Mike Murphy

Hi folks,

Looking for a little advice here. I used the own a 3.2, followed by a Boxster S. I then bought an E60 M5. I'm selling the M5 because it's just asinine in terms of maintenance cost. A spark plug should not cost $25 any more than a clutch replacement should cost $4,200.

I have two little kids under 2 years old and want to get back into a 911. I would buy a 3.2 again if it weren't for the lack of AC. I'm torn between a 964 and a 996. I do want a cabriolet this time.

Couple questions:

Will car seats fit back there in a 911 Cab?
Is the 964 more like a 3.2 or a 996? I've never driven a 964.
I also plan to upgrade the stereo in the car. Is there anywhere to put a subwoofer of say 10" somewhere? I know, I know, the best sound is from the engine - agreed - but I want to daily drive this year round, in the snow, etc.

Thanks in advance

PasPar2

Had a 996 and I would either get a 997 or a 964 but not a 996.

911Jetta

Last year as we were leaving town for a weekend family vacation in the mountains, I noticed my wife's clutch starting to slip. I told her immediately that we can't go. Without hesitation she asked if we could take my car. 964 to the rescue!

Best weekend ever. We drove everywhere in the mountains and got so many thumbs up. All this in a car with no radio, no engine sound pad, stiff motor mounts and no cat or primary muffler. No complaints as long as the AC was blowing ice cubes.

Awesome, awesome family car. AC, ABS, air bags and amazing build quality. My whole family loves the car... But my wife is afraid to drive it (perfect).

I love saying that my kids have grown up in a 911!

jorijori

Hi,

A 964 drives like a 3.2 with power steering, softer suspension & cooler AC. Never driven a 996 nor do i want to. With kids you definitely should get a Panamera, much easier to get in/out. Shouldn't a used V6 Panamera cost about the same as a mint 964/3.2 (>25K)?

Mike Murphy

The last time I checked, the cheapest Panamera was over $50k. That was maybe 1-2 years ago.

NYNick

Air cooled versus water cooled. Classic versus 'ugly step child'. Totally differently handling cars. A lot to think about here.
1)Small kids and car seats should fit in the rear seats of either. They won't have much room though.
2) You've got the IMS issue that MUST be addressed in the 996 before or after you buy it. Tons of info on this topic, but suffice it to say that a 'while you're in there' fix including clutch should be around $3500.
3) 964's are more desirable at this point. 996's could be considered the best Porsche deal, price wise, on the market these days, once you get past the above issues.

I liked my 996's. I think I'm in the minority, but I had one C2 coupe and one C4 Cab and tracked them both completely stock. These cars were fine, although never really accepted by the purists because they were the first water cooled '911' and some consider them ugly. Whatever. I've also owned 4 air cooled Porsches.

For long term value, I'd go with the 964. That is, you probably won't lose money on the deal, and be readily accepted into the air cooled crowd. Price wise, I think you could get a smoking' deal on a 996 Cab or C4 Cab. 996's are a bargain.

Good luck.

Nick

Amber Gramps

OMG!!!! How's the wife Murphy? Two kids.

What ever happened to Matt and your 3.2?

....and ya, I have posted your picture several times. The "Me or the car?" Picture. Classic moments in Porsche ownership. Welcome home, man. Chicago cold this time of year?

Congratulations on the kids.

element

993?

JCP911S

Two kids.... in a 911???... Do you actually own a real car?

A. 2008 Honda Accord ($10K).

B. A nice 2.7 Boxster ($14K) or 911 SC/Carrara ($20K).

$30K more or less and you're set to go

BTW... 10 inch subwoofers are the "nes plus ultra" for any 2008 Accord, so I'd drive a hard deal on that if I were you.

porsche0nut

I agree with JCP... get a 3.2 for a fun weekend/summer car and buy a 10k daily driver to compliment it. The kids will soon be too big for car seats and will fit perfectly in the back of the 3.2, and will have great memories of their rides in the greatest 911!

Mike Murphy

See, that makes a big of enough difference - my old 3.2 was so hot in the summer that it was miserable.

Also, regarding your family trip +1, because in Europe, families cram into a smaller car and trip all the time. I ran into a guy that said he'll have to sell his SUV for a minivan because he's expecting his 2nd kid. Seriously? Then again, I bought an M5, which is way overkill on space.

Mike Murphy

Doesn't bother me a bit. I love all Porsches, even the really crappy ones. Because those are still so much better than the worst cars ever made by other manufacturers. But the 996 is so great because so many people don't like it. I will look for a car that's had the IMS issue resolved.

Mike Murphy

I am good! Yep, two kids. For what it's worth, she told me to keep the Boxster, but I wanted to be the kind of dad that when faced with the decision to either take the sports car or be with his kids, I wanted to be with the kids in my sports car. The M5 works, but I miss P-cars.

I don't know what's up with Matt, but I'll try to look him up. Thanks!

Mike Murphy

Lol, I guess the wife's 2008 x3 could be considered a real car

I like your idea. I was considering getting a track-ready miata and then getting a 911. I actually want to reduce my $30k car to a $20k car if possible.

Mike Murphy

Yeah, I would consider one of these too, if I could find one. I saw a 1997 S that was incredible and probably worth the $76k they were asking. I'm looking for something a tad newer (more reliable) than a 3.2, so a 993 would be perfect if the price was a bit lower. That's why I'm thinking of the 996, because it's such a value. I get that people talk about value, but the 996s selling for $20k probably won't drop much more if at all. My old 3.2 was purchased for $17 and that's about rock-bottom for any 911 IMO...