looking for my next Porsche, please help

[littnnggrodd]

around $20,000 , daily driver. change oil and buy gas . no expensive weird stuff. small budget expensive taste ?

[Lost Canyon]

What was your last Porsche? Low milage Boxster with the IMS upgrade fits the budget.

[bbturbo]

For 20k I would recommend several other vehicles other than a Porsche then if you are wanting maintenance free. In Ohio I would not drive a 911 all year round, unless its a 996 c4 and even then I would suggest snow tires. You may be able to find one for 20k or under for a higher mileage example.

[efhughes3]

968

[littnnggrodd]

944s 1987 for 5 years. Changing the timing belt was a problem; it's complicated and expensive so I sold it. I'm getting good reviews on the 911 Carrera s4. Does it have an expensive time bomb ticking in it? (timing belt type of thing?) I'm finding 14-18 year old 911's in my price range, trying to do some homework before I pull the trigger. $16-25K, 20-40K miles. Is this a money pit? Do the engines and transmissions have quirks that quickly become an expensive repair? It's like when I bought my first Harley, I couldn't go back to any other kind. I've got Porsche fever. But, I'm realistic and nice Porches are $50-160K, used. Two year old VW GTI is my second choice, but I want to explore other options. No garage queen, I want to drive it every day. My 2 mi. commute to work is on main streets that are clean all year around. Thanks for any tips or advice.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by littnnggrodd

944s 1987 for 5 years. Changing the timing belt was a problem; it's complicated and expensive so I sold it. I'm getting good reviews on the 911 Carrera s4. Does it have an expensive time bomb ticking in it? (timing belt type of thing?) I'm finding 14-18 year old 911's in my price range, trying to do some homework before I pull the trigger. $16-25K, 20-40K miles. Is this a money pit? Do the engines and transmissions have quirks that quickly become an expensive repair? It's like when I bought my first Harley, I couldn't go back to any other kind. I've got Porsche fever. But, I'm realistic and nice Porches are $50-160K, used. Two year old VW GTI is my second choice, but I want to explore other options. No garage queen, I want to drive it every day. My 2 mi. commute to work is on main streets that are clean all year around. Thanks for any tips or advice.

Couple of thoughts-the 944 TB is no where near as complicated as a 928, I believe that is the longest TB ever put in a car-the 4 cam version. I've done that job on my old '91, which was the 4 cam engine. A one day, long day, project. It's also a 30K/5 year type of thing, so it's not an annual or bi-annual event.

If you are looking at 14 yo 911's, you're in 996 territory-there is a reason they are cheap, and you should study up. The issues are more than well documented. Use terms like "RMS", "IMS bearing", "case porosity" in your search. Also "interior quality", "subjective looks", "ugly headlights" and "slab sides". The exception would be turbos, but you're north of $40K.

If you can find an 18yo 911, which puts it in MY97, with 40K miles and $25K, buy as many as you can. I cannot believe they are out there, without stories (salvage title, engine issues, etc). 911's prior to the 996 had misc "issues", but I think they can be considered well more than robust, when it comes to quality. Often, issues that may be prone are sorted by now, but there are a lot of cars, IMO, with deferred maintenance. Major engine repairs can cost $$$.

A 2mi commute is not a good thing, you'd want to take the 15 minute route to ensure the engine gets fully warmed up, or plan on changing oil quite often .

[littnnggrodd]

thanx Ed Hughes actually 15 minutes is about right . 5 or more prior to take off and a little idle at work. oil twice a year . with errands and such no problem . boxster is out ,red a must

[littnnggrodd]

rear engine yep under $27k must . daily driver no garage queen. it is a car not a shrine, although the 944s was a queen . what about chain drive cams? belts keep secrets . aint scared of a cheep car with expensive repair to get in , like a great $5k car and dump in $10k. just no money pit

[littnnggrodd]

d cracked blocks seam to be an issue . that bearing is also problem.

[aabarth]

" The most expensive car I ever bought was a cheap Porsche "

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by littnnggrodd

thanx Ed Hughes actually 15 minutes is about right . 5 or more prior to take off and a little idle at work. oil twice a year . with errands and such no problem . boxster is out ,red a must

5 minutes of idle in an air-cooled Porsche is not good either. You need to start it up and drive it. Too much unequal heat distribution with a long warm up. Best to get to driving fairly soon after starting.

[bbturbo]

For our climate (originally from Indiana) I would not say drive a Porsche every day. I can give you a list of fantastic cars if interested.

[littnnggrodd]

please do bbturbo.have truck and Harley no hurry here to buy. still leaning vw gti but the seat sucks , at 6'2' 200# the 944s was very confortable

[littnnggrodd]

thanx aabarth wallet sez nope ego just needs to shut up . prolly put in 9 timing belts over the years different cars , with one failure luckly not an interference valve motor.