Reader test: Porsche 911 SC
2009-07-09 07:39
Author: David Smith, Vereeniging
So there I was many Golf GTIs later, but still wanting my dream car - a Porsche 911…
It’s the old cliché’! The VW fan that started on a Beetle as his first car and then moved up to a Golf GTI… The thing was, “classic” Porsche 911s and Golf 4 GTis commanded similar money.
So I took the plunge and bought a tatty 1982 Porsche 911SC Targa.
“Great compromise” I thought. Half the money of a coupe and a removable roof for when it’s sunny… Well, not exactly.
The stupid thing leaked like a sieve!
The Targa was soon replaced with a pristine 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe with aircon. I loved that car. There was only one small problem; it was cream.
After three years it made way for a 1993 911 Carrera 2 Coupe (964) which was a joy to behold and drive, but the sharpness of the earlier cars was missing.
Here was a totally civilised Porsche with great handling, a smooth ride and an aircon that actually worked, but that bond between me and the car was gone. As much as I hated to admit it, the dreadful Targa had been the most fun due to the engine.
Its 3.0-litre motor pushes out a modest 150 kW, but with its willingness to rev in that light body, there is nothing to touch it.
So, I sold the 964 and I have finally found the car for me.
Meant to be
It’s the one I always wanted and it has the provenance too. I saw it advertised in the Cape, jumped on a plane and bought it on the spot, and drove all the way back to Gauteng the next day.
It’s a 1983 911SC Coupe with factory aircon, three owners, full Porsche service history and just 83 000km! The other unbelievable thing is that it has never been in an accident or even touched up for stone chips. It has the original paint!
So, I found the perfect car, but how does it go? Like a rocket! But this car is about so much more than speed.
The feel is sublime, with every nuance on the road transmitted faithfully through your fingers and the tautness of what is a 26-year-old car has to be felt to be believed. The build quality of these cars is second to none, there isn’t a rattle anywhere and the drivetrain feels totally bulletproof.
Fuel consumption from the Cape to Gauteng at 130 km/h was 7 l/100 km. It averages around 9 in all driving conditions. Insurance is half that of a similarly priced Golf.
But I’ve left the best for last. Depreciation? What depreciation?! These cars go up in value and I have yet to lose money on one.
So what’s the downside? Well, it doesn’t seat five people in comfort with all their belongings and going off the beaten track could be a problem. That’s what my hugely depreciating X5 is for, but that’s another story…
Long live classic 911s.
