pcarplayer

Haha. Given that post and the activity evidenced by the contents therein i'd suggest we have far too much time on our hands. Well at least those with tenure and a post count of over 1.5 per day. You know who you are...

John McM

The latest GT Porsche is talking the 996 up. Looking at mid $30k seems like a bargain until you realise a 996 Turbo can be bought for high $40k.

Have you sorted the headlights out for Lola yet?

nzskater

What's to miss about the older Boxster Doug? Genuine question. I've not driven a Boxster so have no real idea about their eccentricities through the iterations.

Interesting comments re 996 value and looks. I've had a few workmates interested in owning a 911 so have spent a bit of time looking into low cost options; the 996's present a very viable option. I've been recommending they steer towards the 996.2 cars due to the slight displacement increase, better torque characteristics and aesthetic differences but it's all based on reading with no real world experience.

IMHO the non GT cars still have a small drop to go in value but they're reaching the bottom of the trough.

Macca

Its a shame aye. I just finished reading 911 & Porsche World article on 996 GT3RS. Now selling 120-150K GBP.

My heart sank. The owners whos car was featured bought it 6 years ago for 60K GBP. Its quite clear reading between the lines he wont be tracking it any more and will be selling it shortly. Im not interested in a 996 GT3RS, (Ive driven in one and it was built for the track not the road and is very evident).

The shame is the investors are spoiling it for the collectors and the collectors are spoiling it for the enthusiasts. Basically if it has an RS moniker or even a GT3 moniker its off the table for the majority of Porsche pundits.

So that leaves us with the base 996/997 models. My read is the 996 & 997 TT are the cars representing best value right now. Manual over PDK and PDK over Tipo. The 996 GT2 is still frairly priced and would be a solid bet for a bit of fun before the prices get stupid.

On the atmo front, in NZ the 996.1/2 GT3 is unreal value and Im very surprised more in our group are not driving these (as you know from me harping on about it). These will be favoured by purists for their non turbo engines, rear wheel drive and motorsports provenance.

Venturing outside of the Turbo/Metzger camp you have the 996/boxster M96/97. These represent great value but unlike the above suffer on two fronts - engines of possible dubious reliability (on track) and gearboxes made by a Japanese company which are essentially sealed units.

Im finding it increasingly difficult to aspire to a "future" Porsche. Anything I feel that would be a bit of fun to own and thrash around a track or Targa is at the point where its not economically viable to do so due to its increasing value and scarcity (without the benefits of new car reliability and 4 years track cover warranty as I have with the 991 GT3). The new stuff is heading for many of us in the "wrong" direction IMO (automated transmissions, turbos, more electronics, bigger platforms, hybrid power). The old stuff are becoming relic shrines, many owners can no longer afford to insure them - even a few local PCNZ owners.

Right now the only answer I see is a cheap 3.2/964/993 to turn into your dream hotrod :-). At the moment in NZ at least its the only thing that can give the excitement and makes fiscal sense. Heck it makes more sense than ever to turn your 964 and 993 into RS replicas (with the price of a 993RS youd be saving 200K in the process!). I think these are a better bet than a 35k 996 C.

All IMO of course.

P.S. You can never have too much time on your hands I have found :-). Life is short and time is the only currency that matters.

mjg

Substantially different experience to the 996 Turbo, though. ~280kg weight difference, for a start off.

Macca

Sorry by future Porsche above I mean a Porsche in my future not the latest new Porsche.

Also I should make it clear my opinions are expressed by someone that prizes DRIVING these cars more than any other aspect of ownership. I average almost 1000km a week in a 911 when I am in NZ. Some years much more. I only want to drive them hard really so my views are not reflective of those that may have another version of Porsche ownership (i.e. Daily driver, show car, pub brag rights car or sunday fun car).

Obsessed

Thanks Matt, awesome (that roll of paper towels was hilarious) and I've just spent an hour watching some of his other videos.

PHG

you would not sell yours that cheap, would you?

John McM

Yes, I would. With low kilometer examples in the mid $60k range it would unrealistic to expect over $50k for one with 167,XXX km on the odometer.

If I only had two Porsche's I wouldn't sell, but three plus a GTI and ocassional visiting Integras is making life too complicated.

996tnz

Almost wish I didn't have mine, so I could buy yours. Anyone interested should know that they are potentially buying 2 cars for the price of one. They could run it for a few years as is, while getting to know it, then throw it a bone by way of an upgrade. Then they'll need to get to know it all over again.

A sensible upgrade would see you in for well under 60K all up - for a car that can still hang with most of the fast club gear at HD, and keep more than a few of the current crop of $200-$350K road machines honest.

Macca

There's no denying they are good buying right now (996TT). 65K asking for a 62K 2004 Tipo or the same asking for a 100K manual. Not sure what those would end up actually trading hands for but I think safe to assume 60K after haggling.

John I think you are right. You would have to price in mid low 50s to attract a reasonably quick sale selling in the late 40s/50. I think somewhere around 48K is on the money unless you want a drawn out sale.

There is little doubt these are the bargain of the Porsche world right now. But they are getting on and will require money to maintain. Will look cheap at 60K in 10 years time Im sure...

John McM

Macca, these cars do big mileage in the US so I expect that expenses are mostly of servicing and consumables, but you never know.

Walter, I've often wondered whether I should just bite the bullet, get the pipes pinned and go to the track. Truth is that I have too much on the go, too many options and not enough time. I've yet to pick up my golf clubs or go out on my windsurfers. As soon as the Integras are ready I'll look for more balance. One less car would make it all that much more simple.

Macca

John. Mileage is the perceived buyer issue not necessarily a real issue as we all know. Provenance and maintenance history is more important indeed.

By increased expense, I refer to age related costs. Suspension, bushes, shocks, mounts, faulty control units, abs electronics etc). The price on used cars falls but the original ticket price of parts when these were 280K retail machines remains the same (or increases). Labour charges too. 14 years ago I paid $80ph + GST 12.5% at CCS for work on my 993 and today the official figure is probably 130ph + 15% GST!

SIMPLE. Now theres a word that encapsulates my lifes goal these last few years. Everyone has a different version of hectic/chaos. At one stage having owned 3 x Porsche (at the same time) like yourself plus Joannas VR6 I am all to familiar with the senario. Its never simple even when they are all relatively well behaved. Sell the 996TT and buy some head space. Its cheap and will help you live longer ;-)

John McM

Meanwhile back to real problems. Email received this morning

"Ms X has asked me to write you regarding Cameron eating a large pizza-shaped lolly at school before the bell this morning.

This is against school rules but also there obvious health and learning implications when kids are eating things made entirely of chemicals, including harmful colourants.

He has been told by Ms X not to repeat this and I’m sure we have your support in this matter".

I am tempted to respond, but at my age realise the first reaction may be the wrong way to handle this transgression.

Secretly I'm wondering how a Greens supporter nut bar got a visa into the Bays. There should be a law against it.

Macca

Priceless!

Maybe they feel its another "gateway drug" into the world on nose candy and delinquency. Picking up on "SIMPLE" I think "Ms X" meets the criteria nicely. Its nice to know you have a "dietician" on board for those handsome annual school fees...