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911 - only way to go, IMHO
I wish I could live at the end of a steep mountain canyon w/new road. I drive between Bozeman and Jackson Hole (my hometown) all the time, through Ennis, MT, Ashton, ID and over Teton Pass. It's an unreal trip - I've done it many, many hundreds of times; often for no real reason other than to drive a 911 221 miles (one way) over several mountain passes, in all weather conditions. Some of the best scenery in the world. I got the C4S for this reason. It is like a snowmobile, and I use it that way 9 months out of every year. If you live where it does not snow, get a C2 or C2S. All the tts have AWD. You will see why if you drive one!
I grew up bicycle racing - age 9-28, mostly in hopes of becoming a faster nordic ski racer, which is my first love in life. All my friends in JH made the US and Olympic team(s). I did not because I was too heavy, ugly, and slow. I was a really fast road bke racer as a teen (6.1/190 lbs by age 15 - should have been a power lifter) but I only wanted to succeed at skiing. Of course, I really should have been an alpine racer, but that seemed too easy. We were Nerdic racers, and damned proud of it. Last year I bought a Felt F1C - 14.7 lbs wet - amazing bike. It rockets out from beneath you almost like a 911. I am hoping to get back into shape and race again next spring.
As I mentioned, the 993 C4S is my all-time favorite Porsche, and thusfar has proven INDESTRUCTIBLE. You cannot imagine how hard I drive this car. I nearly bought a twin turbo instead, but I had a gut feeling I would kill myselff in the 993tt. I have very nearly died in the C4S, and I'm convinced I would have been seriously killed in the twin turbo. The 930 is a much less (for me) dangerous machine, but it's a completely different beast. The NA 993 motor will (fingers crossed) go 200K - possibly alot more. If I blow the engine, I can get a GOOD long block from a wrecking yard for $8K. The 993tt motor will go <100K (the way I drive) and I will definitely kill myself in the process. Dying is much quicker in winter with this car as well. TT Long blocks are VERY scarce and usually get snapped up for $16-$22K. Big difference here. Lots of NA 993 engines kicking around.
I have been a 911 fanatic since my '69T purchase in '92. If I were you, I would look for a 993 - I feel VERY strongly it's the best bang for the buck (actually a good 964 may be, but whole other kettle of fish). Do not buy a '95, unless you cannot justify the expense of the 96 - 98 993. However, IMHO the '95 is the next best thing to get, and I feel the market discounts them accordingly. If I were you I would test drive (on your road, of course!) the following cars: First, the 993tt - BE CAREFUL with this car. It's so scary fast it's really dangerous over mountain roads. As a bike racer you will feel this right away. Then try a C4S and the a C2S. Do not get a plain 96-98 C4 or C2 - if you go this route get the '95 plain jane - it will cost less. The market for these cars is extremely efficient. I follow Porsche markets very closely - I'm an Econometrician by training, but I play the banjo for money because you meet alot more girls on stage w/instrument than in office/w calculator. Plus, the girls you meet playing music are alot younger and do not wear polyester clothing.
In contrast to the 993, the market for the 930 is not efficient at all. The cars are old, they smoke, leak oil like crazy, break down alot, are VERY expensive to fix (all 911s are), and are dangerous in a completely different way than the 993tt.
I have seen prices on the '95 993s as low as $17K for (really) high milage. No one really knows how long these cars will run, because they're still relatively new. I would say a decent '95 can be had for as low as $28K.
If you want to stay under $18K, get the lowest milage and most recent 964 C2/C4(92-94 are best). I have seen these cars go as low as $15K for a nice one. One could write an entire book just on the history on the 964/993 engines. The 993 engines are far superior, and this is borne out in the mkt prices of these cars.
The best deals are on ebay, but that's because the risk is very high. I have bought many cars and parts on ebay. You have to know these cars INSIDE-OUT to do this. Porsche Club - highest price points in North America. I am a proud member - it is a tremendous organization. Porsche Club is probably the safest place to buy a 911 (another book could be written here). Prices are inversely correlated to risk - ECON 101.
Do not buy used 911 from a dealer, unless it's a friend/relative, or (possibly) a dealer that does exclusively 911 - not 924/944/928/968/914/911/912. It's REALLY entertaing to go on Autotrader and read the dealer ads. These people make "Jackass -The Movie" look like Ann Landers (!). Sorry dealers - you know who you are.
Good Luck,
Tucker
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