Buying 1st car, Possibly 930 Need advice.
07-01-2010, 04:44 AM
#46
Racer
Thread Starter
I'd wager that there is NO WAY that a 930 is safer than a 951. Just none. 
Having said that, I'm 17 also. I bought my first Porsche when I was 15, before I was even licensed to drive on my own. I've always been into specialty sports cars, but I knew very little about Porsche's before I pulled the trigger. Since then, I have learned a wealth of information about about these cars. They are fun, yet can hold many hidden secrets. A car that looks nice on the outside may very well be a mechanical project in need of thousands of dollars in work, especially if regular maintenance has been neglected or if the car has been sitting for an extended period of time (several years).
Would I do it again? Yes, well I have. But I knew what to look for the second time around, and that knowledge saved me many headaches and $$$$'s from the get-go. Having said that, I'm glad I learned that early on at my age with a lowly 924S rather than later on with a pricier toy.
Come to think of it, I learned a lot of aspects about driving in general, in my 924S. A proper technique of shifting being one of them, as well as how to handle and drive without any electronic assistance. I learned a great deal about control from this perspective, but the car's capabilities or road conditions must always be taken into consideration and held with a high respect.
When looking at a Porsche, or any German car for that matter, it's best to know what mechanical aspects to look for and check maintenance records to see when and what was completed. Research the model of car you are looking at before purchasing. Be it Porsche or not, ask around on an applicable forum so that you know what to look for mechanically before hand.
Lastly I'll say: there's no such thing as a cheap Porsche, regardless of the model. Often, money is better spent when you pay more for a nice, well maintained example than if you were to cut corners and save money on the purchase of a less expensive car that needs work. As previously stated, the purchase price is simply the cost of admission. But if you have the funds to take care of everything and won't go on neglecting needed services, than you'll likely find owning a finely built sports car to be very rewarding when you hit the road.
If I had 23k to solely spend on a car, I'd pass on the 930 Turbo solely based on the financial burden of finding a nice car with no issues for that price. Even if you did, you're still only looking at the price of admission. You could buy a nice 2000-2003 Boxster S for that money, or a early 996 Carrera, but I'm under the impression that you'd prefer a less refined, older, more raw car. Given that, a 944 Turbo would be a nice pick. There are some very nice, well sorted cars to be had at less than half of that 23k. In fact, I'd look around and try to cut a deal on a nice 1988/89 Turbo S car. They are essentially the greatest of the 944's, if you like the boosted stuff. They had the latest body, interior, suspension, breaks, and an upgraded turbocharger. Plus with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution you'll soon find that they'll cut up the corners like nothing else.
Whatever you end up getting, just take it easy and be safe out there. Great power and performance commands great respect.
Having said that, I'm 17 also. I bought my first Porsche when I was 15, before I was even licensed to drive on my own. I've always been into specialty sports cars, but I knew very little about Porsche's before I pulled the trigger. Since then, I have learned a wealth of information about about these cars. They are fun, yet can hold many hidden secrets. A car that looks nice on the outside may very well be a mechanical project in need of thousands of dollars in work, especially if regular maintenance has been neglected or if the car has been sitting for an extended period of time (several years).
Would I do it again? Yes, well I have. But I knew what to look for the second time around, and that knowledge saved me many headaches and $$$$'s from the get-go. Having said that, I'm glad I learned that early on at my age with a lowly 924S rather than later on with a pricier toy.
Come to think of it, I learned a lot of aspects about driving in general, in my 924S. A proper technique of shifting being one of them, as well as how to handle and drive without any electronic assistance. I learned a great deal about control from this perspective, but the car's capabilities or road conditions must always be taken into consideration and held with a high respect.
When looking at a Porsche, or any German car for that matter, it's best to know what mechanical aspects to look for and check maintenance records to see when and what was completed. Research the model of car you are looking at before purchasing. Be it Porsche or not, ask around on an applicable forum so that you know what to look for mechanically before hand.
