Danny Chik

Hello All ... first time posing! Hope everyone stay warm!
I am currently driving a second gen Audi TT 3.2 manual ... since a kid, I would always want to join the Porsche family! My dad used to have a 81' 924 Turbo second gen ... fun car
I would like to ask for opinion ... what would be a good daily driver Porsche under $50k ? I did do some research and seems 996TT has the good engine.
I like the 996C4S, 997.1 C2/C2S ... but there are IMS and RMS to worry about?
Please five some pointers!

cheers and have a nice Drinking Thursday!
Danny

Zookie

get the newest car possible in your budget...

Dr Mitch

In that budget, I'd be looking for a 996TT - especially if you are planning on driving it all year. Otherwise, 997.1 C2S.
Happy hunting!

LastMezger

+1 on 996TT. Bulletproof Mezger engine. No IMS issues.

Also, more depreciation proof.

jumper5836

For 50k the 996tt is the best car around regardless of everything out there not just 911's.

If you want newer the 997.2 is probably a good choice as daily driver but it won't even come close to a Turbo for performance.

For 996 3.4 and 3.6 I wouldn't go that route unless your getting it for bargain pricing (20k) and the 997.1 is no bargain right now and to me honestly doesn't have any better value over the 996 other then that they are newer and may have less wear so I'd only pay maybe 7k more for it over a 996.

boman993

I agree with the above; 996TT is the best value 911 right now for sure. You can pick up a really nice example within your budget....But...do you really want to drive a nice clean Turbo in this salty mess?

I'd get a 996 C4S for $25-30K, bank the rest of my cash for a rainy day. You could always be ahead of the curve and get your IMS/RMS replaced.

ronnie993tt

+1 on the 996tt unless you can spring for a 997tt. Both are awesome cars and there's nothing like turbo boost and that solid Mezger engine sans IMS/RMS/cylinder scoring issues.

jumper5836

997tt is more way over that budget, plus they changed the cam shaft design and they will also suffer spun cam shafts at one point.

destro

Porsche cars fairly reliable but, if anything breaks the parts are $$$. If you get a 996 TT, you'll be driving a 10-15 year old car with plenty of complexity. That being said, its the best value (performance / reliability), otherwise I'd look for a 997.2. IMS / RMS / Scored Cylinders are too big of a risk in the 996 & 997.1 cars, and I believe everyone knows at least a few people personally whose car had a M96/M97 engine failure.

StanThePorscheFan

This is THE golden rule of buying a used Porsche!

Yes, 996TT is a great car, but as mentioned above is now almost 15 years old. Any 15 year old vehicle will require more and more maintenance every year. Any part of a Turbo Porsche is $$$ more than similar part of a C4S of the same year. If you wanted a toy, yes! Since you need a daily driver, no!

Unless you need rear seats (if you think you do now, I assure you its temporary), I recommend getting a 2009-10 Cayman S. No engine issues, newer technology, mid engine performance, etc, etc... For $50K you will find one that is Certified Pre-Owned with under 40K on the odometer. Not only will you have a car 10 years newer than 996TT, but also much cheaper to maintain AND with 2 years worry free protection. Or find one for $40K with slightly higher mileage and save some money for track days.

Happy hunting

Stan

jumper5836

The worst adice ever. There are many reasons not to buy newer, it all depends on what you want and style. I honestly hate the covered bumpers of the 964 but yet I hate the head light change from the 964 to 993. Then again I don't like the position of the gear of feel in early models vs the 964 and like it in the newer models. Steering. Power steering ruins it for some, while the 996 is ok for others, then the 997 turbo and 997.2 awd 4's feel numb, 991's push it even futher. You can have a 25 year old car that require little maintaince and yet get a 4 year car off lease that is just failing all over and need lots of things repaired. The servo units in the 2005+ cars are crap, these are the little fans in the ac/heat unit. Newer to me means, cheaper. Porsche always finds ways to make it cheaper which make the car less reliable and more costly to fix.

996_North

996 turbo for that budget over NA 997 .1 I see plenty of them slushing through the mush here in downtown Toronto right now. Depends on what your comfort expectations are. Just try to get the lowest mileage one you can find (for interior wear) with a great maintenance history, and as stock as possible. If you treat it well, you may find they will eventually bottom out in depreciation and gain some value over time.

Danny Chik

Thank you so much all for valuable advise ... Personally I gravitate more on older cars since they give more FEEL and more DIRECT to driver - communication. I think I need to first test driver (if possible) a 996TT, 997.2C2/S, and second gen Cayman (S) and see how I like them!

Cheers,
Danny

StanThePorscheFan

and the 996TT is less costly to fix than the '09-10 Cayman S i suggested? or is more reliable being 10 years older? no and no

jumper5836

Not sure about that, maintaince intervals are the same as the newer cars and there isn't anymore that needs to be done on them then that. Tires and brake pads may be cheaper due to models having smaller pads and tires sizes but there is very little in cost saving there and also comes with gving up a lot of performace, rear seats and driving something where general public looks at it like a lessor Porsche hair dressor model, gayman rather then the flag ship 911.