[Jard]

Thanks again all, I really appreciate the perspective.

10 years ago I didn't have $10k to buy one. Today I don't have $50k.

It's tough to feel like I'm always going to be chasing the market.

[Nerfbar]

You think that's sad, forty-five years ago I didn't have the $2000 to buy Rowzie's Carrera GT Speedster.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by Jard

Thanks again all, I really appreciate the perspective.

10 years ago I didn't have $10k to buy one. Today I don't have $50k.

It's tough to feel like I'm always going to be chasing the market.

Want to hear about all the $15k 964s I didn't buy?

[86911TLCAB]

If i was trying to get into a 911 today, I would look at the early 2000's cars...less expensive to get in to and still great 911's...though i have limited experience driving them...not the same as going back down memory lane, but your kids will one day thank you for keeping their college fund in the market...

[nditiz1]

As someone that went through this recently and found a good deal on a 77 Targa I'll share some food for thought:

40K is a very decent budget trying to get into one of these.

Most things can be fixed if you are mechanically inclined. I have never rebuilt an engine other than my first top end rebuild on my 914 2 years ago. With that said I sold the 914 to buy my 77 that had been converted to a 912E (914 engine). I pulled the engine and trans(923) and dropped in an 82 3.0 SC engine and trans(915). The engine to my knowledge has not been rebuilt, but runs decent with good numbers, which leads to another good point...

Find a car with a strong engine - either a recent rebuild with documentation - even that does not guarantee anything unless the builder is well known - OR an engine with good numbers (leak down). My engine had very good leak down numbers so I rolled the dice and it worked out.

Some are skeptical of BAT, but I feel like its ok. I really like the comments as I feel others (experts) point out things that I wouldn't see. The caveat is you should really go and see it in person/drive it. PPI's are valuable and you may want to have one done. I have seen some recent 911s sell on BAT that could be bought on the sellers name alone without ever seeing the car in person nor having a PPI done. They have only ever sold decent running cars so they could be trusted from history.

Don't fall under the purist mentality. I would just as quickly buy a backdated SC, a midyear with a 3.0 or 3.2 installed, a 912E/912 with a 6 in it. Some very good deals on BAT were missed because people care about matching numbers and originality. Sure driving an all original car is nice and maybe you can try to win some concourse crap, but why do we drive these cars to begin with? For me I was always attracted to the look. I will tell you, from experience, that any 4 cylinder powered 911/912 will never be as fun as a flat 6.

Sorry through all this I forgot you wanted a Carrera 2 so disregard any other the older model talk. 84-89 are also great cars. They have the very decent 3.2 and I would have put that in my car had one been available and my budget just a tad higher. A good running 3.2 is anywhere from 12 - 16 depending so take that into consideration. That does not mean rebuilt which will cost upwards of that. Also don't be afraid of the trans rebuild. If my trans ever goes out I will probably just buy another 3k one off Pelican and roll the dice.

Good luck on the hunt and let us know how it goes.

[Patrick3000]

It’s a Targa and it’s red but well within your budget

Enjoy the hunt.

https://www.pca.org/node/331637

[Jard]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

It’s a Targa and it’s red but well within your budget

Enjoy the hunt.

https://www.pca.org/node/331637

Ha, if I wanted a red Targa I would have a handful of cars to choose from already!

Thanks for sharing.

[Blender77]

Jard,
I live in Lorton, VA and have an 84 911 coupe I'm considering selling. Zinnmetalic over black, 6 & 7 Fuchs, 111k miles. Engine and trans rebuilt, high quality respray at 99K. Looking for low $40Ks.

Sent you a PM with more details. Shoot me a text or give me a call if interested.

[racer]

Good luck with your search!

Targas will be easier to find and usually less $$ than coupes. Since the AC on the SC/Carreras is marginal at best, you might prefer the ability to take off the roof to improve airflow. They will leak and squeak and iirc, run about $1000 to have someone repair/update and even then, they won't be perfect.

Rear seats. IIRC, only starting with the 964 were 3pt rear belts factory. The 3.2 and 3.0 cars had only rear lap belts. As a child raised on stuffing lap belts into the seat cushion, I don't understand the need for 3pts. I also was jammed with my two brothers into the back seat of our 911 on occasion which mitigates the needs for belts Those rear seats are tiny to begin with. My kids loved my 944 rear seats as they fit them perfectly. In addition, in an early car without airbags, you can always have the kids sit up front for a nice parent/kid bonding time.

Get out and test drive any local samples you can find to expand your experience base. You might find the 3.0 SC, well maintained, is just as much fun as the heavier G50 3.2 car. Also, given the age and mileage, condition and maintenance over the years, they will all drive differently. You may also find you (or your spouse?) would prefer a newer car (ie, 964) due to other safety improvements like ABS, Airbags and marginally better HVAC.

Of course, for 1/2 to 2/3 the money, you can find a nice 996 Coupe or Cab that will have all the modern attributes one wants (and by that, I mean the comforts of being pressed into daily duty if needed - whether its 95 or 35 degrees out!)

I loved my 911SC. I miss it on occasion, but when I am offered a ride/drive in one, I am reminded just how "old" they can feel (and this comes from the owner of a 50 year old 914!)

[Jard]

Originally Posted by Blender77

Jard,
I live in Lorton, VA and have an 84 911 coupe I'm considering selling. Zinnmetalic over black, 6 & 7 Fuchs, 111k miles. Engine and trans rebuilt, high quality respray at 99K. Looking for low $40Ks.

Sent you a PM with more details. Shoot me a text or give me a call if interested.

Thanks, I did shoot you a PM.