so would I be out of my mind...?

[lucydad]

All,

This tweaks my heart...

http://victory-motorcars.ebizautos.com/detail-1986-porsche-911-used-14717770.html

Don't know price.  The little 911 would fit in my moto garage easy...

Thoughts?

[canuguzzi]

Your next post should be "I GOT IT!"

and pics.

[lucydad]

Could get very serious if car is clean...damn...yeah ...heart twister big time...

[boatdetective]

So- I'm not a Porsche guy. However- a good friend of mine restores them along with million dollar plus Ferraris, Bugattis, etc.  These early 80s 911s aren't quite old enough to be "classics". However, they have the huge benefit of "modern" engines and drivetrains. They are good engines that can take serious mileage. In my mind, you get the best of both worlds. No question, it's the cheapest way to getting into the marque. I'm not crazy about the whale tail- but it's the only way they could stuff air conditioning in there.  There's no way the price is going down on these things. Honestly- I think it's a smart move.  Oh- and the color is cool.

[segesta]

Just the blue interior alone is Badass.

[desmo33]

I have had my '97 Carrera (993) for about 9 years now, and I am still thoroughly entertained every time I drive it.  I never really understood the popularity of these cars until a college roommate twisted my arm and made me drive his Targa.  It is not at all like I imagined it would be to drive (i.e., Beetle-esque).  I tend to think of German cars as being extremely refined and well-built, but rather sterile.  There is nothing sterile about an air-cooled 911.

If you buy a solid example of any 911 and take proper care of it (nothing particularly unreasonable, at least for the air-cooled cars), it'll willingly serve as a dependable daily driver with tremendous character.

[kirkemon]

No, not out of your mind.
I've been a Porsche owner since 1975, learn how to drive them and you won't be without one (forget the ones with the engine in the wrong end).
I think this particular series needs the timing chain adjuster updated.
Here's where you want to ask:
http://rennlist.com/forums/

[Darren Williams]

Life is short, have no regrets.  You have done the right things through your life, worked hard, paid your bills, raised kids well, took care of family...

If it won't cause anyone in your family to miss meals or anything, not much argument against the ownership experience.  Remember, all we get are experiences in this life, so make the most of your opportunities because money does not equal cherished memories and life adventures. 

[Groover]

Someday I'll have one of those too, but the Slantnose version.

I'd say if there is room for it in your life without disrupting anything else in your life, then do it!

Good luck!

[malik]

Yeah, do it. It should be fun. And that picnic table on the back is a handy place for tools & stuff when you're servicing the bikes.

[lucydad]

Checked price with dealer:  way, way out of my budget range.  Far out.  This beauty is into the collector car category, and deservedly so.

Well heck. 

[PJPR01]

You can get a lot of car for $50K...if I recall correctly that's the budget.

Tons of choices...plenty of great options out there.

You won't be getting the experience of driving a McLaren or a Ferrari, but a 2 year old Boxster or 4-5 year old 997.2 can be had for that...very easily...

or 5 practically brand new Guzzis as well!  :)

[toma nova]

You can get a lot of car for $50K...if I recall correctly that's the budget.

 but a 2 year old Boxster

Ask me how I know....

[Perazzimx14]

Checked price with dealer:  way, way out of my budget range.  Far out.  This beauty is into the collector car category, and deservedly so.

Well heck.

Go out and buy a project bike. It will help keep you mind off the Porsche.

[charlie b]

Sorry, but, I never really liked the street Porsches.  The 908 and 917 were the last products that I liked.

I was glad to see they finally came out with a street mid-engine design, but, still not my choice.  I'd rather have a Lotus than the Boxster or Cayenne.

My first choice for a fun to drive car is still the Lotus (Caterham) Seven.  But, not very practical.

For price/performance in a 2 seater you still can't beat the Corvette.  Probably why there are so many of them out there.