Lastly I'll say: there's no such thing as a cheap Porsche, regardless of the model. Often, money is better spent when you pay more for a nice, well maintained example than if you were to cut corners and save money on the purchase of a less expensive car that needs work. As previously stated, the purchase price is simply the cost of admission. But if you have the funds to take care of everything and won't go on neglecting needed services, than you'll likely find owning a finely built sports car to be very rewarding when you hit the road.
If I had 23k to solely spend on a car, I'd pass on the 930 Turbo solely based on the financial burden of finding a nice car with no issues for that price. Even if you did, you're still only looking at the price of admission. You could buy a nice 2000-2003 Boxster S for that money, or a early 996 Carrera, but I'm under the impression that you'd prefer a less refined, older, more raw car. Given that, a 944 Turbo would be a nice pick. There are some very nice, well sorted cars to be had at less than half of that 23k. In fact, I'd look around and try to cut a deal on a nice 1988/89 Turbo S car. They are essentially the greatest of the 944's, if you like the boosted stuff. They had the latest body, interior, suspension, breaks, and an upgraded turbocharger. Plus with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution you'll soon find that they'll cut up the corners like nothing else.
Whatever you end up getting, just take it easy and be safe out there. Great power and performance commands great respect.
ha ha, and in fact the reason I was looking at porsches in the first place is mostly my fathers fault, he's owned them all through my child hood, I have extremely found memories of the Black 996 C2 he owned, it was falling apart by the time he sold it and was not maintained when he bought it but yet still the noise, power, looks, just everything about it gave me many fond memories.BTW What do you guys think about this
Black/Tan E30 1989 BMW 325i Coupe
5,000
It appears to have tasteful mods.
(Guy obviously wanted a m3 :P)
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Or maybe this White 1989 325i Stock
68,000 miles
8.9k
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
or even a 1983 Porsche 911 SC
130,000 miles
$12,500
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb
Last edited by Moffman; 07-01-2010 at 07:11 AM.
07-01-2010, 01:53 PM
#49
Racer
Thread Starter
07-01-2010, 02:41 PM
#50
Addict
07-01-2010, 02:51 PM
#51
$9k obo - Actually a really great deal w/ an S52 engine, 5 lug hubs. Looks well sorted.
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175778
Check out bimmerforums.com also. I see some nice cars at good prices pop up there as well.
07-01-2010, 03:29 PM
#52
Racer
Thread Starter
I can reliably chime in on the bimmers. This is my area of expertise.
Both of those cars are rough. The black car has "comfort" seats, no computer, and the engine bay is trashed. The wheels are ok, but they swapped out the tail lights for some "riced-out" look.
The white car was owned by someone trying to "doll" it up and slapped some fugly looking side skirts that aren't bmw approved . They should've been fined for putting those POS rims on as well. Both are overpriced too!
If you're serious about an E30, go to R3VLimited.com. Those guys are brutally honest and will quickly steer you in the right direction.
I just checked their website and here are three cars that I think would be worth pursuing.
$7850
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175523
$9k obo - Actually a really great deal w/ an S52 engine, 5 lug hubs. Looks well sorted.
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175778
$3.5K - clean looking car. needs an A/C recharge
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175301
Good luck and go to school!!!!
Both of those cars are rough. The black car has "comfort" seats, no computer, and the engine bay is trashed. The wheels are ok, but they swapped out the tail lights for some "riced-out" look.
The white car was owned by someone trying to "doll" it up and slapped some fugly looking side skirts that aren't bmw approved
. They should've been fined for putting those POS rims on as well. Both are overpriced too!If you're serious about an E30, go to R3VLimited.com. Those guys are brutally honest and will quickly steer you in the right direction.
I just checked their website and here are three cars that I think would be worth pursuing.
$7850
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175523
$9k obo - Actually a really great deal w/ an S52 engine, 5 lug hubs. Looks well sorted.
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175778
$3.5K - clean looking car. needs an A/C recharge
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175301
Good luck and go to school!!!!
Cheers man
07-01-2010, 03:34 PM
#53
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Ahhh, but once you drive an old school air cooled 911, you wont look at BMW's anymore....Ask me how I know. Make sure you drive one. These cars have a following not because they look cool but because of how they make you feel connected to the car. Not very many cars give you that feeling no matter what the price or how new. After you drive one, you might want one so bad,that you might actually want to wait till you can find a good one.
