What should I buy?

[6e0ff]

I thought about putting this in the Marketplace forum, but I thought here might be a bit more appropriate since it isn't so much about how much cars are worth.

When I get back form Afghanistan in a few months, I will be taking the plunge into Porsche ownership again (I owned a '74 914 1.8 about 10 years ago). The budget is somewhere around $45k. Some of the options that I'm considering are as follows:

- 997.1 C2S, maybe a cab. I like the open roof thing, but I also like the driving dynamics of a coupe. A C4S Targa would probably be the best of both worlds, but at this point they are a bit over my proposed budget

- a nice 356 coupe

- a 60s 911, S if possible

- a driver 356 coupe for $25k - $30k and spend the other $15k - $20k on an SC or a 3.2 carrera

All of the cars have their appeal. I have loved the 356s for a long time and have always promised myself that I would own one someday. I also really love the look od the early narrow body 911s. Hopefully the older cars would hold or increase in value over time rather than losing value like the 997 would. I doubt that I will track the car or cars that I buy, they would be for general fun driving possibly trending towards a daily driver for a newer car. I'm pretty handy and am not afraid to turn my own wrenches. I'm not sure that I'm for a major body restoration of a car, but mechanical and interior workaren't a problem. So what do you guys think? I still have a lot of time to sit and think and look for deals before I head home, so there is no rush to move on something.

[Laneco]

If you have alway promised yourself a 356, and now you have the money (earned in the abysmal place that is Afghanistan), then your choice is already made.

The only question is, one super nice coupe, or one driver + an SC. Personally, I'd go for the driver and the SC, but I have a such a soft spot for SC's that my judgement is clearly prejudicial in this matter.

angela

[Paul K]

How about a 993?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Paul K

How about a 993?

Yes, if you are going to be limited to a single car, as a driver, I would get a 993 C4S, other wise do what Angela suggested..

[id10t]

Driver 356 SC and a 911 SC

[6e0ff]

In regards to the 993, I hadn't really given them a lot of thought to be honest. I do like the looks of the 993s quite a bit. I guess my only real objection to them at this point is that I think people want a bit too much money for them. Some folks seem to be willing to pay a big premium for the last of the aircooled 911s. Personally, I just don't think they are worth the price premium that they seem to command. It is a 15 year old car now and people seem to want as much for them as they do for a 997.

[cairns]

The reason they're worth more is they're more appealing and harder to get.

The 997 is a better overall car but IMO (and I own both) the 993 is a better Porsche. Harder to drive fast, more rewarding when you do, better built, more etheral and (IMO) much better looking.

Besides they're going to continue to hold their value better than a 997 (and way more than a 996) so they should be considered the better investment. But I wouldn't get the 4WD version of either. Waste of space, too much understeer, less fun.

[Hugh R]

Where will you live? Is A/C of importance to you? If so get the 993 especially if it will be your DD.

[cbush]

Originally Posted by 6e0ff

In regards to the 993, I hadn't really given them a lot of thought to be honest. I do like the looks of the 993s quite a bit. I guess my only real objection to them at this point is that I think people want a bit too much money for them. Some folks seem to be willing to pay a big premium for the last of the aircooled 911s. Personally, I just don't think they are worth the price premium that they seem to command. It is a 15 year old car now and people seem to want as much for them as they do for a 997.

Right- so don't buy one. I paid "a big premium" because it was the last aircooled 911. And it is beautiful, and awesome to drive. Last thing I would do would be to sell it just because it is a "15 year old car now". If you want a real reason not to buy one, they are wicked expensive to have maintained. Another reason, I wouldn't sell mine for less than a "big premium" as I invest a lot of money in it. In the Porsche market, you get what you pay for.

If you are looking for a deal, get a 996. They are awesome cars, and a bargain.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by 6e0ff

In regards to the 993, I hadn't really given them a lot of thought to be honest. I do like the looks of the 993s quite a bit. I guess my only real objection to them at this point is that I think people want a bit too much money for them. Some folks seem to be willing to pay a big premium for the last of the aircooled 911s. Personally, I just don't think they are worth the price premium that they seem to command. It is a 15 year old car now and people seem to want as much for them as they do for a 997.

