RX-8 or a used Porsche?
 

My wife has given me the go ahead to get my new car in May. SO do I get the RX-8 or should I buy a used 95-98 Porsche 911 993? Price is about the same, and I will see a lot less depreciation with the 911...both have back seats...c'mon, those are seats...
Any prior 911 owners?

Insurance and maintance costs obviously are huge concerns with the Porsche.

yeah if you can afford maintenance and insurance and dont mind a used car then go for the porsche

The Porsche may seem like the same price, but wait until something goes wrong. Your talking big bucks to fix it. If you factor this in, and you can afford it then the Porsche then I would go for it. But if not then, you won't be dissapointed with 8.:)

Don't even compare the back seats of a 911 with our seats, i've been in the back of the 911 and 5 minutes was the most i could stand

can you seriously get a 95-98 993 for 30k?
Where do you live?

Yes a porsche is nice, but honestly with maintenance you will bleed your pockets. Unless of course you have money to burn on that stuff. That's the reason most Porsche owners lease and roll over just to avoid this thing. My dad dumps insane amounts of money into his '93. I have a 944 sc turbo with pretty low miles and I honestly have spent more on the porsche than all other cars I've owned combined.

If maintanance money over the long term isn't a big deal go with the Porsche, if the warranty and the like is important go with the 8. To me, its as simple as that. I love rotaries, but the only rotary I would go with over most Porsches is the FD because of the insane performance (and potential) and styling of the third gens. Good luck and I don't think you will really go wrong with either choice.

used 8

I'd be very leery of a $27K '98 911.

Porsches, specifically 911s, retain their value very well. A good '98 911 will easily run you over $40K with basic options. Maybe a $25K Boxster...but the '98s were early in the Boxster's production life and had some problems.

-Eric

I went through this before buying my '8, but with a Boxster as opposed to a 911. Very nice, recent, low mileage Boxsters can be had in the low $30s. I drove one for 45 minutes over some back roads, and fell in love. What kept me from the Boxster is that I've been driving a convertible as a daily driver for 9 years (Miata) and decided it was time for something new.

I recall distinctly the day I drove the Boxster. On the way home, I was passing a Mazda dealer, one which I had already driven the RX-8 once at. At that moment, I was pretty intoxicated with the Boxster, and I didn't think I'd ever look at an RX-8 again. I decided to stop by and drive an '8 one more time, just to seal the deal. You know what? The RX-8 redeemed itself wonderfully. I wasn't expecting it, but I thought that the RX-8 was VERY similar to the Boxster - not at an engineering level (obviously) but at a philosophical level. Both cars are more than the sum of their parts, and deliver a sublime driving experience that numbers and stats can't convey. BTW, I also drove two S2000's that day (both motors) and even though I knew they offered better performance, they just didn't push my buttons the way the Boxster & RX-8 did.

Porsche or RX-8? It's a tough call. Despite all the "RX-8 vs. the world" threads you see on this board I think the RX-8 is better compared to the Boxster or even a 911 than an Evo, or 350-Z, or whatever, despite the performce difference with the 911.

I do wonder about a $30-something 993. That sounds questionable, unless you have a line on a car you know is good and you are getting a good deal. If that's the case, go for it. As you said the maintanence costs will (likely) be offset by the lack of depreciation, and as much as I love the Renesis, there just is no substitute for the sound and torque curve of a flat six. They are incredibly flexible engines that love to rev.

Drive both several times and let your heart tell you what to do. They both are great cars.

good advice
i had a 82 911 sc. although it is not a 98. i find i like the rx8 better. my friend sold his 98 993 for a wrx and then that for an sti.
turning japanese i think im turning japanese i really thin so...
i never thought i would buy another jap car...but, i LOVE LOVE LOVE my eight like nothing ive ever owned since my first chevy in 1977, (25 cars or so). follow your heart and drive both a few times on a sunny day.
andy

"I've never seen a Porsche without an oil leak." said a Porsche/Audi/VW/Lamborghini mechanic I talked to. The Porshe is a mean machine but it will cost more. Will this car be a daily driver or a weekend car?

