Looking at 911s...what would you buy?
 

Hey guys.

Let me preface this by saying that of all the "dream" cars I have ever wanted, the 911 remains at the top of the list for one very important reason: I can actually buy one, own one and maintain one. I'd dearly love a Ferrari...but buying, owning and maintaining one are on a completely different level than the 911. The second reason for the 911 being at the top is its iconic nature. A 911 will always be a 911, no matter what year it was made...it remains true to Dr. Porsche's ideal as it was when it was introduced and its historical significance as the most successful racing car of its time will probably never be challenged. Which brings me to this:

I am planning on buying my 911 next year. I will be buying used. I thought about leasing new, but with my 8 and a new house to also think about, a new 997 is definately too much to swing. So, I'm looking at a used 1994-1998 type-993 or a 1999-2001 type-996. I want to narrow it down to one model vs. the other, so I can proceed researching the car accordingly.

Currently, the 993 models are going for around $25,000 - $40,000 for 911 coupes with MT. The Carrera 4 resides in the upper part of that range. The 993s are significant because they are the last of the air-cooled flat-6s. To many Porschephiles, this, and the fact that they are so much more mechanically "simpler" than the 996s make this model the one to get. The 993 still has much of the driving-dynamics that the original 911 had.

The early-year 996 models are hovering around the $45,000-$65,000 range for Carrera coupes with MT. Carrera 4s are around the $52,000+ range. The advantages here are the significant power and reliability improvements brought on by the liquid-cooled engine. Also, Porsche reworked the 996 suspension to the point that it throttle-lift oversteer was basically eliminated. The interior is much more in-line with the car's cost, the milages are really low (most are off-lease examples) and factory warranties still apply.

So, there's the rub...the 993s are cheaper, "easier" to work on and maintain and have that cache of being the last "real-911s." The 996s are faster, more reliable, easier to drive and have the remainder of the factory warranties.

What 911 should I get? Thanks for any opinions and insights!

Arvin

Any of them would be great.
I can't believe how cheap and affordable they are in the US.
Here in Oz, the pricing on 911's are a joke.

A 996 Carrera 4 for US$52k = AUD$75K which is unheard of here in Oz.
For that sort of money, you couldn't even buy a pov pack early model Boxster.

I'm so green with envy it's not funny.

Having owned two 993's already, I'd personally go with the newest 993 you can afford. They had true style to it. I've never liked the 996, though the 997's aren't looking too bad to me.

Also, I'm not sure how much more reliable the water cooled 911's are, in terms of upkeep. Porsches always seemed to require regular maintaince, and so my 944 cost me as much as my 993 for maintaince, and for most regular items that broke (power window motors, a/c units, etc). A 996 being a newer model will naturally have less things breaking on you, but that goes with any car.

I picked up a 993 convertable with 18k miles on it, almost perfect condition for 35,000 about 5 years ago. I thought it was quite a deal. With pacience, I'm sure you'll be able to find a 993 with low miles too.

Wait for the Boxster Coupe. I haven't really felt the 996's styling. I miss the old RUF Yellowbirds. :(

drive each and see what you like better.

uh yea... hunt down someone with a 10 year old car, ask for a test drive, then tell him you're just shopping around? It's a lot more difficult to test drive when you're buying a used car that isn't in production, vs going to a dealership.

993 Turbo if you can afford it.

I had a 01' 996 and I really liked the car. I didn't see the value in it as I had leased it new, and just returned it recently, but if you can find a nice used one on the cheap it should be a very fun car. The difference between the 996 & 993 are substantial. I would suggest you follow what the other posters said and test drive them. I liked the interior in my car, and agree it was a step up, but I think the 993's sounded better with the air cooled engines. The 993's have held their value very well, as you said it is very popular with the Porschephiles. If you are going to wait a while, the 996 price will drop substatially over the year. The best alternative is if you can swing an 02', they made a substantial improvements.

996 Turbo coupe. On my list of will have one day. If my house is paid for in less than ten years I'll own one that week,already made a deal with my wife. The 997's are nice but there's just something about the 996 that I like more!?!?!?
If they ever put the Cayenne turbo engine in one of the coupes I'll drool for days.

Dude hold out for a 355 Ferrari, next year when the new F430 comes out, the market is going to be flooded with 355's for around 50-60k. Trust me on this, there will be tons of 355s for sale for 'cheap' amounts of money. All of the owners of the 360s are going to sell their cars for the new F430, which will flood the market of 360s, and then all of the 355 owners are going to buy 360s, which will flood the market of 355s. I know alot of guys at ferrari dealerships and this is what they have told me and they are predicting tons of 355s to be sold to ex-porsche guys. I mean the 993 and 996 are beautiful and great cars, but a Ferrari is a Ferrari...simple as that

Thanks for the replies...
 

...everyone! Just a couple of comments on my own:

1.) I do tend to prefer the 993s at this moment...the air-cooled engine, simpler and leaner styling as well as cheaper prices make it tops on the list. However, as Jason stated, getting a test-drive in one is much harder than the 996s that are available on the Porsche dealer lots.

2.) I'm gonna' set-up an appointment to drive a 996 Carrera in the coming weeks...Lord, give me the stregnth! :rolleyes:

Went to the local Barnes and Noble today and put an order for The Used 911 Story to help get my quest going.

Hopefully, it'll come to a good ending in about a year!

Arvin

I completely agree with you...used cars can be had for so cheap here in the States. Even when compared to many European companies, our 911 prices are far lower!

Arvin

Aahhh..the 355...great car! But the Ferrari I always pictured myself owning first is the Testarossa/512TR. I know, I know...they're still expensive at around $70,000-$80,000. But, they have that Pininferina-penned body that screams super-car, a boxer-12 sitting behind your head and are much more scarce than the 355/360 cars.

If they ever drop into the lower $60,000s...I'm splurging for one, no matter what! ;)

Arvin

Arvin,

Also note that if you are stretching yourself to get a 996 you will have to consider the maintenance costs. I didn't drive it very much, maybe around 6K mi. a year, but all I needed to do was take it to the dealership once a year. Change the oil, change the AC filters, check the other stuff. About $250-$300. I saw a beautiful 355 in front of the restaraunt that I was eating at the other day but the maintenance costs, and insurance will undoubtedly be higher than the other cars you were considering.

heh. my 993 was a daily driver. I drove just under 50 miles each way to and from work. I had to get stuff fixed/replaced every other month. It wasn't cheap.

Yeah, I'm familiar with the old saying, "You never get a budget Porsche, you budget for a Porsche!"

Maintanence costs are a definate issue, but I am factoring that into the equation. Research in this aspect will play a huge part in my decision.

Arvin

I'd wait and save up for a new 997. Seriously. I've read about this car and its awesome. Style is also old-fashined porsche which makes it so desirable...

I don't like buying used cars, but that's just me! I also believe that a new model is always supreme in every aspect compaired to the older one...

You are god's gift to car manufacturers.

I still don't think any 911, past or present can beat the fenders on a 993 turbo. The 997's headlights have reverted back to old school styling, but the car still looks too much like a shoe. it's more feminine than masculine, which takes away from it, unlike the 993's. JMHO of course :)

Maybe I am:D but, like I said, it's just me. I feel like buying used clothes.
I won't argue which car is better, since i've driven none of them:p The feminine/masculine looks though is a different story. Personally, I think its more masculine than the 996...

get a 996 c4s. this is the best "bang for the buck". Otherwise, get a Turbo.