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Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I've wanted to buy a 911 ever since I was a kid. I promised myself I'd buy one when I turned 30, then made the same promise at 40 and 45. Now that I can actually afford one (I think), I have 3 kids (ages 6-12) and I live in the northeast so it's not the most practical choice. I currently drive a range rover sport v8 supercharged and it's the closest thing to a sports car I've ever owned. My lease expires in a few weeks and I'm spending way too much time on forums like this trying to figure out if I should buy a 911. I've come to the conclusion that I cannot drive a 911 as my year round daily driver. As a result, I considering purchasing a used 911 to drive 6-7 months of the year and also a used 4x4 SUV (possibly a '14 Cayenne GTS or keep my RR) to drive during the winter months. My commute from the burbs to my ferry is 6-7 miles each way. I drive more on the weekends carting kids to and from sporting events, but I'm only putting about 7k miles a year on my car. My wife drives a fullsize SUV we use for road trips. That being said, we only have a 2 car garage so I'll likely keep the spare vehicle in storage when not in use. I've read as many articles on buying a used 911 as I could find, but I don't feel confident I have enough knowledge to move forward without some experienced guidance.
Assuming I have $35-50k (give or take $10k) to spend on a 911 that will be used as a daily driver for 6-7 months of the year, what models should I consider? Reliability is very important to me, but I have specific preferences on looks and like the idea of owning an older model. My favorite looking Porsche of all time is the 993 (especially the cab), but recognize that a well maintained 993 will be pricey. I also really like the classic look of the '84-89 carerra targa and the more modern look of the 997s. I'm less a fan of the looks of the 996 even though it appears that model is a better value than most. I'm basing all of this off of looks because I've never driven any of them and this covid situation is making that almost impossible. I'm not handy (at all) and typically too busy to do anything besides work and kids activities so a car that requires a fair amount of DIY maintenance is probably a bad idea. I also don't know if I should be targeting an AWD model considering I won't be driving the car in the winter. That being said, I've never owned a sports car and maybe the extra grip of an AWD will do me some good. I'm not looking for a collectors car or showpiece that needs to be babied (impossible with 3 kids and multiple bikes, skateboards, skis, snowboards and fishing gear constantly going in and out of the garage), but I can be somewhat **** with my toys and want something that looks well maintained even if it has some mileage on it. I'm also not looking for a weekend track car and have no intention of pushing the car to its limits. I really just want a 911 because I've always wanted one. Any recommendations or practical guidance would be appreciated. I'd also welcome suggestions as to a porsche specialist or mechanic who may be willing to spend some time speaking with (educating) me. Ideally, I'd like to find a car in the next 4-6 weeks so I can turn in my lease and figure out what to do for the winter later in the fall. If I can't make up my mind, I'll likely buy my current car or something similar and wait for next year. I'm working from home for the foreseeable future so now seems like a good time to do it. Thanks in advance for any advice and I apologize is this type of question has been asked a thousand times in the past.
I too am looking to buy my first 911. It sounds like you have waited a long time, like me. Pull the trigger, get one, but if you aren't much of a mechanic, I would recommend getting the newest 911 your budget will allow. I prefer the newer models, but I'll never forget my uncles black 1988 turbo with a whale tail, that thing was awesome. I test drove a 2020 911 Carrera 4S recently and it was amazing. All other cars are inferior after you drive a Porsche. For the 4S being all wheel drive, the all wheel drive is only there when you need it, it feels like a rear wheel drive car. Sorry for changing the subject, but this is my first post, not even sure how to create a thread....yet.
I have another question for the Porsche owner's....if you had a budget of around $150,000; would you go for a used 2015 - 2017 911 Turbo S or would you rather have a new 911 Carrera 4S with $40,000 of options?
No claims at expertise at all:
You have a decent budget for an excellent car. Obviously very open ended but will offer the following having owned/own a good range of Porsches over last 25 years: Follow simple rules of due diligence echoed over and over on this forum - buy well documented car from seller that has taken care of the car (buy the owner) and do the due diligence - compression/leakdown for the air cooled, DME, independent shop inspection, paint meters, talk to prior owner when possible, go look at and drive if possible etc etc. Buy the best maintained, lowest mileage, well documented, fewest-owner car budget allows. Drive as many of the different generations as possible to appreciate the difference. It is worth taking your time with the entire process. Someone like Doug at SwitchCars can really help (no affiliation except great experience with most recent 996 GT3) as he has a great reputation and has expertise to source great cars - both of those things cost some money but may well be money very well spent especially if you lack time/expertise. (or have ever rebuilt an engine)
After purchase invest some time in DEs with PCA, BMW, Audi, Chin etc. at tracks all over the country - the people are superb, the instruction is superb and the enthusiasm is infectious. As often repeated on this forum - absolute best money spent on performance enhancement for any car. Just beware where this can lead.....
