get a bit of the stepchild treatment from 911 fans. They were/are good cars. But I think their slab-sided styling turns off some potential buyers. 250 HP from 3.6 liters. They have improved creature comforts over the earlier cars--stuff like working AC. But that also detracts a bit from the "feel" of driving a 911. I'm not a 4WD kind of guy, so the car you have posted doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't know if the 4WD system is prone to failure, but I can't recall hearing too many problems with it. I don't like the added weight and complexity (or driving interference).

I'd suggest you pick up a copy of Peter Zimmerman's book, The Used 911 Story, for more insight into air-cooled 911s.

Unless you get an unsually screaming good deal, I'd stay away from 930s or 993s in your price range.