What would be best to own M471 or 930
 

Hello, I have to cars that I would like to by this weekend both are 1987 both in very good sharp. The M471 is a cab. and the other is a 930 coupe. Price is same.I ambuying for investment only long term,Which would you feel would be the best buy.I feel they will both be the same. Would like other option. Thanks

ugh.. Porsche as Investment. imho, there are onle certain Porsches whose future value will eclipse general inflation. I would buy the car you prefer to OWN and DRIVE in the "now" than worry about the future. heck, you get in a wreck driving either of them and "future" value won't matter!

I imagine the 930 would have higher ultimate potential.. but I cant recall the build numbers for either in '87.

The M471 is an easier car to drive and is likely less expensive to maintain than the 930, plus it has the 930 looks (vs a regular cab). On the other hand, the other car IS a 930 ;)

M491
 

By M471, do you mean Turbo Look? If so, that is M491. The M491 is all Turbo, through and through, except for the engine. I recently sold my own 1989 M491 Cabriolet and I regret it. Having said that, I regret having sold many of my cars, so take that with a grain of salt.

I will tell you that even if my M491 was spectacular, I often wished I had the Turbo engine under the lid. I even considered supercharging it for a moment or two. The things about the M491 that are better than the Turbo are the maintenance cost and reliability (lower and higher for the M491, respectively), and the rarity. I think there were 43 or 48 M491 Cabriolets made in 1989, for example. Here's a picture of my old car for your reference and viewing pleasure.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290647326.jpg

Get whatever YOU like, but since you asked....

I've never had any desire whatsoever for a turbo look. Nothing but factory bling. More show than go.

Just so you know, my 911 is a stock-looking longhood with a 3.2. Much more go than show.

I also don't care for 911 cabs.

Do what makes you happy.....

I don't disagree with you about getting whatever pleases you, but I do take issue with the statement that the M491 is "nothing but factory bling". Not so. The chassis of the M491 is completely the same as the Turbo. The only thing different, strangely, is that the M491 does not have Turbo tie rods, which are an easy and cheap upgrade.

Since you mentioned the 3.2 liter engine in your longhood, I'd like to say that the thing that makes the 911 interesting, IMO, is the chassis (and the Turbo is one of the best), not grunt (horsepower). I was just thinking about this today. I have a 1972 911 and a 1966 Sunbeam Tiger MK1A (a Carroll Shelby creation one year younger than his AC Cobra -- same formula: small, light, British sports car chassis with massive American V8 engine under the "bonnet".) Even though the Tiger has almost twice the HP than the 911, I am convinced that the 911 would spank the Tiger on a twisty track because the 911 chassis is so much better than the Tiger's.

The relevance of this discussion to the M491 is that the M491's chassis is really great because it was made to support the torque and horsepower of the Turbo engine, so it is very tight. It's so tight that putting bigger wheels and lower profile tires is discouraged because the higher profile tires are needed to absorb road bumps and vibrations. I guess I still defend the honor of the super cool M491. And while I do prefer the shape of a coupe, there is no denying how wonderful it is to put the top down on a 911.

Having said ALL of the above, I might still choose a Turbo to have the extra horses. Once you get used to 300+ horsepower, it's hard to go back to less, I guess even with a fantastic chassis... Hey, I never claimed to be consistent or uncomplicated! :-)

The M491 is a car you can drive the wheels off of. Less power but same wide rear track and anti-dive/roll suspension upgrades and powerful brakes as the turbo. Good stuff.

But for me the extra hundred horses are impossible to do without.

Actually, I agree. I know the turbo look is realy a 930 minus the turbocharger, but if I have the turbo body, I want the power to back it up.

My longhood has turbo tie rods. Nice upgrade.

We're not too far apart in our thinking. I just like having a car that has higher performance than what is expected. Porschephiles recognize the Carrera flares are not original, but to most people, they just see an old Porsche in nice shape.
No wings, no graphics, nothing to advertise it weighs only 2200 pounds, and has a big engine and short gears.

I own a 1986 930 coupe........man its the most....I like the M471 Turbo look and the cab also

But the 930 is what to buy..........930 have a much bigger following and its cool that it has its own number....dud 930.........

I never thought I would own one because of price but I got a great buy in this ****ty economy and I love it......My trick is to leave it stock.......people want untouched cars Porsche or otherwise...........plus the extra speed is unreal...also I do not know about cost difference mine has been stock and trouble free for 2 years now

Great question......

I love T/L look cars. They cost more new, they cost more used and they will sell for more down the road. They have built proof 3.2s that will last hundreds of thousand miles w/o rebuilds. They are fun to drive fast on twisties w/ a nice 5th gear for the highway. The 87 will come w/ a nice G50 Transmission, brakes and suspension from the turbo. Love the cabs w/ spoiler delete option.

A Turbo coupe also is a very nice car; IMO very sexy car. Issue here is they only tend to have value as original cars. If you are looking turbo, it needs to be an unmodified car w/ no upgrades and low miles. An 87 is a nice car but if you are serious about the car being an investment a 75,76,77 (first ones) or 89 (Last ones) would be a better selection.

Eye candy
 

Here are some samples. It is important to remember there are lots of cars out there take your time the opportunity to buy the right car can be scarce.....

T/L Cab sans spoilers
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290703020.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290703067.jpg

75 ROW Turbo reeks of character w/ very cool stripes

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290703134.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290703162.jpg

Check out this interior;
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290703193.jpg

i have been thinking about selling my 88 narrow body cab for a G50 turbo look cab to complement my 930. i like the looks and really think they area a bargain when you compare them against the 89 speedsters where they made 800 for the US vs the much lower build number for the turbo look cabs.

Thanks for all your input
 

I really enjoyed all the input,I am sold on the M491 Cab #1 Because it is so rare#2 We have to agree the upkeep is much less then the 930.Thanks again

looks like there is a nice 87 low mile one on the board .