No, I’m not going to buy a Porsche.
Any time soon…
But suppose I were going to buy one? Which one should I get?
1969 911
Good points:
[ul][li]Classic 911[/li][li]Simple and uncluttered[/li][li]More challenging to drive than later models[/li][li]I have a 1969 Porsche 911 brochure in my collection.[/ul][/li]Bad points:
[ul][li]Poor fuel economy[/li][li]More challenging to drive than later models[/ul][/li] 911SC
I used to have one of these. It was the most-fun car I’ve ever owned.
Good points:
[ul][li]Classic 911 shape with sexy fender flairs.[/li][li]3.0 litre engine[/li][li]Decent fuel economy[/li][li]Relatively inexpensive[/ul][/li]Bad points:
[ul][li]Interior is kind of clunky (I replaced the clunky door panels with RSR panels in mine)[/ul][/li] 911 Carrera 3.2
Basically a 911SC with a bigger engine.
911/993
Good points:
[ul][li]Classic 911 shape with better aerodynamics[/ul][/li]Bad points:
[ul][li]Price[/ul][/li] 911/996/997
Latest, liquid-cooled version. The only way I’d get one of these is if I won the lottery, and I’d get a new one. Way too expensive.
The 2.0 litre 911s definitely have the ‘classic car’ thing going for them. I like the very simple interiors. On the other hand, the 911SC/Carrera was a better car and was more powerful and more efficient. The 993 was the last of the air-cooled 911s. I like the styling, but I think the retractable spoiler is silly. Still, I think the 911/993 is the prettiest.
How about scrapping the Porsche plans, and getting a Lexus? With their dyna-mat soundproofing; annoying noises neither get in or escape from the driver’s cabin. And please refrain from using the money you save buying a Lexus by getting a factory installed wireless internet connection.
My vote is for the Porsche 993. Hands down the prettiest of all recent models. I’d go for the C4 version. Don’t think I’d bother with the turbo unless I found just the right low mileage and full service record combo at the right price.
I’m not fond of the pop up spoiler either, but I’ll take that over the ugly headlights of the newer models.
Bah. Man up and get one of the handfuld of street-legal 917 conversions that exist.
Personally I prefer the look of the closed-cockpit versions, but the 1100 HP Can-Am version would be fun. Maybe you could drop a can-am engine into a Le Mans body?
I can’t speak directly about the 993’s reliability, since I didn’t have one. The 911SC was pretty reliable. The 911-series engines are almost bulletproof. I read in Excellence or Porsche (which was the original name of the former) about a guy who decided to see how long he could go without rebuilding the engine. He finally blew the engine at around 250,000 miles – while competing in a hill-climb race. I took mine in regularly for tune-ups and oil changes.
There were three major things that happened though: First, a steering part broke. I got the car used, and I don’t know what the previous owner did to damage it. The mechanic said, ‘These things never break!’ The second thing was that during one of the tune-ups it was found that the timing chains were becoming a little slack. The engine has to come out to replace them. I also got new chain tensioners at the same time. I don’t remember now, but ISTR that there was a change in the tensioner style and I had the older ones. As long as the engine was out it was a good time to put in upgraded units. Finally, the starter went out just before I sold the car.
The 911SC was the most fun car I’ve owned. It was a blast to drive. I had Bilstein Sport shocks put on, so the ride was a little rough up to about 70 mph; but it handled great and I tended to drive faster than 70 anyway. Fuel efficiency was decent, considering the type of car and the way it was driven. Over 20 mpg, usually. And I found it to be very reliable.
Yeah, that’s my worry. The engines are so tightly fitted into that little body that there seems to be a lot of fiddleing and disassebling required to do routine things. Or is that an incorrect impression.
BTW… on reflection… add the 964 to my other most favourite 911 body style.
My uncle has a 40th anniversary 911 which he just purchased. He hardly ever drives the thing. Afraid of it I think. I’m waiting until he wants to get rid of it and make him an offer. It’s going to be a sweet car when he’s done with it. Driven on sunny summer Sundays to the deli by a little old jewish man. ;j