[PJPR01]

Sorry, but, I never really liked the street Porsches.  The 908 and 917 were the last products that I liked.

Not a single one of the more than 50 years of 911 models ever appealed to you? 

917's are the monster...of course, totally unaffordable unless you are a collector with deep pockets!

[PJPR01]

Ask me how I know....

Now that looks familiar!   

[azguzzirep]

My first choice for a fun to drive car is still the Lotus (Caterham) Seven
[/quote]

My brother has a 1962 or 64 Lotus Super 7. And a 1958 MGA roadster. And TR6 and a Porche 944.

He has owned the mga  and lotus since about 1974. The TR6 since the mid 80's and got the 944 about 6 years ago.

But he's a gearhead.

[bigbikerrick]

Get a Z 06 Corvette. Great bang for the buck with supercar performance, and you can get most parts at auto zone. My son picked up a beautiful silver 07 6 speed for less than 50K a few years ago, and it has been a great car. Also gets almost 30 mpg on the highway!
Rick.

[oldbike54]

 Datsun 2000 Fairlady , or even better if you can find one that hasn't been used up , a Cellca Supra turbo , those things were BAD ! The suggestion of a Lotus super 7 is great , but Greg lives in Houston where a working AC isn't a luxury but an absolute necessity . Hell , go for it and buy an older Nascar cup road racer , 30K bucks , that will IMPRESS the neighbors when started at 6:AM 

 Dusty

[Devildog]

A beauty.
Our son in Dallas has several 911's and does restoration work on them, for clients and his own cars. Victory's asking prices have been at least 10-20% higher than market prices; Porsche prices in general have increased a lot recently, so good luck haggling!

[lucydad]

This Cayman S ain't half bad at all....low mileage and right down the freeway....

tried to paste url and it fails...blue 2008, manual, black/grey interior, 24K miles...

[Gary]

This Cayman S ain't half bad at all....low mileage and right down the freeway....

tried to paste url and it fails...blue 2008, manual, black/grey interior, 24K miles...

Buying a used Porsche is sometimes tricky business. I would suggest joining PCA.org as a Quest Member (you have to own a Porsche to be a full member). They have a classified section for members. Generally you will find that PCA members take better care of their cars and will usually not mislead you. It's not foolproof, but your chances are better.

I really liked the '86 Carrera but figured the cost of admission was quite a bit above $50K. The best buy in 911's now is the 996. You can buy a well sorted out Turbo within your budget. The engines are bulletproof (you avoid the potential IMS problem) and the performance is mind boggling. And they actually make nice daily drivers.

Of course I am very partial to the Cayman as well. The 2009 have the newer engine and a '09/10 Cayman will have similar performance to a 2006 Cayman S. 2009 non S models are very reasonable. And for what it is worth, the PDK is remarkable.

[lucydad]

Gary,

Thanks for your guidance, I really appreciate it!  The 2008 local Cayman S turned up having a Carfax accident reported 1/2016.  Huge red flag to me, so I am passing on that one.

Patience is key.  There are a lot of Caymans floating around, and the S is my goal car with a manual and the right color (white, red, blue, maybe yellow and I prefer non-black interiors). 

[PJPR01]

Greg...if you've narrowed it down now to a specific model / trim and specs and don't already have a sales rep you're working with, I would suggest talking to Roger G. up at Porsche North (I-45 north of 1960 next to the Land Rover dealership) and see if he knows anyone with that configuration who may be trading in or interested in selling.  He's the guy I got my 911 from...standup guy, very fair deals and he might be able to source one for you...

PCA club here in Houston honestly was quite boring after several lackluster events unfortunately.  One in particular I recall, we once had an event leaving the Galleria heading an hour north on 290 to a children's orphanage, I kid you not we were doing 52 mph for the whole hour in a line of 20 cars...and the lead guy was very proud of his K40 Laser Jammer super duper anti radar detector...I guess it must have been beeping the whole time!

