Lots of good points here, guys, but I think it only gets down to two questions: how much money he's got access to and his lifestyle.

If the kid's got rich folks, money will take care of high maintenance costs, bonecrushing insurance, and any of the mods he'd like (e.g. the red guage lights, which are available from jageng.com). It will also allow him to have a 928 and travel, too, as Nicole mentions (btw, I'm with you Nicole on the advice!).

However, I'm with Parnelli Joneser when it comes to the other big consideration, lifestyle. He'll be bummed out if everytime he wants to posse up with friends they have to take someone else's car because they can't fit in the shark! When I first got my license, I wanted to drive all the time, even though I only had a ****ty Renault Alliance! Ooh, I hated that car.... Anyway, it sounds like KFC is a driver, too, and it'll really hurt having to leave the shark behind. My advice: find a cool, quick, unique four seater, maybe even a drop-top. Or maybe a sporty European sedan like the 5 series Hinchcliff mentioned.

Here's a quick list of rides I'd have a rich high schooler check out:
1. for ultimate style: old German sedans and coupes, eg. 80's M-Benz sedans, BMW 635s, Audi turbo quattro sedans (older styles '86-'90). They should all be available in the $11k range as really nice lookers, and they all can get up and run.

2. '90s Swedish turbos, e.g. Saab 900 Turbos have phat styling in the coupe, and can be dressed up really cool, plus the drive like go-karts; Volvo 850 Turbos (not GLT!!) are speedy and can be dropped, chipped, and made to look pretty mean (see IPD in Oregon).

3. Subaru SVX, just 'cuz it's cool, though it's no more practical than a 928 really...

4. vintage American iron from the 70's, though prices have been climbing. There are tons of big, 2 door boats that you can load with friends and cruise in or monkey around town with, smokin' cheap tires. They look pimp, too. And you can customize them all day, easily.

Let us know what you decide on KFC...!

 

KFC
Try speaking with Mark Anderson of 928 international.....his 16yr old son just got a 928 as his daily driver! I'm sure he has some (father like) opinons of the pros-cons of a 16 yr old driving a 928 on a daily basis.

If you can find the right 928 (a well maintained/documented one) and allowed part of your budget for repairs..it could be a good vehicle for you....however between gas and insurance, it will be very expensive to operate...not counting a bad luck major repair expense.... It all depends on how much of a car nut you are.... Fanatical car nut, then a 928 would be fine.....anything less than that....then other more economical cars would be a better choice!

Brian

 

Unless you make a really good amount of money, or your parents are willing to help, i would suggest against a 928. I owned my first 928 when I was 19 and while I was able to maintain it - it was a drain on my finances (and I made more money than most people under the age of 22). A 944, BMW 3-series (e30/e36), or honda would be a better option. I have a friend who started with a honda accord that never broke (because they generally dont), then he moved into an M3 and all kinds of little annoying things broke.. .that's just the way it is. High performance german cars will do that.

 

I would reccomend a post 85 944 or 944S. They have better AC The best one out there would cost you 8 grand in showroom shape.

I would also reccomend a 3 series BMW, but my personal choice would be an 83-89 BMW 633 or 635. They look good, run well and are incredibly simple to maintain. There is an article on them in this months Bimmer magazine.

If you really like Porsches, see if you can find a library that subscribes to Excellence magazine. Go through the back issues and you will find a buyers guide for one model of porsche every month. It would be worth your while to read a few.

I really like Porsches, and I really like the 928, but I would only buy a Porsche after I found a mechanic I liked who could inspect one for me. I would also join the Porsche Club of America. Making friends there would probably get you headed to a beautiful car in your budget. Figure 4 to 6 for a nice 944 and a little extra to sort it out, like 1500.

I would still reccomend a beemer though.

 

Get an 86.5 stick. Many S4 amenities.

 

The Bimmers are awfully nice, but the problem is, everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE has an M3, so I've got to stay away from those. I am looking for either the old Jaguar-type lux ones or I might just save up a little bit more or down payment on a new VW, because all I hear about VWs is that they are the most reliable cars the owner's have ever had. Now that I look at it, I understand how much of a problem a small car might be with taking people out and moving things inside of it. I would pick the Bimmer over the VW if I could find a good one with the body style I like.

edit: I was possibly even looking into getting a 4seater Benz so I could round up the friends and what not. I think the look is pretty nice, with some nice wheels and a black paint job. But would I be able to find one in good condition for my price?

