Shopping for Porsches

[masraum]

I see lots of Porsches in Houston, Boxsters, 911s, Cayman, Cayennes and Panameras. You would think that there would be a ton for sale, but I'm not seeing many that I want to look at, too many tiptronic cars and too many high miles cars. You can find low miles, very late model cars, but I'm not planning to spend nearly that much money. Of the handful that I looked at today, all but 2 had front fenders that had been replaced.

Today I drove this guy, 2001 911 Turbo blk/blk, 43k miles, $40k. I think the front fenders have been replaced but the lines looked good except that it looked like the front bumper cap was a little misaligned. I was expecting a lot, 415hp, turbo 911. It was fast, but I was underwhelmed. The shifter was horrible. The throws felt like they were 2 feet long. I am a bit spoiled by the rifle-bolt-short, mechanical throws of the short shifter in my miata, but still. It was fast, but it didn't feel that fast unless you were accelerating in 1st. It also didn't feel like a sports car too me, but more what I would imagine a GT car to feel like. Most soft and isolated. Like I said, I think it has been in an accident, and despite otherwise being in very good shape, it may not be a good example.


I saw a couple of others that also appeared to have been in front end collisions, and didn't drive those.

Then I drove this guy, 2007 Cayman S, 40k miles blk/blk, $29k. (honestly, I don't want a blk/blk car, but I would take one if it was right)

Now that's what I'm talking about! This thing was very nice to drive. The acceleration and throttle response felt great. The suspension and chassis was nice and tight, but was still compliant and comfy on bad roads. I LOVE the sport seats. I can't imagine NOT having sport seats in a Porsche. It's in good shape and has decent miles, but the outside is showing a few dings, and one spot on the front bumper cap had a gouge through the paint down to the plastic. I would have thought they would have fixed that before trying to sell. It was in very good shape, but if I'm getting a loan to get a good car, I want one in pristine condition. This is still in the running. We don't plan to get a loan for the full amount, so this would be a relatively small loan for a very good car.

Then I drove this guy, 2007 Cayman, 11k miles, wht/tan $32k. This is a very odd deal. They've had the car on the lot for over 3 months. The crazy thing is that some guy that's not local has had a deposit on it for 3 months. But the salesman told me that because it's been so long they are willing to sell it out from under him. It's in great shape, I'd give it a 99.7%. The 2 buttons for the AC temp and fan need to be replaced, and there's a scratch on the inside driver's side door handle. Other than that, I couldn't find a problem with it. Well, no problem other than that it's not an "S" and doesn't have sport seats. I really didn't expect the difference between the feel of the S and non-S to be that much. I guess I should have, otherwise why would they have an S model and how could they sell them for a premium. It was still very good, but just not quite. It's entirely possible that being driven too little has made it sluggish, and it's not really broken in yet. It may get better.

I'm still looking. I was avoiding the Boxsters and 911 cabs. I had a 911 targa and enjoyed taking the targa top off occasionally, but it's darn hot in Houston, and the weather is very unpredictable. After the 911, I've had 2 miata. I loved them and put the top down from time to time, but both miata and the 911 could be quite noisy at highway speeds. I'm sure the Porsche tops on the modern cars are much better, but hey, better rigidity, better protection from weather or God forbid a rollover, and less weight. What's a good reason to not avoid a convertible. But, I've started looking at boxsters. Still, most have a ton of miles.

Ugh!

[masraum]

Does anyone have any experience with a Porsche that's got the PASM (Active Suspension Management)? What are your thoughts?

How about the sport exhaust that would be on a Boxster or Cayman? Is it a nice option? How do you like it?

[enzo1]

New Mazda to air on Sept. 3....

[masraum]

Originally Posted by enzo1

New Mazda to air on Sept. 3....

I've had 2 miata ('97 and '04 Mazdaspeed is the current), and the missus used to have a '99. I like miata.

but...

There is no substitute...

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by masraum

What's a good reason to not avoid a convertible.

The wind in your hair... in your wife's hair... in your beard... in your moustache... in your wife's moustache... okay, not that... the feeling of freedom... that almost-like-piloting-a-motorcycle open air feel... the sound of the exhaust reaching your ears more than when you're "caged"...stuff like that.

My biggest detractor if it's a fabric top is the fact that it won't protect you even one tiny bit if you're caught outdoors and you encounter one of these:



It wouldn't be a problem if you're observant, vigilant, and careful... and willing and able to pull in somewhere you can get out and get indoors if you got caught by surprise.

But if you were driving somewhere a few hours away like a wedding or something where you're expected/have to be there by a certain time, you could be in a world of hurt if you get surprised by a fast-moving front and the temptation to press on is strong.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have never, in my entire life, heard of someone being injured by lightning because they were in a convertible. The odds of that are probably right up there with being attacked my sharks flying out of a tornado.

Steve, all I have to say is I TOLD YOU SO! Boxster/Cayman are great cars. I would definitely encourage you to drive a Boxster as well, the top is very well fit and insulated, I suspect that you will be pleasantly surprised at the low noise level. My previous '99 and current '97 are both quiet enough that regular conversation at highway speeds is no issue, and I believe they further improved the top for the 987. You can also get more Boxster for your money (as compared to the Cayman).

Regarding the 996TT, it is definitely a GT car, even more so than a standard 996. The GT2 was the true 996 turbo sports car. I think they are definitely fast stock, and a few bolt on mods make them into the hand of God. You can also easily remove the front driveshafts and differential to make it into a 2wd, losing weight and making it much more frisky.

