Am I making the right decision?

AlphaOmega · Post by **AlphaOmega** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:28 pm

Hello all

The threads on this forum are incredibly useful - as well as seeing some fantastic cars owned by members, I've learned there's a decent garage very near where I live.

Thing is, after reading through a few threads and spending (too) much time looking at ads, my original plans to secure a 964 have changed

Obviously, an early RSL would be perfect but in the real world my budget means the one that appeals to me most is a 911 SC (83-86 cars with under 100k on the clock seem to be around £15k) but this is based purely on aesthetics - particularly with the spoiler deleted. I'm not so keen on targas or convertibles.

As I'm not going to be carrying out much of the servicing myself, and would like a reasonably reliable motor is this a good choice - I've already discounted the idea of an early 996 as it doesn't appeal in the same way.

So in a nutshell, is an early 80s SC the best I can do for £15k?

Any comments gratefully received.

AO

KS · Post by KS » Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:34 pm

You'll get a decent Carrera 3.2 for that money, but be quick before the prices start going up!

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:58 pm

£15K should buy a really decent 1979 - 1983 SC or is the minimum to buy a decent 1984 - 1989 3.2. Any SC will be a 30 year old car now, and although they are inherently reliable, if the car has not been well looked after, it may need a bit of money spending to get it in tip top mechanical condition (brakes, gearbox, dampers and engine, especially the exhaust). On all these pre 1989 cars, unlike the 964, they are very susceptible to rust and can easily cost the purchase price of the car again to put right if you buy a pup. Look at as many as you can, do not buy the first you see, or even the 5th, and keep an eye out for RUST!

impmad2000 · Post by **impmad2000** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 6:33 pm

nick-moss wrote: keep an eye out for RUST!

Take a look at my thread here
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 46&start=0
This was an early galvanised shell, and a Targa too, but will give you a good idea where to look for rust. Bear in mind that my shell looked very tidy, and most of the rusty areas hadn't actually "Gone through". I guess this will be typical of what you'll be looking at, and probably details what lies behind those few rust blisters.
Tim

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:40 am

Having lived with the 915 box in a 911 I would only entertain a 3.2 with a G50 box.
Having lived with a 3.2 for 25 years in my 911 hotrod, I think the engines are simply great and very very drivable.

I would think unless you want to get your hands dirty and are good at rust prevention a good 3.2 / G50 is a good move with classic charms, great looks and enticing road manners in traffic or the freedom of a Welsh road on a crisp sunday run at dawn.....

AlphaOmega · Post by **AlphaOmega** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:51 am

KS wrote:You'll get a decent Carrera 3.2 for that money, but be quick before the prices start going up!

**Raids piggy bank and searches down back of sofa**

nick-moss wrote: keep an eye out for RUST!

Will do.

impmad2000 wrote: Take a look at my thread here
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 46&start=0
Tim

Thanks - very helpful

911hillclimber wrote:Having lived with the 915 box in a 911 I would only entertain a 3.2 with a G50 box. Having lived with a 3.2 for 25 years in my 911 hotrod, I think the engines are simply great and very very drivable.

I would think unless you want to get your hands dirty and are good at rust prevention a good 3.2 / G50 is a good move

Sounds like the perfect choice for me - many thanks all

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:05 am

Get yourself onto Impactbumpers too, geared more towards the models you are looking at.

www.impactbumpers.com

Personally I wouldn't narrow it down to what the gearbox model is or whether its a 3.0 or 3.2 just totally buy on condition. Get a good one and the differences are marginal between the two, although both have different characteristics. Nothing wrong with a 915 box if in good order and has new shift/linkage bushes installed.

As mentioned I think you should get a cracking SC for £15k, but if you want an equally good condition 3.2 with a G50 box you may have to budget more or spend much longer searching.

Rust is the main thing on these cars whatever the age.

