5 Porsches for the First-Time Owner
Buying your first Porsche can be a daunting and intimidating task. Take the guesswork out of it by checking out the 5 best Porsches for the first-time owner.
1. 1978-1983 Porsche 911SC
These days, everybody wants an air cooled Porsche, and even the once ignored SC is getting expensive. But it's still your best bet for getting into the red-hot market. The 3.0 liter six cylinder used in the SC is fairly reliable, and they even had fully galvanized bodies to prevent rust. The 70's styling isn't for everyone, but if you don't mind, this is a car you can drive for years and still probably sell for a profit down the road.
2. 1984-89 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
When it bowed in 1984, the Carrera was an improvement on the already great SC. It featured a bigger, more powerful flat six that was also more economical. The Carrera is much more refined than the SC as well, such as an integrated electronic ignition. You'll pay more than an SC, but prices are still reasonable. And though they have some chronic problems, a good example will last a long time.
3. 1982-91 Porsche 944
The 944 is a very underappreciated but very capable and sophisticated sports car. It has front independent suspension on aluminum wishbones and rear independent suspension on an aluminum semi-trailing arm, counter-rotating balance shafts, and lots of other niceties that you won't find in other cars in the price range. The 944 handles great, looks great, and is about as balanced a sports car as you'll ever find. Just make sure that you get one with full current service records, and make sure the timing belt gets changed at 80,000 miles.
4. 1992-95 Porsche 968
In 1992 Porsche rolled out the new, more refined version of the 944, the 968. It looked a lot like the 944 and it's predecessor, the 928, but it had a smoother and more power twin-cam four-cylinder engine under that long hood. The brakes were spectacular, as was the steering, which was among the best ever fitted to a sports car of any type. The 968 wasn't new enough to win over a lot of new buyers, however, and only a little over 12,000 were built until its demise in 1995.
5. 1996-2004 Porsche 986 Boxster
The first generation Porsche Boxster, otherwise known as the 986, is one of the best handling cars ever made. It also just so happens that they are dirt cheap on the used car market, and there are a lot of them out there. This mid-engine roadster is powered by a water-cooled flat six, with an S model that bowed in 2000 that featured more power. For the money, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable or better handling car anywhere.
For maintenance and repair guides for your Porsche, browse our technical How-to articles right here at Rennlist.com!