987 vs Vintage

I absolutely love my 987 Boxster 2.7. I don’t track, so for the street it seems almost perfect. Great handling, looks amazing, I can rev out 2nd without going to jail, and with an exhaust mod, the theater is fantastic. With no desire for more speed, I absolutely have no use for a modern 911 . The only issue is, my 987 is not the poster car I had as a kid. My dream car was always a mid 80’s 911 , so I can’t help but look at all the used car sights, hunting for my ideal Targa 3.2. Yet in a way, I feel I have a superior car already. More horsepower, faster, better handling, an AC that actually works, more dependable, and much less of a money pit. This said, I also like the idea of an even more raw, visceral, analog experience, and fulfilling my school boy fantasy. Yes, I need to drive a vintage 911 to see how it speaks to me. I have never had the pleasure. Both for those who have, what am I missing out on? In what ways is a vintage 911 better than what I have? Not being rich, in your view, is it worth the expense? Thanks!

there is a willingness to the air-cooled engine that seems a bit softer in the water cooleds. Even if less HP they just spin up so well and sound so delicious. That being said I really don't like old 911 ergonomics. The wheel is never in the right place it seems and the floor hinged pedals are awkward. I drove an early70's, late 70's, mid 80's and a 996 and was super happy to be leaving in my 987.2 .9 The steering just felt right, the ergonomics suited me better and there was a confidence in the handling I found missing in the others. (But I don't know their maintenance level and didn't push them. ) I think if I was down to get an aircooled car it would be a late 356 or an early 912.

My brother had a 1973 911 T . It was a blast to drive. However, would it be great in modern times? As a car in a stable of cars it would be, otherwise? I’d pass. No AC, weak heat if you needed it and being air cooled in modern times? I have sat in traffic, he lived outside of LA. I can’t see how you could have one of those cars sitting in the lines common today without serious overheating possibilities. Also, every old 911 owner knew or discovered you do not chicken out in a curve and lift off the throttle or no bueno stuff happens like spins.

987 is practical as a daily. Air cooled are not, more of a weekend deal. Both great options. Need more money for issues with air cooled. Things are pricey.

Yep like the air box relief valve retrofit. If an old air cooled 911 backfires it can blow the air box up that’s why they added said valve.

I really want to get my hands on something vintage as you call it, air cooled preferably, just as something to wrench on and use for fun cruises, etc. where the intent is more enjoyment of the car. My 981 on the other hand, I can totally do like I'm planning later this month, hop in take a 700mi road trip that's not about the car but for other purposes, and get to enjoy some twisties where appropriate and a cool comfy cabin with some good music the rest of the time. It's just a different use case.

Yeah, I daily my Cayenne, my 987 is my weekend fun car… The more I think about it though, this is a silly post. I just need to drive an air cooled and see for myself.

I was thinking when I retire I would get a project air cooled 911 and slowly do as much of the work myself as possible. Let’s see how I feel in a decade. Sounds great but might be exhausting.

Well, swing on by, and help me work on my 914.

Not a silly post at all, @Longer !!! I had a '68 VW bug convertible for about 25 years, two different '70s BMW R75/6 motorcycles, and a 1992 BMW E30 Convertible (the latter of two which are going up on BaT very soon). Well, when I was in my 20s and 30s, the VW was great fun for all sorts of stuff -- including as a DD and for longer road trips. However, I was younger and yes -- it required a lot of TLC. I put up with a bunch of stuff (no heat, occasional breakdowns, etc.) but I LOVED that car. Lots of head turning too. But as I got older, I realized that driving the VW required more effort (no power steering) and was more of a safety concern (no crumple zone, sometimes dangerously slow in modern traffic, no airbag, no ABS, questionable seat belts, etc.) and it didn't suit where I was at. Like motorcycling, driving a vintage car doesn't necessarily arrive rested after a long trip. Mind you, for all these years, my E30 continues to remain my daily driver. It still has ABS and a steering wheel airbag -- which is similar to late-model air-cooled P-car. It's got heated seats, handles great, and is all that and a bag of chips. When I was starting to get more comments about my E30 than my VW, that said something. I even drove from MA to Canada last year with the hardtop on and winter tires to film the solar eclipse with little hesitation. Although a BMW, it hit the sweet spot in terms of safety and analog fun. Right now, in my mid-50s, I think I'll be taking a break from vintage car ownership for now. That sort of madness has to call to you, and I've been lucky enough to enjoy decades of vintage fun. Sure - an air-cooled P9 calls to me sometimes, and I've driven one of my friend's vintage P-cars. It's great fun. Hell, having been able to wrench on VWs - I should be able to handle it if I ever cross that bridge. I also lust after vintage Jag E-types, but I'm too tired to wrench everyday. For me, personally - I really feel like the 987 and the 981 are two genuinely different generations -- generations enough where they're both Boxsters but are from different eras. Accordingly, people might think I'm crazy to own both -- but they're both so different cars. Granted my 981 is a 3.8L Outlaw, but the feel and interior is much more modern. So in a sense, my 987.2 feels much more like my E30 in age -- but I can sleep well that it is a much safer car and it outperforms it by a long shot. I also know that I can push it speed-wise and it's a hell of a lot safer than my E30. Meanwhile, I (generally) wouldn't hesitate to drive 5K miles in it (as I had planned to do last year. Ask me in 10 years and I'll probably say something differently. Again, I heartily recommend that everyone give some vintage driving (and wrenching) a shot. It's thrilling. But also know that it can easily become "one's mistress" and demands a lot of time and money. Just be prepared.

