If I could have just 1 Porsche, it would be the most expensive 911 on the floor but, not having all that much $, I'm happy (for now) w/my 996 although I am thinking about selling it or trading it for something else, including but not limited to a 996TT and Panamera.

 

If money wasn't an option, I'd want a Gunther 993 or a Singer. To be fair I've only owned my 996 for 2 months and I've been deployed for 1.5 of that time.

 

It depends on how often you would need to take your kids along when your wife is already away with the Q7. Teens will not fit comfortably in the back of a 911. On the other hand, you already have a family car, so it makes sense to pick a "fun" car for yourself...

 

seems a lot of people didn't read the question.

If you can only have 1 car, and it has to be a porsche, I'd have to go with a Cayenne Turbo. No, its not a sports car, nor is it anywhere close. But it looks nice, is fast, handles reasonably well for an SUV, and is practical. I've had 911s and a boxster for going on 12 years, but I've always had another practical car. As much as you can use a 911 for your only car, its going to require some sacrifice and the *** pain of having to borrow, rent, or otherwise obtain a larger vehicle when I need to carry anything bigger, dirty, etc is just not worth it. Furthermore, using a 911 as your only car is going to make it feel like a regular car pretty quick.

911 as a daily driver when you have a 2nd car for other tasks= hell yea
porsche sports car as only car with kids/house/pets, etc....not worth the aggravation

 

I get it now and that being said... Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. I have a poor man's Cayenne, a VW Touareg TDI.

 

Carrera GT of course!

I did! it may not make practical sense but it's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

 

My personal preference is an early 80's 911SC. I love the style and refinement of them. And biased cause I had a 1980.

My 996 is so far good and I like it, despite a less than 1 year relationship to date.

For a modern P car, I would likely be going for a Taycan if the retirement funds allowed for it.

With having the kids and such - look for a Cayenne. They can be awesome.

Good luck. I do own a truck and would never consider it a 'must have' vehicle. I only have it cause it is better to haul 'dirty crap' than my Forester.

jb

 

Porsche is not a one-car kind of car. There has to be something else.

 

I’m going through this right now. I sold my 944 and bought a Subaru to race on dirt. It’s a lot of fun!

I have a 996 and 986 S both still. I didn’t want to destroy an M96 on the track, so I bought another inexpensive GM product for that.

So that means my Miata and one Porsche will be going by the end of March.

I’m going to keep the 986 S. I love having a convertible, and a 3.2 engine core is way less than a 3.4 engine core if things go wrong.

So my 00 Guards Red full leather M030 996 will be for sale soon.

 

One car? I'd make it a new Cayman or a newish 911 variant depending on my budget. I would immediately divorce my wife and sell the teen kids to the Gypsies. Don't expect to get much money for them no matter how much you might love them. The market for buying and selling teens is not very vibrant.
But you're not really asking about "one car" since, presumably you're gonna' keep your wife and your kids and you're wife already has a nice SUV with plenty of seats for the family.
So, I think, the question is which Porsche would be a good choice to replace your A-8.

Of course, the best person to answer that question is YOU, not people like me. But since you asked, I'll toss out some thoughts.

Smart move would be to keep what you have but if you feel the urge to own a Porsche, buy something for YOU because that's what owning a Porsche is all about.

DO NOT let your teen(s) share your Porsche. Teach them to drive it but make sure they know that it's Dad's car. Watch the move Risky Business and Ferris Buellers Day Off and be careful where you keep the spare keys.

Then get an older car for a teen training car but not so old that it doesn't have air bags. I'd shoot for something inexpensive and I'd definitely buy something which is less than perfect. I'd let that be the training vehicle for the teens. I'd announce this plan well before they're old enough to drive and tell them they're expected to buy into this vehicle if they expect to drive when they're old enough. The amount they invest need not be large, but some kind of effort on their part to earn and save a bit of money which they put into a car will be a good idea. Just giving a teen a car, no matter how rich you are, is nearly always a bad idea and a horrible idea if you buy them a nice new car. If you give your teen kid a new Porsche, you should be arrested even if you're a successful rap artist.

That pick up truck you mentioned might be a good choice, especially if you have a need for one. Ask for the kid's input on what vehicle to buy, but let them negotiate with you only to the level of their financial commitment. Spend some time explaining to your wife the wisdom of your plan and work out the parking logistics one way or another. I've got too many cars at the moment so next week I'm having a guy widen my driveway.

Get together with the teens and teach them how to perform the basics on their car, like oil changes, brake jobs, and so on. Maybe buy some neat after market components and install them; stereo system, junk-yard seat swap, dent repair, fancy wheels and/or tires, etc. You get the idea. This will pay off in the future.
I shared my Mom's cars before I left home and I was in the minority because as a teen I did NOT wreck a car, but I don't know why. For a few years I was a self-taught racing driver learning the limits of adhesion in Mom's car, one of which was a Corvair......... Yikes!

Most parents can almost guarantee that one or more of their teens is going to have a significant wreck. Do you REALLY want that to happen to YOUR Porsche?

Let them use/share the pick up truck or whatever kind of basic vehicle you choose and after a few years of responsible driving, you can decide (or not) to let them use your car for special occasions.

So the question remains. What flavor of Porsche? If you use the back seats of your A-8, then a Panamera would be good. I own one and to tell you the truth, the driving experience is a little different from my Cayman, but just as enjoyable. The Panamera has a surprising amount of zip and outstanding handling, especially considering the size/weight. Still, it's not a real sports car (even though it nearly feels like one), so if you feel an urge for something sporty and if you can use your wife's car for family events, consider a Cayman or a 911 variant depending on how much money you can justify spending. Any Porsche is going to provide an improvement over the driving experience associated with your A-8. Any Porsche which isn't super exotic can make a good daily driver.

 

I have been looking for Gypsies, but most want me to pay them to take the kids.

 

This is my stratedgy + no kids

 

Here's a better image scan of the Porsche "instant freedom" ad for you.

 

Well, I am just selling one, but the 944/968 body can be a pretty practical daily driver that is also a lot of fun at the track. the 968 is especially robust and reliable and you can fit lots of stuff in the huge rear glass atrium. But I am starting to think about a 996 C4 as not my one and only Porsche, but rather a replacement to my normal everyday car which has been a 530ix 6spd manual sedan. Having only one kids and she's big enough to drive herself places, I'm trying to decide if I can give up two doors and a comfortable adult back seat. Given that there will still be other vehicles around to use when something bigger is really needed, I think a 996 might be a good change for me as a daily driver soon. But alas, which one? A C4S? A C4? Or should a Porsche not be 4WD - I've never had a four wheel drive P-car before. And then a cab or coupe. Coupes are always great, but with no rags tops in my garage, a cab is a thought.
Back to the question: Just one Porsche - I would stick with my wonderful 968 race car. I hope I never have to part with it.

 

I picked it... this is the one...

semi low mileage and a six speed manual... fun every time I drive the car