How useable is a 3.2 carrera (circa 84 year)?
Discussion
I'm tiring of more modern cars...don't want or need the tech, depreciation and insurance is irritating and hence starting to look at a relatively modern classic. However, it must be useable, not every day, but if I go to the garage and want to use it, I'd like it to work and whilst I don't mind a good tinker, I don't want to be fixing it every weekend. I'd also like it to feel relatively quick if I push it, but having said that, I'm fine if it needs to be 'worked', it's one of the points of appeal Vs modern stuff where crazy speed is to easy.
Weekend / evening use, pub runs, road trips with friends a few times a year and driven fairly hard. I do expect to maintain it of course.
What are your views of the 3.2 (84 to 89), 930 turbo and possibly the 3.0 SC. Do they fit the bill, or would I be disappointed ?
Any views appreciated, though of course, I know I also probably need to try one......
Weekend / evening use, pub runs, road trips with friends a few times a year and driven fairly hard. I do expect to maintain it of course.
What are your views of the 3.2 (84 to 89), 930 turbo and possibly the 3.0 SC. Do they fit the bill, or would I be disappointed ?
Any views appreciated, though of course, I know I also probably need to try one......
Inspectorclueso said:
What are your views of the 3.2 (84 to 89), 930 turbo and possibly the 3.0 SC. Do they fit the bill, or would I be disappointed ?
As a car to drive I prefer the 3.2 or the 3.0, as a photo to put on the wall the 930 wins. The 930 wasn't the best driving air cooled 911 IMHO.It's a 930 or 911 Turbo, by the way. 930 is the turbo model, so "930 Turbo" is a 911 turbo turbo... and they don't need another turbo...
Then you have the challenge of finding a good one. Not as easy as you might imagine.
Will they disappoint? It depends upon what you are hoping for. They are good to drive but I wouldn't want one as a daily.
You probably need to drive some.Then get a PPI if you're going to buy one.
My 3.2 was excellent, I had an 84 with the 915 gear box which is excellent when the shifter is properly set up.
The 930 isn’t a great regular use car if it has the 4 speed box IMO.
The 84 3.2 does have heavy steering. Worth getting some tuition on a damp track on how to drive 911s properly, they are the opposite of their reputation if you learn to drive them, they are great in the wet if you use the weight.
The 930 isn’t a great regular use car if it has the 4 speed box IMO.
The 84 3.2 does have heavy steering. Worth getting some tuition on a damp track on how to drive 911s properly, they are the opposite of their reputation if you learn to drive them, they are great in the wet if you use the weight.
My view is that the 3.2 was big step-up from the previous cars .... more powerful and reliable with a better ECU.
The early 915 gearbox was fine (if a little leisurely and subtle) ... the later series with the G50 box another step-up in terms of day to day use.
They are now around 35 years old so body condition and service history are important and I wouldn't buy one without a professional inspection ... I don'y know if Peter Morgan is still doing this.
But as a drive I think they are beautiful. Peak Porsche quality, old school serviceability with bags of character and still affordable ... 200,000 mile machines and the rest.
Some consider them to be a little agricultural ... and maybe they are. A lovely thing IMHO.
The early 915 gearbox was fine (if a little leisurely and subtle) ... the later series with the G50 box another step-up in terms of day to day use.
They are now around 35 years old so body condition and service history are important and I wouldn't buy one without a professional inspection ... I don'y know if Peter Morgan is still doing this.
But as a drive I think they are beautiful. Peak Porsche quality, old school serviceability with bags of character and still affordable ... 200,000 mile machines and the rest.
Some consider them to be a little agricultural ... and maybe they are. A lovely thing IMHO.
I had a 3.2 Supersport at the same time as a 993 - the 1989 car with the better brakes and 'chassis' of the turbo was much better than I expected, and although you wouldn't want to push it as hard as a 993 (trailing arms vs multilink rear suspension), it ticked all of the (often churned out about old 911) reward boxes - feedback, driver input, connection to the road, steering on the throttle, blah blah.... so as long as you don't expect good aircon, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
But the key (as always) is to buy on current condition, otherwise you'll be chasing rust and electrical problems rather than enjoying it.
But the key (as always) is to buy on current condition, otherwise you'll be chasing rust and electrical problems rather than enjoying it.
