rwrink

Here is a little mental exercise. This coming January, I will be losing the family car (330i) to my wife and soon to be newborn son. Not really being a fan of walking I will need a new (to me) daily driver.
The question is, what Porsche and why.
The parameters are $20,000, and reliable at purchase or once the initial work is done and must rate high on the drool metre every time the garage opens.
Other factors, I am semi competent with a wrench, have a big garage, patience, and can do my own paint.

What’s the best bang for the buck?

I am posting this on the 911,928 and 944 forums to try to get balanced views.

I really appreciate the input.

Rob

Thegman

I'd get an 1987, 1988 or 1989 Carrera (911). There are a ton of them out there and many have quite low miles. Very respectable P cars... at a reasonable price.

aeronautica86

'89 was the first year of the 964 and probably the least reliable, but nothing wrong with the '87 or '89

a 944 turbo might not be the best for reliability overall, but I figure with $20K you would be able to buy a decent car and put $5K in maintenance and $5K in mods and have a reliable, fun car

AndyK

Clear choice: Late model 968 Cab!!

Lumbergs Lackey....MmmmKay

95 968 cab in white, get H&R springs, Classic II wheels, and XM radio and you are all set.

Giantviper

You could get a very nice 968 for that price with like 40.000 miles, a great 944 Turdo and mod it up rreal nice (make it go like all hell), or a decent mid to late 80s 911.

I think the 968 or 911 might be the most reliable and the 951 (944T) would be most fun to modd. You rbest bet would be to drive a good example of each (i stress good example becuase one that does not drive right will turn you off the car, that almost happened to me when serching for my car) Then pick which one you find the most fun.

The 968 or 944 may be a better every day car and the 911 is a better weekend car. Also the 911s have very little storage space where you would be very suprized the large amount of stuff you can fit into those hatchbacks with the rear seats down is great ( I suprize myself every time i go home from college). Some how stuff jsut keeps on going in. Also the 911s from the 80s are much rawer cars (my dad has a 86 911 and i ahve an 88 944) very very fun to drive but more work to drive as well. The heat and AC are also better on the 944/968s.

The best way o describe the to would be that the 944/968s are Grand touring cars with the cabablility to be made into track cars and the 911 (From the 80s) is much more of a raw track type car.

I hope this helps you make your decition. Either way i think you will be happy with the car. I know weither i drive my 944 or my dad's Carrera i exit the car with a giant grin on my face every time.

PS- do not for get to get a porsche certified mechanic inspection once you think you have decided on a car. It will be the best $200 you will ever spend as it could save you thousands later on. They can find many problems that most people would never find.

X 944 X

I would buy a 951S personally, OR a fairly newer 928 S4. Either way, you would have a few grand left (well, maybe not with the 28) but would be able to some repairs, and minor upgrades.

There are a few blown sharks on here, that would be a blast to ride in---- a V8 supercharged 6+liter porsche engine sound nice?
Plus, at low boost the engines can take it all day.

Now, the 951S is a little more rare, so IMHO I would buy that, and a decent 3k-4k japper or something (accord?) just so I wouldnt rack miles on it.


Either way, sounds like you have a fun decision ahead of you! good luck!

Marc Gelefsky

I have a nice 90 C2 Targa in that range that I am selling for a friend, it's a nice and well sorted 76K mile car. Red/Tan

rwrink

First off, I want to thank everyone for the great input. It’s nice to see that people are fiercely proud of there cars but yet can see the advantages and merits of other models.

Some people asked for more specifics on the cars use;

Eastern Canada is the location, Moncton New Brunswick to be specific. AWD is not a factor as the BWM is. The car will be driven as DR. Porsche intended but the majority of the mileage will be just the ebb and flow of life.
The amount $20,000 is an amount equal to the MSRP of a loaded Cobalt, which from a cash standpoint makes a reasonable second car.
As for maintenance, I don’t mind spending the time or the money just as long as by the time I hit 20k I have the car sorted out to the point that I have some worry free driving ahead.

I would also like to thank CHAZZ for pointing out that the 928 would be able to haul more wine than the other cars, good point.

Thanks everyone, as the test drives come and go, I will post opinions and let you know how it goes.

Cheers

Robert

Mighty Shilling

I say go for a 1988 or later 944 Turbo S, do all of the routine maintinance (to give you a fresh base) and enjoy.

Or, like someone else suggested, a 1980 something carrera. we recently picked up a 1985 Carrera with 49K on the clock for $19,000. hell of a deal. good luck!

Porsche-O-Phile

911. Hands down. Best value retention out there.

rudidelange

928 the most expensive to maintain, 944 better handling car, 911 holds its value better