944TurboStar

My dad is 57 and is looking to buy a Porsche. He says he doesnt need the fastest Porsche just looking for a sporty ride that looks good. He says he doesnt want to spend more than $50K but will probably go up to $60K. Also doesnt want anything over 5 years old. What do you think is the best option? What should he consider? He likes the 911 look and doesnt want a Boxster.

I think he finally got jealous of my 944T.

Give me your opinions on the best buy out there.

Thanks

aeronautica86

tell him to get a 951 and spend alot of money on maintance and upgrades; I personally love the 993s, a really nice '97 or '98 would be right in his price range and those are great cars. however, he should be able to find a used 2000-2001 996 in the 50-60k range, or a really sweet 964 turbo....maybe a 3.6 drooooool

Moogle

he can pick up a great 993 Turbo, 1997~ ish.

in that price range you can buy a decent used 996 carrera, but nothing too fancy.

Monique

If your father wants to minimize depreciation exposure, he should consider either a 964 Turbo or a 993.

He then gets a "classic" (IMO) Porsche with all problems known.

I suspect a RMS failure on the newer cars would make a Porsche fan into a Porsche hater.

Steve Jensen

For that kind of cash, not needing speed, I'd get the nicest 356 you can find. They are only going up...

RJT

Steve's right (again)! There is nothing like a well set up 356 for pure driving enjoyment. Classic great looks. And if retaining the value means anything.....you won't lose a nickel on a 356.

Second best would be a 993. Because of the "last of the air-cooled" 911s, the 993 will be a sought after car for decades. Wonder why you can buy a 99 or 00 996 for less than a 993?

I still vote for a 356!
Check out www.europeancollectibles.com for a few examples.

Robert

SandyI

I definitely agree on the 356. Or a sweet '72 911S. Or if he's determined to drive a new car, LEASE a 2005. But buying a 5 year old Porsche? Not unless he'll enjoy watching the value of his car drop year after year after year after...

hacker-pschorr

The guys said "less than 5 years old" so a 993 is 10 years beyond that standard. 356? C'mon, get realistic. The first time he' s stuck in bumper to bumper traffic he'll be wishing for modern A/C and a good stereo.

This is the kind of response you get when a 928 guy joins the party.

I would love to own my friends award winning Speedster - as a 4th or 5th Porsche. Not my only one.

RJT

"A 993 is 10 years beyond that"...........The last time I checked the 993 was made up to 1998. It is currently 2005. Get you calculator out hacker! You must have got really good grades in math! The point was that the advice was that a 7 year old 993 is better than a 5 year old 996.

And many people use a 356 for a daily driver, some are equipped with A/C. But if a/c and a good stereo is what it's all about......never mind.

Robert

hacker-pschorr

I agree - sorry about the math.

Monique

Abject apologies mate. I completely overlooked the 356... (how could I)

Next choice? Like RJT said, the 993 in C2 form, either std or phat ***.

IMO, turbos and 4WD are a future liability coz of the extra mechanicals. No offence meant to C4 or turbo owners.. a statement of my perceptions.

944TurboStar

Forgive my ignorance.....I'm just a 951 owner......what is the difference between a 993, 996, 964. Where can I get more information or perhaps a list showing me the factory numbers for the many 911 configurations.

Also what do u think of the below car?
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...=en&cardist=38

SandyI

The first problem I see with that car is that its for sale at a dealership which means you'll be paying a 10-30% premium over buying the same car from a private party.

And in bumper to bumper traffic? I'd rather be driving a 356 with the top down than any Porsche built after 1973.

aeronautica86

964 is the factory designation for 911s made from '89 - '94
993 is '95 - '98
996 is '99 - '04

ciemo

As a 993 owner, I'd say your dad's options are limited to a 996 if the 5 years old thing is a hard constraint. I could have bought a new 996 at the time I bought my '97 993 cab but chose the 993 because I liked the looks better than the 996. To each his own. Now if the 997 had been out, it'd have been a whole different ball game.

My situation is different now. I think ... hey ... my 993 fits like a glove ... why trade up to a 997?
I could get the car painted, put on new wheels, redo the interior, and still have beaucoup bucks
left over.

The 993 has got the "classic" interior. The one thing I like about 996 and 997 cabs (and Boxsters)
is the way the rag top retracts and protects itself without the need for a cover.

Of course, if your dad can hold out, the new Cayman S (and presumed to follow Cayman) looks
like 911-like coupe styling, more horsepower than a 993, at a $50-$60K price point. It's a two
seater based on the Boxster chassis (mid engine) rather than the 2+2 of the 993, 996, 997.

Something to consider.

I understand the not more than 5-years old idea (I was the same way when I bought the 993),
but I'd suggest he take a look at the 993 (95-98) vintage and try some test drives. Get a feel
for the cars and their interiors. Have fun doing the shopping. Frankly the best buy may be a
993. There aren't as many of them as the 996 (one local pre-owned Porsche specialist called
them the ford taurus of Porsches 'cuz they're everywhere here in the SF bay area) so they
feel more unique. The major depreciation for the car will be in the first 5 years.