It'sGoTime

What do you guys feel is a better "investment" (i.e. will lose the least money over time) under $45,000 between a 996 C4S, a 996 TT, and a 993 Carrera?

Obviously, they are three very different cars, with their pros and cons. I personally think the 996 C4S is more attractive than the turbo, with its clean lines accentuating the widebody design. The 996TT's exterior design is a bit busy for me, but you don't have to deal with the IMS issue. Lastly, I believe any 993 to be a pretty safe bet value-wise, even the sometimes-despised cab. and tip. versions.

Any thoughts?

tooloud10

Best investment is easily the 993, but the best car is easily the 996TT.

kmagnuss

tt

alpine003

993 easily

FRUNKenstein

If you buy the 993 Carrera, you would be doing it as an investment and not for performance or comfort. So, if it's an investment, you really shouldn't put many miles on it. A trend now is for 993 owners to sell their cars because they don't feel that they can enjoy them as cars anymore. So, they are getting out while the prices are high and buying better cars (996's and 997's) that they can drive and enjoy (and sometimes still have money left over).

The time to buy a 993 Carrera as an investment was 5 years ago. If I were buying a car as an investment now, there are other cars that have better potential for an increase in value due the rapid rise in value that he 993 has recently experienced.

Having owned a '99 C4 aero coupe and now a 996TT with X50 package, I can tell you that a NA996 will give you 98% of the turbo experience, especially if you don't appreciate the looks of the 996tt.

If you found a good C4S with the IMS bearing already addressed (and verify that it was done and done properly) and were able to get it at a reasonable price (I've seen some C4S's priced higher than a comparable year and mileage 996tt, which is ridiculous), then go for the C4S.

FRUNKenstein

So far, I see that you've gotten a resounding consensus on exactly what course of action to take.

porschemikeandnancy

I think the 993 will have more appreciation. However, as others have said, more and more air-cooled 911s are becoming Trailer Queens and not being driven every day.

Marvinta

Why is this true?

redlineblue

C4S for me, easy:
1) I freaking love those hips, that ***.
2) I don't need the extra overhead attending the TT and I think I like the smooth flanks of the S better than the vents of TT
3) Genuflect as you may to the 993: a late-production 356 was 'the last of its kind' too, but an early 911 kicks its *** in every performance metric you can name, while bearing the burden of (gasp) of updated engineering and (the horror!) modernized production techniques/facilities. We are talking about performance cars, right? Your $38k 996 C4S curb-stomps a $45K 993 in every dimension except 0 - legend time.
(the fact that "purists" are folks who cling to the past of this relentlessly progressive company, instead of just respecting it, has cracked me up since my first Porsche, 25 years ago...)

redlineblue

Oops, you asked about investment. I *buy* cars, and *invest* in stocks, education, and real estate. So I have no idea. Are there any 'buy low' 993s left?

Dennis C

From an investment standpoint, I believe that the 993 is the way to go.

As others have mentioned, the 996 turbo is a better car overall and will be a better driver.

sweet victory

Turbo has a journal bearing instead of a ball bearing.

Slakker

Figure out what you want to do with it first. If you are looking to track it, you may be better off spending less on a C4S and having money left over to start getting it the way you want.

If all you want to do is rat race around town and look cool, 996TT is the hands down winner. You'll still want an exhaust and tune for it.

I've seen 993s with high mileage and rebuilt engines in the upper 40's but they are getting harder to find. I think it will hold it's value if you get it in the low 50's but those cars just aren't worth that much to me.

It'sGoTime

Thanks for the replies all. I've wanted a P car for many years and am considering buying my first one in the next 6-12 months. However, I flip-flop as to which one I really want!

KCattorney, I agree with you that the time to buy a 993 was 5+ years ago. You mention other models may be better investments over the next few years - care to elaborate? I personally think the 968 is way overdue to appreciate...but that's another topic

I am looking for something that would be a weekend/evening toy only, not my daily driver, so I don't expect to put many miles on it. I'd like to stay under $45K and have considered everything from 964/993s, 968s, some of the special edition boxsters (RS60, 2011/12 Speedster), and 996/997s.

It'sGoTime

Also, to address slakker's point, I have no desire to track whatever I buy. It's main purpose will be to simply be an elegant weekend cruiser.