Have fun in the continued search...at least you've narrowed it down now to Brand and Model!   That's progress!!  :)

[toma nova]

Greg,

The local BMW club runs autocross every third Sunday at Houston Police Academy near IAH.  I'll be there this Sunday (20th) in the Boxster, there will be at least three Caymans (2nd gen that you're looking at) and a couple of 911s.  Great way to talk to some owners about pros and cons and see how the cars run.  The group is super friendly.

PM if you're interested and I'll give you more details.

Tom

[vstevens]

Count me in.  Been lusting after used Cayman and 996 911s lately.  I think I've seen every YouTube video available addressing IMS and other issues.  Many new owners preventatively replace the IMS bearing when they put in a new clutch.  Seems to be a real bargain if you budget for maintenance as well.  Only a matter of time before values climb.  All the air cooled (pre-996) 911s are becoming unaffordable for most. 

[MGPilot]

The mid to late 80's 911s are considered desirable. They benefit from a transmission that many think is better to an older style.

If this car is that old with that few miles on it, it's spent a lot of time just sitting.  I'd make a prepurchase inspection a required part of the deal. I'd also assume that any set of tires over 6 years old should be replaced, no matter what they look like. Ideally, a leakdown test would be part of the PPI.  Expect that the engine has more wear on it than 8k miles would reflect as it sat, engine went essentially dry, then ran until oil was pumped through the channels. Possibly more rust on the inside of the engine than there would have been if it were used regularly.

I assume you'll take it for a test drive....but make sure the ride it offers for this model year agrees with what you enjoy. For some, it can be rather firm.

If you get it, consider getting fresh fuel into it asap as well as possibly running a can of Techron through it.

The engines from this period are considered reliable and many have well into 6 figures of miles before they are rebuilt.

Good luck.

[jackson]

The mid to late 80's 911s are considered desirable. They benefit from a transmission that many think is better to an older style.

If this car is that old with that few miles on it, it's spent a lot of time just sitting.  I'd make a prepurchase inspection a required part of the deal. I'd also assume that any set of tires over 6 years old should be replaced, no matter what they look like. Ideally, a leakdown test would be part of the PPI.  Expect that the engine has more wear on it than 8k miles would reflect as it sat, engine went essentially dry, then ran until oil was pumped through the channels. Possibly more rust on the inside of the engine than there would have been if it were used regularly.

I assume you'll take it for a test drive....but make sure the ride it offers for this model year agrees with what you enjoy. For some, it can be rather firm.

If you get it, consider getting fresh fuel into it asap as well as possibly running a can of Techron through it.

The engines from this period are considered reliable and many have well into 6 figures of miles before they are rebuilt.

Good luck.

Having owned five 911 variants over a period of 40 years, the quoted post above from MG Pilot is the best advice you could receive if you decided to pursue this vehicle.  The low mileage is NOT a good thing but it appears that the dealer is attempting to portray it as a reason to bump the value.  These cars are extremely durable and have bulletproof engines but they need to be driven on a regular basis or the normally bulletproof engine can become problematic.  I have personally seen a lot of 911's with 300,000 plus miles on the engines that have never been rebuilt and that are still running strong.

[PJPR01]

Not to mention...exception ally reliable as well.

My 2005 911 997.1 did blow the IMS, but the engine was replaced under warranty and although I didn't think possible, it ran even better afterwards.  I was somewhat lucky as I had 3 months left on the warranty period so there were no issues, new engine was done in 1 week by the dealer, no questions asked.  There are even cases of Porsche honoring the replacement or partially comping the engine when the IMS blows post warranty...but that would be a key issue to check on these models.

My 2009 911 997.2 has had zero issues...other than regular maintenance...absol utely impeccable build.  It's so easy to change the oil on it with the filter on top, honestly an easy car to run on a daily basis or in the twisties or on long trips...very comfortable. 

    Add 1 to the stable Greg!