Top 10 Unloved Porsche Models That Now Everyone Wants

Porsche 996 911

This is possibly the most unloved Porsche on the list. The 911 is sacred in Porsche circles and the 996 drove a stake through the heart of many with a liquid-cooled power plant. Many felt and still feel that the 993 was the last true 911. On top of the new engine, the styling with the fired egg headlights was called into question. It also was almost impossible to distinguish from the entry level Boxster from the front. Sprinkle in the occasional IMS failure and it is easy to see why these are not favored by many. However, the 996 era GT3 and Turbo cars, which don’t have the IMS issues, already bring strong money. The rest of the 996 line will likely follow suit. These are still 911’s and they do offer solid performance. They have gotten to a price point where folks looking to enter the 911 world for the first time are snapping these up. It will only be a matter of time when clean, original cars are hard to find and the prices begin to rise.

First-generation Porsche Cayenne

Porsche is making an SUV? You must be joking. Porsche makes sports cars, not SUV’s. Especially not goofy looking SUV’s like the first-generation vehicles. If you thought people lost their minds over the loss of an air-cooled 911, you didn’t see anything yet. Who the heck is going to buy an SUV from Porsche? This is absurd. Well, it turns out a lot of people would buy an SUV from Porsche. The Cayenne helped to propel Porsche to become one of the most profitable car manufacturers in the world. As much vitriol as was aimed at the Cayenne when it first came out, it is actually a damn good SUV. They will likely never be very collectible, but the stigma of a luxury car maker selling an SUV is long gone. The early Cayenne is quite affordable and is still a solid performer. If you can get past the ungainly looks, you can get a deal on a great ride.

First-generation Panamera

OK Porsche, you sold us on an SUV, but do you have to press your luck with a sedan too? Like the Cayenne, the first Panamera was a solid performer, especially the Turbo models. The problem was people were not sold on the idea of a Porsche sedan and to make matters worse Porsche decided to make it as ugly as possible. Thankfully ugly doesn’t mean slow. A first generation Panamera may be the best Porsche bargain out there right now. It is too early to call these collectibles, but looking at Porsche history, we would not bet against it.

914/6

The 914/6 is as the name implies a 914 powered by a 6-cylinder engine. The problem with the 914/6 was not the car itself, but when it was new it was nearly as expensive as the 911, so it was not a very popular choice. Not many were sold, and Porsche killed it after only 3 model years. Today the 914/6 is prized by collectors and can easily exceed $100,000 on the open market.

Photos: Porsche

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.