PiL

I am new to the board and it seems that most of you guys are fairly young, late 20's and 30's. What do you guys do for a living? I assume that most of you are professionals. I am 34 and hope to be a 911 owner in the next 1-2 years, a fairly used one at that. I have a BMW e36, but the purchase of a new house this summer may force it's sale. Once it's gone and the house purchase is complete, it's time to go 911 shopping!! I have a wife, two kids and a dog. Needless to say I have priorities. I hope that my career in the Pharmaceutical industry will fund everything, including my Porsche/speed sickness!

Lefty's Deceiver

PiL

I'm 32 and also relatively new to this board. I'm a management consultant (aerospace ops/tech) and live in the Chicago area.

I've been trading down because there are so many cool cars to be had on the used market. I've had 3 BMW E36 M3s and now just bought an awesome '74 RS conversion 911 for a great price. Here's my philosophy: "Never have a car payment". Once you get over spending the cash you'll find a heap of cars that will satisfy your need for speed even from $15k downwards (e.g. 70's 911s, SCs and E30 M3s). Mine gets tracked and autocrossed more than driven on the street because I'm always flying to work. Good luck with the search.

Lefty

Lefty's Deceiver

Oh, and by the way - EVERYBODY has an E36 / E46 M3. Even though they are really great cars, I prefer to be in a smaller group. Each to his own.

Lefty

classic911

I'm 41 and picked up my 1982 911SC Coupe about 5 weeks ago. It is my first Porsche, always loved the 911 but because of house, kids, etc. never was able to swing one before. I started my Porsche quest last year looking for a 928 because I was shocked at how "affordable" they were used. However, when I started asking 928 owners why they were selling, I almost always received the same response-"To buy a 911/964/993/996". That, combined with the maintenance costs made me look at the 911 and I realized that they were worth it in the long run, and I couldn't resist the timeless styling. I looked at Carreras and SC, both great cars, but I happened upon my SC through a PCA ad. It was sold by Brumos Porsche and was a Florida car up until about 3 years ago, and I have maintenance records for almost all 20 years, including the stamped maintenance book.

I first saw the 911 when I was 12 when my dad bought home a Motor Trend mag and there was a comparison between the 911 T/E/S. I was talking about 911s when all the kids my age were hooked on Camaros, Mustangs, etc. I still remember that comparison test, and the cars were painted orange, brown, and lime green. Think it left an impression?

I think I'll always have a 1972-1989 911 in the family.

Now to do some autocross/DE....

P-on

I'm 39 and a health care professional. Like Lefty, I pay cash for my cars. I have a 944S2 and a 911SC. Both tremendously awesome in their own way. You'll find you spend a LOT of money on upkeep and maintenance mostly because it's fun, it's rewarding, and you care about keeping your car in top shape. I echo thoughts above, find an SC or 944S or S2 for 15K or less, and have a ballbuster of a time. You can't beat the experience of a rear engine roaring behind you! I think the S2 will outhandle the SC, but the experiences are different and each great. Good luck!

bell

i'm 30 and build custom audio/video/security for vehicles.....so i get my hands dirty. i have an 85' carrera which is currently heavily bent and being repaired (anothoer car t-boned me), i've had her for about 2 years.
and i don't have an E36/E46

Trust me

Well, I work for a beer distributor as a merchandiser. The guy who puts all the cool beer neons up in the windows. Loved by all. LOL.
I have owned a few different Porsche's. I now own a 81' 911 SC. Great car!
I am 34.

Troy

Ed Bighi

I'm 33 and a commercial property owner. I have never made a car payment in my entire life. No matter how little money I had. One should never make payments on depreciating assets. This isn't just my phylosophy, but the belief of everyone living in the real world. What I mean by real world is anywhere outside of the United States. I also keep my cars for very, very long periods of time. In my family, a decade with a car is the absolute minumum. Also helping me keep my cars forever is the fact that nothing new turns my wife and I on. Especially considering the really cool stuff on the used car market like the Alfa Romeo GTV6, Mini Cooper (not the new oversized "jumbo" they mistakenly call a Mini), BMW M6, Mercedes 500E, etc. There are just too many cool cars out there that can be bought for demand set prices to bother with boring, overweight and overpriced new cars. No matter what new car one looks at in any value range, there is always a better alternative in the used car market. For example, if one has the money for a Carrera GT, he or she will be better off with a 962 for even less money and much better appreciation potential. I have been very happy with the ten years driving my SC and will never sell it. Nothing else compares to a 911 in every aspect. If something did, I would be driving it. I think you will come to the same conclusion.

RANDY P

81 -

32 years old. I write Mortgages. Taught me never to borrow for anything I don't have to (es. that doesn't make money in return). noting that, I paid cash.

