l was wondering what is a better buy for the long run?l love the look of the classic 911sc -911. But my only fear is the money l save on the purchase might be spent on a rebuild of an engine, etc.

I'd appreciate some owners chiming in.

Thank You..

Every one, no matter what the year, could be a good one or not. It depends on ho well the person has taken care of it over the years.
Go with the model you like best or see which one is the best one you can find, as long as you like it. But have it inspected by a mechanic whom you really trust, first.
Good luck

Buy the newest and best condition you can afford. Thinking that you can save a little on a cheaper one with a marginal engine is not the way to go. The average cost to rebuild a 911 engine is outrageously expensive.

These r two very different cars, each with some good points & bad points. As a general rule, it is often said to get the newest 911 u can afford. though in this case, the differences in the cars may be just as much of a defining factor as to what u want. l regularly drive an 80s 3.2L 911, & have spent alot of time at the track in friends' & students' 996s & a few 997s:

911SC & 3.2L Carrera: Great cars. Very reliable, & with a great amount of after market support. Either of these models can be expected to run for a long time before needing engine rebuilds, but these r 20+ year old cars now, & many will be showing their age. Ergonomics will feel very dated as the basic design was about 20 years old when these cars were produced! And while parts can look attractively priced when compared to newer Porsches, overall, u will still find they r reflective of the fact that these were very high end cars when they left the factory.

They r very fun cars to drive, & a challenge to go fast in (but still very capable). Most likely trouble spots would be the exploding airbox & clutch in the 911SC (probably rare that u will find any of these cars that have not had these addressed by this time), & valve guide wear in the 3.2L (more common in the G50 equipped cars of '87-89, but has been seen in all, as well as with the SC & later 3.6L models). The 3.2L Carrera is DME engine management is a nice upgrade compared to the 911SC is CIS, but an excellent condition SC would be better than a lesser condition 3.2L.

996: The '99 & early 2K models r good cars that r now available at some very attractive prices. sometimes prices that place them quite close to their older aircooled version just mentioned. There is no dount these cars r much faster (having turned a few laps driving a friend is 996, l jumped out & into my car before the end of the session, & my first impression was '' l am all the way on the gas, why r not l going anywhere?''). But. many see them as lacking the charm & character of the older cars. On the plus side, they r easier to drive, have modern features, & great performance. While they r high end cars, my experience suggests their build quality is not on par with the 993 & earlier models which had much more hand assembly & greater engineering tolerances (though still well above many other cars in these areas).

If u really want an older, ''classic'' 911, u may find the newer car lacking in many of the characteristics u really want. Conversely, if u want a faster, more modern car, the older car could leave u very disappointed. If it is the classic car u want, then a pre-purchase inspection by a knowledgable Porsche mechanic is a must (probably good for any car, but moreso with a 20 year old car). the money u spend here is to find out if an engine rebuild is in the near future or to find any other signs of problems. In either case, be willing to pay a premium for an excellent condition car. in the long run, cheap Porsches r far more expensive!

l definitely recommend going with early 911s - anything 78-94 years.
That is 911, 911sc, 84 to 89 carrera is & the 964.

These air cooled cars r the best porsche is built in my mind (total opinion), but they retain the most character & in my opinion will also go up in value if u find an original (unmolested cosmetically or mechanically) example. Look for cars that have been garaged, under 100K miles, no smokers, original paint & original interiors.

911sc in particular r due for a rise in price soon. Most head studs on these motors crack, so be sure to check that & plan for service on that model in this area. HOWEVER, the motor overall is pretty much bullet proof on these cars.

Have fun & long live the 911 Porsche - one of the best sports cars of all time.

l hope that my answer is helpful.