ojpimpson

I love porsches but wanted some feed back.

Shark

OK, a few factors.......

Do you need the back seat? 996 if so
Are you OK with a 348 targa? You can't buy a decent Spider for '03 996 money
Are you OK with $10,000+ repair bills? You'll see those with a 348.
348s are pretty basic, no power steering, no airbags, no psm.

Nutbeem

OJ, just admit you killed Nicole and let's stop the charade...

slaaw

I went thru a similar dilemma recently between an '03 C4S and a '97 F355. Ended up with the C4S. There was a $25k difference in price, which I would have been willing to deal with, but the main reason I didn't go with the Ferrari was that I knew I would be reluctant to drive it on longer trips, park it overnight anywhere outside, and grudge paying for the high maintenance costs. The Ferrari would have been essentially a show off car for me, and I don't buy high performance cars to impress anyone but for the driving experience. On the flipside though, the 355 may have been a better investment as it may hold its value better in the long run.

lowside67

I don't know about that, unless you were to hold it for the truly "long run". If the 355s are anything like the 348s, their resale values are not long for this world!

programmatore

I've read your past post where you were hesitantating on pulling the trigger on a $50,000 996 Cabriolet. I totally understand -- $50,000 is a lot of money -- but if that is the upper end of your budget then I would recommend you stay away from the Ferrari. Ferrari's cost of ownership will be significantly higher than the Porsche's. Plus, I don't know how old you are, how clean you driving record is or where you live but the Ferrari may cost a lot more to insure as well.

I saw an excellent example of a Testarossa last year at Ferrari of Washington. Red with tan leather, low miles, recently completed major service at the dealer with just a couple of paint chips and a small scuff on the dash. Very nice for $75K (I could've probably talked them down a few thousand bucks). I was tempted to buy it as a fun weekend car -- it is too expensive to drive that thing daily -- but after I researched the service/repair costs and called my insurance company I said no way.

gravedgr

I'm personally waiting for an F355 Spyder to come into cost range, including all those unexpected expenses.

Shark

I don't see 355 Spiders EVER falling below $70k for good cars.

ojpimpson

Hear is A pic of A red on red 328 60,000.

ojpimpson

I am sorry 348 for sale up in portland asking 60,000.

Riad

A good friend of mine had a 1990 328GTS and a 1992 348 and he sold both of them.

You better be prepared to spend a LOT of money for maintenance and repairs.

These cars are NOT everyday drivers like a 2002-2003 996. I've driven both of them and they're older cars, just not as modern as a newer Porsche.

If you're interested I can get a list of the exact repairs and cost of everything he went through.

Rob

dallasboats

Riad is right. I love f-cars but be ready for the pinch. Also, these cars aren't worth anything unless serviced like airplanes. Buy the right car, don't settle for any body damage unless you're stealing it. Resale is awesome when the car is right.

IMO, not comparable the 911, the 911 is an everyday driver and a wonderful car but very different. I like both! Also, the more comparable would be the 355. It's a far better car than the 348 in every way. The 360 is even better and will cost you less maintenance dollars.

UserA

It also depends on when your next class reunion is, pulling up in a 996 is great, but a Ferrari.....oh the look on faces.

RAC

The key is to buy the right Ferrari. Buy one that has been well taken care of and make sure to do your homework. The cost of maintenance is not as huge as most people say. The major belt change is the biggest cost, done every 5-7 years at a cost of $4-$7k depending on what is being done and by who is doing it. Now don't get me wrong, if things go wrong the cost can be huge. This is why it is so important to get a good one. You do not want to be the one that is paying to sort out a bad car. As my Ferrari mechanic told me once, “a cheap Ferrari looks better in someone else’s driveway.”

So if I was looking for a 3rd car to have fun with. The Ferrari hands down. But, if it was going to be a daily driver then the Porsche is the one.

djantlive

Timing belt change is every 4 yrs. If you change it less often than 5 years, be prepared to have a blown engine w bent valves.