Also important to read and understand important issues with each generation - spend the time as info is in this forum. (head stud failure in the SCs, IMS in the 996s etc)
1. Air-cooled - each generation has individual eye-appeal and plenty of performance. The response from r911 above hits a very important issue for owning these 1998 and older cars IMO unless you happen to have some expertise... - a very good, experienced and honest mechanic will make ownership significantly better and more affordable( true for all cars) but a bit more difficult to find for these older cars. For example, in the Charlotte NC area there is really now only about two mechanics that hit those marks (YMMV). I have an 83 SC that I have had for more than 20 years - great car, great drive but over that time is also well known to mechanic- original a/c marginal if you drive in warm humidity but if well-sorted is a pretty remarkable and fun car. Never owned a 964. 356 is great car but not for starter?daily driver?finding great car? etc
1984-89 Carrera - more power and engine-reliability ( better timing chain tensioners etc), electronic fuel injection and and slightly better AC. 1987 G50 gear box is great but earlier gen a bit less $$
95-98(end of the air-cooled) - I love the 993s- such great cars,- look great and drive great, more power vs older and decent AC. Very good cars out there if patient in the 50K range unless you add an S. Personally not a fan of AWD (was able to get over that with 993 turbo).
99-2005 - - 996 - never owned except GT3. Understand IMS/RMS with non- GT3/turbo with this gen and proceed. After I bought the 996 GT3 there was no turning away from the GT3s for me. Mezger engine is supreme. The turbo is also based on the Mezger engine and avoids the IMS/RMS issues. I have not owned the 996 turbo but still looks like tremendous bang for the buck - mid fifties gets you a really nice 996 turbo!
997- actually have recommended this gen to friends for first Porsche. Plenty of power and handling performance. Great look, great creature comforts, great ride and reliability - easy daily driver. More produced so very good, low mileage cars are out there. Have only owned the 997 GT3 but it is best car that I own - for all reasons GT3- plenty in the forum about this as well.
991and beyond - no experience and the 997 offers all that I am after for track and street at this point. Lucky to have some of the older gen as well so all good.
Air cooled 911's can present a few challenges, with the older cars (84-89) being less technology orientated. The 993 would be my ultimate choice if it were back dated a bit. Certainly the 997 is a much more modern car. I left out the value of the 996 due to your preference of style.
I would certainly entertain a Turbo S over any 4S car, having both a 996 4S highly optioned and a 997 Turbo S Cab. Both are excellent cars. The 996 has had the IMS bearing sorted. I actually prefer my 88 Coupe over both of the other cars, but I do not daily drive any of these cars. If I had to daily drive a Porsche I would opt for the more modern cars.
No claims at expertise at all:
You have a decent budget for an excellent car. Obviously very open ended but will offer the following having owned/own a good range of Porsches over last 25 years: Follow simple rules of due diligence echoed over and over on this forum - buy well documented car from seller that has taken care of the car (buy the owner) and do the due diligence - compression/leakdown for the air cooled, DME, independent shop inspection, paint meters, talk to prior owner when possible, go look at and drive if possible etc etc. Buy the best maintained, lowest mileage, well documented, fewest-owner car budget allows. Drive as many of the different generations as possible to appreciate the difference. It is worth taking your time with the entire process. Someone like Doug at SwitchCars can really help (no affiliation except great experience with most recent 996 GT3) as he has a great reputation and has expertise to source great cars - both of those things cost some money but may well be money very well spent especially if you lack time/expertise. (or have ever rebuilt an engine)
After purchase invest some time in DEs with PCA, BMW, Audi, Chin etc. at tracks all over the country - the people are superb, the instruction is superb and the enthusiasm is infectious. As often repeated on this forum - absolute best money spent on performance enhancement for any car. Just beware where this can lead.....