People want a BIT too much for them? LOL undertatement of the year.

I agree on the other points completely.

Iffn I was in your shoes I'd buy a very nice 996 or a higher mileage 997 and bank the rest of the money for the future.

[turbo6bar]

Depends on how much driving you want to do. If daily driver, I'd make certain I lived in a climate and region favorable towards older cars.

Will you have a second, more boring vehicle to complement a Porsche?

I'm not particularly fond of the depreciation lying ahead of the 997. On the other hand, if you spend $40k, get 6,8, 10 years of fun, and sell for $12k down the road, that's not terrible.

Sounds like you have your life ahead of you. My vote is spend some of the bucks on something fun, and like g-string, bank the rest for repairs, upgrades, and rainy days.

jurgen

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by cairns

Besides they're (993) going to continue to hold their value better than a 997 (and way more than a 996) so they should be considered the better investment.

A 996 will lose less money from here on out than a 993.

[6e0ff]

I don't want to ruffle the feathers of too many 993 folks with my comments. I do realize that I'm speaking from a position of ignorance about the car, never having driven one. I will probably be the typical tire kicker that sellers hate and test drive a 993 just to see what all the hype is about. It would have to be a pretty special car to make me seriously consider one though purely based on the numbers.

As for where I'm based, currently home is Minneapolis, MN, but that will likely change once I get done over here since there isn't a ton of work for me up there. I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to end up after I get back. Is the A/C that terrible on an SC? I know that A/C is out for a 356 or an early 911 of course. I assume the A/C on the 997 is similar to normal modern cars.

I have thought about the 996s some as well. There are incredible deals to be had out there, right now with all the concerns about motors blowing up. I just can't get behind the looks of the car though. A 911 should have round headlights.

E: I will almost certainly hang on to the Tacoma that I drive currently, so I will have some other means of transport if I end up going with the older cars. I also have a BMW R1100S that isn't going anywhere either. Love that bike so much. Might need to save some money to buy a house with a bigger garage.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by 6e0ff

I have thought about the 996s some as well. There are incredible deals to be had out there, right now with all the concerns about motors blowing up.

IF (and it's a big if) you'd blow a 996 motor, you could easily rebuild a 996 motor for the difference in price to purchase a nice late 993

[6e0ff]

As for the financial stuff, I am set a budget for myself of roughly $45k. Even after spending that I will still have a good nest egg set aside for investment and rainy days. The big knock on the 997 for me is the anticipated depreciation.

Again, I haven't driven one, so I can't comment on the better car, but not a better Porsche compared to the older aircooled cars. Driving dynamics are kind of a big deal to me. I've owned and driven the hell out of a number of miatas based on the fun-to-drive factor that they seem to possess. Even with all the "chick car" comments that you get from the Mustang crowd, they have been incredible cars, especially for the money. Porsche will always be my first love though. All of this discussion is mostly to help me focus what I look for when I get home, but it is also to help pass the time over here as I count down the (many) days till I get to go home.

[gtc]

996 turbo?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by gtc

996 turbo?

+1

Better motor than a N/A 996 (if you're a worry wort) and you can buy a pristine example for $45K. A normal driver for much less.

[porsche4life]

996 tt!!!

[cairns]

For $45K you could get a superb low mileage 993 or 996 and keep $10K in your pocket.

But I suspect that would only buy you a high mileage '05 997- and the repairs that will soon be due.

But drive them all and then make up your mind....

btw the 996 TT used a 993 block. The normally aspirated ones didn't. There's a good reason for that- durability.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

996 tt!!!

Winnar!!!! Or a 996 GT3. 997 has a lot of depreciation left in it, I'd avoid for that reason. 993 will have more Porsche character and will probably not depreciate anymore, but won't be as convenient of a DD as the newer cars. 356 would be a great weekend toy and collector item but definitely not daily driver material.