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I've read through pretty much all the threads here I could find regarding my questions, but have been pretty overwhelmed with the whole process lately. Huge amount of information on these forums though, even for the fairly basic questions a first time buyer such as myself.
I'm looking for my first real car. It will be my only vehicle, I rarely drive. I walk 10 minutes to work, I have a beater for grocery trips/errands, honestly I'd guess I've actually driven less than 1k miles this year, probably closer to 500. Id like check out the track scene, actually learn how to drive and be able to really enjoy the car. Mostly vanity miles, with occasional road trips.
Of course the 911 has always been my dream car. Sure, not a base model, but it seems pretty reasonable for my current situation. I've seen recommendations for a 997 turbo, 996 turbo, 997 GTS, 997.2, but think the 991.1 makes the most sense. I don't want to be into the car for more than 65k. There's some wiggle room here, but I'd rather be closer to 60 than 70 for sure.
This squeaks me into a base 991.1. It seems like everything I've looked at online seems very overpriced. Seems some people were able to get base 991.1 for around my budget a few years ago, so i imagined they would have dropped. I have also read about the guys getting like 20% off leftover '15s/'16s which makes me think about holding off a little more and looking that way.
Most of the ones I've seen are pretty bare bones as well. Which again surprised me since I assumed the options didn't hold value very well at all. Maybe just a super bad time to be shopping or I'm looking in the wrong places. Really sucks I want PASM since apparently it wasn't that popular for base models, same with PSE.
I've never bought a car at a dealership. I bought a beater about 6 years ago to survive with. I've read up on some tactics to get a better price, but again seems like prices are quite high currently for not very well optioned cars to begin with.
Also curious about mileage. Following the old caveat to buy used cars under 10k miles, prices rapidly leave my budget. Also read on here about how they are practically tanks, and putting a ton of miles on them isn't really an issue if they are properly maintained.
I originally told myself I wouldn't buy anything that wasn't CPO, but after learning about the other aftermarket warranties have reconsidered. It also seems like CPO is a massive markup. Mainly worried about missing out on things not covered, I'm assuming wear and tear is like brakes, clutch etc. I'm honestly somewhat terrified of screwing up buying a car.
You've got about 70k, you want your first Porsche, you really have no idea what you're doing. What do you do?
I bought myself a 2012.5 CPO C2S, 25K miles for just under 65K this spring (FSBO, not dealer). Nice options but far from everything (no sport chrono for one). I think you can easily shop with this budget for a base 2012-2013, at least here in DFW.
Whatever your time horizon may be, try moving it back 90 to 120 days. You'll have time to shop more, which may reduce your feeling of being overwhelmed. You'll feel more comfortable with the purchase when you do find "the one". Odds are that during that time there will still be plenty to choose from, and you will be more confident in your decision.
Decide what your 'must haves' are vs. your 'like to haves' and start looking. The "Hot for Sale" sticky here is great, and so is Porsche's pre-owned car locator. I did what you're doing, although it wasn't my first Porsche. I found a base Carrera, with a CPO warranty, from a dealer in SLC. I put a deposit down, flew out, drove it back. Fun.
Good luck. Get ready to smile every time you have an errand.
I just moved from a 993 4S to a base 991. Almost no options, just an engine and an MT. I found it to be the closest to the classic 911 feel. And I think it is great. I chose it over a 997.2 S.
I paid slightly less that $60k. I passed on a $55k base 991 at a Porsche dealer in Seattle.
there are some good deals out there... be patient, and in my opinion try to warm up to a no option car, you might like it....
Think only "must haves" I've been shopping are PASM, and a tame interior. Don't want to go down the rabbit hole of finding "the one", but also don't want to go down the other hole of "oh I can just fix this aftermarket"
Some of the surface streets where I'm at are fairly rough, and not wanting to be bouncing all around on a highway trip. Also really like the lowered look, so PASM.
No blue interiors with yellow seat-belts either, for me at least.
Had a new 912 69-72 and went on with life and family. Son suggested 11/14 I look at RL and got hooked. Got a barely used 2013 CPO (10/19) C4 2/15 and my face hurts from the perpetual grins since. Best car I've ever had in 55 years of driving. A base 991 is just fine and CPO is good too. Hope I outlive the warranty.
I'm obviously biased on the 991, but you might want to look at the 997. Prices are soft and inventory is plentiful. Great bang for the buck. But we hope you stay in 991 Land
I think that is true for 997.1. Not so much on 997.2 S or 4S... Almost same prices as base 991. Went down that route and chose 991.
It's definitely out there. Be sure to look at Cargurus, Cars dot com, and Autotrader as well. I recently bought my CPO 2013 base from a private seller in your budget with Sports Chrono, Premium Pkg, but no PASM.
Honestly, there are some options that you really can't add aftermarket (i.e. Prem Pkg) but suspension-wise, you can add Bilstein coilovers (OEM for Porsche) and get the lowered look you want. Just factor it into your budget and adjust your car budget accordingly. Good luck!
You seem very concerned that you'll "blow it" and get a car that wastes your money. Seventy k is a lot of scratch for one's first car (effectively) so I get that.
But you're focusing on the wrong thing; your biggest monthly cost -- with ANY 991, no matter how well-bought it is -- is going to be depreciation. And it's particularly bad for you because that monster will be chipping away at your investment even though you hardly put any miles at all on it. So your cost per mile will be high, very high. Even if not a thing ever breaks. Plus, a lot of the maintenance on a super-low-miles-per-year 911 is time related and will need to be done even if you don't drive it.
But take a look back at 997.1TT (as apparently someone has recommended.) Fantastic cars, will shame any 991 that doesn't say TT on the back. All Turbos come with a raft of standard equipment that is optional or not even available on Carreras, so you may not have to worry so much about your options list. Plus, everybody who buys a Turbo loads them up with more options -- not that many strippers out there. Seventy grand gets you into a decent 997.1. Fifty-five grand gets you into the best 996TT in the world, and it won't go down a penny in price unless the world economy gets hammered.
I went the 996TT route a few years ago -- took a break from NA cars. Searched for a couple months, had a very specific build in mind. I found exactly what I was looking for (silver/black; 6-speed, X50 Power Kit; under 20k miles; sunroof delete) with 17,000 miles. Paid 52k, put 8000 miles on it over the next 2 years, spent $325 on repairs (clutch accumulator leak) and whatever the standard maintenance was (a couple of dealer oil changes), and a set of tires. Sold it for $500 more than I paid.
I think that with either a low miles 997TT or 996TT you would have a fantastic 911, a great way to start your car owning experience, and the cheapest 911 you could buy for 50-70k.
I agree with most who say stick to low option. Most options will not be necessary for what your plans are with the car. Keep the car as basic as you can, and that will keep the price down.
You're getting great advice here. I was in your position 2.5 years ago, never owned anything more expensive than a Ford Escort GT. Likewise, I am a 10 minute walk from work. So, my Porsche is not a DD, but a weekend fun car, and my unnecessarily long errand car. Believe the Zen masters - in a 911, it really is the journey not the destination! Don't rush the buying process. Test drive many different trim levels and ages to get a feel for what you like. Hang out on this list and soak up the knowledge & camaraderie. Hone in on the essential options, color(s), and such. Get your budget, finances, insurance, etc. lined up. And, when the unicorn is spotted - pounce! Then, drive the living carp out of it. Even take it to work, the LOOOONG way! Enjoy the hunt, and post pics when you find the one...T
08-05-2016, 05:03 PM
