UpOn3

I'm considering the purchase of a Porsche for it's performance first and foremost, but what's the best model for a person on a family budget? I know that's a loaded question, but I hope I've defined my priorities to you enthusiast to help me make an informed decision. I'll try to keep this brief.

Background. I love to drive and have been driving for 25 years. I occasionally do HDPE events in my Miata and M3 to hone my skills. I always drive as fast as possible on the road with safety as a priority and with respect for others. I get occasional tickets but never in accidents. I can't afford a new Porsche now, but if I could, I'd buy a 2009+ Cayman S w/ manual transmission and limited slip diff (LSD). My dream car was/is the Lotus Elise/Exige. I love to work on cars, but no longer have time. I tend to like older models in most respects with the exception of technology brings to performance.

The most I could ever scrape up for a car right now is $40K but I'd rather spend as little as possible for something reliable. It has to be more fun than the cars I already own. I don't care for nor want the image the Porsche brand brings. I was thinking a 914, 944 T/S/S. Should a non-S Cayman be considered, are there any virtues to the non-S, it it at least noticeably lighter? Reliability/Repair/maint cost should be considered while factoring in that I'll be pushing this car to my potential whenever possible. Further depreciation is of little concern since I plan on keeping for 10 yrs and I 'm looking for a driver, not a collector. Is insurance cost a factor btwn P models? Is it too much to expect at least 20 MPG overall? By driving lead foot on the right pedal and feather food on the middle pedal, I can usually acheive EPA estimates. I can wait on this purchase so I have time to search and wait...wait for the Cayman S price to drop?

Thanks for your input!

JDS968

Excellence has been doing a series of articles comparing the "best bang for your buck Porsche" at various price points. I think the most recent article was looking at a $12,000 budget? Look for next month's issue.

$40,000 can really get you a LOT of Porsche, and you can still get a lot for much less (half that, even). But if you really are willing to scrape together $40,000...buy this. Now. It will be the greatest car you will ever own. And you will have no regrets, ever.

Frank Bullitt

However... what you really need to find is a 993 version of the 911. The last of the air-cooled ****'s. Classic and built like a brick Scheisshaus. Fun to drive? You GOTS to be kidding!

Roll on that and have a blast. Lastly, get your damn foot off that clutch pedal at every stop light and stop sign.

Sifly

Try a 944 turbo, my standard 89 car really upset some 993 C2's on a damp Silverstone a few years back. Fairly cheap to modifiy too..............moore BOOOST anywone?

RobE952

+1 on the Turbo 968. Awesome and RARE!

I own a 1988 944 Turbo S and love it. I think it is a bargain at the price I paid several years ago and you can now find very nice examples around $10 - 15K. They are easy to modify to very high levels of performance. That said... I wish I had picked up a 968 instead. They were more expensive and less powerful so I when I found the Turbo S I jumped. However 968s have more modern styling, 6-speed, and a fantastic 16V engine. The stock power might be good enough for some, but this turbo example would be exactly where I would start if I could do it all over again.

ATL986

That isn't a 968 turbo, it is a clone. It is fairly well done, but it isn't original, and not worth 40Gs IMHO. I would say it is a 19,000 dollar 968 with a 2000 dollar turbo kit.

Bang for the buck in my eyes is the 944 Turbo

pnbell

Air Cooled 911 Turbo!! 930 Turbo anyone?? Ha ha! My personal favorite, and you would have plenty of cash remaining for maintenance.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/...d7bb614322.jpg

azbanks

Best bang for the buck is the 944 turbo. Buy a great one for $12,000 or buy a $5000 example and spend $7000 turning it into a great one.

sweet928

Best bang for the buck is a 928, hands down! Porsche built it a super car and put it at the top of the Porsche...V8 power, 50/50 weight, GT cruiser. Old ones can be had for a few thousand and 40k would get you a mid miles GTS. The 928 was++100k car in today's dollars. Hands down, 928 is the best choice. Go onto the 928 fourm here and announce you want to buy someone's well sorted 928 and if everyone here knows the car and vouches for it - you will not be dissapointed. Good luck.

BTW, if not a daily driver, consider collector insurance. I pay 250 a year - which is fantastic in NJ. My DD is 1k a year.

JDS968

Porsche made a 968 Turbo S and a 968 Turbo RS. There never was any "968 Turbo" so it's not a clone of anything. You're way off on the valuations though, that's a hell of a lot more than a $2000 turbo kit...the engine management alone is $4000.

A 944 turbo is better bang for the buck in a lower price range, but when you're looking at a $40K budget, you get to the point of diminishing returns...the first $20K of 951 is great bang for your buck, the second $20K isn't getting you much more value.

AutoAtlanta

What I had meant was, the listing that was shown did not come from the factory with a turbo installed. It is clearly a Turbo S "recreation", but it started life as a "regular" 968. Still don't think it is worth 40 grand.

(formerly ATL986)