Porsche Enthusiast Writes Book on How to Score ‘Practically Free’ 911
Apparently, you don’t have to have deep pockets to fulfill your Porsche dreams. And now there’s a book that shows you how.
We can’t even begin to count the number of books written about Porsche’s iconic 911. The vast majority of them center around the history of one of the world’s most famous sports cars, and for good reason. Others are just glorified picture galleries or mobile art exhibits. But now, a U.K.-based Porsche enthusiast named Robert McGowan has written something a little different. In fact, Porsche 911: The Practically Free Supercar is something different altogether.
The idea behind this interesting concept is that even those without significant means can, in fact, own the car of their dreams. And this book intends to show them how. We recently had the chance to chat with McGowan, so we obviously had to ask him about the inspiration behind his work, not to mention how he became so enthralled with Porsche to begin with.
Rennlist:Â First off, we understand you’re a little bit of a Porsche fanatic. When and how did your passion for the brand begin?
Robert McGowan: My love affair with Porsche began when I was a 12-year-old kid. We had stumbled upon an Official Porsche Center in an upmarket part of Glasgow during one of our family walks in summertime. I was completely mesmerized by the brand new Guards Red 911 Targa Sport in the car park. It was the most beautiful and unattainable thing that I had ever laid eyes upon. Just the sight of that car in the flesh ignited in me a lifelong passion for Porsche and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since.
Your book is a little bit different than the average Porsche novel in a number of ways. What motivated you to create a guide for those who want to own a Porsche, yet don’t have unlimited funds?
Owning a Porsche is a dream for many people. However, if you ask them why they don’t own one they usually tell you it’s because they can’t afford it. A common misconception is that you need to be wealthy to own and run a Porsche. I wanted to share my own experience of how anyone can realize their dream of ownership even on a moderate budget provided that they have the right knowledge and employ the right strategy. I am hugely passionate about sharing this knowledge with anyone who wants to own one of these amazing machines.
For the average enthusiast looking to get into the world of Porsche ownership, which model(s) do you recommend?
If you want a convertible then you can’t beat the Boxster for all-around value. These beautifully balanced roadsters are very much a real Porsche, and you will have plenty of fun in one. It’s a great choice for a first purchase, and even the non-S models are quick in real terms. Also, the torque at high revs is more accessible in the smaller capacity non-S cars, which gives you more opportunities to wring out every last rev of that wonderful flat six.
If you want a 911, then an early type 996 is a good choice provided it passes a very careful inspection by someone who knows what to look for. These are currently the most affordable 911s available, although they may not be cheap for too long. I’d favor a manual gearbox on both cars.
Regardless of which model they’re looking for, what should every potential buyer look out for?
A buyer should always focus on condition and history. Some buyers prioritize low mileage, but Porsches are designed to be driven regularly and often perform better than little-used garage queens. A well-maintained higher-mileage car will give you just as much pleasure as more expensive lower-mileage cars.
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