newbie - considering entering the world of porsche

[Guest]

appologies if this post seems appears repetitive, but i read through the current threads and couldn't find what i was looking for.

i currently drive a bmw z3 2.8 and have enjoyed owning it. i am now looking to move on and would love to fulfill my dream of owning a 911. however, i have a very limited budget of £13k max (£11k would be more comfortable!).

from the research i've done online, it would seem my money would be better spent on a 3.2 rather than a 964, particularly as would prefer a coupe and RHD. i just had a few questions, which i would be most grateful for some advice on.

firstly, i need something which can be used daily. including cold morning starters. reliability is massively important to me and would like to know whether a 3.2 would fit the bill.

how does the lack of PAS translate to everyday use? i've never owned a non PAS car but would imagine parking and general manoevuring would be particularly difficult.

as a first porsche, would i be better off saving more money to source a 964 as i hear they are more forgiving and easier to drive?

any other general pointers would be much appreciated.

many thanks

 

[bones]

If you are after the 'real' 911 driving experience PAS isn't what you want a Carrera 3.0, an SC or a 3.2 will fit the bill, all available for under 13K. They are heavy in parking situations but just develop some muscles in your arms. You only get one life don't let heavy parking put you off owning the most fun you'll have with your clothes on. []

 

[911addict]

I have owned 3.2's and now a 964 (turbo). Non-power steering is best. But of course its a personal preference.
By the way, i used a 3.2 as a daily driver for 6 years. If you are a 'driver' its heaven. If you want a soft option, stick with the beamer, or spend more money....

 

[Beaky]

As stated by my fellow members, a good SC/3.2 is bullet proof and can be used as a daily and it's a wonderful experience, breath taking at times and the noise of that flat 6.......awesome.
That said it's a real drivers car, no PAS no ABS, etc, you feel every groove in the road, the car lets you know exactly what it's doing, if you want a real sports car go for it, but if you want a more refined machine, then you need to spend more and go up to a 964/933.

The best way forward is to take a test drive in one, nothing like the real experience

 

[RichardLW]

Parking is only trying, not difficult, in a typical London parallel parking situation - tight space and lots of backward and forward stuff - but even then the steering is not heavy. With no engine up front it won't be. Parking in supermarket type spaces is a doddle. This from a bloke who finds a 993 with PAS hard work at times.

 

[Guest]

thanks for the advice. i appreciate the only way to find out what they're like is to test drive one. hopefully do that next weekend.

is having the g50 gearbox a big advantage? i know in this arena you shouldn't get hung up on particulars. but i think if i did go down the carrera 3.2 route, it would have to be a coupe - pref in black, silver, blue or something similar.

again i appreciate this may be difficult to advise on, but what should i get for £11-12k budget? i.e mileage, year etc.
also are prices for these cars fairly constant - or should i still expect some depreciation given that more used 964s and 993s every year.

thanks again for all the input so far!

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

My 3.2 carrera has been very very reliable, only the 915 transmission has been it's downfall. I have a G50 in my 930, it is excellent and worth every extra penny IMO.

Oh, look at what I could lay my hands on... From my 915, I pressed on a new syncromesh hub this afternoon...

 

[Guest]

just wondering if anyone could recommend a decent 3.2 guide which can be accessed online. i found the porsche world 964 buyers guide really useful and could access it from the porsche964.co.uk website. i know they did a 3.2 guide and was wondering whether this was available online.

also, any 3.2 sites? 964.co.uk is a particular good website i thought.

thanks

 

[911addict]

Try this one:
http://www.impactbumpers.com/

 

[Guest]

yeah a few people have recommended the IB site. i registered yesterday as lennard but have not been able to submit any posts, says i don't have permission!

i haven't found any posts about buying guides on IB so far, i'll keep searching though.

twinny, first told me about IB and has said he will look into the posting issue - so hopefully i'll be on there soon!

 

[twinny]

Just reply to the IB email to validate your membership

 

[Guest]

cheers twinny - i'm up and running. just submitted my first post!

 

[rob911]

Don't get too hung up on the G50/915 argument. Both have their positives and negatives. Basically the G50 is a better box but you must remember that even the newest box is going to be approx 17 years old.
Drive both and its a case of whatever complete car package feels right.
I reckon though, the money your looking at spending, you're right on the limit for a G50 car and what you manage to pick up will be reflected in the price.

 

[Helen Goff]

ummm 911[8D][8D] i love them all from the very earliest with no gadgets at all up to the 964 which has PAS and even a working stereo, though what anyone wants with a stereo when they have the beautiful music of a working Porsche engine behind them i'll never understand. ...anyway from then on to the modern 997 for me the 911 has become too computor led and i find rather dull to drive.
all 5.2 of me has no trouble driving a 911 without PAS no trouble at all reversing a 911 visibilty is pretty good especially if you learn to use the wing mirrors. as for using as an every day car... Yes thats what these cars were built for, just look after the car with regular service by a good porsche specialist and use good quality petrol,oil,tyres,battery and the car will look after you.

 

[Guest]

rob i'll bear that in mind when i'm looking. hopefully, i'll get to test drive both types and see whether i'm happy with g50. i've heard that it does help when stuck in heavy traffic.

helen, i'm hardly the tallest myself so it's good to hear that you have no trouble driving 911s. presumably there is no difficulty in adjusting the seat to get a comfortable driving position. i think electric seats were only available with 964s but i don't mind having manual settings. the main point is being able to adjust the seat so that it suits the driver.

 

[Signor]

Greetings
I run a '85 coupe with a 915 box every day! It has never let me down .......yet. The 915 box I've got used too, it is the "real feel". And as for the steering at parking speed, you get used to that too []
When I drive more modern machinery it does seem all a bit too easy..........no wonder we have so many divs out there (oops.ed)
Given the choice again I still would buy the same year of vehicle, give or take a weekend.[]
All I can add is go for it, life is not blah blah.
Good luck
Alex