I'm looking at a few 997.1 models and need expert opinions on narrowing it down. Complicating my decision is that only one is local to me, so I almost have to make up my mind before making up my mind.

This car will likely never see track day. I will use it mainly for driving back and forth to the office a few times a week + weekend fun drives.
From lowest to highest price:
1) 2006 Carrera S, manual about 43000 miles. Well optioned, not full leather. One owner. $40k
2) 2008 Carrera S, manual about 50000 miles. Well optioned, not full leather but sport seats. Multiple owners. One accident reported as "minor" $46k
3) 2008 Carrera S, manual about 30000 miles. No sport chrono, full cocoa leather. One owner. $48k
4)The wildcard is a 2008 Targa 4S. Low miles one owner, but its automatic. I have a soft spot for Targas, but the automatic transmission is scaring me away. I have a feeling if it was local to me, I would go test it, love it and buy it, but since its 8 hours away its hard to make that choice.

 

 

I have a manual 997.1 and I have only used the sport option a handful of times. I'm a big advocate of the full leather option... the 997 shouldn't have a boatload of plastic in the interior. Really sets it apart. 48k might be a touch expensive.

How long is your commute?

 

I drive about 30 miles a day round trip - 50/50 "country roads"/stop and go traffic.

My other thought is to wait out 997.2 but they don't seem to break much below 50k yet. I could do 55k, but that's stretching how much I want to spend on the first 911.

 

If you're up at $50k you can hold out for a 997.2 Carrera S. They are out there. I managed to find a few between $45-55k, and one of them was a single owner with no accidents.

I wouldn't stress the miles on these cars at all, if you're going to drive it. If you're going to mothball it and look at in the garage to keep it as an "investment", maybe. But thats also silly.

 

I would relax and find one in the low $30's w/60-75K miles on it - Usually cars at that mileage have had major services done so you'll be good to go for a long time
Since it's your 1st you'll want to drive it for a while and then maybe sell it to find something nicer with more options like adaptive sport seats, PSE, etc. or find one with those options now - No rush - I understand your excitement but it pays to have patience and also make sure you get PPI done!
Stay away from Tiptronic transmission - harder to sell and not much joy in driving them

 

In a .1 car, has to have full leather and a manual transmission. With the current state of the 997 market, I also don't think you'll find great examples much below $40k unless you want a base and not an S, so from your list, #3.