► How to buy a Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera
► Archive buying guide by CAR magazine
► Detailed advice on air-cooled Porsches
Not had enough of us rattling on about posh Beetles? Then you’re probably wondering whether it’s the house extension or the kids’ education that can be sacrificed in order to buy that dream 911. So let’s see if we can’t help you scratch that rear-engined itch.
With over 820,000 built during the past five decades there are plenty of 911s around, but don’t be tempted to spend £8k on a leggy 996 Carrera – bargains simply don’t exist. However, if you can scrape together £20k there’s a wide selection of 911s available, from early 997s Carreras and good 996 Turbos, through lovely 993s and 964s, to the model we’d really recommend: the Carrera 3.2. Built from 1984 to ’89 it can be yours from around £15k, and nothing else combines the purity and essence of Porsche’s icon with a budget than won’t bust the bank. It might even make you a little money too.
‘With early 911s now as rare as hen’s teeth, the Carrera 3.2 is definitely going to take on the mantle of the classic 911,’ reveals Porsche specialist Peter Morgan. ‘The Carrera 3.2 was a big step forward from the 911 SC it replaced, but it still has an air-cooled flat-six, and without coil springs, ABS and other driver aids, it represents the last of the original 911s. It’s a very attractive package.’
It’s Morgan’s invaluable advice that you’ll read over the coming pages, so after the test drive has you smitten you’ll be able to do more than just give the tyres a cursory kick. Condition and mileage (50k miles is considered low on these 25-year-old cars) drive the prices of Carrera 3.2s, with strong consideration given to the service history and colour too, but even the most mint example won’t be more than £30k. A small price to pay for a great example of the world’s most iconic sports car.
The bodywork
All Carrera 3.2s are galvanised, but watch for rot around the A- and C-pillars and the sills. The nose is prone to stone chips too, and if left, rust can spread from there. Check for crash damage and signs of cheap repairs as well. Finally, the rubber exterior trim can harden and crack, but replacements are readily available. Morgan says that although the coupe used to be king, Targa models are quickly gaining in popularity, but the Cabriolet remains unloved.
Suspension
The Carrera 3.2 helped established Porsche’s reputation for rock-solid reliability (something later 911s did their best to undo) but these are still old cars so brakes, bushes and dampers may need replacing. ‘People always ignore the shock absorbers,’ reveals Morgan. ‘But they can transform the ride and handling of the car.’ Porsche’s own Classic service still manufacturers many original parts (the catalogues for both G15 and G50 cars run to over 500 pages) and what they don’t sell you’ll soon find after a bit of time on the internet. Join Porsche Club GB too, as members are often eligible for Porsche Classic discounts.
Gearbox
Porsche constantly updated the Carrera 3.2, but the only major change you need to be aware of was the G50 gearbox from ’87. The original 915 transmission demanded patience – you had to let the oil warm, and make slow, deliberate shifts – but the later Getrag ’box delivers a more modern ‘rifle-bolt’ feel. Like-for-like cars can be worth up to £5k more, says Morgan, but many people still love the earlier 915 cars because you have to learn how to drive them. The synchromeshes on both can wear over time.
Engine
By the time the 3.2-litre came into production in 1984, Porsche had over 20 years’ experience building flat-sixes and most of the issues were sorted. All you need to worry about is a rebuild of the valve guides and head at around 125k miles (or 100k miles on a neglected example) and regular oil changes. ‘Oil is the lifeblood of these 911s,’ says Morgan. ‘It has to work much harder in an air-cooled engine as it helps to cool as well as lubricate the flat-six. But as long as it’s changed every year, then a well-maintained engine should be very reliable indeed.’
Sport option
Wondering why this car looks like a Turbo? This Carrera 3.2 has got the Sport pack, a UK-only option that included that whale-tail rear wing, a front lip spoiler, sports dampers and sports seats. Some buyers prefer the purer lines of a non-Sport car, and others want their 911 in Guards Red or GP White with the wing to make an ’80s fashion statement, but there’s nothing to chose between the two in terms of desirability, says Morgan.
Interior
The Carrera 3.2 is mechanically very reliable, so it’s most likely the interior where your potential purchase might need a little TLC. The optional sports seats are prone to wear especially from the studs on jeans, but there are some very good restorers out there. A specialist like Southbound (southboundtrimmers.com) can re-trim the front and rear seats in original Porsche leather for around £1650 + VAT.
The steering wheel is quite close to the dashboard, so you might find the edge of the instrument cowling has been scratched or scraped by bejewelled fingers. Check the radio and heater work as well, and if fitted, the cruise control and air-con too.
Spec
- Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
- On sale: 1984-1989
- Number built: 35,571 Coupes, 18,468 Targas, 19,987 Cabriolets (Total: 74,026)
- Engine: 3164cc 12v flat-six, 231bhp @ 5900rpm, 209lb ft @ 4800rpm
- Transmisson: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
- Performance: 6.1sec 0-62mph, 152mph, 30mpg
- Weight/Made from: 1210kg/steel
- Insurance: 25/35/45 years old, £325/£210/£195*
Spare parts prices
- Front disc/pad £124/£48
- Oil/air filter £11/£16
- Front/rear light £508/£221
- Engine cover/Sport rear wing £560/£428
- Front rubber trim £100
- All prices exc. VAT
A history of evolution: the 3.2 Carrera
- 1984: New 3.2-litre engine with Motronic injection. Brake pedal pressure limiter helps reduce front wheel lock-up under heavy braking
- 1985: Improved oil cooling for flat-six engine, plus heated screen washers and electrically adjustable front seats
- 1986: Better cabin ventilation/heating, shorter-shift gearbox, and sports seats available as an option
- 1987: New five-speed G50 replaces G15 gearbox, anti-corrosion warranty extended to 10 years, plus more standard equipment
- 1988: 15-inch Fuchs alloys become standard, replacing previous ‘telephone dial’ wheels. Improved spec too
- 1989: Fuchs alloys increased to 16-inch, stiffer anti-roll bars fitted
The expert
Need more help? Peter Morgan runs an independent pre-purchase consultancy for potential Porsche owners, inspecting and providing valuations on hundreds of Porsches each year. For under £400 you’ll get a thorough 230-point check covering everything from a test drive to a bodyshell inspection. Find him at porscheinspections.com or call 01672 514038.
I bought one: Chris Chilton, editor-at-large
Still need convincing? Our own editor-at-large Chris Chilton bought an ’89 Carrera 3.2 in 2007 and loved it. He ran it for a year, and sold it for the same £15k he bought it for, his only costs being insurance, road tax and a £500 service. ‘I wish I’d kept it,’ he says mournfully. ‘It’s the only ’80s supercar you can run everyday – it was usable, reliable, I never worried about it breaking down or blowing up, and it’d be worth even more now. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.’