wick650

Well, after hearing a few horror stories I am a bit worried about finding the "right" Porsche for my budget. I need a reliable car as this will be my sole form of transportation that I will need to depend on daily. I do not have any buddies who work on Porsche's, nor am I capable of doing any repairs myself.

My question is, if reliability is my central concern, should I spring for a higher mileage 964, or go for a nice 911?


Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks for your time

g-50cab

For $35k you should be able to get a later 964 or 993 - PPI first and they should be fine.

Pedro356C

Dear Wick650...your budget is pretty good for a 911, 964 or even a 1995 or 1996 993(not S)...first choose the one you really want and then focus on the search...as I told you...your budget is pretty good...when you find your car, spend a couple hundred bucks to get a good PPI from a reputable shop including a compression test (leak down).

PS. If you live in a hot area and the Porsche will be your sole form of transportation...get a 993...the AC really works...

wick650

Sorry if this sounds ignorant, but is there a clear progression in terms of reliabilty in later models i.e 964s and 993s? Should I stay clear of the earlier models if I am concerned with this?

r911

No - the newer cars are more complicated and there is more to go wrong (and it is harder to get to, so labor charges go up). That includes the engines too.

For $35k you could get a great SC or Carrera and a used Honda too, you know.

Is there a good shop near you? You can never be 100% certain that any used Porsche will never break.

Dan Cobb

Any car (new or used, Porsche or not) is capable of breaking down. Don't expect that just because you want the car to be completely issue free that it will be that way.
Even a simple flat tire will make a relaible car a temporarily useless hunk of metal.
Buy the best car you can find that is within your budget, regardless of make, model, etc.
A driven car that has been maintained is generally a better long term purchase that a garage queen.
Besides...
why do you believe that Porsches have reliability issues? if you want a car that never requires any service than just buy a Toyota and throw it away when it breaks down.
+++

Chuck Harmon

I'd have to go with a very nice 88-89 911 and have it gone through
by a really good shop, have some mods done and have it set up
like you want it, tires, suspension, exhaust, motor rebuild if needed.
For that kind of money you can do all this with money left over, not much
but depending on the origional condition and the price you get it for,
it is doable !
Good Luck
Chuck

SandyI

I definitely agree. In L.A., you're talking $20-$25,000 for that car. Which leaves you plenty left over for yearly maintenance.

But I'd buy a 1969-1972 911E. That would leave you between $15,000-$20,000 left for maintenance and/or a reliable used Honda or Toyota as backup.

84_Carrera

I have a 56k miles 1984 Cab, my first P-car. Paid $19.5k for her, with a few minor things needed, but documentation & I knew the previous owner personally. I also have a '95 Taurus SHO which was my daily driver, but is now my 2nd car & long-hauler, honestly. My wife has an '03 Montana van, 7 passenger & plenty of interior cargo space (she has the extended version). I have plenty of fun and reliability (between the 1st two), and we get all the utility we need from the van.

Minor things on the 84 have been DME Relay (preventative replacement, didn't actually fail), recent cylinder head temp sensor, fuel filter & oil changes, front wheel bearings & brake flush (in prep for a track DE day). I've also bought a bolt-in roll bar, euro pre-muffler, a set of black fuchs w/ snows in case I get caught in the winter, power antenna, washer nozzles, headlights, etc. - mostly minor or preventative stuff, with the exception of the HTS.

I still have some things I want to do service-wise (ignition lock tumber & switch, brakes & hoses, coming up on 60k service, may do trans rebuild), and some more modifications (Steve Wong chip, possible suspension upgrades).

All in all, for a TWENTY+ year old exotic, I'm thrilled with the way the car's behaved since last fall's purchase. If only all of my used cars were this good...

If I'd had your budget, I'd probably have looked at the 993's, but I love the feeling of driving my "older" 911. Next one might be something like a '74 coupe w/ a transplanted Motronic 3.2 or similar, as more of a track car.

Good luck in your search.

Jerry Garwick

WICK650

My wife loves her '91 964 cabriolet but she says that Porsches are high maintenance cars and she is right. I do most of the maintenance on the car but every once in a while run into something that I need professional advice on. My recommendation is to get at least a 964 model or newer and to get one with self-adjusting valves. I guess that would make it a '92 or newer. Any model you get will be faster then hell. Regarding the air conditioning, our '91 does produce good cold air but the black cab top, when it is up, does not do much for us on a really hot day. But then, we keep the top down all the time between May to November in Central California. Nothing like a Guards Red convertable to get your spirits up. I think a coupe would be a real boost in a hot climate if you are concerned about keeping cool under adverse conditions.

Good hunting.

2002M3Drew

$35,000? BOXSTER S! 250 hp, great, reliable car. Modern AC...perhaps even a CPO warranty!

Edward

If you truly "cannot" do any work on the car on your own, then brace yourself for expensive ownership. NOT because 911s break down more than other cars. I currently own two, and others here have owned 911 for decades, and most will tell you how strong and reliable 911s are on the whole, given age, mileage, and care, of course.

The expense I speak of is Porsche parts, and labor and to have work performed. Most parts are priced at "Porsche strata," so doing one's homework in sourcing parts on your own helps trim costs. But this means nothing if you're having the work done by someone else (who will often to get those components himself). Labor tends to be more pricey than your typical indep. shop (forget about dealer rates!!). My advice is abandon the 911 and find a Honda or Toyota; or take that $35K budget and buy a $20-25K car, saving the rest for "inevitables." Or thirdly, learn how to work on them and save a bucket of dough (while bonding to your car).

Edward

JackOlsen

You should be able to find a great 993 for that kind of money. I've seen the 1995 models going for under 25K, recently, and they're great cars.

Chris M.

Coupes with decent mileage? I looked and looked and looked and couldn't find one. If I did it had a salvage title, 100K+ miles, needed a lot of work, had been wrecked, was some funky color....it was going to cost me $30+K by the time I had it in order. $25K is much more in the 964 price range. But hey, if Jack can find you one then go for it!

c

Giantviper

I do not know about reliability of newer models but my dad has an 86 Carrera with 35,000 miles and reliability on it is great. Oh and the fun to drive factor on the 86 carrera is great!!! But i will warn you it is a drivers car you have to be in the mood to drive but its fun and fast. And for your budget you can get and excelllent example with very low milage. The CArreras are much more stipped down then the latter cars though and are more like driving a race car (which i think makes them more fun).