AlphaOmega · Post by **AlphaOmega** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:59 am

Nige wrote:Get yourself onto Impactbumpers too, geared more towards the models you are looking at.

www.impactbumpers.com

As mentioned I think you should get a cracking SC for £15k, but if you want an equally good condition 3.2 with a G50 box you may have to budget more or spend much longer searching.

Rust is the main thing on these cars whatever the age.

Thanks for the lead on impactbumbers.com

Is the general opinion that the 3.2 is the better driving experience on account of its larger capacity or are there key chassis differences as well that affect the handling (aside from a (presumably) heavier engine)? Apologies this is probably the subject of an existing thread - I will do some searching.

Thanks all

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:16 pm

3.0SC?

A little over budget but I'm sure there's room for manoeuvring:

http://www.eclecticcars.co.uk/vehicles/ ... .0+SC.html

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:36 pm

AlphaOmega wrote: Thanks for the lead on impactbumbers.com Is the general opinion that the 3.2 is the better driving experience on account of its larger capacity or are there key chassis differences as well that affect the handling (aside from a (presumably) heavier engine)? Apologies this is probably the subject of an existing thread - I will do some searching.
Thanks all

Owners of 3.2s will probably say they better than SC and vice versa same with 915 versus G50, same with LHD or RHD.

Both are quick cars and there is probably little difference to be felt in the real world. When I bought my 3.2 G50 Carrera I wasn't looking for a particular spec, just condition alone. Provided you find a good one that doesn't give you too much heart ache or wallet bashing then anything that's a 911 shape with a flat 6 is great.

Having said that generally the opinion appears to be that if you're a daily driver, high miler the later the car the better. You might find a 915 box bothersome in daily commute and 3.2s are a bit better on fuel than SCs.

But both are equal on the driving experience, just a bit different.

AlphaOmega · Post by **AlphaOmega** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:30 pm

left4dead wrote:3.0SC?

A little over budget but I'm sure there's room for manoeuvring:

http://www.eclecticcars.co.uk/vehicles/ ... .0+SC.html

I have to clear my garage first - if that's still there in a few weeks' time I'll definitely enquire.

Nige wrote:Both are quick cars and there is probably little difference to be felt in the real world. When I bought my 3.2 G50 Carrera I wasn't looking for a particular spec, just condition alone. Provided you find a good one that doesn't give you too much heart ache or wallet bashing then anything that's a 911 shape with a flat 6 is great.

Thanks - good to know.

stuby · Post by **stuby** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:55 pm

Don't know if this is of any use to you - i do know the guy selling it but have no connections with him. he buys and sells a few classics, tends to tidy em up a bit, but does it after people have looked at them (he is a bit of a petrolhead )

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Would gladly have a glance at it for you if you wish - to save you a journey

Stu

AlphaOmega · Post by **AlphaOmega** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:22 pm

stuby wrote:Don't know if this is of any use to you - i do know the guy selling it but have no connections with him. he buys and sells a few classics, tends to tidy em up a bit, but does it after people have looked at them (he is a bit of a petrolhead )

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Would gladly have a glance at it for you if you wish - to save you a journey

Stu

Thanks Stu, that's very kind of you. I think it's going to take me a few weeks to sort the garage so it's cleared and looks more like an inviting home for a new addition

So I'll update this thread and see what's about then. Appreciate the post though

74rsman · Post by **74rsman** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:05 pm

Get a 964.. they are ace..

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:27 pm

I'd actually say that the 204bhp SC is a sweeter engine than the 3.2. The 3.2 has more power and torque, but it 'feels' less urgent because of the way the power is delivered. Porsche repeated this trick with the 993 - a Varioram doesn't feel as nice or as fast as a pre-Varioram.

I also think a *good* 915 shifts more nicely than a G50 - it feels more mechanical, more connected somehow. The problem with 915s is that many aren't good and give them all a bad name, whereas the G50s are bombproof so all feel the same.

I also prefer the tea-tray of the late SC to the whale-tail of the narrow-bodied 3.2.

All just IMHO of course and either way you'll get a cracking car (even from a specialist)

for £15k or thereabouts.