Had my. 3.2 for 19 years, done almost 100,000km in it, it’s been back to the Stuttgart, the ring, many tips to Le Mans and gets regularly used. In the early days as a family three up until we didn’t fit any more.
Generally just out petrol and luggage in and off we go. So totally usable and an absolute joy.
The ventilation is s
t on a hot day and the heating interesting on a cold day. But it’s huge fun, fits in all parking spaces and down all the B roads. It’s a bit old fashioned by modern standards but an absolute joy to drive.
Generally just out petrol and luggage in and off we go. So totally usable and an absolute joy.
The ventilation is s
t on a hot day and the heating interesting on a cold day. But it’s huge fun, fits in all parking spaces and down all the B roads. It’s a bit old fashioned by modern standards but an absolute joy to drive. Left field view …
Put your preconceptions (if you have any) to one side, and try a sorted (primarily engine and suspension) manual 2WD 996 coupe.
They make any pre-964 air cooled car feel positively prehistoric.
Some sages will tell you the early “throttle cable” cars are the ones to have, and granted they were the lightest 996’s built, and their engines are more rev happy, but the whole cable throttle v’s DBW cars, is overstated.
No one ever said the CGT was in some way lacking due to it having a DBW throttle …
And whilst a Mk 1 996 GT3 has a more characterful engine than the Mk 2, the Mk 2 is considered by many to be a superior car/engine, and guess what, it has DBW throttle actuation …
Granted a 996 won’t give you the bank vault like build quality a 3.2 will, but they’re far more modern, quick, accomplished, but also tactile and engaging in a way no modern 911 is (and largely devoid of pointless tech too)
Put your preconceptions (if you have any) to one side, and try a sorted (primarily engine and suspension) manual 2WD 996 coupe.
They make any pre-964 air cooled car feel positively prehistoric.
Some sages will tell you the early “throttle cable” cars are the ones to have, and granted they were the lightest 996’s built, and their engines are more rev happy, but the whole cable throttle v’s DBW cars, is overstated.
No one ever said the CGT was in some way lacking due to it having a DBW throttle …
And whilst a Mk 1 996 GT3 has a more characterful engine than the Mk 2, the Mk 2 is considered by many to be a superior car/engine, and guess what, it has DBW throttle actuation …
Granted a 996 won’t give you the bank vault like build quality a 3.2 will, but they’re far more modern, quick, accomplished, but also tactile and engaging in a way no modern 911 is (and largely devoid of pointless tech too)
Edited by Slippydiff on Monday 25th March 07:14
I’ve had my 3.2 for 18 years and it’s been bulletproof. I go through phases of using it a lot and then storing it for a while, and it always starts and never fails to proceed.
You do need to tune in to driving it - as others have said you use the weight in a particular way but it’s extremely rewarding and will still make excellent progress, not least because they’re tiny, in a relative sense.
You need to buy one that’s been regularly serviced and looked after. As a daily, I’d also prefer one that has had the usual body issues attended to, rather than a wholly original car.
Buy one with decent bodywork and make sure it’s set-up and serviced and it will perfectly fit your brief:
You do need to tune in to driving it - as others have said you use the weight in a particular way but it’s extremely rewarding and will still make excellent progress, not least because they’re tiny, in a relative sense.
You need to buy one that’s been regularly serviced and looked after. As a daily, I’d also prefer one that has had the usual body issues attended to, rather than a wholly original car.
Buy one with decent bodywork and make sure it’s set-up and serviced and it will perfectly fit your brief:
We used to have a 3.2, (84) which the wife used to daily to work every day, ten mile round trip. For the year, ours was pretty low mileage circa 73k and I would suggest it was in pretty good condition, it was a non-sport version also, which gave a more leisurely drive and I think more pleasing to the eye without the spoiler.
To say we didn't have problems would be a lie. The car left her stranded a few times with issues around not starting, we had water ingress and a few other problems, however did love owning it and ticked that box.. As has been said buy on condition, they really are lovely to drive and a 915 gearbox cannot be rushed and can feel quite slow, but you get used to it's charm. For day to day driving, there is so much glass around you and visibility is great, however you do feel rather small against all the modern stuff. Find a good Porsche specialist that will service and maybe already know the car will help.
Every time I had the opportunity to take it out for a drive, it would feel like a very special occasion for me and that is all that matters.
