911 for $35K max

[Jelder]

OK- first post.

I'm almost 40 and big car fan. I grew up with Road & Track magazine so 911's and I have a long history together. I remember cabriolets, 959s, and Rufs on various covers throughout the years.

Fast forward to today. I'm at the point where I'm ready to start looking for a 911 of my own and will be willing to spend up to $35K. I live in Michigan and plan to drive the car all the time (except when my wife and I are toting the kids around). No garage queens for me. I will drive the hell out of it and enjoy every minute.

I've done some research and BBS lurking and along with my personal preferences have narrowed my choices down to:

Coupe

4 or 4S preferred (but not mandatory) for winter driving.

Excluding 1999-2002 model years. Smaller motors and IMS horror stories.

So, just wondering what my best bang-for-the buck might be based on my budget. How would you spend 35 grand?

Thanks,
Jay

[silverc4s]

What can you get in a awd 993 for that money??? That would be my choice in your price arena. See the technical article in this month's Excellence re: CEL problem fix.

[Macroni]

Perfect budget for a very nice 993 4. Not enough for a 4S.
There was a beautiful one listed in Montana within the last two months for $33,000 w/ 66,000 miles. It was listed on cars.com.

Good luck w/ your search and Happy 4 oh...........

[931GT]

Since you came of age in the 80s, I would think a 930 oughta be high on your list. Its definitely got a lotta bang.

[dienstuhr]

Originally Posted by 931GT

Since you came of age in the 80s, I would think a 930 oughta be high on your list. Its definitely got a lotta bang.

... but not a great daily driver by any measure, I wouldn't think, although you could get a VERY nice 930 nowadays for $35K.

As soon as I saw "$35K" I instantly thought "993"... that's what I'd do. Last of the air-cooled 911s and a very very sexy shape.

I'm the same age as you and bought a Carrera 3.2 last year as my first Porsche. It really brought back memories of reading Road & Track, Car and Driver and Automobile magazines as a teenager.

Cheers and good luck!

d.

[mrk_d]

Excellent 3.2, SC, or 964 + 2nd set of wheels w/ snow tires?

[dienstuhr]

You could buy TWO nice 3.2's or SC's for $35K... or probably the world's nicest 964 for that money. A nice budget to have!

d.

ps forgot to say it before, but welcome to Pelican, OP!

[deathpunk dan]

35k should buy you a SWEET 95 993 C4.

Or a nice 69-73 911T that drives like a lawn mower by comparison.

[Jelder]

Thanks for the advice as well as the sent emails. I really appreciate the feedback.

Yes to the second set of wheels for snow tires. Maybe it's not PC, but my vision is for a car that I know will start everyday and that I can drive in all conditions except deep snow.

I've also owned street and GP race bikes over the years that I've done complete engine rebuilds on, so I plan to do as much of the regular maintenance on the car as possible. I just can't see paying someone for filter changes, brake jobs, or new clutch plate intsalls. Is this a common theme among owners? Are 911's generally do-it-yourself friendly? Even the water cooled ones?

[Shamus911]

One more to consider is a 1994 C4 Widebody - very rare (under 300 made) and pretty cool to boot. Should be in under your price point.

[peon77]

996 tt. your budget is right at the low end of where these are selling, and they're all wheel drive for the winters

[Turbo G]

agree with the 996TT

[chaozz]

Porsche : 911 - eBay (item 140521878432 end time Mar-16-11 12:03:06 PDT)


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-PORSCHE-911-CARRERA-4-S-C4S-1-OWNER-FL-CAR-/250786051759?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a640376af

[Macroni]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/596344-95-993-coupe-sale.html

Here it is buy it quick!

[racer]

Originally Posted by Jelder

OK- first post.

I've done some research and BBS lurking and along with my personal preferences have narrowed my choices down to:

Coupe

4 or 4S preferred (but not mandatory) for winter driving.

Excluding 1999-2002 model years. Smaller motors and IMS horror stories.

Jay

Um.. technically, IMS issues exist from 1999-2009 and the intro of the 997 Gen II.

I'd consider a 996TT (different engine) but its mostly the "ratty" ones at that price point.

Plus consider keeping 10% of price available for the inevitable "quick needs" or personalization needs (or even a 2nd set of rims/tires)

964/993 or maybe roll the dice a little bit with a 996C4.

You could also find a nice 964 and have money left over for a used subaru for "winter" use.

But first I would recommend finding samples of ALL to drive to find the one you like driving the most. No point narrowing down to model "X" if you've never driven one.

[schumicat]

the IMS issue has been addressed on many cars at this point (at a cost of thousands of $). if it has been done properly it is not an issue.