@Synchromesh123
I owned a pair of NA Miatas back in the day. The second one was an R-package with factory Bilsteins and no power steering. Loved it as it was barrel-o'-monkeys kind of fun. Then I moved to California and bought an aircooled Beetle. Loved it so much that I wanted a faster Beetle and went through multiple Porsches including a 914, 912, 912E and some 80s 911s. The 911 is a grown up car. With the right setup it can be a fantastic canyon carver, a touring car or a track rat. The 915 gear box that's present in the '78 in the video requires some serious work to get good. My '84 had an aftermarket coupler, an internal short shifter and external short shifter too. Rebuild the dreaded 1-2 gears as well and it shifted extremely well, very mechanical. Next car I had was '87 with the G50 box and hydraulic clutch. Pretty modern in operation. I've owned both a coupe and a Targa before, prefer the latter for the fun convertible feel. To the people saying that 911 is like the Beetle... well, not really. Early ones (especially the 912 with the 4 cyl engine) do feel quite Beetle-like. But the later cars from late 70s and into the 80s feel quite different. Yes, there are some similarities and a few parts even interchange but overall aside from the basic layout they're quite different. I still own my Beetle btw and enjoy driving both it and the 911 any day.
@gearhead9828
Great review! Next time try a sorted one. A worn out and defect Miata probably no joy either. Love the video anyway š Edit: Looking forward to the next episodeš
@mrwisher1250
no hate but you chose a bum example. Iāve been around Porsches literally my entire life, I was driven home from the hospital in a 993. Iāve been incredibly lucky to drive several G body 911s, and I literally didnāt experience a single problem you mentioned. Iāve never had issues with heavy steering or play in the steering wheel, never had a shifter with that much play, never had issues with the clutch feel. No, it's not fast. If you want something fast, buy a turbo. To be fair, I also would never ever say that a g body 911 is meant for town driving. I would strongly suggest you find a 993 or 964, those are the real gems. My first car was an NB Miata, and as fantastic as it is it has never ever been close to holding a candle to my dadās 993 in any aspect except service costs. I would very much urge you to find a better and more modern example.
@juliemaerschalck902
Sorry but this car needs work...this comparison is Bull...t !
@dakotahayden6937
The Datsun Z cars were quite good in the late 70's.
@jimkardas4962
From a long time Carrera 3.2 owner, that moment you felt at 13:00 is why the fascination still exists with these cars, none of the many shortcomings matter at that point. Cool review!
@kevinrowley2579
You're basing your opinion on an obviously worn 46 year old car that is the current darling of collector car speculators. If you're looking for a bargain in the 911 line, check out the 996 variant from 1999 to 2004. Not without some issues of their own, but bigger, more comfortable, faster, and better suited to modern day traffic. Plus most people turn their noses up at them so you can still get them at reasonable prices. I have driven a few Miatas and always enjoyed it, but never enough to actually spend my money on one. I have driven every variety of 911 (and 912) from 1968 through 2023 and actually purchased one.
@cartillect
Loved the video, really engaging. Iāve never driven a 911 but Iāve always wanted to give one of the air cooled cars a shot.
@timmusick9875
It's always interesting to hear the first impression of an old 911 from a modern era driver and you confirm what I've always expected. Most modern drivers would not like driving this car. The steering's too heavy, the clutch is too stiff, you have to press the brakes too hard! And the first one I ever drove had the 915 transmission and it seemed to me to have more in common with a John Deere product than a sports car. Then I drove my friends '88 with the G50 and my impression totally changed. As the happy owner of an '87 Targa for over 30 years I'd say it checks every sports car box like no other old sports car could, especially since you can drive the piss out of it and it never complains. You might work up a sweat driving it but it never overheats and the brakes never fade. It's always interesting and an odd slice of bratwurst unavailable anywhere else.
@ChuckGrieb
Miatas are terrific cars! I owned an NB for a couple of years, canāt argue with the Miata. But I think you drove a very rough SC. And Iāve also owned a 964 for 26 years. Surprisingly, the Miata I owned reminded me of my old 911. Iāve not driven an SC, but have driven 3.2 Carreras, 993s, 996s, Boxsters, and also own a 2011 Boxster Spyder. The aircooled 911 is a bit of an acquired taste, but it gets under your skin and is my all-time fave.
@beardedgarage
I listened all the way through and although you say you gave it a chance you seem to have gone in with a bias. You canāt compare a 70s car with a 90s car. That thing is almost 50 years old, it is what is. If you want an awesome air cooled, go try a 993, but even then, theyāre not fast. So of it is the experience, some of it is the nostalgia. I think the desire for some of these cars comes back to what we remember as kids, what we saw and grew up with. Itās cool to go back and just experience the car. I personally love cars, anything that can connect me to the road, theyāre all a different experience
@jimmycole
I like this guys cadence in these videos... he's like the friend your talking shop with about cars...
@enginbesirevic8571
You are born for Miata, dont try anything else
@puopolvj2
Comparing apples and oranges and trying to make an argument makes zero sense.
@joebekavac1517
As an SC owner itās true that it is a unique experience thatās not for everyone. For the true Porschefile, we love it, and yet we also appreciate our modern Porsche sports cars as well. Both are complimentary but vastly different experiences. The air cooled cars demand your attention but you can only get the man and machine connection to the fullest extent with these wonderful cars. The car in the video needed some typical maintenance items for sure, once corrected your experience would be much enhanced.
@davidl1607
Your points are spot on. These are old, awkward, smelly cars. They are far from fast. However, they are very well engineered. With that, they become one of the most rewarding relationships you could have with a machine. Every tiny bushing, cable, strut, alignment, replacement, or adjustment is felt through the controls and switch gear like no other car. If you really want disappointment drive a 308 Ferrari...
@olivierleduc7305
funny, i bought a NA miata while shopping for my perfect G body 911, when i finally made the move (to a 3.2 g50 one), it took me almost a year to actually prefer the porsche to the miata! the secret to liking the porsche is the commitement to the turn and the corner exit grip, when you manage to get the trail slightly off out of a turn, it gives you such a good feeling! i can do this almost all the time with the miata but its just too easy, on the porsche, it feels like an experience lol
@honestreviewer3283
I had a '72 Beetle when I was in high school in the late '80s and called it "the Porsche." And I drove it like one, even having the rear end come around on me a couple times! I love the 911 and would readily make room for a nice air-cooled version in my garage, but I do have to admit I'm getting a little sick of them.
@verdict1163
People don't like to admit it, but the G-body cars were an awkward transition period where the tires got wider but before they implemented power assistance to any of the controls, so everything feels super heavy in these cars. The best 911s are really the early short-wheelbase longhood cars, '65-'68. There's a reason that these are so expensive in comparison.
@slincolne