I know this is an apples to oranges type thing but many of you might have experience with these apples and oranges. I'm about ready to buy my first Porsche. I always wanted a 911 (pre-964). The 964-993-996 era didn't really do it for me looks wise. Then came the 997 which I like the looks of alot.

So if I could get a 997 for the same price as a nice late model 911 (87/88/89), I'd have a tough decision but I'd probably go with the 997 because it would be easier to drive. Again, I'm mainly going on aesthetics. Even the base models of these cars have more capability than I have ability. The only real factor for me other than the aesthetics are the maintenance costs, and this isn't a huge factor as this would be a weekend car for me.

So right now, it seems I can buy a pretty nice G50 911 for around $20K. These cars seem to be relatively easy to maintain, mostly mechanical and rather robust.

But it seems I can also buy a 997 with similar milage to a nice old 911 (60K) for around $40K.

So it would probably cost me $20K more for a 997 right now but that premium will continue to get smaller for a while.

I'm not in a huge hurry. I could wait a year or two (I've already waited about 35 years). So my question is, where do you think the price of a decent base model 997 will start to stabilize and when? My guess is that 2005/2006 base 997's will stabilize in the low $30s within a year or so.

Also, for those of you with some recent experience with both, how would you compare the annual maintenance/consumables of a 60,000 mile 997 with a 60,000 mile 911 if I were to drive it around 5K/year?

 

Very much apples and oranges as you say.

If you really always wanted a classic 911, why not just get that and be done with it? They're pretty much done depreciating and will only get older and more used the longer you wait.

 

I used to own a 1989 911 Targa, the one with the G50 tranny. I now own a 2006 C4 cab (also a manual). And you're right - apples and oranges.

The 1989 was a very fun car to drive, but to me, it was more of a sporty car than a sports car. It only had 217 HP, so it wasn't a quick car. It wasn't a car that made me go "holy %#$#" while accelerating. But it was a car that I really enjoyed because it's a very "raw" driving experience. Air-cooled engine, no power steering, fairly minimal interior (by today's standards), some creaks and rattles, etc. And...it had that old car smell that let you know it was an older machine with a unique history.

I contrast that to the 997 I have now, which IS more of a sports car to me. While it's certainly not an "S" or a Turbo or a GT3, it's got enough power that it DOES make me go "holy #@$#" when I take off in it. But, it's not as much of a raw driving experience, it's much more refined. I don't feel the road as much in this new one as I did in the old one.

So for me, two different driving experiences. As you said, apples and oranges. Which one would I pick if I could have only one? The 997. It's got the looks, the heritage, the power, the handling, the amenities, etc. For me, it's a true sports car (whose capabilities far exceed my driving abilities), not just a sporty car. Which is exactly what I was looking for.

As far as maintenance, I never had a problem with my old 1989. I had it professionally checked out when I bought it, and I think the only thing wrong was one cylinder that had low compression (needed a new gasket IIRC). Never had any problems with it in the 3 years I had it, and I put around 6-8k miles a year on it.

I haven't had the 997 but about 2 months, so it doesn't have enough of a maintenance history with me yet to comment on it. But I'm not anticipating anything out of the ordinary vs. any other 911. Yes, they're a little more expensive to repair, but to me, that comes with the territory. My old 911 Targa needed the targa roof repaired due to age, which was $800. Par for the course.

Anyway, not sure I made your choice any easier. I think they're two types of cars you'd just have to drive both a few times to know "I HAVE to have this one!" I think Porsches are like music, art, wine, etc... You have to hear it, see it, taste it, etc, and then when the right one comes along (no matter what model it is), you just know you HAVE to have it. It was that way with both the 911's I've bought.

Good luck!

 

Can't compare the 1980s 911 to the 2000s 911 in oh so many ways.

Main thing might be: Assuming you're no longer a 20-something it's just not the same car in terms of being able to drive it on a daily basis.

Yes it's sad: getting old; getting used to luxury, power, safety, comfort and convenience. It's the only way to exceed 100mph+ everyday and live.

 

997 would be your daily drive, 911 would be your garage vintage car, driven a few times a month only!

 

At 5k miles/year, it sounds like primarily a pleasure vehicle. If so, I would get a really nice G50 911 for $20-30k. As nice as an early 997 for $40k is, it does not have the soul of a pre-1990 911. Having had both, I don't see myself every owning another early 997 (unless it is a GT3), but I will have another '84-89 911 at some point...

 

Thanks for the feedback. I guess many of you know and have lived this story. I was steadfast in wanting a 911 for about 16 years. And then the 997 came out. And now that the price difference is closing I'm distracted by the shiny object (997).

 

I hope not. I can imagine nice cars stabilizing in the low 40's and maybe some high milage dogs dropping into the mid 30's but I don't think it's going to drop as low as you hope.

 

05's with 50K+ miles are going in the mid-thirties now (final sale price). These would be of the higher mileage non-S variety.

There is a premium when moving up to the 06's, but the coupes are in the low $40's now. Mileage in the 30k's. I've noted a clear premium when moving up from 05 to 06; might be due to the IMS change (just my opinion or guess).

The above is for non-S's, non cabs. I've been tracking prices very carefully. There is still a large range, but the above are the lower of the ranges.

Lots at these prices in the NYC area. Of course, these are not the creme de la creme cars. You can add $10k for the same cars on the P dealership lots. And another $10k if its's a C4S Cab with low mileage. Getting you into the 60's.

All just my opnion (and what I am seeing).

 

For the record they are all 911s, and yes they are all different. The 997 is the 6th generation.

 

+1

 

Thank God, someone said it. They ARE all 911s.

 

I always have a soft-spot in my heart for the 3.2L Carrera with the G50 transmission. It is kind of with the original classic 911 look yet is modern enough to drive everyday (the G50 shifts nicely without the stirring a straw in a milkshake feel, and even the a/c can be 'cool' enough if in top shape.)

When choosing a 3.2L Carrera, just to make sure it doesn't drink oil. If it takes a quart of oil in every, say 500 miles or so, it might be a sign of the worn-out valve guide and it might due soon for a engine topend job (which could cost dearly.) It has been too long for me to remember the details, and I think if you ask the folks in the 911 forum here, they will gladly provide more correctly information.

Otherwise, the G50 3.2L Carrera is one of my favorite 911s of all time. With proper care and open wallet, it can be a keeper forever. There are still plenty of pre-owned 997s in the market today, but you can find an excellent example of G50 3.2L Carrera get it first.

Regards,

 

Thats what I have , 996 is the daily driver and the 911 SC is the weekend fun car when the weather is nice. It's also a great little car to learn to work on.

 

I posted my question on both the 997 forum and the 911 forum. Interesting that the 911 folks are nearly unanimous in recommending a 911 for me but the 997 folks are also leaning towards recomending a 911 for me.

Please don't take my differentiation betweem 911/997 as implying that they are not "all" 911s. I just find the series numbers a shortcut to differentiate between the model years.

One of the themes that is emerging is the idea that you can have fun driving a "classic" 911 at any speed while you need to push a 997 to really "feel" it. I'm not a big speed freak so that is helpful to know.

Your feedback is appreciated. I will definitely be doing a good PPI before I buy anything.

Todds911 is seeing the same thing as I am on prices. That's why I'm thinking that the premium for a 997 is about $20K right now and I should have some pretty good 997's to choose from in the low-mid $30's within the next year.

I know that I have to drive both and that will hopefully push me in the right direction.