Buying 911, need advice

[loanguru]

I've been searching the market for a used 911 to replace my '98 M3. I have very limited knowledge on Porsche having owned 5 BMWs. I have been looking at both 964 and 993 models. I have a budget of $25K, but would pay more for the right car. My understanding of the 911 is 1990 and newer cars have more refined suspension designs. I also like the body styles of both the 964 and 993. Basically, I don't know what to look for mechanically when buying a Porsche. The obvious we be to look for oil leaks. But a few of my Bimmers leaked oil; mainly just a few drops on the ground when parked for more than a day. I did own a 924 Turbo many years back and that thing always leaked. What I want to avoid is buying a used 911 that needs $$$ repairs that aren't obvious to the untrained eye. The car will be for weekend getaways and trackdays. I really like my M for its overall balanced performance. It does fall short at the track. Bimmer really needs to take notes from Porsche when it comes to brakes, especially on a M car. Bimmer brakes suck, period. The M has been very very reliable. I constantly hammer it and it's never let me down, plus I have had only a few shop bills that were reasonable. I think the 911 is more of a drivers car. I have yet to drive one, but I have been a passenger at the track and have a pretty good idea of what a 911 can do with capable hands. So back to my point: 964 and 993. What to look for? Or should I push the budget farther an look at 996?

[jtkkz]

$25K can most likely get you a excellent condition low mileage 964
I recently sold my low mileage 964 very nice modern driving car.

For a low mileage 993 you may have to spend a bit more
get a 96-98 993 (varioram)

I budget permits I would go for a 993 (96-98 year)

I have a '98 M3 sedan 5 speed as well those are really fun car to drive.

good luck

[kang]

Whatever else you do, get a PPI. On your dime. This way the mechanic is reporting to you and not the seller. Find a knowledgeable Porsche mechanic in your area (post where you are and someone might be able to point you to one). He will know what to look for on whatever model you choose.

There is so much written on the web about the differences between the models that I won’t repeat any of it here. There is a 993 or 996 thread a bit below this one. There are others.

Here is a site with excellent 964 info: http://www.porsche964.co.uk/

And here is the ultimate 993 site: http://p-car.com/

Here is a site with all kinds of 911 info: http://www.flat-6.net/forum/home.php?styleid=6

You should be able to get a good condition but high mileage 993 for 25K. I don’t know what kind of 996 would be available for that kind of money, though.

Good luck and keep us posted! You are absolutely right in that a 911 is more of a driver’s car. Do the wrong thing in a turn and it will bite you! Do the right thing and it’s and awesome feeling.

[Sonic dB]

Drive as many cars as you can and evaluate them as to the ones that you like. Drive all kinds of different models from 80s Carreras, 964s and some lower priced 993s. For $25K you can get one hell of a Carrera or a 964.

By test driving a lot of cars, you will find that many of them are surprisingly different in feel. You could drive 2 993s back to back and they feel totally different for example. My point is that you shouldnt limit yourself based on what you have heard or read...and go out and experience the cars for yourself. You mentioned "modern suspensions'...my 1986 Carrera has been aligned and with new Bilstein shocks and handles better than any other car that I have ever owned and one of the best 911s that I have ever driven, regardless of model...so again, much of it comes down to how the car is setup and maintained. good luck you will love whatever you buy.

[DustinTarditi]

1) Buy "The Used 911 Story" - great book, good read, great info. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0963172670/102-1602117-4884969?v=glance

2) Drive as many as you can to see/feel the differences - by this time in the cars life they will certainly have different feels from ownership/maintenance/history

3) "Buy the newest 911 you can afford" - I love the 993s, but haven't found any for less than a king's ransom, so I'm looking at the 964, personally.

4) Get the PPI performed

5) Ask all the questions you can think of - don't worry if it's been asked before (it has) - lots of good people and good info here in this (and other) forum(s).

6) Cars with maintenance history are generally worth more than ones with unknown history... but I would prefer a clean, sorted-out (good PPI results) car with little-to-know paper trail over one with lots of records but marginal condition.

7) Do your homework regarding service (location, cost, etc.) and maintenance for the model(s) you choose to pursue. These cars aren't rediculously expensive to care for (compared to some exotics and other "race breeds") but they can become very pricey project cars.

$25K is a good starting point - you can find a very clean 964 for that amount, or look hard and perhaps find a decent 993... most 993s I've found have been inthe $30K+ range, but if you're quick to spot and act you can get them.

996s are nice, very drivable cars - it's a styling/emotional question, really - air cooled, or water cooled. I personally prefer the round(er) headlights, but have a very high regard for the 996 model.

[glenndeweirdt]

why not consider a 996? /they are a dime a dozen and a nice one can be had for a shade north of $30K-even less if you don't mind a higher mileage example. These are newer and more refined. Iwas in a similar quandary earlier this year ($25K budget) and sprung for a 996. I am very pleased.

[Eli at Pelican Parts]

Oh boy, do we have a new "future I should say" 996-member in this thread?

-Eli

Ah, keep the M3 and get the Porsche too.....