Thinking of selling and buying
 

Thinking of selling my 370Z and buying a Porsche 1987 930- 911 Turbo

"1987 Porsche 930
Significant engine upgrades (450hp):
Ported and polished heads, AASCO valve springs and titanium retainers, racing cams, ARP connecting rod bolts, larger Porsche intercooler, upgraded to 94 turbo intake, Powerhouse headers, dual exhaust with 4” pipes, Andial enrichment system, Powerhouse injector blocks.

Suspension enhancements:
Weltmeister torsion bars (27 front, 33 rear), sway bars (21 front, 21 rear), Beilstein sport shocks front and rear, Fikse FM 10 wheels (8” front, 10” rear), tires 245 front, 275 rear, all modifications within Porsche specs.

Interior:
SRD Recaro seats with five point harness, Momo steering wheel with Porsche crest, upgraded Porsche Becker CD player, Powerhouse boost gauge, Andial 10000 RPM tach.

Exterior:
Upgraded door mirrors, 3.8 RS carbon fiber tail wing."



Going old school………... Thoughts?

thing looks like a whale but if that's your style go for it! :)

:iagree:
I would also find what parts generally go bad most often and make sure that i can afford those repairs. Even though it's old it is still a bit expensive to maintain.

Reliable if you get a good one. Expensive as hell if you don't. Be prepared to spend at least $400 on a pre-purchase inspection -- it's basically a prerequisite for those looking at older Porsches.

That said, though I'm not a big fan of the whale tail, I've got a soft spot for the SC and 3.2 porsches from the late 70s through late 80s. They are old enough to have the classic 911 shape -- the 964s and the 993s were significantly different -- yet new enough to not be rusted out and the engines are pretty bullet proof if you find a good one. The Turbo though ... lol that might be a different story :)

I'm paying $500 for a full inspection including leak test (about a 5 hour job). The picture does not do justice to how the car looks up close….pretty spotless. Garage kept and driven less than 10000 miles over the last 10 years….which makes me a bit nervous regarding the seals etc…..thus the inspection before purchase commitment……

Initially built by a Porsche HPDE enthusiast and then sold because he had a desire for higher tech. After selling the car it has only accumulated wax on a monthly basis while sitting in the current owners garage.

Thanks for the comments; it is good to hear different perspectives. :tup:

It's nice but not nearly as hot as the Z.

Trading down is more like it??? A hot new car, for a hooked up car from the 1980's. If your a collector, or want something rare, sounds fun, but I think the 370Z is much rarer since those porsches all look similar. I've had experience with a few of them, c2 cabriolet, and a 1980 targa. maintenance was expensive as hell, and they fell apart pretty much.

If you've got the flow and are into the model/year, then I say go for it! I would definitely not use it as a DD for fear of reliability, however..I DD my Z with no fear. I must admit that I really don't care for the large whale, but that's just me.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know what you decide to do! I'm going to want to see more pics of this new ride, that's for sure! :tup:

Dang, nice 911, I love the older, pre-water cooled 911s! Would help you fit in at those Porsche track days too :tup:

Oh, if you do end up selling, dibs on your Teins! ;)

I've been seriously thinking about an 80s porsche. Did alot of research -- lurked on renlist and the Pelican boards. Problem is I can't fit three cars in my garage. Not giving up the Z. Need a newish car for the daily driver -- where's the porsche gonna go :(.

No don't do it. If your itching for something different, Just get a Nismo, looks like a newer Porsche! ;)

I would personally do it, but I have a huge soft spot for air cooled Porsches. These cars are called the widow maker because on the limit handling ranges from extreme understeer to snap oversteer based on throttle input, however the suspension upgrades should reduce this characteristic.

It would be a downgrade in terms of overall refinement, handling and ride quality. But you cannot beat the character these cars have! the 3.8RS wing is a bit too large for my tastes though.

Don't do it unless you can keep your Z and buy that car on your own. The Z will be more reliable overall, less expensive to maintain and I believe it will hold its value for a very long time. The porsche looks hot and is probably a blast to drive, but maint. is high and those 80's porsches weren't reliable at all. Especially when modded. That's something to consider. Good luck though on whatever you decide.

Seems like a step backwards unless this type of car is on your bucket list. I agree it looks clean, and after living in Lake Stevens for 7 years I understand how it was only driven <10k miles in 10 years. ;)

The 370z is pretty tough to beat, especially at the price point. I'm guessing this wouldn't be your DD.

Choose what's best for you and good luck!

Having owned, modified and tracked a 1988 911 Turbo Targa, I have extensive experience.
I was fortunate to own seven 911 models (4 Turbos) before retirement. Frankly, the stock 1986-89 911 Turbo models were plagued with several characteristics that were dangerous to novice drivers: Severe lift-throttle oversteer, prolonged turbo-lag and very strong steering wheel kick-back.
While Porsche enthusiasts claim these were part of the car's "soul" and "character", that is pure rubbish.
Now, modifying the car did reduce this aberrant behavior to some degree, hence, your experience whilst test-driving the 911 in question is most important. Did you thoroughly test-drive the car? What were your impressions?
Maintenance was expensive back in 1988; Champion Motors who sold and modified my '88 911 Turbo insisted the engine be dropped to properly tune it!