I would get the 99 911 (996) before before getting a (993). Water cooled is more reliable, and cheaper. Four of us bought new cars in the past 4 months. 2 were RX-8s and 2 were 996s. Both 995s have spent at least 2 weeks in the shop for anything from windows not working properly to wheel bearings. 1 8 has not seen the shop, and my 8 saw it for a few minuits. The 996s are faster on the straits, but the 8 is faster in the turns. All four of us can fit in either 8.
My personal opinion: It is better to be rotary than pissed on (piston).

John

I bought my 911SC targa about three years ago. 60,000 miles, $15000. I've put about 15,000 miles on it since. Costs? Besides oil changes, i've sent $40 on two window switches, $32 on an oil hose, $12 on an AC belt and that's it. Insurance? $277 a YEAR!!! thru Haggerty. No deductible, $15000 ageed on value. And you can get 911's cheaper depending on were you live. Just get a PPI before buying one and you can have a very reliable car for not a lot of money. Expensive to fix? Maybe, but at around $12000 to $15000 for a nice one you still have around $15000 to spend on repairs instead of paying $27000 to $30000 for the 8. Also after your warranty runs out, do you think it's going to be cheap to have your 8 repaired? Guess again. I'm not knocking the 8, my friend bought a ti-gray 6 sp. Very nice. My sister also had an 83 RX-7, blast to drive, chirp the tires into 3rd gear. But do youself a favour, check out an early SC or Carrera, blast to drive and a timeless design, especially the targas. And what may surprise you us how close the 911 and the RX-8 are. About the same lenght, weight, and performance. My 80 does 0-60 in around 6 seconds. Not bad for a 24 year old car. Anyway good luck on your choice, just wanted to give you some feed back from a 911 owner.
Oh and John what makes you believe that the water pumper 911"s are more reliable?

Re: RX-8 or a used Porsche?
 

curious, have you chosen yet?

Personally, I would go with 8 just for warranty. Paying that much for a used car and then trying to pay for repair costs if something breaks sucks. If you go with the 8 something breaks take it in. It gets fixed and you don't have to pay more money than you are alreday paying to get it fixed.

I own both and this is my opinion. I own a 1997 993 w/ 45K on it. It was my daily driver until I got my 8 . I now keep it as a garage queen using it on weekends and special events. I am thinking about selling it for the same reason other members have mentioned. Upkeep. Little things are always going on.-window switch, oil leaks, new tires-Rear max 10K..,the famous 993 CE light due to carbon buildup, and many other "little" things.. I can cope w/ all of those, but I am worried about a BIG problem that will be thousands. I have owned two Porsches, previous to the 993 a 1990 C2 Cab. I had a major problem w/ that one just over the 2 year warranty they offered back then. The factory refused to cover. I sold the sucker, got a Benz- Hated it, and went back to the Porsche family. Grin and bear I guess.
My advice is really about how you are going to use the car.. If you want a daily driver. get the 8. If you get the 993, see if you can get an extended warranty cuz you can count on problems arising.. The new issue of EXCELLENCE has a section regarding the cost of Porsches in the year range you are asking about.
I have been very happy w/ my 8. It might not be exactly like my 911, but I think it stands on its own merits and have really had fun w/ it.. My kids (teenagers) actually like the 8 better. The prices of 993 have depreciated lately, so this is a good time to buy if you so desire. I have a 2S, but you should look for the 4S version. I also think the targa is very nice. You need to have it checked by an independent Porsche mechanic.. (or you will be sorry).. I am not big on water-chuggers like the 996 especially the early years which made it seem like you really had purchesed a Boxter. uggh!! The Turbo 993 series is special, and hold their value.. Now THAT is a car to have. Good luck.