G
To say we didn't have problems would be a lie. The car left her stranded a few times with issues around not starting, we had water ingress and a few other problems, however did love owning it and ticked that box.. As has been said buy on condition, they really are lovely to drive and a 915 gearbox cannot be rushed and can feel quite slow, but you get used to it's charm. For day to day driving, there is so much glass around you and visibility is great, however you do feel rather small against all the modern stuff. Find a good Porsche specialist that will service and maybe already know the car will help.
Every time I had the opportunity to take it out for a drive, it would feel like a very special occasion for me and that is all that matters.
G
For me useability involves a proper car cabin cooling/heating system. If you ever plan to do long Euro trips anytime between May and September, having working a/c makes a big difference to your trip. At least it does in my view, as I hate arriving sweaty and smelly to any mid-trip stopovers, restaurants, hotels, museums, etc. Equally in a traffic jam on the m-way (or anywhere else) being in a sweltering car makes for a even more miserable experience.
Granted - not the most important aspect of classic ownership! But something to consider nonetheless as with the older 911s they are "classic" in that aspect of owership. The 964 / 993 and possibly the 3.2s had a better climate control system that actually works.
I believe that the heat exchangers on the exhaust of the 3.2 were double skinned to improve the heating efficiency.
Regarding ventilation ... for some reason the classic 911 shape does not buffet in the way that the water cooled design did ... but I agree that UK weather is rarely so hot that you wouldn't want the window open ... unlike others.
Regarding ventilation ... for some reason the classic 911 shape does not buffet in the way that the water cooled design did ... but I agree that UK weather is rarely so hot that you wouldn't want the window open ... unlike others.
I've had 2 x 3.2 Carrera coupes and run them as dailies.
Great cars, heavy at lower speeds and agricultural versus more modern cars.
The main thing is rust and finding a good one. Reliability comes down to keeping on top of all the small jobs.
I far preferred my 3.2s than a subsequent 993 C4 variarom and went back for my second.
A 996 is far more modern and probably a better balance of modern drive and less nanny aids.
Personally for the money a 996 or 997.1 C2S are the sweet spots for a usable affordable 911's.
Great cars, heavy at lower speeds and agricultural versus more modern cars.
The main thing is rust and finding a good one. Reliability comes down to keeping on top of all the small jobs.
I far preferred my 3.2s than a subsequent 993 C4 variarom and went back for my second.
A 996 is far more modern and probably a better balance of modern drive and less nanny aids.
Personally for the money a 996 or 997.1 C2S are the sweet spots for a usable affordable 911's.
I had two in the late '80s - as my only 'all-weather' dailies - a 915 and then a G50, bought new.
Progressed through 911s as each new models evolved, improved, and attracted an ever bigger market - 964s, 993s, 996s, 997s, 991s, and a 992 currently in build. A few collectables and GTs have also passed through - but there is still a 3.2 Carrera in my garage - narrow-bodied, un-spoilered, G50, Coupe.
Problem, these days, is the cost and difficulty, of finding a really nice one. And you really need to 'get' the air-cooled era 911s, because, if you don't, there are 'better' contemporary options for the money.
Progressed through 911s as each new models evolved, improved, and attracted an ever bigger market - 964s, 993s, 996s, 997s, 991s, and a 992 currently in build. A few collectables and GTs have also passed through - but there is still a 3.2 Carrera in my garage - narrow-bodied, un-spoilered, G50, Coupe.
Problem, these days, is the cost and difficulty, of finding a really nice one. And you really need to 'get' the air-cooled era 911s, because, if you don't, there are 'better' contemporary options for the money.
Great points made from posts above.
To throw some balance in, I’m about to go the other way and swap my 1989 Carrera 3.2 G50 sport package for a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK (hells bells!).
While my actual daily was off the road for about 6 weeks, the 3.2 was assigned daily duties for the entire period, and while I enjoyed the sense of occasion every day, it did become tiresome in traffic during summer with no air-con, no power steering etc. Electric sunroof was nice though.
But the maintenance and up-keep definitely needs consideration for these 35+ year old cars (rubber seals, perishable items, paintwork/stone chips etc) and I actually felt guilty using it as a daily and putting miles on it, which sounds ridiculous. I do drive my cars quite hard (when warmed up) and like to take them on very spirited road trips, and I’ve had a couple of significant tank-slapper moments in the 3.2 when trying to foolishly keep up with modern stuff. For my needs, a modern Porsche would suit me better. And I may have to go down to just one car.