PS: Thanks for all the responses

-kfc

 

One piece of advice that is commonly offered to prospective 928 buyers, yet seems to be absent from these replies.... you should budget $2-3K to catch up on maintenance with any used shark that you buy. So, if you get an 86.5 for $8K, then have to do the catch-up maintenance, you're already at or near $11K with nothing left for mods. Here are some fairly typical repair costs:

TB/WP, usually mandatory: $500 DIY, $1500+ at a shop
AC repair: $100 to $1000 DIY, $500-$2000 at a shop
Steering rack: $500 DIY, $1000+ at a shop
Shocks: $500-$2000 DIY, $1200-$2500 at a shop(depending on shocks chosen)
New rubber parts in engine bay: $200-$500 DIY, $1500-$3000 at a shop(depending on model year, condition, etc.)
etc. etc.

 

After re reading this thread, I would also reccomend the SAAB 900 with Turbo and 5spd. Front wheel drive or all wheel drive are a must for those of us in the snow belt, at least when it is snowing.

I don't think there are any 911s in your price range. You might be able to find one, but you'd be broke after purchase.

My one BIG reccomendation. Why don't you go out and drive some cars. Start with cars under six grand and work your way up. There are lots of really fine cars of all types in and under that price range. Drive a few, and see how the Porsches stack up against the competition. You might be suprised at what you find.

 

Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, Edmunds, and other reliable sources of automobile reliability measures indicate otherwise. VW is consistently, year after year, among the least reliable cars you can buy.

Also, whatever you do, don't buy a new car. What a waste of money. Buy one that's a couple years old with low miles, and you'll save thousands not only on the initial cost, but in depreciation as well.

If you really must have a Porsche, a normally aspirated 944 is your best bet. The 944 Turbo is in the same leage as the 928 when it comes to maintenance costs, and you'll need to have lots (LOTS) of cash in reserve after you buy the car to cover maintenance, no matter which model you buy. Don't be fooled by the low price of a 20-year-old Porsche. They are all expensive in the long run. Unless you're a gearhead and can do most of your own maintenance, any Porsche will swallow your wallet and the rest of you as well. Good luck.

 

Here is my advice to add to some good advice already given. Before you do anything more, spend some money on Driver's Ed. You are giving reasons such as appearance, passenger space, etc. You plan to drive a vehicle that when it came out was a supercar, a Grand Touring icon, and today still has availble outrageous amounts of performance, most of it above 100 mph. You say speed is not a major issue. Lose the 928 lust in that case. Or take driver's ed. first. I'm not trying to insult you, just preserve your life so you may remember us all in your old age. And the driver's ed to which I refer is not pre-licensing driver's school. Join the SCCA or find someone in PCA that participates in DE events and accompany him. You will be glad you did.

And I'll add to the comment that the 928 was a $70,000 car; if you were to buy that car today what would it cost new? $120,000? More? Who knows for sure but price a new 997 for an idea then ask yourself for what purpose was a 997 designed? Not for carrying 6 -8 friends to a football game or church. And despite opinions I'm sure are to the contrary on this forum, not for impressing your friends at this stage in your life. This was and is a serious machine.

When I was in high school, I had a '55 Chebbie convertible, dumped in the front, scavengers hanging down below the rear axle, pinstriped, ...you get the idea. And why did I have a car like that instead of a Corvette? Because I could take several "friends" to the drive-in movies in the trunk and then they could crawl into the passenger compartment through the back seat And I lived at the beach when I was not in school. And finally because there were no such things as "motels" when I was in high school in Hawaii. I'm sure you can figure that one out. My girlfriend's dad lusted after a Corvette and so did I and I know he wondered why I didn't buy one instead of the convertible. (probably figured it out though )

I got my first Porsche in undergraduate school and couldn't afford to maintain it unless I worked on it myself. The choice was school or the car. Not a good situation. Please think about that, unless you can pay someone to maintain the car. The consensus among the 928ers I know is $2000 per year to maintain this supercar. I would buy the GTI knowing what I've heard about you. But that's me.

 

Mid 80s Jags with the 6 cyl. and Ljetronic. Good ones are less than 10

 

You mean less than 10 miles from the nearest mechanic. That's about how far they get before they have to turn around and go back....

 

Just remember that a new car depreciates by about 20 % the moment you drive it off the lot. Given the life span of over 10 years of today's cars, I think it is much more feasible to buy a young pre-owned car - preferably from a private party or maybe an auto auction. That's how you can get the most car for the least money.

 

I once bought an absolutely cherry VW bug w/ sunroof from an Army sgt. at Fr. Ord, California. He had maintained that bug in like new condition. It was even olive drab but nicely maintained and not a speck of anything on it. Interior was great and it ran beautifully well. What a bargain. My point is to search in places like that where people appreciate and take care of their property.

 

DITTO! Look for a '90 or there abouts. You can find low mileage examples for a good price. Fun cars and solid.