911 is a great choice since they never age...

rjp

Ron_H

Pil:
With all due respect to this forum (911), I suggest that you drive each model first and then decide. And a drive is more than a trip around the block; take it out for a considerable venture.
Try to get your hands on someone else's car who trusts you and will go with you. There are idiosyncracies between each model. I have owned 3 911s, a 356 coupe, an original 356 Speedster(the essence of Porsche), a 914/6 and a 928. A friend while he owned a Porsche dealer and could drive any car he wanted, has always driven 911-S and 911 Turbos. Then one day I called him and while talking, asked what he was driving. My jaw hit the floor when he said a 928. I accused him of going soft, but he advised me to try one and then say that. Well, I did and probably should have stayed ignorant. I was hooked, and spent the next 3 years searching for the right car. I found a 1986.5 928S for $6500.(!) I immediately sank $1500 into it and spent the 400 mile drive home with a grin all over my face (cracked my cheeks, but my tongue was there to offset it).
Try a well maintained 928 and then decide. Only caution I have is to be aware that the 928 comes into it's own above 80 mph. Drive it all day at 120 and arrive relaxed and ready to play tennis or whatever, after listening to the stereo and talking comfortably with your passsenger the whole way. The only great expense for 928s if they are maintained and not abused is the T-belt/waterpump every 45K - 60K miles. I still have my "hotrod 914/6" as a rememberance of the lightweight Porches of the past, and keep it for grins. But the 928 IS the definition of GT. I know, I know, I am on a 911 board (cats vs. dogs).

Try one and if you like it don't settle for junk that's all shined up. Get a PPI before purchase.
You may find a true bargain in a low mileage 928.
And it should last well past 200,000 miles. The 911 guys may not flash at you, though. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> But you'll be too busy smiling already. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

jim912928

I agree with Ron...try a bunch of models first. I'm 45 in the tech field and own 2 porsches...an 83 928S (the ultimate cruiser) and an 80 911SC Targa. If you originally were looking for a 928..don't let people scare you off, they are unbelievable and the ride is like nothing you've seen. A 911 will beat it up until 60-70 or so, but then look out...the 928 will rocket way past anything sane on the road...oh, and it will be asking you if you want to listen to classical or rock-n-roll on the stereo as you zip past 135...140..145...etc. (not that I've done that). The 911 is more like a racer compared to the ride of a 928. Try both and fit to your driving style. I still get more people asking me about my 928 then I do the 911...most think it's some new model porsche came out with! And, alittle history, the 928 was the very first porsche designed entirely by porsche!

But really, try them all and fit to your driving style/pleasure. The 914's (yes had one, and want another) are like go carts, the 911's (and more anemic 912's) handle great and are very quick, the 944's handle great but lack alittle in the horsepower realm compared to the 911's and 928's..but a very good handling car..and the 928..well, put it this way it was a flagship GT car for porsche...the last year made (95) they sold for around 150k..mine is an 83 that had a window sticker of 47k...that is 20years ago!

Jim

Porschephanatic

I'm a 41 yr. young licensed (8yrs.) electrician. I was 33 when I bought the 944 to hold me over until I could afford a 911. Bought my '81 SC when I was 39. I'd like to get a '72 or '73 911S when my daughter graduates from Rennselear next year, then my collection will be complete. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

pwd72s

I'm pushing 60...and I'm wondering why I bother hanging on to a '72S, because Porsche has gone the way of "tommy girl", appealing to the status seeking market..On the other hand, I'm thinking of running the car through a crusher...it would be fun to watch a 49,000 mile '72S be destroyed...
"Kewel"? Right?

pig4bill

If you're going to try different models, remember that driving is not the same as owning. 928's drive nice, a lot like a German Camaro. I've seen some at a good price, they just need a "few" things, like a fuel system part that costs $1500, and an a/c part that costs $2000. It's not the maintenance that kills you on a 928, it's the repair cost when something breaks. There's a reason an 85 or 86 can be found for less money than a 944S.

neilt

I'm a 33 year old systems administrator working for a genetic research organization. (I specialize in macintosh, I love my computers and my cars to be the best!)

I have purchased both my Porsche's with cash. Granted, the first one was a 74 914 which I picked up for a whopping $800 when I was 22. I loved that car...It handled like a dream, unfortunately, it had rust in the side under the battery, and once the wheel started kicking out sideways and I didn't have the several thousand to get it fixed, i had to let it go (althoug I did take it's engine out, and put it into a vw bus while I finished college!)

I bought my 911 last fall in Maryland and I know live just north of Phoenix. Even though she is old and has a little shimmy at 65 there is nothing like taking it up above 100 on the drive home through the desert..makes you feel alive!

although, a black 71 911 with no A/C may not be the best car for commuting when the temps are above 100. Even when my speed matches the air temp, it doesn't cool you down any!

neilt