Very cool. If the car checks out I say go for it. Looks like a fun new project.

Just be prepared for more maintenance $$$ going into the car.

I have a Z32TT(not saying it's the same), took me almost a year to get rid of all it's demons. Leak, after Leak after Leak. I think I have replaced every 20 year old hose on the car. But I knew going into it I would spend thousands on maintenance repairs, so it really didn't bother me. ($4,000.00 in 10 months, and I am probably not finished)

I think that car looks awesome, if you have the cash to make it run right down the road, then go for it! If not, I would look at something else.

Find a good Porsche forum and spend sometime there learning all the quirks of that car. Older cars are nice because they are rare but I wouldn't have one as my primary car. What's your other car?

:tup:I initially drove the car about 20 miles.

The car has a larger 94 turbo and intercooler that enables a linear boost........sweet to experience and no snap or lag type behavior.

The road feel is amazing. I've joked with Porsche club members by telling them "I swear I could feel shadow's on the asphalt while driving it"

and I have two other DD cars (1990 300ZX na and an AWD SUV) so the Posrshe would definitely claim the garage space.

This would be a somewhat nice day and track day driver.

Strapping into those race seats on a daily basis would be a pain.

This may not happen due to the what the inspection finds...........I'll post up the verdict after the fact. :tup:

for those of you who think this is a "step down" go drive a porsche from any generation... then come back and re-evaluate

^ Thanks for that. It is the driving experience and feel that motivates this move….but with a ton of caution based on a number of issues people (local Porsche club buddies and this forum…same points) have brought up.

Information/data is good! Thanks for the opinions/recommendations :tup:

I was speaking more towards reliability and overall cost of ownership, newer car with more modern technology, etc. I'm sure from a performance aspect it wouldn't be a step down.

nice car... but definetly a money pit.

To each their own.

He seems like he knows what he wants, and already owns a classic Z...

You only live once, if it checks out do it! I'm not sure I could DD a car like that though, I need creature comforts. Let us know what you find out/decide.

Keep your Z and add this car. If you cannot afford to do that, you cannot afford to own this car, anyway.

That is pretty funny. I drove by one sitting in someone's front yard with a for sale sign yesterday taking the back way home from work. I almost stopped and got the number but I am terrified of what I might do if it is in good shape and a descent price. Left brain: "Just keep driving, just keep driving." Right brain: "Dude, you have always wanted that exact car! It looks perfect!" That is an absolute classic!!!

I think I will drive home a different way this eveing....

and so it begins

Different perspectives/logic, but money is not the primary issue here. I have little room for too many cars; function drives the ownership. Why have 2 fast non snow cars? The 300 is a trooper and can handle a little ice and snow just fine.

If money isn't an issue, go drive the car and let preference be the issue. Certainly forum opinion should not be the deciding factor, lol

Must......take......interstate.....home...... :icon14:

I think that Nikon was just looking for some opinions on the matter, not that necessarily our opinions would be the deciding factor. He's already mentioned that some of issues and warnings we've brought up have reinforced in his mind the things to watch for in the PPI.

Go for it man - whatever makes you happy. Can't really compare the two, one's a nissan the other is a porsche. Two very different cars IMO, with different driving styles, maintenance needs and tuning directions.

I personally love both, but for me, cost of ownership and not having a solid set of tools and place to work on the car dictates I get a newer car w/warranty - I also don't have a daily driver as I take NYC public transportation.

Whatever you do, enjoy. I'm going for the same look as you (mostly stock on the outside) but engine tuned. I want that CF hood - I've been eyeing it for weeks, but I can't confirm with anyone that the fluid sprayers will mate OEM style to the underside of the hood - can you confirm? Also, I love your drop, going for the same thing. Looks great - How do you like the Tein COs?

I would think it through. Porsche Gremlins are going to cost you a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

The fluid sprayers work well on the drivers side although the passanger side slips just a bit. Spray still works fine though just not perfectly symmetrical.

Teins.....pretty stiff/bouncy ride but I like the road feel improvement! In cabin dampening is pretty cool/functional as well. Worth the $$ IMHO :tup:

Yeah, I hear you :tup:

The inspection is being done by the guy who originally buffed (450 rwhp) the car out and will count 99 percent towards my purchase decision. My confidence in that guy finding the gremlins is pretty high.

id dump the z and get the porsche.
power, prestige, and respect
nissan's a poor man's porsche so go for the real deal

Short story: drove the car 2.5 days and it was mind blowing fast and fun to drive. I took it in for a full inspection and leak down check and the car had major oil leaks, a cracked waste gate pipe (dangling)…had it tack welded for safety (free), and basically extremely low maintenance for quite some time. The leak check was within spec though so that was good. I thought about offering a price that made sense due to all the required work to be done but decided against that……too much stuff! The owner is a nice guy but seemed a bit defensive when he said all older Porsches leak oil…………(buddy not that much!)

Interesting experience, a bunch learned and fun too…..:tup:

I prefer the 993 turbo! :tup:

Bummer it ended up not quite being worth the expense and bother.