07-01-2010, 04:07 PM
#54
944 in NJ here, might amuse for a year or so .....
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1820279764.html
No affiliation just passing it along.....
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1820279764.html
No affiliation just passing it along.....
07-01-2010, 04:47 PM
#56
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Sorry, I mistook GothinNC's post as your's. I'm a whale fan myself
Others directed you much better than I ever could on the BMWs, I was speaking only of the SC (and I'm FAAAR from the experts that roam around this board). And having driven quite a few of those BMWs I have to agree that the driving experience is absolutely different.
I used to think my S2k was hard wired to my a$$ and brain, but the 911 amps every sense up (in a good way). BMWs are wonderfully competent cars and compared with driving about any other daily driver grade car they are a blast, but although I've had experiences in a bunch of them for 20 years I've never been compelled to buy one of my own.....just one of those things, either you love them or you don't.
Others directed you much better than I ever could on the BMWs, I was speaking only of the SC (and I'm FAAAR from the experts that roam around this board). And having driven quite a few of those BMWs I have to agree that the driving experience is absolutely different.
I used to think my S2k was hard wired to my a$$ and brain, but the 911 amps every sense up (in a good way). BMWs are wonderfully competent cars and compared with driving about any other daily driver grade car they are a blast, but although I've had experiences in a bunch of them for 20 years I've never been compelled to buy one of my own.....just one of those things, either you love them or you don't.
07-01-2010, 05:59 PM
#57
I don't know if you're looking at E30 cabs at all, but one of the more "interesting" E30's was the 1992 M-Technic model cabriolet. Unique M-Technic bumper and side skirt trim package and unique white interior and white wheels. And all from the factory, if you're into factory original limited production models.
If you are a "fast and the furious-German style" type, there's a lot of fun that can be had with the earlier generation E21 3-series.
Not that I condone this kind of activity, but I was saying there is a lot you can do with a 320i. LOL
I don't think a 1978-1983 911SC is out of the question given your budget (again if you have cash flow in the future to keep it going when it needs some repairs). You will have to hope that the engine is good for a while unless you can DIY on head studs or what not.
Brett
If you are a "fast and the furious-German style" type, there's a lot of fun that can be had with the earlier generation E21 3-series.
Not that I condone this kind of activity, but I was saying there is a lot you can do with a 320i. LOL
I don't think a 1978-1983 911SC is out of the question given your budget (again if you have cash flow in the future to keep it going when it needs some repairs). You will have to hope that the engine is good for a while unless you can DIY on head studs or what not.
Brett
07-01-2010, 07:07 PM
#58
Racer
Thread Starter
@ Brett San Diego
Yeah its a tough decision at the moment, I didn't rule out the 911s I'm looking into E30s and 911 SCs its just hard to decide. I think I'm leaning more towards the porsche to be honest.
And dear god what happened to that poor beemer.
Yeah its a tough decision at the moment, I didn't rule out the 911s I'm looking into E30s and 911 SCs its just hard to decide. I think I'm leaning more towards the porsche to be honest.
And dear god what happened to that poor beemer.
07-01-2010, 07:11 PM
#59
Addict
07-01-2010, 07:26 PM
#60
Actually, I don't think you should be limited to the 911SC. I have a 1978 SC so that was the first thing that blurted out of my mouth. I think you should limit your buy-in price to $15,000 and plan on spending $5,000 immediately to freshen it up. You may not need it all, but be prepared. Keep $3,000 in the bank. There are decent 84-86 Carrera models in that price range along with the SC's. You may find an 87-89 with the G-50 transmission for under $15,000, but it will probably be rougher than an earlier model at the same price.
What about Boxsters? Any interest? My first Porsche was a Boxster, and it was a brilliant, brilliant car. Absolute blast to own and drive.
Brett
What about Boxsters? Any interest? My first Porsche was a Boxster, and it was a brilliant, brilliant car. Absolute blast to own and drive.
Brett