(I'll use the deLorean to order my NA981...)

 

On my way in to work this morning, I pulled in behind a 997 and a 991 at a stop light (all three C4s, probably the result of some distant cosmic alignment).

All three vehicles arrived at the next stop light at almost exactly the same time. Good value this 996, I thought to myself.

 

I've driven a lot of crazy exotics and American muscle (new and old), but the 911 (any iteration) just does it for me. It's almost like there's the 911, and then everything else is "cars".

Sure, I've enjoyed other stuff pretty well, and lots were faster by some measure, but the flavor of driving the 911 is almost indescribable if you don't already "get it". Didn't hurt that my first drive was an 86 930 Turbo 4 speed. My future was sealed before I even got home, somewhere between Jackson, MS and the Alabama line. Did a tired '74, an average 82 SC. Pined for a 993, then got one and was not disappointed with it until I drove a 996. Deal changer, and now my aged '99 still makes me very happy, especially for the 20k I spent. It's a lot of car, and one of the market's best kept secrets. It's amazing that guys come in to see a 35k '69 Camaro, and then wow over the 911 like they think they can't afford it. All said, the investment end of 911 ownership is not much of a consideration for me, it's all about the drive!

 

lol. same here. I think buying a brand new Ford Focus is a waste of money. buying a brand new porche of any kind is just absolutely insane.

but I don't have insane money either. I'd probably sing a different tune if I had 5 million in the bank.

 

Very well put. I feel that trying to get some monetary ROI with these cars really dampens the ownership experience. To each their own, but I'm convinced that the real value you get out of a 911 comes from enjoying putting many miles on them, especially with how affordable the 996 is.

 

Totally agree, buy what you want (brand new is funz) and smile as the miles go up, it's your car, don't "save it" for the next person

 

Agreed. If I'm ever fortunate enough to buy a new one, I don't care about depreciation. I don't care about performance vs. the previous model. I will buy a new one because I can order exactly what I want.

 

I bought a 2 year old Benz E350 because I could get CPO coverage for the entire length of ownership that I expect. I like this idea. But I don't like a lot of the features of new cars, such as poor visibility and electronic snooping...

 

If you are refering to the Assitance systems, blind spot, foward collision, etc, you can turn them off.

 

creepy black boxes, who knows how much they are reporting and to whom.

The ridiculous rollover standards led to tiny rear windows. The Panamera is typical, it's like being in a cave. My E350 was the last year when you could basically see out the rear window.

 

If you are that paranoid, then deactivate MBrace.

That being said, your smartphone reports more information than your E350 does...

 

Turning off location history in Google Maps is a good first step.

 

Actually turning off location services all together is even better.

Apple tracks more info than google and you can track where you've been yourself just from Apple's data on your phone.

Go to the Settings section, and hit the Privacy tab. Then, click Location Services at the top, which will probably say ‘on’. From here, scroll right to the bottom of the menu and click System Services. Finally, press Frequent Locations, which is the last option available.

Most avg peeps don't know that except the divorce lawyers or private investigators that track cheaters.

 

Yeah, but no - don't bother.

https://wrongfulconvictionsblog.org/...-how-it-works/

If you want to remain track-free, turn off the phone, remove the battery. Then, drive a cheap car from the early-90s or earlier. Oh, and obscure your license plate somehow.

 

Well if you wanna get down to the NSA level then you just need to buy a lead lined briefcase to carry around your old dumb prepaid unregistered flip phone.