Are 1984-1988 Model Years Best of the Air Cooled?
#1
Are 1984-1988 Model Years Best of the Air Cooled?
Folks
First post, just signed in. However, took me a long time to get here, starting with a photo I took of a Porsche 911 Targa in Bonn Germany when I was a kid in 1982. Now I'm on the brink of buying my Porsche and come before this group for advice.
QUESTION: I like the air cooled models of the 1980's. I believe the 84-88 models were strong. In 89 Porsche upped the engine size and made changes. My theory is that the 88 model is a good one since they did they changes for the 84 model year, then worked the kinks out and pretty much had got it right by 1988. My question is this: does this line of reasoning make sense? Are there any gotcha's for the 88?
Any help you can provide would be appreciated. I plan to have a space filled in my driveway by Thanksgiving.
Regards,
Newbie to forum
First post, just signed in. However, took me a long time to get here, starting with a photo I took of a Porsche 911 Targa in Bonn Germany when I was a kid in 1982. Now I'm on the brink of buying my Porsche and come before this group for advice.
QUESTION: I like the air cooled models of the 1980's. I believe the 84-88 models were strong. In 89 Porsche upped the engine size and made changes. My theory is that the 88 model is a good one since they did they changes for the 84 model year, then worked the kinks out and pretty much had got it right by 1988. My question is this: does this line of reasoning make sense? Are there any gotcha's for the 88?
Any help you can provide would be appreciated. I plan to have a space filled in my driveway by Thanksgiving.
Regards,
Newbie to forum
#2
RE: Are 1984-1988 Model Years Best of the Air Cooled?
Still looking for some input on this one. Drove an 84 coupeyesterday. That felt good but highly manual. Maybe I should up my year to whenever they introduced hydraulic assist for (power) steering. QRS11
#3
RE: Are 1984-1988 Model Years Best of the Air Cooled?
I went through the search myself this past spring. I was lucky to find a mint 1988 in Rhode Island with 87,000 miles for $24,000. The car was owned by the3rd owner who had it for the past 9 years.
Based on the info that I gathered and most importantly based on the advice of my cousin, who is a Porsche Factory Trained mechanic in CT and owner of a couple of pre 89 911s, I decided to limit my search to 87 and 88 models.
The 87 and 88 (and early 89 - pre 996 production) are the best for the following reasons:
- last iteration of classic 64-89 Porsche 911 design
- introduction of hydraulic clutch in 1987 with larger clutch plate
- introduction of superior Getrag G50 Transmission in 1987
- bullet proof engine
- last but not least, I personally think that they are the best looking Porsche 911s ever produced- period.
Make sure to have the car inspected by an expert. A leakdown test is recommended as some of these engines experienced premature valve guide wear.
When you do get your car, make sure to have itlowered to Euro Ride Height - it makes a huge difference in handling and looks!
There is a book avilable by Tony Corlett entitled "Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera - The Last of the Evolution" whichhas a lot of info on the 84-88/89 3.2's. A highly recommended read.
Good Luck with finding you car!
Mick
Based on the info that I gathered and most importantly based on the advice of my cousin, who is a Porsche Factory Trained mechanic in CT and owner of a couple of pre 89 911s, I decided to limit my search to 87 and 88 models.
The 87 and 88 (and early 89 - pre 996 production) are the best for the following reasons:
- last iteration of classic 64-89 Porsche 911 design
- introduction of hydraulic clutch in 1987 with larger clutch plate
- introduction of superior Getrag G50 Transmission in 1987
- bullet proof engine
- last but not least, I personally think that they are the best looking Porsche 911s ever produced- period.
Make sure to have the car inspected by an expert. A leakdown test is recommended as some of these engines experienced premature valve guide wear.
When you do get your car, make sure to have itlowered to Euro Ride Height - it makes a huge difference in handling and looks!
There is a book avilable by Tony Corlett entitled "Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera - The Last of the Evolution" whichhas a lot of info on the 84-88/89 3.2's. A highly recommended read.
Good Luck with finding you car!
Mick
#6
RE: Are 1984-1988 Model Years Best of the Air Cooled?
Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the economic downturn has affected my business - the city government contracts that were all but closed have come unclosed. I haven't seen that happen before so as a cautionary move I have moved my porsche acquisition to a point in the future - hopefully end 09 but could be 2010. So it goes. Thanks for the feedback. QRS11
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