Question for my Boxster S/ Porsche friends! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

blue2000s · 07-08-2010, 01:52 PM

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 · 07-09-2010, 10:26 AM

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 · 07-09-2010, 10:35 AM

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 · 07-09-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-10-2010, 03:55 AM

Quote:

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.

kyleturner2020 · 07-10-2010, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

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.

Good point here! Thanks!

smcgeary · 07-10-2010, 06:33 AM

The 993 and boxster s seem to have similar steering feel. The 993 might have a little more feedback. I am not sure when ps came standar but I remember driving my friends dads 86 cab carrera and it did not have ps.

Thumbs up on the galvanizing. My sc has limited specks of rust here in two spots and it has been fully stripped /repainted, and lives in CA garaged. I restored a 54 chevy truck when I was younger so I have a huge dislike of rust. Nasty stuff and nasty to deal with. You can fix anything it just costs $$$$.

Sounds to me like as a second car if you can easily afford to purchase a good SC in the 14-20 k range then you are likely to be able to afford the expensive curve balls that may come up.

blue2000s · 07-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-09-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

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?

blue2000s · 07-09-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

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

It's not hard steer an older 911 at all, but they're pretty light in front. The steering in the non-assisted cars is SOOO alive. You can fell exactly what the tires are doing. All the kickback and bouncing would be annoying in a Cadillac, but it's exactly what you want in a driver's car.

The assist, no matter how good, dulls the communication.

smcgeary · 07-09-2010, 04:51 PM

I have got to agree onthe steering feel. I currently have a 79 euro sc, 98 993, and 01 boxster s. The 79 has steering feel that is just awesome. Any other car I have driven now feels somewhat dull in the steering dept. I wish they offered these things without ps today. It's quite easy to turn once you are going over 1 mph. I have even parallel parked the sucker.

Get an SC if you want something raw. Only downside to an SC is the climate control is essentially worthless. Otherwise they are cheap, reliable, fun, and probably at the end of the depreciation scale.

Kirk · 07-09-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-10-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

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