In this video, Mark drives a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera, a low mileage example of an air-cooled 911. Mark talks through driving characteristics, the size of the car, and whether air-cooled 911s are over-hyped.
The 911 air cooled is one of the best examples of how fun it is to drive a slow car fast. Gets lots of looks and compliments from both other Porsche owners and the general public. Love my 83 SC.
First of all, thank you. Very good video. I really enjoyed watching you in ‘real RU-vid time’ realize an air cooled 911 is a fun and great car. Your face (smile) could not hide your pleasure accelerating from second to third gear repeatedly. Here’s my advice to you, even if you have to stretch a little, get a G-body 911 right now. You clearly loved driving it. It was satisfying to see you realize that these cars are amazing in ways you did not know you needed a car to be. I wish you the best and thanks again for the video. My story is that I did not buy a 1980s 911 in the 1990s because it was dated and expensive at the time. I will now pay whatever I can afford to keep driving them until I can no longer. I’ve driven and own modern Porsches, but if I had to choose only one every day, it is my 1985 Carrera. Cheers
Thank you!! Sounds silly now, but I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Driving it was like an event, not really any other way to view it. I felt very disconnected after getting into my M6 after. Enjoy it in good health my friend!
I’ve owned several air cooled 911’s over the years. I recently sold my mint condition 89 G body Carrera and bought a 993. The 993 is the ultimate air cooled 911 IMO. It has all of the charm of older cars but much easier to drive. It’s the 911 I never ever want to sell. If you find yourself in Orlando and want to do a video for your channel I’ll lend you the car.
I have a 993 as well, just completed a euro tour of France/ Spain via the Pyrenees and all the crazy secondary N-roads in 38-41 deg heat. Suffice to say that engine is bombproof, an incredible little wonder. I knew after 2500k miles in that temp my car is staying firmly with me for good. That engine is amazing as the car beat the roads to submission 😳❤️
I just bought a 1982 SC in grand prix white and you are spot on. Your 1986 was the last year for the 915 gearbox which ran from 1974 - 1986. It's interesting that your hydraulic clutch mustang was as stiff. I want to say 1987 was the first year for the hydraulic clutch along with the G50 gearbox. I also own a 1979 928 manual and even though it's three years older, it's much easier to drive of course to be expected with power steering and brakes.
Interesting to hear your take as a first time air cooled 911 driver. It does sound like the 915 gearbox syncros need attention, so you’re not getting the proper experience. But they do make you smile and raise the hair on your neck.
Yes, I think the owner is going to address that soon - will need to drive it after the fact. Thanks for the kind words.. great cars and can’t wait to own one myself.
I drove a 993 on the track (my dad built it as a race car) for 3 years. That car was smooth and easy to drive. Well at least after your first lift off the throttle spin at 90mph, yes I did do that but learned my lesson real quick.
Great video, always interesting to get genuine impressions, and yours align with what I've experienced. I'll mention one thing you might look into, when I changed the transmission oil to Swepco synthetic gear oil it greatly improved the shifting feel on my G50 transmission. Also Bruce Anderson used to always advise never rushing a 911 shift on the 915 or the G50. Gear whine at low RPM is normal.
Good thought definitely worth investigating. I saw that you can also do a hydraulic conversion on the 915 transmission.. interesting things to look into. Not sure on the muffler, was with the car for many years and don’t have documentation on there. Definitely aftermarket
Sounds like this one needs pedal cluster bushings, a new clutch helper spring and maybe shifter bushings. Porsches of old were never about 0-60 times they were about handling.
It's the 915 transmission. The g50 came out the following year, 1987. A much better transmission. I have an 87 Carrera. The transmission is smooth and easy.
@@vin9114 yes you are correct sorry my comment was in reference to something in the video regarding transmission and the one people preferred or something along those lines but don’t feel like re watching.
I totally agree with you that the luxury car of that era was the 928, and I admire you having the balls to say that in public… But the “soul” of Porsche is rear or mid-engine vehicle dynamics. Cheers!
