Question for my Boxster S/ Porsche friends!

[kyleturner2020]

Originally Posted by jmatta

Here's my interpretation of an early 911. They are quite raw compared to a Boxster or later 911 variant...but that's the fun; under 2200 lbs versus 3000+.

Wow! That looks unbelievably similar to what I have in my head.....GREAT LOOKING CAR!!!

I need that!

[Kirk]

I think you'll find the prices on late 60's and early 70's 911's out of sight. The early 911's have really been appreciating a lot over the last few years. That makes it a lot harder to find a good buy. Looking at these early cars you may want to consider a 912 - 4 cylinder instead of 6, but still fun. I don't believe that the ridiculous appreciation has caught up to the 912's yet. I've got a '72 914 that's very "raw" and great fun to drive, so that's something else to consider, just be smart as there are a lot of junker, rust bucket 914's out there.

If my heart was set on a 911 though I'd steer more towards the 1980's cars. They're relatively cheap now and are due to appreciate in the future. I know it's not an investment, but an 80's vintage 911 is probably going to represent the best "deal" for you.

Kirk

[blue2000s]

I've had a reasonable amount of seat time in a '77S Targa, an '82SC coupe, and an '87 Carrera Targa. They're all great cars. I'd say that the '77 and the '82 are very similar in the way they feel in suspension and steering. The SC has more power, but both are very fun to drive. By '87, they were getting a little heavier. The steering still has the kickback and feedback that the earlier cars do, but the chassis feels just a little less lively. Even though the engine is stronger, the SC felt faster. They all sound FANTASTIC!

There are concerns with the reliability of the 2.7L cars from the mid-70s from the magnesium cases and chain tensioners. The SC is supposed to be one of the most reliable cars Porsche has ever made and it's great fun to drive. If it were me, I'd pick something from '75 to '83 but look really hard at the SC from '78-'83. Porsche switched from chrome to black trim in the middle of the 1977 model year, in case you're looking for the older or more modern look.

You mention that you want a targa. They can be leaky, and expensive to restore so look out for a top that may not be in great shape, among all the other things to look for.

[kyleturner2020]

Gentlemen-

Thank you for your tips and input! I was able to check out a really decent condition 1969 912 that was going for 37.5$. It was an amazing car but a bit much in my book for the 102hp 4cyl!

I will look more carefully at the 78-83SC, as I think I could "back panel" the car into a near RS replica in emerald/viper green!

As far as targa goes thanks for the heads up!


Kyle

[blinkwatt]

Go for a 964 and put Carrera Lightweights on them. Some dude on Rennlist posted a pic of on with that set up and man did it looks damn nice!

[kyleturner2020]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Go for a 964 and put Carrera Lightweights on them. Some dude on Rennlist posted a pic of on with that set up and man did it looks damn nice!

964 is a good looking car, but a bit too "new" for what I'm looking for!

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by kyleturner2020

964 is a good looking car, but a bit too "new" for what I'm looking for!

Double galvanized bodies are a big thing to consider as well. If you want a car that's not going to have hidden (or maybe unhidden) problems, it's another reason to start in the mid 70s.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Go for a 964 and put Carrera Lightweights on them. Some dude on Rennlist posted a pic of on with that set up and man did it looks damn nice!

Power steering ruins a 911.

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Power steering ruins a 911.

How much harder is it to drive an older 911? Or is it a feel thing not much ease?

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by kyleturner2020

I was able to check out a really decent condition 1969 912 that was going for 37.5$. It was an amazing car but a bit much in my book for the 102hp 4cyl!

Ridiculous if you ask me. This is what I'm talking about - the value of the older cars have been going up excessively over the last few years. I don't believe this has totally caught on yet to the 912's though, this car and some others being the exceptions. I think you can still maybe find a cheaper 912.... "maybe". One of the members of my local PCA is selling his 356 coupe for something like $68K! It's not worth $68K as a driver's car, it's clearly a collector's car. Maybe to get an early 911 that's not a collector's car you need a good barn find. A co-worker of mine picked up an early 70's 911 targa last year for $5K, but he's still working on it to get it running reliably!

Kirk

[kyleturner2020]

Originally Posted by Kirk

Ridiculous if you ask me. This is what I'm talking about - the value of the older cars have been going up excessively over the last few years. I don't believe this has totally caught on yet to the 912's though, this car and some others being the exceptions. I think you can still maybe find a cheaper 912.... "maybe". One of the members of my local PCA is selling his 356 coupe for something like $68K! It's not worth $68K as a driver's car, it's clearly a collector's car. Maybe to get an early 911 that's not a collector's car you need a good barn find. A co-worker of mine picked up an early 70's 911 targa last year for $5K, but he's still working on it to get it running reliably!

Kirk

I am all for appreciating car values! (as long as I already have the car !!)

Like I said, the car was in "really decent" condition. I would put it at 80-85%, it had the engine rebuilt and brake system was redone, all original manuals, toolkit, had the begining of some small oxidation, I was NOT expecting to hear 37.5 come out of his mouth!

...I'll nose out a great deal...

Kyle