Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Review

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Review

Regarded by many as the very best of the impact-bumper 911s, the Carrera 3.2 is a great all-rounder. One drive and you�ll soon see why!

The Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 was first launched back in autumn 1983, making it over three decades old since its debut. And yes, it is �yet another' rear-engined, air-cooled Porsche.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 front view

But to dismiss the Carrera 3.2 as a dinosaur in this modern age of computer-aided wizardry is to do it a great disservice. In our opinion, the �Three-Two' is one of the finest cars ever to drive off the Stuttgart assembly line. Drive one and you will surely see why.

Over a period of just six years, Porsche built around 80,000 examples of the Carrera 3.2. There were several versions, starting with the �basic' coup�, Targa and Cabriolet models. All were powered by an engine which was said to be 80 per cent new but, to all intents and purposes, was a naturally aspirated version of that from the 930-series 911 Turbo.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 engine

It featured the same 95.0mm Nikasil cylinders as the outgoing SC, but the 74.4mm crankshaft of the Turbo, to give a displacement of 3164cc. The engine produced 231bhp, and is often considered to be �bulletproof' - but don't let yourself be fooled by that. Old age and poor maintenance can afflict even the very best.

Between 1984 and 1989 UK buyers could have ordered a �Sport' model (known as the �SE' from 1987), featuring uprated suspension, 16-inch Fuchs rims, and a whale-tail rear wing and front spoiler as standard. Alongside this was the �Turbo-Look' or �Super Sport', which had the wide-body styling of the Turbo, along with the latter's bigger brakes, uprated torsion-bar springs and 7.0J and 9.0J x 15 Fuchs wheels.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 side view

There was a Club Sport version, too: a lightweight, no-frills model with beefed-up suspension and a mildly tweaked engine - only 340 of these were built between 1987 and 1989, and only 53 were right-hand drive. And let's not forget the Speedster, a cut-down Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet with swept-back windscreen and a rather odd hump-backed profile at the rear.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Club Sport version

The early 3.2s came with the old type 915 gearbox, but for 1987 Porsche fitted an all-new transmission, known as the G50. This was a far better unit, with a smoother change, less mechanical noise, and a reputation that is deservedly second to none.

Want to know how you tell at a glance whether a car has a 915 or a G50? Simply check the shift pattern: the 915 placed reverse over to the right and back, opposite fifth gear, while in the G50 reverse is over to the left and forward, alongside first.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 interior

The Carrera 3.2s were arguably better built than earlier models, with fully galvanised bodyshells that came with a 10-year warranty. But that�s pretty meaningless by now, so look out for rust as you would in any other early Porsche! Engines are strong, but even the supposedly �fail-safe� pressure-fed timing- chain tensioners wear out eventually. Look for evidence of a rebuild by a known specialist if possible. A good one will pull strongly through all gears, while a G50 gearbox should shift smoothly and quietly, unlike the older 915 unit.

Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 wheel detail

Prices have always been strong for these models, and you can expect to pay up to $58,800 or more for a good one at a dealer. Around $33,600 should see you right privately... If you can, go for one with the later G50 gearbox, as it will be a far better driving experience - but you�ll pay more for the pleasure.

As enticing as they are, be warned that the special-edition models will usually command higher prices, with good Club Sports now topping $168,000! Another case of having to pay more to get less!