E30 my favorite BMWs in sedan form, very nice to get to enjoy for a long time. I've definitely been feeling the calling of vintage lately being in the mid-40s instead. I think partly because I'm so not interested in where new cars are going. My newest car the 2022 Alfa is basically still a 2017 design that was already being railed for not having enough tech when it came out in 2017. I've driven some newer stuff, the "car experience" is just being dampened to me in newer cars. I'll get a vintage something eventually, knowing full well it in reality it will probably get driven 500mi a year and get messed around with the rest of the time, but that's fine. Someone has to keep these things around.

As far as driving dynamics, there is a feeling in a light weight car that you cannot get from something heavier. 2700lbs good, 2400 better.. 2100 even betterer. In an age where your base model Telsa S has 600hp and does a 3.x to 60mph and 11.x quarter mile I find it hard to care anymore about comparing those sorts of things.

I drove an air-cooled 1989 911 for many years. I currently own a 987.1 Boxster (2.7 like yours) and a 991 Carrera S Cabriolet. I'll start by saying it's remarkable how much common DNA they all share in terms of driving feel. Over 25+ years of evolution across those three cars, and they all feel instantly familiar when you get behind the wheel. Personally, I wouldn't bother looking for an air cooled 911 . Your Boxster drives better, handles better, has better amenities, and is still relatively inexpensive to maintain. An older 911 will feel...just older and more in need of maintenance/restoration at this point. It's going to be an expensive proposition (i.e., money pit) if you start with an affordable one to sort out, so why bother with the expense when you own an arguably better car with a similar driving feel already? The only thing I liked more about my 911 is that the engine sound was louder and more present - it had a larger displacement engine, more power, and was air-cooled, so the increased noise level is not surprising. Other than that, the Boxster is a better car in every way. My 991 is just different enough from the 987 that I appreciate owning and driving both. Both are exceptional cars, and truth be told, I love driving my Boxster every bit as much as driving my Carrera S, despite the fact that the 911 is considered the icon, is more technologically advanced, and has a 160 hp advantage over the 987.1 . Earlier this year, I was contemplating upgrading my Boxster to a 718 GTS 4.0 or Spyder , but after test driving a 4.0, I walked away feeling that it was virtually indistinguishable from the driving experience that I already have with my 991. The 987 generation sits in such a sweet spot for many reasons, and will likely be sought after as a modern classic over the coming decade especially as many of these cars have been trashed and/or worn out over the years. My advice is to keep your Boxster , and put the money into maintenance and splurge on upgrades for it if you want to. Then, appreciate that you have what is still one of the best sports cars on the planet sitting in your garage and enjoy the hell out of it.

I echo the OP. So stoked to finally own a Porsche ! 987.1S 3.8 FSI engine. Brand new Cayman R suspension . But It’s not a 1988 Guards Red 911 wide body! I understand the reality. And the cost is likely prohibitive. If I really need a vintage air cooled experience- I’ll likely buy an old Manx VW beach buggy. I had a lot of fun with the one I owned and only sold due changing countries. Less likely to fall foul of the revenue based, over the top, speed enforcement prevalent in Australia as well. I really enjoy, my soon to be 20yo, Porsche .

I've got a an urge to actually go pure analog aircooled mid engine. Really want to find a driver 914 to enjoy the purity of aircooled. Chased a 3.0 swapped 914-6 around the virginia countryside last Friday and it was a little bit of magic.

I’ve also had a long standing dream of owning a 914 since my teens. They caught my eye many decades ago, but aspirations of owning one was put off by the myriad issues associated with them. The rust, the finicky engines and the few engine choices that were recommended and the ones to avoid, made me too cautious to push that button.

This is my deal, when I was looking for my 911 , I absolutely had my heart set on a G body, because my bedroom poster was a Guards Red 930. But then, I quickly realized that with an air cooled, I was getting far less car, for a pretty significant more amount of money. And I knew I wanted to actually DRIVE my car. And I live in South Carolina, so working AC is an absolute must in my book. I wound up with a 997.2 , and I'm very, very happy I did. Are the air cooled cars awesome! Sure they are. But like someone else above said, weekend only, not dailies. Not even close.

