[CarreraDan]

Katie,
Time out, walk away from the vehicle, take off the Porsche blinders. Seriously, I know exactly what you are thinking/feeling--I was the same way four years ago when I got my Carrera. It was a college graduation present to myself. I had looked at a few dogs of cars then drove mine and it was all over, my dad was supposed to keep me from buying it on the spot but he didn't. I overlooked things that I shouldn't have and they have cost THOUSANDS of dollars to repair the right way. I should have saved that $$ for a house, but I had to have a 911 (it was my childhood dream). If you are serious about the long-hood get a PPI at one of the Charlotte shops and have a nice discussion about exactly how much rust repair and metal work costs. My body-man cut me a deal to repair my fender the right way at $50 an hour--he spent three days on it.

Another thing, if you must get your own 911 put the cash in a money market for a year and then take the 15k and get the nicest, cleanest, SC or Carrera you can find (might talk to Bob Saville at Exclusive Motors and see what you can get in your price range). Do not jump into this early car without researching the heck out of it. Good luck and be patient the "right car" will come along eventually. You should probably drive/ride in some different 911's and see what you like the best.