simpleskin

Hello, looking for various opinions to help me make a decision. I currently have an 06 997S Coupe with 10k miles. My work commute is so short and I only drive it once a week or so. I have always wanted a 356 and have recently found some nice examples for around $45k, a numbers matching 64 SC comes to mind. Would I be crazy to sell or trade my current car for a 356?

My list of pros and cons

Pros:
1. Exclusivity
2. Always wanted one
3. No car payments as resell of my 997 is above 356's I'm looking at

Cons:
1. Less reliability?
2. More expensive to maintain?

Thoughts?

Thanks, Justin

mborkow

one more pro:
the value of any 356 is prob going up. All 997s will loose value for decades before they begin to appreciate

Steve Jensen

More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

GR997S

I have been starting to look for a 356 for my Sunday/show car.The 997s is for Saturdays. While they are fun cars, most of the examples that I wanted were in the mid to high 70's. After spending some time driving several, I am back on the fence. Agreed you won't get hurt in the long run, but that is a lot of cash to tie up....GR

356-930

Pro:
+1 on increasing value with time
Re Cons:
A 356 in good condition, well maintained is very reliable. My '64 356C had 300,000 miles on it when it was retired as a daily driver. 3-engines and 2-transmissions killed due to modifications and heavy foot. It was my only vehicle for 10-years and the 200,000 miles I put on it.
As to expense to maintain, these vehicles are very simple. Parts readily available - lots of good aftermarket stuff.
Safety of a 356 v 993 is a no brainer. Get into a confrontation with just about any other vehicle or God forbid a tree or pole at speed, you lose.
Brakes? Not to bad but not very good compared to any current vehicle. Have to learn to keep a good distance in event of an emergency stop.
You will miss the comfort of your 997. The 356 is noisy, probably have air/wind leaks, little to no heat for winter and no a/c for summer.
These cars never had the "finish work" cars of today have. And, it's now a 40+ year old car.
Rust is a Big enemy of these cars. Make sure any 356 you buy has very little rust or has had past rust issues properly dealt with. If you drive in the rain or wash the car using a hose, rust will eventually occur in door and hood bottoms.

racer

I think you need to find one and drive it too decide. Not sure how old you are, but the driving feel may be significantly different than you expect (that can be good or bad). I had the fortune to drive my dad's speedster before he sold it.. a wonderful experience (bias ply tires, drum brakes, etc) but not something I would have felt comfortable driving "to work".

And be sure to double check the wholesale value of your only now 3 year old 997.. you might be a bit disappointed.

troos

You really need one of each.

BReyes

You need help.

jcnesq

+1 - that's a good summary.

jcnesq

Best advice and my solution.

bullfighter

Probably the best answer. I love the vintage cars, but at least here in San Diego where I live you won't survive long on our freeway system with a 75bhp car.

Modern cars are a completely different animal. I currently have an older Ferrari for the weekends and Audi as a daily -- looking to add an early 911. For an automotive nut, there's just no overlap between these.

If you can keep the 997 and add a 356 as the market continues to be soft, that's probably the right move.

wasserkuhl

I Must concur, you can't drive a 356 Daily, well I prefer not to drive mine daily. They are fantastic little cars and can keep up with modern traffic however finding a good rust free example is a task. A 356 SC is the best of the breed Disc brakes, nice power and lovely handling.

A wonderful investment as well, beats the hell out of my pension plan. So does my 94 968 Club Sport.

The 997 is a lovely car in all its forms, but it doesn't turn heads like 356 does.......

Vancouver83LTD

Well I'm going to take flak for this, but...
Thought about keeping the 997 and buying a kit car on a VW pan?

ked

I assume your are considering a Speedster-style kit, like the Beck or Thunder Ranch?
my pov, to put it harshly... do not think of a kit as an alternative to a real 356, unless your joy-of-ownership is defined by uninformed strangers thinking you own a real 356.

& I like kits, kit producers & kit builders... but 356s they ain't. the Intermeccanica is the closest to a "real car", & is very good, but still, it isn't a 356.

I advise friends - figure out exactly what you want, why you want it, your budget, then proceed.

Vancouver83LTD

Depends. The owner of Intermeccanica lived locally. He didn't approve of people putting porsche badges on it, and my car would be completely debadged anyways, if I had one. Top down open fun it is. Put in a 912 motor, some nice wheels, and go enjoy the summer. Nothing wrong with all the cruising fun at 1/10th the price of a real cabrio 356.
The thing I like about that idea is no rust, you can likely keep the 997, you can go as wild with the motor or suspension as you want (I'd probably try dropping the body on something weird and wonderful, myself) and not feel bad about molesting a 356/
Again though, if you want a vintage 356, then...


Local guy drives to work daily in a 356 about 5 minutes. Well, 5 if there's no traffic. I don't know if I'd want to open the engine after 10 years of doing that with all the sludge, but it would be a nice alternative to be sure.