Uber 911

Having sold the 993 I'm looking for yet another Porsche and could do with opinions on one of the following;

996 C2 >2000
Boxter 3.2 S >2002
G50 3.2 Carrera >1988

Advice greatly appreciated.

Chris

bart1

I would be happy with a well sorted SC or 3.2, don't think I can say the same about the Boxster or 996 (maybe a GT3). To me the newer care are great but don't have the soul. I have spent some time blasting mountain roads in Europe with a well done 915 3.2 and loved it. Also of note is that you can probably get a nice 964 for the same or less that a G50 3.2.

Quadcammer

g50 3.2

Terry Adams

+3.2

Mark in Baltimore

Go with the Boxster if you want an open air experience. The 3.2 Carrera is going to be more old school and pure but it will, of course, be more antiquated. Personally, I'd prefer a G50 3.2, but keep in mind that I really like the air-cooled cars.

It's your money; do what makes you happy, not what we think you should do.

Marco8

996 and Boxster S will definitely outperform the 3.2 G50 in virtually every category. (speed, handling, braking, economy, as well as having greater comfort. convenience, and less routine maintenance-adjust valves etc)

But the 3.2 will retain value better, is collectible, timeless looks, and a truly raw ride that makes it a ball to drive (imho much higher grin value). Additionally the 3.2 is easy to wrench if you are so inclined which adds another dimension of connection to the vehicle.

What's important to you?

Chuck W.

There are some great deals out there on 996s and Boxsters. I have a 2001 Boxster S I bought new. It is a great car with the bonus of top down driving. All three of those cars are nice, and all very different. Go drive them and be guided by that. Good luck.

swmic

Like Bart said, don't count out a 964. I purchased one after I sold my 993 cab. The car really grew on me. It had a nice set of wheels, suspension, and exhaust mods. It was a blast to drive with plenty of power.

red89

Go with the 3.2. If you don't like it in a couple years, you can get what you paid for it. With the water-cooled stuff, you'll eat some big time depreciation.

Uber 911

Exactly my thinking... As you said the 996 and 986 are way better performance cars and the latter can go al fresco. However, they depreciate like a stone whereas the 3.2 keeps its value, but a half decent Euro hot hatch would trounce a 3.2 on anything but a freeway. Its a dilemma...

Performance is important
Depreciation is important
DIY wrenching is important

I've had a 3.2, a 994 Turbo, a 964 and I've just sold a 993.

CalvinC4S

Go with the 3.2, that car will treat you right.
996 can eat your shorts, I would never trust one.
Just my opinion baised on the ratio of motor failures.

Quadcammer

And what percentage of 996 motors have had failures?

clearly you've done research on that before gesturing about it right?

goofballdeluxe

Martin S.

back until now. But you asked!!!!

Buy a 87 to 89 Carrera, sun top delete if available. Get a DOT approved Euro version if you can, a little more HP. You'll get the hydraulic operated clutch and the G-50 Tranny. Crack the tranny and replace the brass synchros with steel synchros, upgrade the shifting forks, and if you have the $$$, go to a lower ring and pinion (higher numercally), or build a close ratio box, do one or the other...both are expensive as hell but dramatically change the car.

Now rip out the suspension and go with coil overs front and rear. Jae Lee at Mirage International offers this set up. Lower the car to Euro ride height, or lower! Add some Smart Racing sway bars to fit the expressed usage of the car, street, street/track, or track.

Next, add a power steering unit...there is an after market unit available, check Smart Racing.

Next replace the stock exhaust with a SSI unit and some trick mufflers, Smart Racing. Mount up a set of 17" forget wheels.

Add the Carrera rear wing spoiler and the matching front spoiler. Go to 100 watt head lamps for the front....Add a roll bar while you are at it.

Change out the seats to something more comfortable, or more racey.. agian your style dictates this.

Tweek the engine a bit...add the 3.2 P&C kit, go to titanium rods and rod bolts, upgrade the valve springs and retainers

Get a Valentine 1 Radar detector, upgrade the air conditioning to blow cold air... and now, ....you are in business.

BTW, if you wish to avoid all this and drive and arrive in comfort, buy another 993 To set the car up on a budget (I know this from personal experience) the best bang for the $, and ALL the parts will fit, add the Porsche factory M030 RoW kit with RoW sway bars. Leave every thing else alone.

If you are desperate to make the car quicker, the best pay off is a ring and pinion, OR a close ration tranny. A thorough rebuild with parts and labor, from $7,000 upward to maybe $10,000. The ring and pinion transforms the car dramatically. I have a pal with a 964..it has a 993 tranny and the ring and pinion mod...this beast hauls ***, big time.

944/951guy

Depends what you want.
Comfort?
Handling?
Raw Ride?

Me personally I drive a Porsche because I love Raw Sports cars. However I drive a 993 which at the moment is a little tame but I will fix that.
A 80's 911 is Awsome in my opinion in every aspect. I never liked Boxster's before but now I am starting to get a itch for one so a boxster S is a car I would have to drive to see if I like it.
Ok now for the 996, I drove it and it was "OK". I would buy one if it was a really really really great deal otherwise I doubt I would ever own one.