What would you do?

[Falcondrivr]

Hello everyone. Long time listener, first time poster.

I'm looking for stories about the decision making process on which 911 to buy.

Here's where I am:
I'm going to buy a 911 as soon as I can find the right one. I'm not a "look at me" kind of person, so I don't want red or yellow. I don't want a Tiptronic for personal reasons. The ideal car is a stock silver 993 coupe...
I'm not afraid of higher mileage cars, if well documented and well cared for.
I'm not really concerned with location. I travel frequently (and free) so I can buy the right car anywhere and ship it.

I've always liked the 3.2 Carerra and would buy one today if I could find a really nice one for under 20K. It seems to be a problem...

I'd REALLY like a 993, but need to be under 30K. Hard to find one that is decent for that.

I'd buy a nice 964, but every one for sale is a red tip cab.

I can find a nice 996 for under 30K (probably lots of them) but the 996 doesn't put the smile on my face the way the air cooled cars do. This is kind of my fall back position if I get so frustrated looking for the right car.

I would like to use the car as a daily driver, but I'm keeping my Land Cruiser for bad weather days and such.

I take criticism well, so please point out my flawed ideas above.

[David]

A nice 993 for under 30K should be doable. No problem with that choice.

From what I understand the 996 is a little nicer for a daily driver since the A/C works better. The big drawback is potential engine problems and more electronic gizmos to fail.

[Dantilla]

I'd wait for a silver 993. Keep your antennas up, and the right one will show up sooner or later.

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally posted by Falcondrivr
I'm not a "look at me" kind of person, so I don't want red or yellow.

I'd buy a nice 964, but every one for sale is a red tip cab.

I have news for you - just the fact that its a 911 will cause people to look at you - nothing wrong with red!!

[randywebb]

Red was most popular during the "Cocaine Years" of American cultural evolution (devolution?).

For your interest, that means you can't look for older cars than that, and have to wait for newer cars to come down in price/availability.

Keep looking and broaden where you look - e.g. news papers, Hemmings, here, PCA Club, etc.

[Mysterytrain]

Red was most popular during the "Cocaine Years" of American cultural evolution (devolution?).

I think guards red gave coke a bad name

My feeling is red cars should be italian.

I also must confess that I've taken a shine to the 993 in silver or black... I think you need to keep looking and read everything you can on the quirks of that car. Then leap.

[rcaradimos]

look at:
autotrader.com 2 g-50's for under 17k
happy hunting

[khamul02]

cars.com as well

[MIK911]

check out Rennlist.com forums and classified ads. The 993 board is very active there.

btw, want criticism? Your SUBJECT title should be more directive. "What would you do?" is very non-specific. Maybe something like......." Looking for 3.2 vs 993?"

[aigel]

Of course I am biased, but my vote is for the 993. There isn't much out there for under 30k and it will certainly have 100+k miles. Silver is a very popular color. If you can extend your search to other colors (how about black?) it would help. A darker color really brings out the lines - silver swallows them quite a bit. A good black paint job can look elbow deep - there is nothing like it ...



Just my two cents.

George

[Falcondrivr]

I'd certainly take black, blue, white, etc. Silver is my first choice. But color isn't really important to me as long as it's not red or yellow. I like the way those cars look too, but I just can't see picking up the kids from school in a speed yellow 993.

[aigel]

If you can "live" with black or dark blue or dark green, you should be able to find a higher mileage car. A 95 would definitely be within reach and a good pick. I'd do a national search and I would not ignore cars up to 35k asking. Asking price may be a lot more than what you end up paying.

Good Luck,

George

[Falcondrivr]

There seems to be an awful lot of lower-priced 993s in Houston. Is there an easy way to tell water damage?

Also, a PCA guy was telling me that State Farm was forced to publish a list of 30,000 VINs that were dumped on the market after Katrina. Apparently, after Katrina, no police or DMV report was required to file an insurance claim. Since this is where Carfax and Autocheck get their info, these cars will show clean history. Does anyone know anything about this?

[David]

If you buy from a dealer in Houston, make sure you get a PPI done at a shop of YOUR choice and talk to the shop. I can go by and look at a car for you if I have time. I won't check compression or anything requiring tools, but I'll look for water and crash damage.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Dantilla
I'd wait for a silver 993. Keep your antennas up, and the right one will show up sooner or later.

+1 on that if that's what you want. Major differences between the cars you mention. And, 964's show up, but they are in a holding pattern right now from my point of view. What I mean is, people are holding on to them. Same with 993's.

Originally posted by Falcondrivr
There seems to be an awful lot of lower-priced 993s in Houston. Is there an easy way to tell water damage?

Also, a PCA guy was telling me that State Farm was forced to publish a list of 30,000 VINs that were dumped on the market after Katrina. Apparently, after Katrina, no police or DMV report was required to file an insurance claim. Since this is where Carfax and Autocheck get their info, these cars will show clean history. Does anyone know anything about this?

Well, it's buyer beware, that's for sure. But, crooks are smart enough to move cars like that to other areas to avoid suspicion from the casual buyer. Do the due diligence and buy anywhere with confidence. Also, areas suffering from economic woes will produce good buys. Right now, the Detroit region seems to be off economically, but those are snow/salt driven cars unless you find a garage queen peach from a distressed seller. I wouldn't leave any stone unturned.

[pwd72s]

Really check it out if you come across a beautiful black '98 C2S (with aero kit) with extrememly low miles. A Florida buddy of mine had one. Wilma blessed his car...it sat in salt water for a few days. He said it was the most beautiful worthless piece of junk you could imagine, all it's electronics shot. He took the insurance money & didn't look back.

[Paulporsche]

falcondriver,

I'll bet your kids wouldn't mind being picked up @ school in a speed yellow 993!