Where do I start?

[motoloco]

Hello everyone, newbie here.

I'm sure that this question has been asked many times, but here goes.

I've been lucky enough to own a variety of cars over the years, but have also had at least one classic in the garage, usually something Italian.  My wife and I live in Normandy and like to explore the great roads of France and beyond on four wheels and two. About a year ago I bought a 981 Boxster for road trips and put 13,000km on it, but while I quite liked it, I never loved it. Although it was a 2013 model, it was far too new, too digital, for me and now it has gone.

This has led me to look at an impact bumper 911, but which one? I prefer the simplicity of design of the narrow-body, non-spoiler cars, but I'm staggered at the list of mechanical woes that seem to be endemic with Porsches of all years.  Is a '76/'77 911S 2.7 really likely to implode its engine?  Are gearboxes agricultural and weak? 

I briefly owned an early 911SC in 1983, but don't recall it that much (beyond paying 5k for it and selling it for 7K..), so I'm looking for advice.  2.7, SC or 3.2? 

Unfortunately, any cars for sale are unlikely to be less than 250km from me, so the old adage of "drive as many as you can" is a stretch.

Thanks in advance for your answers to a near-impossible question.

 

[Phill]

Buy the one with the best bodywork you can afford. Rust is where the money is. Engines don’t explode or implode and even the 915 gearbox is absolutely lovely when it’s in good condition. Gearboxes are strong and can handle  3 or 400hp so no need to worry there.

You will get lots of first hand experiences here but everyone will agree that bodywork is the most important thing and they hide rust very very well.

Edited November 21, 2024 by Phill

[Chris T]

As Phil says, it's mostly about the body and rust in it. Quite a few cars come up for sale soon after the owner discovers the cost of fixing all that hidden rust! Get a potential car inspected by somebody familiar with old 911s Where about are you? Chris.

[Chris T]

Oops! Missed the "Normandy" bit! 

[Nige]

As above, though probably wouldn't bother with a 2.7 (911S 2.7) as they're only about 150bhp.  Unless its a Carrera spec 2.7/3.0 then that's different.

 

 

[johndglynn]

What was up with the SC? Pick of the bunch some would say

Normandy must be a great place to live. Been all over it on two wheels and four!

[motoloco]

On 21/11/2024 at 15:30, Phill said:

Buy the one with the best bodywork you can afford. Rust is where the money is. Engines don’t explode or implode and even the 915 gearbox is absolutely lovely when it’s in good condition. Gearboxes are strong and can handle  3 or 400hp so no need to worry there.

You will get lots of first hand experiences here but everyone will agree that bodywork is the most important thing and they hide rust very very well.

Thanks Phill

Having bought many (mainly Italian) old cars, I'm a bloodhound for rust!

8 hours ago, Nige said:

As above, though probably wouldn't bother with a 2.7 (911S 2.7) as they're only about 150bhp.  Unless its a Carrera spec 2.7/3.0 then that's different.

 

 

Thanks Nigel

I must admit that I like the look of the 2.7 and the colour/trim variety, but I'm probably more likely to go with an SC or 3.2.

3 hours ago, johndglynn said:

What was up with the SC? Pick of the bunch some would say

Normandy must be a great place to live. Been all over it on two wheels and four!

Normandy is great. No traffic, smooth, winding roads, friendly people and a great classic car/bike community.

[Beaky]

Welcome to our addiction.

As mentioned above, you can’t go wrong with a nice SC or 3.2, they seem to still be demanding strong money so pick/choose well.

The roads around Normandy are perfect to exploit the wonders of these air cooled, good luck with the purchase. 

Edited November 23, 2024 by Beaky

[motoloco]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. It looks like an SC or 3.2 is the answer. I'm in no crazy rush, so I have time to learn more and find the right car.

In the meantime, if you are ever in Normandy...

Thanks again.

[Ian Comerford]

You talk about being staggered by the list of mechanical woes on these cars.  Don’t believe everything you read, there a lot of rubbish/myth/ opinion talked about them and the art of filtering it out will come to you.  For instance we often hear”oh, if its done over 100k miles the engine will need a rebuild”, this is generally tripe without a few simple tests. For anyone that has owned their cars for a while most will agree that they are probably the strongest, most reliable cars out there and take regular use with ease.  