I don't have any experience with PASM, but a sport muffler is essential on the newer water cooled cars. My single biggest knock on all of them is the noise, or lack thereof. I would personally put finding a car with PSE as a high priority, or plan on swapping mufflers shortly after the purchase. A good sport muffler makes any of the water pumpers sound like a proper Porsche.

[slow&rusty]

I called on this car a few weeks ago when I tire kicking, its for sale locally in Houston and it has the much more desirable X50 package. Not sure if its in your price range:
Porsche 911 We Finance | eBay

[onewhippedpuppy]

BTW, the 997 shifter is a direct bolt-on for the 996 and is a huge upgrade. So don't let that keep you from buying one.

[recycled sixtie]

I have owned a 99 Miata and currently own a 2001 Boxster base. I did try a 2007 Boxster base but did not feel much difference between the two cars in terms of power. I think an S would be the way to go and if it was me I would get a Cayman S. Don't forget that the S is easier to sell.

I don't have PSM but I think it would be a plus to have. I think that if you look long enough you will find what you want. I still miss my Miata but for increased rollover/crash survivability I like the Cayman.

Cheers, Guy.

[kaisen]

Wasn't one of the criteria that it had to have rear seats? And now we're looking at Caymans?

[kaisen]

Also, and this is just my professional opinion: drop the "low-miles" thing.
Seriously. Waste of money.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Wasn't one of the criteria that it had to have rear seats? And now we're looking at Caymans?

The blue book on one of our existing cars was so low, I suggested to the missus that it made more sense to keep it than sell it. That will enable us to expand the search to two seaters. Great to see that you are still around, btw, and thanks for chiming in.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by masraum

The blue book on one of our existing cars was so low, I suggested to the missus that it made more sense to keep it than sell it. That will enable us to expand the search to two seaters. Great to see that you are still around, btw, and thanks for chiming in.

keep the explorer and "man up" on lotus for a daily driver. Its uncomfortable, the ac is marginal, the body work is fragile, but it will make a cayman feel like a cadilac in comparison

My old elise was my daily driver for about a year in houston. It was terrible and fantastic at the same time

[LakeCleElum]

Steve - I appreciate you taking the time to drive each and posting your impressions. I may be in the market one of these days. Your opinions are of value to me.

For my weather and type of usage, I will be leaning toward a Cab with a hardtop - 996 or 997......Not sure I would be saying that if I lived in Huston and/or it was a daily driver? Individual choice.

Maybe you should shop in Calif and be willing to travel and see several on one trip?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aschen

keep the explorer and "man up" on lotus for a daily driver. Its uncomfortable, the ac is marginal, the body work is fragile, but it will make a cayman feel like a cadilac in comparison

My old elise was my daily driver for about a year in houston. It was terrible and fantastic at the same time

This will be the primary car for myself and the missus. There has to be some of that Cadillac or it's not approved.

An Elise would be spectacular, but then I also think I'd really enjoy a Caterham 7.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Steve - I appreciate you taking the time to drive each and posting your impressions. I may be in the market one of these days. Your opinions are of value to me.

For my weather and type of usage, I will be leaning toward a Cab with a hardtop - 996 or 997......Not sure I would be saying that if I lived in Huston and/or it was a daily driver? Individual choice.

Maybe you should shop in Calif and be willing to travel and see several on one trip?

I've got a boxster that I'm looking at that comes with the optional hardtop. I'm going to have to travel for it, but not nearly as far as Cali. I figure if the Cayman S is great, that I'll also like a Boxster S, and if it comes with the hardtop, it's a bonus.

[stealthn]

Steve,

Go back and drive the S in sport mode, then drive the regular cayman

and this: "The 2 buttons for the AC temp and fan need to be replaced" is very common but requires the whole system to come off them be sent to a third party or the buttons replaced - if done by dealer it's really expensive.

I vote Cayman S with PASM, Sport Chrono and if you can find a sport exhaust awesome it's a $3k option....

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I vote Cayman S with PASM, Sport Chrono and if you can find a sport exhaust awesome it's a $3k option....

How about a limited edition boxster with the optional hardtop, 19" wheels, sport chrono, pasm, and sport exhaust? I'm flying to Dallas Mon to probably pick that one up.
2008 Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder, 21k miles. Fortunately this one doesn't have the red top that the RS60 Spyder was supposed to come with, but it does have the red interior. I'm digging it.

#99 of 1960 built. Only 800 of the 1960 ended up in the US.

Original invoice.
BASE Boxster RS 60 Spyder 64,900.00 <-- (comes with sport exhaust and the "S" options)
342 Heated Front Seats 500.00
37 Carrera Red Natural Leather 0.00
551 Porsche Windstop (Deflector) 375.00
573 Automatic Climate Control 550.00
584 Storage Box on Engine Cover 0.00
639 Sport Chrono Pkg W/Out PCM 960.00
P12 Self-Dim Mirrors & Rain Sensor 690.00
P74 Bi-Xenon Headlamp Package 1,090.00
U2 GT Silver Metallic 0.00
V9 Black Top 0.00
Total Options 4,165.00
Total Charges 860.00
Total Order 69,925.00

[bivenator]

Love the color combo, very clean with all the right options.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice! Love the RS60, silver over red is a classic combo.