Best long term value?
 

i've been watching this stupid market for quite a while now. Regretting selling my 65k mile 87 targa for $26k 3 years ago, but wanting to buy soon. Looking at G50, 964, 993 coupes up to $45k.
What's everyone's take on which series should be the strongest? Not looking for a queen and value isn't the main factor, just curious.

It seems a lot of cars are sitting at these higher prices today, no?

Assuming you are talking standard cars, a very late 964 in one of the special colors only used in 93 and 94 would be my guess!

But good luck finding one.

Besides that all would be equal, imo (standard cars) - Condition, color and the cars history will decide which individual car will be the best value.

Strictly from a speculation point of view and being an x-trader, my option is a 996 GT2

Reasons (believe it or not, these are all positives thinking as a contrarian)

It's VERY over looked & 996's are hated & most think ugly.
It has a moniker the "Widow Maker"
Guys who own them f'ing love them
Guys who have driven them f'ing love them
Small production, 300 produced for the U.S.
Fast and raw as hell
Different than GT3's that have all the bells and whistles of traction control, etc.
Fully depreciated. .40 on the $ buys them.
10 years since production (sweet spot)
Air cooled, well yes but it's first generation and in time that knock by will change.

I've had my eye on a couple of 996 4S cars lately trading in the low to mid $20's. These cars remind me of the M491 Turbo look option on the early cars. You get lots of benefits from many Turbo parts, but minus the powerplant.

At the same time, actual 996 Turbo's seem to be priced in the mid to upper $30's right now, so I'm not sure the extra $10k to $15k wouldn't be well spent on an actual Turbo. The difference my be well spent just getting into the M96/7x engine design.

Since you asked about 3 specific air cooled models only, I would say the 993's.

I have a GT2 and it has, in fact, tried to kill me several times. Absolute beast. Best long term air cooled has got to be any 83-89 cabriolet. Still sort of affordable and easy to work on.... a fully open 911 is a special experience. Always will be.

Only if you are a fitness instructor or haidresser, Ronnie says :confused:

Guys, read the op's bloody question!

Who gives a crap what Ronnie says?

But yes, the OP is asking about coupes.

The modern cowboy world does, Colb....and who doesnt appreciate that!? I certainly do.

Correct, coupes, but certain coupes!

In respect of the op who asked a serious question, lets get this back on track.

This has some obvious flaws, tip, ugly mods, but that is the kind that I would go for!

http://www.4starclassics.com/porsche-964-carrera-2-tiptronic-for-sale/

964's shot up in value in the last year alone. Strangely this increase in value seemed to coincide with the release of this little segment were the presenter states that it's his favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJrP9irrLZk

I passed on 3 or 4 15-18k 964's a in the last two years and ended up with both and '81 and '87. I'm happy with these cars and felt the 964 was like a 90's BMW in Porsche clothing. That said, I still like the aesthetic.

All three have exploded in value to the point of speculation so my answer is whichever car you can buy well at the moment. Meaning, grab at a reasonable price versus a dealer / flipper's inflated cost.

In general, I think the 993 and G50 are the safest bets. 964's have only recently appreciated so they're too much of a wild card for me.

Just my .02

Do a search on Autotrader, they're just not out there.
I look everyday on a number of sites and can't believe how few are for sale and the crazy asking prices
I have a friend who has a very low miles 964 6 speed coupe. His winter beater died and he was forced to drive it in the snow (ohio), I offered him a nice Boxster S, very nice Audi TT Quattro coupe (new winter beater) and a pile of $$$ and he didn't hesitate in saying NO.
I am afraid there are some many guys looking for them versus the supply that the prices will go even higher

IIRC they made fewer 964's then either of the other two so that might come into play a tiny bit.


I share the opinion that others have voiced. All three of those coupes will rise or fall similarly. I don't think one will far outshine the others. Buy the one which you like the most and dont worry.

What you want to do is get yourself a chicken. Now chop the head off and drink the blood as it squirts out. The answer will come to you in the following moments.

Hard to make a bad choice among the three listed. I think the opportunity for appreciation will be a function of the specif vehicle you buy versus general trends. If you are open to all three, look for the most appealing combo of mileage, color, options, history and price. You can find crappie cars that need a lot of work, which will make it much more costly to own.

Picking one of your choices over the other is a crap shoot, though the 964 is probably the least loved.

You're busting my huevos over my commentary, but post stuff like this???

Wow.

this is an interesting question because the late G series, 964 and early 993 all were new within a 5 years of each other.

My personal choice for top $$ dog is the 964. Classic 911 looks, abs brakes, air bags, decent A/C, basically the same car as the 993 under the skin. Lowest production numbers of the 3.

Joe

Long term, I'd say 3.2 impact bumper cars or 993. 964 cars have come into their own as of late, but a comparable 3.2 car will be more saleable, as will a 993. I happen to like the looks of the 964 cars, but many prefer the more classic lines of the earlier cars. I think the 993 was enough of a body style change from the classic look so as not to detract from the earlier style in the way some feel the 964 does.

With that said, buy any and be happy that you've got a car you can put miles on and not lose money in the long term!

Thanks for the opinions from those that actually read the post. To me, seems hard to justify a G50/964 for not much less than the price of a 993. Think I'll build a RS tribute. Plus here in SoCal summers a decent AC wb nice. I've noticed alot of decent G'S & 964 are sitting at their newfound prices. Anyone else feel like its stabilized if not correcting?

BTW, chicken blood said go buy a 66 Triumph Bonny, so I'm on the hunt for that also;)

The AC can be fixed in the early cars, but it takes some work. I was also looking at 964s, but decided I liked the simplicity of the pre-964 cars more. I almost got an SC, but the overall reliability and nice lines made me go for the 3.2. I think that SCs are still bargain priced for the car you get, but for the Porsche HP/dollar spent, the 996TT is still king. The mid-years are all pretty sorted out, and the simple lines, narrow bodies and mechanical simplicity could all be up-sides. I don't know how they are for "investment", but I'd guess better than any kind of British car not named "Jag" or "Aston".