Looking At Buying a Porsche 911

[c.robertson00 11]

My Dad is selling his motorhome in the next few months and wants a 911, hes got a budget of 30-40k. We're looking at an 84-89 3.2 Carrera or possibly a 89-93 964. It needs to be a manual rather than a tiptronic and not a targa top or vert

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=249234270

This is a realy tidy example but this model only has 230 odd horsepower and Dads worried it will be abit gutless.

It would be great if you could add some of your opinions or suggestions

Cheers, Chris

[bmw_guy 0]

That looks real wicked! do it i say

[Kaz 64]

That looks like a really nice one on trademe.

You might wanna have a look at this buyers guide for Carrera 3.2's.

[jjs 64]

Buy a Carrera 3.2 as a long term investment, but a 964 as a better daily driver. They are both great value at the moment.

NZ new cars are very rare, but what ever you buy make sure it is thoroughly checked out by a specialist.

As for being gutless, what is he used to driving? A 911 is all about how fast you can go around corners!

[drifty325i 0]

My old mans got a 1987 Carrera 3.2 convertible, with the G50 gearbox (get this) its an awesome little car, turns allot of heads. Drives really well and it has never really given him any trouble in 15years. I’ve driven it allot and its not quick by my standards but it does go well enough, lots of low down torque and it sounds sweet to. Chicks love them

[Apex 693]

Porsches are purchased by emotion, the heart.. if that’s his dream good on him, lots of older guys want them and that’s why they are worth what they are in NZ, hey, it’s going to be quicker than a motor home and if he wants faster he might as well keep the motor home and sell the house!

The brain says this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-249599042.htm

[CamB 48]

Always get an older 911 checked out by a specialist, preferably a specialist in that age of Porsche (ie, not necessarily the dealer).

230hp in 1100-1200kg is pretty fast. It's not devastating, but its still quick.

[c.robertson00 11]

Thanks for all your replys. Yea he would definately get it checked out buy a specialist. As for the M Coupe he thinks there ugly lol. His minds definately set on a 911 and the 964 doesnt have that cool retro loo of the Carerra. That buyers guide is realy helpfull

[Palazzo 479]

The 3.2 is my fav 911 by far, esp in Turbo wide body.

Back in the day, it was tested at 5.4 to 100km/h, it's not slow and not gutless by any stretch of the imagination.

Jon Pottinger from the Powerhaus in Wgtn is very very knowledgable and often knows of good cars for sale, he would be well worth a call for info if nothing else.

[elmarco 56]

Porsches are purchased by emotion, the heart.. if that’s his dream good on him, lots of older guys want them and that’s why they are worth what they are in NZ, hey, it’s going to be quicker than a motor home and if he wants faster he might as well keep the motor home and sell the house!

The brain says this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-249599042.htm

What the hell are you smoking Graham?? A 911 is a classic - where that coupe is.....not a 911 (being kind). Don't care how many hp it has - they all fugly and always have been.

I love that shape 911. Actually saw one of these today. Der scheisse!

[c.robertson00 11]

My Dads keen on a 964 now. the 3.2 carerra would be too old and unreliable

[Apex 693]

What the hell are you smoking Graham?? A 911 is a classic - where that coupe is.....not a 911 (being kind). Don't care how many hp it has - they all fugly and always have been.

I love that shape 911. Actually saw one of these today. Der scheisse!

Have driven a few and know the type that buy them, they are clunky old dungers with a poor uncomfortable driving position, they are expensive to maintain, are impractical and all that comes as no sacrifice as they handle poorly and are slow and for the same money a brand new modern hot hatch would rip it a second air cooled a**hole and are a lot more fun to drive, hell a 90's Honda civic would eat one, thats what I was thinking. They are not a rare car nor are they anything special.

You asked.

Edited November 28, 2009 by Apex

[CamB 48]

That's an awesome tirade. It's also at best half true and sort of misses the point.

Most of all, they are something special - its just a somewhat acquired taste, LOL.

[Apex 693]

Was just in response to "what are you smoking Graham?" I think they are crap, if other people think they are fantastic good on them, I judge a car on how it drives and don't get caught up in the romance, they do nothing for me. My point was that these cars are brought with the heart not the brain.

[CamB 48]

And my point is that the heart is driving it.

Case in point going the other way - my M3. Must be the least interesting car I've ever owned to cover ground quickly. Haven't had it on the track yet but its giving me the vibe it won't be interesting on the track either. Extremely capable, but once you grow used to the warp factor 9 acceleration, not particularly interesting.

An older 911, or my old Peugeot 106 (all 110hp of it) - now there's an exciting ride. A backward exit from a corner is a heartbeat away. Getting a corner "right" in a 911 is fantastic feeling as the considerable weight shifts to the outside wheel... and don't lift off.

Plus a well maintained one is a pretty good track car - they go years of abuse without complaining as they are engineered to be driven hard. Fully adjustable suspension settings and brakes up to the task is a bonus too.

Agree they are expensive to maintain. $50 filter, 10 litres of oil every 5,000km if you're being nice to it...

[drifty325i 0]

They are fantastic cars and i totally agree with the below, I like a challenge and a challenging car to drive is no different, Amost ANYONE can drive a "WRX/EVO/Civic" to near its limits but not many can drive a 911 anywhere near is "actual" limits

"Getting a corner "right" in a 911 is fantastic feeling as the considerable weight shifts to the outside wheel... and don't lift off" +1

"Plus a well maintained one is a pretty good track car - they go years of abuse without complaining as they are engineered to be driven hard" +1

Riley

[bravo 35]

Leave Apex alone. We all know he only likes new cars and has no soul.

I can't help but side with the fans. But then again, I love classic cars. There's a slightly ugly 959 replica on TM that some Porcheophiles may like. I quite like the 944's.

[DRTDVL 0]

buy a 205 or a 106 spend 10k on suspension and go fast bits, and have a hell of a lot more fun...

(also 205's are just as brutal to muppet drivers at the limit as a 911 - well maybe not as but close)

Edited November 29, 2009 by DRTDVL

[Apex 693]

Haha, I got soul but I’m not a soldier..

Are I zee zo ze engine is in ze back

There is no need to defend the old 911’s, I know what they are about and appreciate why some people like them, I was simply explain my opinion to Penry is all.

Edited November 29, 2009 by Apex

[deeveus 81]

Haha, I got soul but I’m not a soldier..

Are I zee zo ze engine is in ze back

There is no need to defend the old 911’s, I know what they are about and appreciate why some people like them, I was simply explain my opinion to Penry is all.

Bahahahaha!

If it were me, I'd spend an extra 10-15k and get a watercooled 911 1998+onwards, I realise this might not be in the budget, but if it's performance the old man is after, he will not be dissapointed. For this kind of money you might not be able to secure a low mileage manual but atleast you'll get some looks!

Put it on the house, sell his body parts for medical experiments, sell the house & contents e.t.c, he'll soon raise the coin!

Edited December 4, 2009 by Clinton