[motoloco]

13 minutes ago, Ian Comerford said:

You talk about being staggered by the list of mechanical woes on these cars.  Don’t believe everything you read, there a lot of rubbish/myth/ opinion talked about them and the art of filtering it out will come to you.  For instance we often hear”oh, if its done over 100k miles the engine will need a rebuild”, this is generally tripe without a few simple tests. For anyone that has owned their cars for a while most will agree that they are probably the strongest, most reliable cars out there and take regular use with ease.  

Well, the 2.7 certainly gets a bad press, with case distortion, pulled head studs (seemingly not unheard of on other engines, either) and general oil leaks. When I was researching a Boxster, I discovered the pitfalls of IMS bearings and bore scoring. Not relevant to G-series cars, I know, but still not a statement of great engineering.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sold, but before I put down tens of thousands of Euros, I want to know as much as possible.

 

[Strictly]

I would also go for an sc or 3.2, I like the rev happy 2.7. But I much prefer the aluminium cased engines.

While you will need to cast your net far and wide to find a car....you can do alot from an arm chair. In this day and age you can ask the seller for 50 or so photos put them in a one drive or Dropbox link and share it here and we can take a look. I'm fairly good and spotting things from pictures. I also know how to check for "clocked" 911s etc.

As always take your time and wait for 911 which ticks all the boxes (model, condition, history) from a seller who is easy to deal with.

There is plenty to look out for, so just read as much as you can!

Luke

[motoloco]

28 minutes ago, Strictly said:

I would also go for an sc or 3.2, I like the rev happy 2.7. But I much prefer the aluminium cased engines.

While you will need to cast your net far and wide to find a car....you can do alot from an arm chair. In this day and age you can ask the seller for 50 or so photos put them in a one drive or Dropbox link and share it here and we can take a look. I'm fairly good and spotting things from pictures. I also know how to check for "clocked" 911s etc.

As always take your time and wait for 911 which ticks all the boxes (model, condition, history) from a seller who is easy to deal with.

There is plenty to look out for, so just read as much as you can!

Luke

Thanks Luke

I've been reading and watching YouTube videos like crazy, so my knowledge is certainly improving. I worked my entire career in the automotive industry, so I'm ok with the general process of car inspection. I also have a reasonable network in Italy, so have started asking around there. I enjoy the "chase" almost as much as the buy, just as long as I have as much info as possible.

[mean in green]

Could I suggest that you consider this car? Thought Andy would never part with it. 

[motoloco]

1 minute ago, mean in green said:

Could I suggest that you consider this car? Thought Andy would never part with it. 

I can't access that link.

[mean in green]

Apologies, not sure why but look in the IBs For Sale section, Andy has posted further details there this evening.

[motoloco]

 

4 minutes ago, mean in green said:

Apologies, not sure why but look in the IBs For Sale section, Andy has posted further details there this evening.

OK thanks

[TargaWayne]

1 hour ago, motoloco said:

 

OK thanks

I think you need to be a IB subscriber to see classified ads.

I'd check out the restoration thread, you'll see where these cars suffer from rust. They all go in the same places, having no arch liners there traps for dirt and moisture to collect.  You'll know where to look when looking at cars. 

Edited November 24, 2024 by TargaWayne

[motoloco]

2 minutes ago, TargaWayne said:

I think you need to be a IB subscriber to see classified ads.

I'd check out the restoration thread, you'll see where these cars suffer from rust. They all go in the same places, having no arch liners there traps for dirt and moisture to collect.  You'll know where to look when looking at cars. 

Thanks Wayne, I'll take a look.

[Nige]

Just noticed TC's(Andy) 3.2 for sale, billy bargain at that price and a cracking long term owner/enthusiasts car.  Surprised he's selling it.

 

LHD too.

 

[motoloco]

15 minutes ago, Nige said:

Just noticed TC's(Andy) 3.2 for sale, billy bargain at that price and a cracking long term owner/enthusiasts car.  Surprised he's selling it.

 

LHD too.

 

Unfortunately, I can't access the ad. Is it a Targa (my preference)?

Cheers

[Nige]

Nah, coupe

[Nige]

If you're not fixed to a Targa, then I doubt you find a much better 3.2 at that price anywhere else.  Move quick!  I reckon end of the week and it'll be sold.

[Northy]

+1 on Andy’s 3.2. That’s a lovey car. 

[njpcarrera32]

As a targa owner the advice I would give is to buy the best car you can afford based on condition and history regardless of whether it’s a targa or a coupe. And Andy’s car appears to be a peach.