Wow, guys, thanks for all of the feedback!
I didn't think I would get so many great Porsche perspectives! For those of you who asked, I will clarify some things. I am currently driving a 93 Miata with 212,000 miles on it...original clutch, exhaust, etc. Never a major repair. I have owned it for over 6 years and have driven about 130,000 of the miles.
This is the best car I have ever owned.
So what am I thinking? A Porsche?!?!? What the...?
Here is where I am at. I have always loved the 911...looks only..had never driven one. I am looking for a car as a daily driver, and would drive it year round (yes even in Wisconsin) but only on dry winter days...a friend of mine drives his M3 daily, so I think I can handle this. (Please no lectures on winter driving a sports car...)
I want to drive something unique. I love the BMW 5 series, and came close to buying one, but there are literally 8 of them in the parking lot at work. You have to check your license plate just to see whose is whose!
So that's out.
The RX-8 is great because it's rotary, fast, comfortable, fits 4 (I have two little kids), my wife can drive it, etc. But it is not a Porsche.
I am 32, and can finally afford to play with some money. Everything I know about handling money tells me to never buy a new car. No offense to any of you who did, but mathmatically it is not a good move.
So do I wait a year and buy a used RX-8? Not without a warranty...not with all of the problems that have already popped up, much less those that haven't...
So now compare apples to apples...a used 911 or a used RX-8...

As for the prices and years I mentioned, I am learning more. I do not want a 996 (water) 911. No debates on the motor...I just do not like the look! I need those big fat rear fenders!!!
I have seen a few 95 or 96 993s for about $32,000. I have not driven one.
I am now looking at the 964 (1990 to 1994) as well...I can get a clean version for $17,500 to $30,000 depending on mileage and year. I have only driven the one 911, an 87 with some problems. I am searching for a 964 and a 993 to drive...

Hope that clarifies things...I appreciate all of the advice! Keep it coming and I will let you know when I make a decision!
Dave

$32000 for a 95 or 96 seems low, have the car checked out thourghly! From what I've learned about 911's is that of the newer ones the 90 through around 93 had their share of problems. I know you want something newer but a 80's SC or Carrera will run you about $15000, if you put $1000 into it for repairs a year it would take you 15 years to have spent the same amount you did on the new 8. Also if you figure in insurance costs, I don't know what it costs to insure the 8 but I guess around 1300 a year. That's $1000 more than I pay to insure my 911 every year. So if you add in that $1000 to the $1000 you put in for yearly maintenance and repair, that's $2000 you've got to put into the 911 and it would still take you 15 years to spend the cost of a new 8.
But one thing I must mention, the 911 no matter what year will never shift as smoothly as the 8. Drive and decide I guess. Good luck, good choise ethier way.
PS, can't beat the look of those fat 911 rear ends!

a 10 y.o. used car vs a new car! Unless you are living your life in the 90s then it is an easy answer! RX-8

From what I have read about RX8's on this board it seems that there is nothing to be gained but alot of problems, I mean at 10k miles you are blowing 6th gear and your oil is foaming then you have some major issues heading your way.

With that said, I would take any 90's Porsche over a Rx8. The 993 are usable for any children. (less then 5.5ft) anything above that and rear seat comfort goes down.. That is in my cabriolet might be more rear seat room in the coupe... Also for reliablity I would stay with the 95 just make sure the wireing harness has been replaced by the dealer. Also do your own tune ups and oil changes...

what is a 944 SC turbo ?

I mean I been a 944 lover for a long time but there is no such thing as an SC turbo from the factory..

DO YOUR RESEARCH on the 964s. Lots of problems, which can be very expensive to fix. Like all 911s, good cars when running well but I have an article detailing all the problems with that particular model, and it isn't pretty.

As already stated, the 911SC, and the Carrera that came after it, are well known to be very reliable and reasonable to maintan. At that price point, you might be able to keep your Miata, or sell it and get a used Subaru 2.5 RS to drive in the snow/rain.

Buy a Toyota.....