What year early Porsche is the best?

[dhopkins]

I have been thinking of buying another early Porsche. But I can't decide what year is best or whether I should look for a T, E, or S. I used to have a 1969 911S and loved how light the car felt taking corners but because the power did not really kick in until
about 4-5k RPMs it was hard to find the kinds of roads necessary to use the power.
Generally though I like the early years the best but my mechanic says '72-73 are the
easliest to keep running smoothly and that the earliest years are finnicky.

Don
-------------------
1965 912
1981 911SC
2006 Cayman S

[davep]

Define "Best".

[Soterik]

Define "Finicky"

[Varooom]

Define "mechanic"




-

[jloucks388]

I'll play... 72S

[plays with cars]

I'll play... 72S

Targa, right?

[Flieger]

1971 911s.

[ajwans]

Uhhmm, 67S.

andy

[Frank Barrett]

I've driven a '65 912 and a '70 911E for many years, but your choice depends on what you most enjoy. For performance, value, and style, here are my first choices:

1967 911S: first year of the S with excellent performance, prime (as Ferry intended) styling (no fender flares or spoilers), great historic significance as the first high-performance 911. Universally admired, wonderfully quirky (short wheelbase), great fun to drive, excellent resale value.
Any Pre-72 911E: second-generation (long wheelbase, so smoother-riding), torquier (faster out of corners) than a 2.2-liter S, less expensive than an S, better performance than a T, yet grossly under-priced. Best bang-for-the-buck early 911 by far
'73 Carrera RS: wonderful power but far too expensive in comparison to the above.
72-73 E or S: lower compression, heavier, not as much fun (or challenge) to drive than the earlier cars; many people think these are the best, but have they really lived with the earlier models?

[Tom F.]

Based on what I've driven, what I've heard, and some idle speculation, the best to worst, in order, are:

73 RS
70-71 S
72-73 S
73 CIS T
70-71 911T
72-73 MFI T
72-73 E
70-71 E
69 S
69 T
69 E
67 S
65-66
67
68 T, L

Others may disagree. : )