Porsche 911 3.2 1984-1986?

As you note, the big difference between the early 3,2L cars and the later is the transmission. There are a couple other smaller differences along the way (early '84 cars usually have a soldered DME chip and, if I recall correctly, also use the earlier three spoke steering wheel, the four spoke steering wheel comes along in '85, '86 brings the third brake light and a major overhaul of the heating/cooling ducts... and so on).

Overall the cars are very similar, and even the tranmission issue isn't what some make it. However G50 equipped models are considered more desirable, and current pricing reflects this belief. But as you say, is the 915 that bad? Not bad at all. Some would even prefer it (it's lighter, and for racing applications, it's a much more flexible unit with more options in terms of different gears and R&P, etc).

A 915 equipped car can work fine as a daily driver and driving in traffic (while mine is mostly a track car, I do drive it to work on occassion and in fact did so today without any problems). So while there are good reasons so many consider the G50 to be better, a well setup 915 will drive just as well (just less likely to find such a well setup one given the age of most of these... though if you happen to drive a G50 that has problems with the throw-out bearing, which is something that can develop on the G50, you'll absolutely prefer the 915).

All that said, the last point about being in traffic may make an '87 a better choice. Along with the G50, Porsche also started installing a cooling fan on the oiler cooler in 1987. My expereince is that ambient temps over 90 degrees will be problematic if combined with very slow traffic or heavy loading: as long as you can keep moving at 20-25mph or so, you'll get adequate cooling as long as you are not at the track or otherwise hammering the engine; the fan will certainly cover the former if not the later. You may find this retrofit onto earlier models, or if an external oil cooler has been added there will be no worries at all, but otherwise, this could be a difference maker.

Best suggestion would be to drive some examples of both and see what you think. The 915 is the more sensitive tranmission, but both are likely to feel a bit antiquated compared to most modern cars (maybe more than a bit). And if you like the 915, it would be easy enough to get the fan installed on the oil cooler. Make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection on any car you plan to get (and that mechanic can also give you the estimate for the fan, which will probably still be quite a bit less than an '87 if you want to go that way).

86 Porsche 911

The 915 is a good transmission; the g50 is a great transmission. I've driven plenty of cars equipped with 915's over the years, and compared to their contemporaries, they are heads and shoulders above. The earlier k-series cars are every bit as reliable as their later counterparts, as near as I can tell, the later ones just seem to be a bit more "polished", if that makes any sense. Expect to pay a 2-3k premium on a later example. As for overheating, I'm afraid I can't help you, as I live in a fairly mild climate, but I have known many Porsche owners from southern California, and i have never once heard them complain about overheating, but "your mileage may vary".

The difference was mostly that Porsche 911 went from spartan to luxury at that time period.

They used to run from $40,000 to $70,000, and they went up to $60,000 to $180,000 in just a few years, with little mechanical change. If course there is wide variance for model, such as turbo or not, etc.

The 3.2 is the more powerful engine that is more popular to modify. Plus, it is newer. So the price difference is big.

Air cooled 911's were known to be rock solid reliable cars all easily lasting passed 200,000 miles with little issues.

You would have to drive that car very hard for extended periods of time to overheat it.