R. Miller

I have a good delima. I have about $10,500 max to spend on a used Porsche. I've found the three models that would best suit me to be a '78+ 911SC, a '87+ 944 Turbo or a 928S4. I like the 911SC for it's duribility (for that year 3.0L engine) and it's namesake... I like the Turbo for it's horsepower and newer ergonomics and relability... And the 928S4 is a new option I've considered and seems like a good "middle ground". I live in St. petersburg and go to college. Some of my concerns are theft/vandilism (though I live off campus in a nice apartment building), maintainence ( i understand the costs overall of a porsche but per model surely varies) and ease of ownership as I am limited at times such as when i have to move (the 911 DOES have a small "trunk").

Any advice is appriciated as I want to make the right decision. Also I hope to start racing the SCCA so that's another factor. Thank you

Ryan.....by the way I'm paying for the car not mommy and daddy.

Jay Wellwood

I guess it would depend on your style - and other factors.

I currently own a 924S and a 928S4. Different cars - different personalities. The 928 rides better IMHO, is nicer inside, and performs better IMHO.

the 924 is good for running around town - but doesn't have the 'muscle' the 928 does. Kinda like comparing apples to oranges - but IMHO, I'd choose the 928 over the 924.

Can't say about the 911 for comparision purposes.

Good Luck-

joachim wunderlich

Ryan,

It's a wonderful dilemma to have!
I was once, many moons ago, in a similar quandry--I finished my degrees before I bought my first Porsche. Since then I have bought and sold no less than eight. I began by buying older benignly neglected models, refurbished them and then bought a newer model with the profits to begin the cycle over again. This means that I have owned all models of Porsche except the 914. It also means that I have acquired an appreciation for all the models and can say that they are all very different with different needs. None of them need to be expensive to own unless you purchase an abused one with the abuse hidden to the buyer. This is true of all of them not just the 928, etc.
I suspect you can guess my drift. Enjoy Porsche ownership and friendship with Porsche owners after you graduate. In the meantime get a subscription the EXCELLENCE and read and test drive all the models which might interest you. Knowledge is worth more than its weight in gold! The best to you,

joachim

JakeS2

+1 on studying and the do drive those cars. Once it clicks you will know... On paper stuff looks different that the real thing.

Ad0911

Remember to save some cash for repair bills. Especially for the 928!

928Myles

Looks like some thread resurrection (from 2001). I guess he made his chioce some time ago.....

Myles

gruffalo

I had a 928 while in college. Go for it!

Stephencs601

I like them all for different reasons. 944 turbo, the fast easy to modify car. 996 great DD stock, 928 nice cruiser, very comfy. All have their problems and it comes down to your reason for buying.

mike77

I live in the UK and over here prices for old 911's and 944 Turbos are on the rise 928's not so much unfortunately. I have a 944 S2 and a 928 S4 both 1990. The 944 is sportier to drive while the 928 is more comfortable with a little more room and better for longer journeys. Both are great to drive but in different ways.

The 944 will have better fuel economy and will be cheaper to run in my opinion and parts will be easier to get a hold of. The 944 turbo is highly customisable and you can get make good power upgrades fairly cheaply. I'm not sure what is so special about the 87 944, if it was me I would be looking for an 86 because you can put Fuchs alloys on it or a late turbo that comes with the 250hp over the 220hp of the earlier cars.

Either way you have a good set of cars to choose from.

Mike

linderpat

I'm guessing he chose about 12 years ago.

Vilhuer

It is public holiday in Finland today but its still very strange to see response to so old thread.

Andy Kay

I guess Jake (from State Farm) didn't have anyone to talk to at 2:30 in the morning so he posted to an old thread. That's funny!

911tracker85

since this got resurrected.

I now have one of each. 944 turbo not running yet, but it will ... it will...

dr bob

Gotta love thread resurrections like this!

I lived with 911's from that era and survived. With only a few period-specific issues that should have been addressed already in the '78 SC, they tend to be pretty reliable cars if they have been maintained. A ten-years newer 928 can be similarly reliable if it has been maintained.

All that said...

I started school with a '65 SC cab. Worked on it and the cars of others to support my habit, including renting workspace. Meanwhile, friends with rich parents drove newer cars, most had no car, some were driving beaters or hand-me-downs. I moved on to Lotus cars, a Mangusta, and a 246 Dino while still in school, and keeping them nice was a serious effort with a job, the repair business, and classes. Got smarter and found a nice reliable but bland 'murican car for the last few years so I could finish in one lifetime. Bottom line I guess is that, unless you are well-funded and have an endowment to support your car habit, keeping a Porsche alive while in school can easily be a huge distraction both in time and finances. Unless you are well-funded and have an endowment to support your car habit...

RKD in OKC

Get a van or station wagon so you can live in it when you graduate.