Hey...I gotta start somwhere! Rome wasn't built in a day. :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pwd72s

Quote:

Originally posted by 9XI Figure out what you want, with only modest cost restraints. If you decide a '72 S coupe is your dream car, start zeroing in on that. You will find that everyday driver '72 S cars are out there to be had at $10K give or take a few. RIGHT..... ;)

Cars like Paul's are out of your price range. In LA or the SF bay area, you can still find daily driver early S cars in the neighborhood of $10K. Mine would have been an example. The price difference between a normal car with 30 years of wear, and a car that has been restored or meticulously stored is quite large. He sounds like he wants a driver. These cars can be had at reasonable prices for the patient.

Your best strategy, as has been advised here, is to wait, save your money, learn the market and then buy the right car the first time. It took me two porsches (a rusted out 73 911T and a 914) and around $10K down the drain to learn how important knowing the market and the vehicles is. I second the messages you received about the 911 you were considering. Unless you have the financial reserves to lose money on it you should pass it up. If the oil leak is from the rear main and the clutch is getting wet with oil, you could be looking at a quick $1k repair job to fix both. While most of these cars leak, it is an immediate sign of money that you will want to spend on top of the purchase price. The first time you pull up at a stop light next to some pretty chicks (or your boss or your son is in a carseat with you, etc.) in a convertible and they are obscured by the smoke screen from the oil on your heater boxes, you will start to spend money and never stop.

I'm with the others for the most part. Ideally when buying a 911 you want a few grand in reserve "just in case." The fact is that even with a PPI, you can get caught out on those things that look fine during brief inspection but spontaneously give out under extended use.

I didn't see mention of any other members of the Porsche family. Since $5000 gets nice examples of the 914, 924, 944 and 912 - why not try one? Are these unacceptable? I still regret not getting a pristine, low mileage 1987 924S for $4800 that was for sale locally, but I simply couldn't justify another car.

Emanuel

again guys, I apreciate the sincere advice, I still have not given in to buying just any 911/912 and I added $300 since to the Porsche fund. So I will keep my eyes open for any good oportunities.