Also important to read and understand important issues with each generation - spend the time as info is in this forum. (head stud failure in the SCs, IMS in the 996s etc)
1. Air-cooled - each generation has individual eye-appeal and plenty of performance. The response from r911 above hits a very important issue for owning these 1998 and older cars IMO unless you happen to have some expertise... - a very good, experienced and honest mechanic will make ownership significantly better and more affordable( true for all cars) but a bit more difficult to find for these older cars. For example, in the Charlotte NC area there is really now only about two mechanics that hit those marks (YMMV). I have an 83 SC that I have had for more than 20 years - great car, great drive but over that time is also well known to mechanic- original a/c marginal if you drive in warm humidity but if well-sorted is a pretty remarkable and fun car. Never owned a 964. 356 is great car but not for starter?daily driver?finding great car? etc
1984-89 Carrera - more power and engine-reliability ( better timing chain tensioners etc), electronic fuel injection and and slightly better AC. 1987 G50 gear box is great but earlier gen a bit less $$
95-98(end of the air-cooled) - I love the 993s- such great cars,- look great and drive great, more power vs older and decent AC. Very good cars out there if patient in the 50K range unless you add an S. Personally not a fan of AWD (was able to get over that with 993 turbo).
99-2005 - - 996 - never owned except GT3. Understand IMS/RMS with non- GT3/turbo with this gen and proceed. After I bought the 996 GT3 there was no turning away from the GT3s for me. Mezger engine is supreme. The turbo is also based on the Mezger engine and avoids the IMS/RMS issues. I have not owned the 996 turbo but still looks like tremendous bang for the buck - mid fifties gets you a really nice 996 turbo!
997- actually have recommended this gen to friends for first Porsche. Plenty of power and handling performance. Great look, great creature comforts, great ride and reliability - easy daily driver. More produced so very good, low mileage cars are out there. Have only owned the 997 GT3 but it is best car that I own - for all reasons GT3- plenty in the forum about this as well.
991and beyond - no experience and the 997 offers all that I am after for track and street at this point. Lucky to have some of the older gen as well so all good.
...I also really like the classic look of the '84-89 carerra targa and the more modern look of the 997s. I'm less a fan of the looks of the 996 even though it appears that model is a better value than most....
I too like the classic look of the '84-89 carerra targa but ultimately bought the 996 turbo based on budget.
I agree with the suggestion of a Boxster. I’ve put over 100k on two Miatas, a 1990 and a 1999. Box excellent vehicles and as others have said, inexpensive to own. I’ve also owned a Cayman and a 986 Boxster S, along with several 911’s.
The Boxster S was really fun. The early cars were fast but not crazy stupid fast so you could wind them up and have lots of fun.
If you go with a 981 a base will be plenty, any will outrun a Miata.
You can’t go wrong but if you have the itch to experience Porsche, I suggest a Boxster. You’ll love it. A nice used 2003-2004 Boxster can be bought in the 15-20 range...
If you simply want a fun drop top, the Miata, of any generation will serve you well. I don’t care for the NC relative to the earlier and the latest generations.
I just realized i never updated this thread. I ultimately bought what I’ve always wanted, a 993 cab. Found a really nice one and pulled the trigger back in June. It’s a ‘95 in polar silver with 53k original miles. It’s wildly impractical with 3 kids but I’m loving in and my kids fight over riding shotgun. My wife and I sneak away for 30 minute rides whenever we can. I plan on keeping it long term and will put it in storage in a couple months. I now need to find something to drive in the winter months.
Ah! So cool when someone buys what THEY want, not what forum recommends. Otherwise youd have the Mezger etc and come post here about oil quality and all that nonesense, but there you are, forgot to check in, because you drive your nice new to you 993 that you always wanted (that probably fits your age - i.e. when you were younger this was the car to have, just like for me the 997 was the car to have when I was younger and I got that). Congrats mate! Enjoy!
best buy is a 997, the older the car the more unreliable, and the 997 cars are really good buys as compared to the air cooled cars, and overall do everything better (except hold their value!!! LOL)
05-15-2020, 03:56 PM
Newbie Question - Looking to buy first 911
Otherwise youd have the Mezger etc and come post here about oil quality and all that nonesense, but there you are, forgot to check in, because you drive your nice new to you 993 that you always wanted (that probably fits your age - i.e. when you were younger this was the car to have, just like for me the 997 was the car to have when I was younger and I got that). Congrats mate! Enjoy!