Mine’s on 95k miles now and just serviced last week (nothing major needed doing), and I am very mindful of the top-end rebuild that will need doing eventually if I keep it for the long-term, which also is aiding my decision to swap into something new-ish with low miles and trouble-free.
I do echo others’ thoughts that at normal speeds they are just epic fun and such an occasion. And the looks and admiration you get from people all the time is hilarious; even millennials love them. But as a daily I didn’t enjoy the added wear & tear on it after a few weeks. I think they’re now best suited as a weekend car when the sun’s out.
To throw some balance in, I’m about to go the other way and swap my 1989 Carrera 3.2 G50 sport package for a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 PDK (hells bells!).
While my actual daily was off the road for about 6 weeks, the 3.2 was assigned daily duties for the entire period, and while I enjoyed the sense of occasion every day, it did become tiresome in traffic during summer with no air-con, no power steering etc. Electric sunroof was nice though.
But the maintenance and up-keep definitely needs consideration for these 35+ year old cars (rubber seals, perishable items, paintwork/stone chips etc) and I actually felt guilty using it as a daily and putting miles on it, which sounds ridiculous. I do drive my cars quite hard (when warmed up) and like to take them on very spirited road trips, and I’ve had a couple of significant tank-slapper moments in the 3.2 when trying to foolishly keep up with modern stuff. For my needs, a modern Porsche would suit me better. And I may have to go down to just one car.
Mine’s on 95k miles now and just serviced last week (nothing major needed doing), and I am very mindful of the top-end rebuild that will need doing eventually if I keep it for the long-term, which also is aiding my decision to swap into something new-ish with low miles and trouble-free.
I do echo others’ thoughts that at normal speeds they are just epic fun and such an occasion. And the looks and admiration you get from people all the time is hilarious; even millennials love them. But as a daily I didn’t enjoy the added wear & tear on it after a few weeks. I think they’re now best suited as a weekend car when the sun’s out.
Edited by A44RON on Tuesday 26th March 02:38
Just looping back to this, thank you all so much for the replies so far.
I went along to Brightwells yesterday as they happened to have a 3.2 and a 930, so it was good to look at both. It's certainty a 'shock' getting into these after a modern performance car, I currently have a 2016 M4.
My initial thought was that either seem driveable, i.e. I can at least get in and get relatively comfortable unlike many of the other classics there. A Healey 3000 had a torturous driving position ! But I also concluded, I'd be disappointed to spend a reasonable about of money on an average car, if I was going to go for this, I'd want to go for something really tidy / already restored.
I'm in no rush and I'm finding the process of looking at a few classics super interesting. For info, others on the list in the £25k to £80k range are:
E-type (couple only, I can't get comfy in the roadster due to leg room, pre S1 4.2, but would consider S2)
TVR Griffith (I have had a Chimera before)
Alfa 105 series - I like the relative simplicity, but again would want one that is completely done body wise
And on a tangent, a 612 Scaglietti - I have two boys that love road trips and know this would hit that brief
I did also get into a Lotus Elise yesterday and the driving position felt bang on, but I know it's a very different car.
Interested if anyone else has comparisons of the 911 to the above, albeit very difference cars I know.
I went along to Brightwells yesterday as they happened to have a 3.2 and a 930, so it was good to look at both. It's certainty a 'shock' getting into these after a modern performance car, I currently have a 2016 M4.
My initial thought was that either seem driveable, i.e. I can at least get in and get relatively comfortable unlike many of the other classics there. A Healey 3000 had a torturous driving position ! But I also concluded, I'd be disappointed to spend a reasonable about of money on an average car, if I was going to go for this, I'd want to go for something really tidy / already restored.
I'm in no rush and I'm finding the process of looking at a few classics super interesting. For info, others on the list in the £25k to £80k range are:
E-type (couple only, I can't get comfy in the roadster due to leg room, pre S1 4.2, but would consider S2)
TVR Griffith (I have had a Chimera before)
Alfa 105 series - I like the relative simplicity, but again would want one that is completely done body wise
And on a tangent, a 612 Scaglietti - I have two boys that love road trips and know this would hit that brief
I did also get into a Lotus Elise yesterday and the driving position felt bang on, but I know it's a very different car.
Interested if anyone else has comparisons of the 911 to the above, albeit very difference cars I know.
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