Porsche Cab recommendation for a friend

tincob · 06:38 AM

I'm helping a friend with his first Porsche purchase. I'm a new owner myself (5 months) but when he saw my '87 Targa, he was pushed over the edge.

Like most of us, he's wanted one since he was a kid. He's not a car guy though so other than basic maintenance, he will not be wrenching on the car.

So here are his current specs:
- Must be a cabriolet (not even a targa)
- Budget of $25K
- Minimal maintenance, just get in and drive
- No preference on air cooled vs water cooled
- Mix of some commuting and weekend fun car (no DE or tracking)

Don't know which way to point him between 3.2 Carrera, 964 (oil leaking, dist belt), 996 (IMS) cabriolets. In thinking about it, a Boxster (S trim too) might be really good option for him (aside from IMS issue). With a budget of $25K, I think the 993 will be out of the price range but don't know for sure.

If I can help him pare it down to two models, then we can do some serious research into the strengths and weaknesses.

Or should it be just buy the newest under the $25K budget?

Thanks for your help.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I would get the nicest Boxster S I cold find for $25K

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

I have owned Boxsters and 911s. If he wants a true Porsche experience I would lean him towards an '87 - '95 Cab. If he wants the good old Porsche experience it has to be a 911 and it has to be air cooled. Might take awhile to find a nice one at $25K.

Christien · Christien's Garage

The "get in and drive" comment makes me think a boxster will be the best fit. An air-cooled 911 will always have something that needs addressing. With a 25k budget, he should be able to find a really nice 986 boxster, even an S, that should be rock-solid reliable for many years. And with that budget, you should have no problem finding one that's had the RMS/IMS addressed.

cashman · 04-24-2012, 09:55 AM

Love my 89 cab. Paid 25,000 couple years ago with 40000 miles. Could have been maint free but I have voluntarily done work to it.

tincob · 04-24-2012, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the comments so far.

I was thinking that I could line up a Boxster S and a 996 cab at a dealership, have him drive both and then see where to go from there. As a third comparator, he could drive my 87 Targa to get a feel for how an air cooled 911 wound sound and drive.

So we got a couple of votes for the Boxster. What would be the get in and drive choice among the 911's?

kaisen · 04-24-2012, 11:28 AM

It's an emotional thing. If the shape, sounds, and "feel" of an aircooled tug at his heartstrings, then buy the newest aircooled he can find. The 993s are stupid expensive, but you may find one.

But a 996 is the best value for a get-in-and-go 911 shape Cabrio. Cold A/C, stable temps, not as many leaks and issues.... the most modern feeling Cab for $25K.

A Boxster just isn't a 911, but may scratch his Porsche itch. He'll know right away.

David · David's Garage

996, hands down. Hard to find a good 993 for $25K. I still couldn't recommend a boxster to a guy even though it's a great car.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

993.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Of the 911s, I agree with 996, though with a 25k budget you might be a bit tight. The 1999s have the 3.4L engine. In the cabrio version, they're very slow and heavy. I drove a 99 996 cabrio and an 01 boxster S (3.0L) back to back, and the boxster felt much quicker and more nimble - all around much more fun.

He could find a really nice 3.2 Carrera cab for 25k and hope it needs nothing over time.

tincob · 04-24-2012, 07:50 PM

Any specific years to avoid/target:

- For the 996?
- For the 986/987?

I guess RMS and IMS are going to be a concern for either models. Correct?

One advantage to the Boxster is that the lower price allows for the LN Engineering IMS bearing upgrade and still remain under the budget.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I would strongly recommend a 3.2 at that budget. You can get a nice one for 25k and maintaining it (self and shop) is easiest on this model. I would pass up the 964 and go straight to the 993 if possible - but 25k may not buy a nice example.

A 996 may be tempting for price, but it will not hold its value. It also looks like a boxster IMHO, so might as well buy one of those ...

G

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Boxster (S or not) or 996 cab.

He's not a car guy. He's not a DIY guy. He's not going to want to deal with the maintenance or idiosyncracies of any air-cooled-vintage 911. Those are more likely going to sour him on the Porsche experience than bring him into the fold. Most people (particularly the non-car people) want Camry-level conveniences and reliability in whatever vehicle they purchase, Porsche or not. 'Course, you know your friend better than we.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

Boxster (S or not) or 996 cab.

He's not a car guy. He's not a DIY guy. He's not going to want to deal with the maintenance or idiosyncracies of any air-cooled-vintage 911.

A low mileage or well maintained 3.2 will be more reliable and cheaper to have maintained professionally by a good independent shop than a 996, boxster or even 993/964.

G

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

83 cab.....lighter than the 3.2 "Carrera" and has no motors to screw up. Best cab out there.....

Cannonball996 · 04-25-2012, 10:00 AM

why not opt for a 996 with the 3.6L engine? it has the up dated body, you also get a bit more power, and a bit more reliability. sure finding one under $25K will mean higher miles (probably around 75K miles) but I think the perks out weigh the additional miles.

kaisen · 04-25-2012, 10:07 AM

I wouldn't worry about miles on any of these cars..... just condition

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

A low mileage or well maintained 3.2 will be more reliable and cheaper to have maintained professionally by a good independent shop than a 996, boxster or even 993/964.

G

Disagree with that. Each car is an individual experience, but on average, I think a newer car is going to be more reliable than a 25+ year-old car. Even with all the mechanical and computer gizmos we have today.

Look at all the no-start issues threads there are on a daily basis over on the technical boards. The average non-car person is not going to carry around an extra DME relay or red/black round fuses in the trunk and know how/when to use them when they're stuck in a parking lot. They're not going to want to listen for that CD box whine when they turn the key.

And they're not going to like the lack of power steering, heavy clutch (or that it has a clutch at all), ever-present smell of gasoline/oil, crappy air-conditioning, rough ride, etc. That's the average person, at least.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

And they're not going to like the lack of power steering, heavy clutch (or that it has a clutch at all), ever-present smell of gasoline/oil, crappy air-conditioning, rough ride, etc. That's the average person, at least.

Screw power steering...
Me like heavy clutch....
Smell is the reason I like the damn car....
A/C? Fuch it who needs it I have a cab...
I like it rough...
I ain't average...

Next Beeyotch inline can comment further...

My other ride.....note the Uzi and .44 on the hip.....

tincob · 04-25-2012, 12:52 PM

Is that a VW Thing? Cool custom exhaust.

I will not be able to settle the old school (air cooled) vs new school (water cooled) argument until my friend gets some test rides in within the following weeks.

At the end of the day, everybody's choice reflects their unique wants and needs, so there is no one right answer.

But it sure is fun arguing about it though...