Been sick the past couple of days with way too much time on my hands to lay around and think. Started surfing these forums back in August with the intent of learning as much as possible and eventually purchasing a brand that I have admired for the past 30 years (45 years old now). Lots of doubts started creeping into my thoughts the last few days and I need some help getting them out!

• I am far from a great driver. Never have owned a "sports" car. Will the 993 be too much for me to handle? Can this car be your first entry into a sports car or should I start somewhere else?
• Saying I am not mechanically inclined may be an understatement. I have no skills and honestly am afraid to learn on this car! Good news is that there are 5 Porsche dealers within 1 hour. I'm in the Philly, PA area.
• I am FAR from wealthy. I'm a great saver over time. Not sure that is ideal when you own a 993. Per my comment above, this car would need to be at the shop for items that the majority of you would laugh at and fix in an hour.

Car would be for weekend use as I am in sales for a major consumer goods company and have a company car for my daily routine (Toyota Prius - What a feeling change that will be going from the daily driver to the weekend ride!)

As I've gotten older, I've started to take more chances and do some things outside of my comfort zone. This would be one of them. So, I ask, am I crazy if I continue the quest for the 993?

Thanks!

 

Go for it

Its best experienced first hand

Certainly a 993 will not get you in more trouble then your Pirus

But how wild you go depends on how much self restraint you have

Depending where you're in PA, I've only had great experience with these guys:
http://www.secondgearperformance.com/
http://www.dawesmotorsports.com/

YMMV

 

No, you are NOT crazy. I can't fix many things myself and I am very pleased with my 993. I am not a racing fool but love my car like no other. With so many shops around you will have no problems. I have to drive 90 minutes one way to get to my mechanic. Oh well. The key is buying the right one to start with, not getting an abused, neglected example. You have the good fortune to live near Tim Holt in West Chester. I bought my 993 from him and drove it home to NC. What an experience! Even if you don't buy from him, he is a walking dictionary of Porsche information and he is eager to talk Porsche with anyone. His website is www.holtmotorsports.com Good luck to you. Feel free to PM.
** By the way, I am not wealthy either, not even close, but I bought my dream car and no one will ever take the ownership experience away. I did it, and I am now 56.

 

If you buy the right car and buy it "right," the depreciation say over 5 years will be minimal at worst for a 993. Virtually impossible on any other car like this. Sounds like you should look for one of those "higher mileage" ones that all the repairs have been completed. For a coupe you're looking at high 20's and a cab mid 20's, especially if you buy it off season. By the way, lots of guys on this board who don't service their own cars. Finding a great air cooled Porsche independent is the key.

 

It's better to regret something you HAVE done, than regret something you HAVEN'T done. I say jump in, both feet. Do your research, and WAIT FOR THE RIGHT CAR! There are lots of people here to help you troubleshoot and it's really not that hard to DIY on this car for the most part. I think Deadhead has a point with the higher mileage idea. If I were you, I'd look around for one with a newer top end. Good luck!

 

No, you can not buy a 993 based on your description of yourself. You see, it has an adaptive ECU. it will let you test drive and take it home. But once it adopts to your personality it will surely activate option X016 (ejection seat).

Based on above, if you dare to buy a 993, make sure it's a convertible and you always drive with the top down. I'm just saying.

 

Actually, your in more danger of actually realizing you CAN do things on the car.

I say go for it.

Emerald

 

Hi neighbor! Welcome to the mosh pit. I find it is impossible to hang around these guys (and gals) without getting wet! So whether you know it or not, you're already in for a penny and a pound! I live in the NW of Philly (Gtn/Mt Airy) and have an incredible local independent who lives, eats and sleep these cars. Of all the various models, he loves the 993 the most. He owns four or five variants of 911 and also races when he is not at the shop.
I am semi-mechanically challenged, but am not afraid to try and do what I can. When I find something that is beyond my capabilities, I head for Woodlawn Foreign Cars and let John Banha do his thing. I have started to fix somethings, found myself in over my head, and called John to bail me out lol. The other valuable option is that I come onto this forum and find the most incredibly helpful (and mostly knowledgeable lol) enthusiasts who will bend over like a Philadelphia pretzel to help me fix whatever is broken. I almost always find someone who has, "been there, done that!"
As a teacher, my trees are obviously not laden with money and I saved a long time before finding one I could afford. Having said that, I would have been better served buying a bit higher than my price point (ie: finding a car that had already addressed many of the things I ended up spending money to fix anyway). I purchased my car sight-unseen upon the recommendation of the mechanic that did the PPI (a MUST) and who had taken care of the car for many years. I would NEVER do that again. A visit to see the car once you are armed with sufficient info about the nuances etc, is IMHO the only way to go!
Have you ever actually ridden in a 993? PM me if you want to meet sometime to talk about pcars.
Regards and happy hunting!
PS: Sorry for the long post. Must be the caffeine

 

...But didn't you hear the cabs are worth less and are less desirable and collectable compared to a coupe

Especially black cabs.

 

Sorry, I LOVE my cab and wouldn't give up the great summer night drives with the wind blasting around my head. Less desirable - not in my book.

 

I think you might have missed the joke I was making, I have a Cab and I always hear people talking and writing about it's diminished value because it's a cab.

 

They are more desirable, actually. You don't want to bang your head on hard metal when X016 activates.

 

Life is too short! Live the dream! Enjoy the quest, if the 993 isn't within the budget yet, look at a well kept, maintained 80's 911SC or later Carrera. Join your local PCA and do some of their skills days and organized tours.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^Very good advice about the 911 SC. I also have a 1980 SC and it is just as fun to drive if not more. Sometimes more horsepower and speed doesn't always equal more fun. The SC is a great car for the money. If I couldn't find the right 993 I would definitely look into a SC.

 

I would, in all seriousness, suggest a second generation Miata to the original poster. It's an easier car to own, at least as much fun as a 993 and a good step towards understanding whats and why of sport cars.