I had a 76 911S as my first car. Long story, ended with it completely accident and got extremely lucky. However, as a person that should not have owned it because of the cost and maintenance, it forced me to do everything to it. And man, there was then, always something that had to be done. Fun car. Pure raw fun. AC never worked, and struggled to ever get it to work. Had an aftermarket system installed. So, was always travelling 90 mph everywhere with windows down and sunroof open just to stay cool. Not possible today, as now there is 24/7 traffic congestion. When it rained, water would pour all over be when hitting the brakes. Could never get those drains to clean out. Oil change, not only was it... Like 15 qts of oil, but then every few changes had to do valve adjustments. Man... I hated that. Heater, yeah... Not sure how I never ended up with carbon monoxide poisoning. The heaters run off a flap that is tied to the heat exchangers into the headers . And living in Denver, never got warm... Haha. Defrosters were a joke. Aw man... Stop and go traffic, car hated that. Got close to overheating a few times. And that was with the external oil cooler installed too. And it didn't matter that you fixed or replaced the damn part, somehow it would brake again. And with no modern engine management system, no OBD2 to read codes to figure out what was going on. So it was always on you to figure it out. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my 911 . I had so much fun in it. I learned so much about cars. I rebuilt its engine, transmission, partially restored the car. It failed on me numerous times, but made me smile way more. But these cars, these cars are not for the faint of heart. You have to have a true passion, true understanding, and a true drivers mindset, otherwise they will sit there and look pretty or you will be miserable owning one. Today, I do not have time for what I know these cars need, and the mechanics out there that understand these cars, there are less and less of them and the cost hourly for them is insane... And I respect and get it. Just not for me right now. With that, I love my 2.9 Three Pedal Cayman . It reminds me of the old 911 so much in so many ways. 911s did not. This did. Long story, but I would vote 987 .1 and .2 vs vintage today, for my personal situation, finances, and needs/wants.

I had both a 1987 coupe and ‘89 cabriolet as daily drivers when they were new and I thoroughly enjoyed the overall sensation of driving what we now refer to as analog cars. The ‘87 coupe was my favorite. I also owned a 914-6 which was strictly a weekend car. Even though the newer cars are easier to drive and have way better creature comforts, I still miss my older 911 ’s. My first was a 1978 911SC which I purchased before I could actually afford to maintain it. The last new Porsche that I bought was the last version of the 911T. Nice car but lacked soul . I think we’re all lucky to own old or new Porsches. Just make sure you take the time to enjoy whatever you drive.

I've had an '83 G-body since '07. I bought it at 365k with a 30k mile '88 3.2. Odometer at 428k now. The doors still make that sound when they close. It doesn't leak water. The heat is great. Never seen it get hot outside of a 100 degree track day. It's reliable as hell. An electric ac conversion would be a huge plus. I love it. In '18 I bought an ' 06 Cayman S . An entire 295hp car for less than the cost of getting the 911 to that hp level. Huge bang for the buck. So so capable. AC! PS helps in autocross slalom. I love it. The 911 is pure. You are part of the machine. The better you can drive it, the more you can get out of it. No net. But a 987 doesn't suck. In fact, not that far from pure. OP, if you asked me which would I kick to the curb if required? Hmmmm

If you have the means and can support the additional maintenance that comes with a car that is 40 years old then I would highly recommend it. First of all you really can’t compare the performance of a car that was engineered nearly 50 years ago to a car engineered in the early 2000’s. Of course the performance of the newer car will be better in ever measurable way. If it’s about the performance then I wouldn’t waste time with aircooled. If you want to experience the best of what the 80’s offered in an automobile it’s hard to beat an aircooled 911 . A properly set up 911 is magical. The analog controls force you to pay attention to every aspect of the drive, nothing is filtered and nothing is assisted except maybe the steering if you go with a later model. Having said that, they punched way above other cars of that era both in handling and power delivery. The build quality is undeniable both inside and out. The body structure is like a vault and still holds up to the best of them today. It’s stiff and strong but doesn’t feel ungainly when being pushed. The Targa will have a bit more chassis movement since it’s missing the roof but it’s not pronounced at all. I have a 944 Cab as well and that does have a pronounced cowl shake over certain roads. The visibility is also amazing, the lower sills, smaller pillars and dash give you a 360 view of your surroundings. There’s also a plethora of aftermarket parts available to customize it exactly how you want. So you can make it as raw or as comfortable as you desire. Porsche also does a fantastic job supporting these older cars and most parts are still readily available. There’s also a huge support group through various forums and your local PCA that can assist with maintaining the car. They’re not too complicated so most of the minor stuff can be handled by anyone with some mechanical inclination and being a second or third car you won’t be piling on the miles so its not as bad as everyone says. Having said that, I would budget at least $7k initially to perform catch up maintenance the first year of purchase. I love my aircooled as much as my 987 and I would have a hard time choosing between them for entirely different reasons. I love working on the older car and IMHO the 987 is more delicate and lesser build quality so it takes more care to keep it nice. Let me know if you have any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer.