What Porsche for £55k?
Discussion
Nobody can answer this question for me so instead please consider this thread a rant, but basically I have a budget of £55k to spend on a Porsche but I’ll be damned if I can choose one.
As some of you know I have a manual 987.2 which I’m confident is the best car I’ll ever own. It’s got it’s downsides which do annoy me from time to time but yet on other days I think I could drive it until the end of time.
I’ve driven all of the current Porsche range but I’m still none the wiser. I don’t think Porsche make any bad cars in fact I think I want to own them all it’s just a case of which one next?
Another issue I have is my budget is made up of cash and my current cars (conservative) estimated value so I’d have to sell it in order to fund my next car and therefore I run the risk of being without a Porsche while I wait (possibly) months for the correct model/spec to come on sale. Unless of course I get a loan/finance and then sell my Cayman after collecting a new car.
997.2
+Last analogue 911
+ never owned a rear engine car
- Very similar to what I have at the moment
- The “old” model
- A lot of money to change for what is a very similar car
981 Cayman
+ Many things that I love and adore
+ With my budget the world is my oyster
+Vast majority of the time its modern features would suit me more than the 987
- If I go manual I can’t drive with reduced PSM without the stupid engine blip
- Chassis isn’t as engaging as a 997/987
- Although PDK is great for the commute I will be bored during the weekends, plus the theatrical blip on downshifts pisses me off
- Engine sounds totally fake like a computer game
991
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel rear engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
Panamera
+I love these so much. Had a gen 2 diesel for a week and although I don’t like diesels I didn’t want to give it back, I was very upset having to drive my Cayman home!
+Gen 1 turbo in budget
+ Be nice to use for family duties instead of a boring 1.6 ecobox.
- Gen 1 ugly as f
k
- Gen 2 is gorgeous but the only one I can afford is the diesel, none GTS and Turbo models only a V6 as well
- Most of the time I will be carting around an extra 600kg for no reason, so may as well stick with a sports car
I go through phases were I think one car is better than the other, the truth is they are all good in separate areas. A 997 will be a hoot for a blast, but the tyre roar and manual box aren’t great for hammering the miles on it (I suffer the same issue with my current Cayman).
A 981 will be a lovely daily driver for the commute and chores but I find it quite boring when you actually want some fun.
A Panamera is gorgeous but probably overkill and way more expensive to run/track etc., plus my girlfriends wont find it as cool as a 2 seater but at least I could have more than 1 of them with me
But anyway I just wanted to share some thoughts. It wouldn't surprise me if others go through this same conundrum.
Just to clarify I am not interested in any other manufacture, it has to be Porsche.
As some of you know I have a manual 987.2 which I’m confident is the best car I’ll ever own. It’s got it’s downsides which do annoy me from time to time but yet on other days I think I could drive it until the end of time.
I’ve driven all of the current Porsche range but I’m still none the wiser. I don’t think Porsche make any bad cars in fact I think I want to own them all it’s just a case of which one next?
Another issue I have is my budget is made up of cash and my current cars (conservative) estimated value so I’d have to sell it in order to fund my next car and therefore I run the risk of being without a Porsche while I wait (possibly) months for the correct model/spec to come on sale. Unless of course I get a loan/finance and then sell my Cayman after collecting a new car.
997.2
+Last analogue 911
+ never owned a rear engine car
- Very similar to what I have at the moment
- The “old” model
- A lot of money to change for what is a very similar car
981 Cayman
+ Many things that I love and adore
+ With my budget the world is my oyster
+Vast majority of the time its modern features would suit me more than the 987
- If I go manual I can’t drive with reduced PSM without the stupid engine blip
- Chassis isn’t as engaging as a 997/987
- Although PDK is great for the commute I will be bored during the weekends, plus the theatrical blip on downshifts pisses me off
- Engine sounds totally fake like a computer game
991
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel rear engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
Panamera
+I love these so much. Had a gen 2 diesel for a week and although I don’t like diesels I didn’t want to give it back, I was very upset having to drive my Cayman home!
+Gen 1 turbo in budget
+ Be nice to use for family duties instead of a boring 1.6 ecobox.
- Gen 1 ugly as f
k- Gen 2 is gorgeous but the only one I can afford is the diesel, none GTS and Turbo models only a V6 as well
- Most of the time I will be carting around an extra 600kg for no reason, so may as well stick with a sports car
I go through phases were I think one car is better than the other, the truth is they are all good in separate areas. A 997 will be a hoot for a blast, but the tyre roar and manual box aren’t great for hammering the miles on it (I suffer the same issue with my current Cayman).
A 981 will be a lovely daily driver for the commute and chores but I find it quite boring when you actually want some fun.
A Panamera is gorgeous but probably overkill and way more expensive to run/track etc., plus my girlfriends wont find it as cool as a 2 seater but at least I could have more than 1 of them with me
But anyway I just wanted to share some thoughts. It wouldn't surprise me if others go through this same conundrum.
Just to clarify I am not interested in any other manufacture, it has to be Porsche.
Edited by Beknown on Monday 16th November 17:06
Edited by Beknown on Monday 16th November 17:55
swimd said:
Beknown said:
991
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel mid-engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel mid-engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
The positives and negatives in the 991 are the same as the 981 (lets be honest they are almost the same car), with the added fact there is hardly any 991's in my budget.
A couple of other choices to consider that are still modern enough to be considered reliable and everyday cars;
Late 996/ early 997 Turbo, Great Toys all of them
Slightly less than perfect 996 GT3 can still be had for this budget, all be it not that easy to find, but definitely possible.
Pre face lift Panamera GTS, you can't seriously call this car ugly and it's simply an awesome car and whilst I haven't actually checked it is probably in the budget
Late 996/ early 997 Turbo, Great Toys all of them
Slightly less than perfect 996 GT3 can still be had for this budget, all be it not that easy to find, but definitely possible.
Pre face lift Panamera GTS, you can't seriously call this car ugly and it's simply an awesome car and whilst I haven't actually checked it is probably in the budget
Craigybaby69 said:
swimd said:
Beknown said:
991
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel mid-engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
+ See 981
- See 981 (also not many in my budget)
- People say it doesn’t feel mid-engined enough and feels more like a Cayman
PorscheGT4 said:
what bits don't you like, it will help me choose a car for you :-)
Its manual gearbox can wind me up on the commute 5 days a week, snail pace traffic for 45 minutes (in addition to the rest of the commute) each way every day. But its the same gearbox that puts such a smile on my face during the evening and weekend blasts.Tyre roar on longer journeys especially when 'making good progress'. 17,000 miles done this year so far.
Ultimately I have money available to spend and I like to try new things.
I think a Panamera turbo would be a good laugh but it doesnt seem like a serious decision.
I was in a similar(ish) situation to yourself a couple of months back with around £56k.
Panamera would have been practical enough and fun but it wouldn`t have been `right` in my head so that was out.
Then tried a Cayman R. As great as car as it was to take for a `blast` I thought about it and discounted it because it wasn`t a 911. 991 was on the cards with a few more ££s if I looked down the sofa but had read so much about the 997s being the last of the so called mechanical cars with the best (6 speed) box so I tried a few. I maybe should have tried a 991 but I didn`t want PDK and that`s all that was local to me.
Ended up with a 997.2 C4S after trying a few variants. For the first time in my life, months after buying a car, I`ve not been on PH classifieds or Autotrader since I got it.
Panamera would have been practical enough and fun but it wouldn`t have been `right` in my head so that was out.
Then tried a Cayman R. As great as car as it was to take for a `blast` I thought about it and discounted it because it wasn`t a 911. 991 was on the cards with a few more ££s if I looked down the sofa but had read so much about the 997s being the last of the so called mechanical cars with the best (6 speed) box so I tried a few. I maybe should have tried a 991 but I didn`t want PDK and that`s all that was local to me.
Ended up with a 997.2 C4S after trying a few variants. For the first time in my life, months after buying a car, I`ve not been on PH classifieds or Autotrader since I got it.
997 GTS at that money.
Alternatively, you could get a 997 C2S with very low miles and in great condition for the same money.
I was in pretty much exactly your boat. I wanted back seats as I have a baby, but I wasn't absolutely dead set on that. The 981 seemed no better, and probably worse, than my 987.2. After test-driving a few 997s and 991s, I liked the 997 more but also found it less easy to drive (which, after a few hundred miles, becomes a good thing but at first put me off slightly).
I went for a cheaper 997 S on the basis that it was a rare colour and I am so bored by silver, black and white Porsches. The reality is that it will cost me as much as a more expensive one with lower mileage because Porsches are made of chocolate and most things wear out at 50-70k miles. I probably should have done more research!
Alternatively, you could get a 997 C2S with very low miles and in great condition for the same money.
I was in pretty much exactly your boat. I wanted back seats as I have a baby, but I wasn't absolutely dead set on that. The 981 seemed no better, and probably worse, than my 987.2. After test-driving a few 997s and 991s, I liked the 997 more but also found it less easy to drive (which, after a few hundred miles, becomes a good thing but at first put me off slightly).
I went for a cheaper 997 S on the basis that it was a rare colour and I am so bored by silver, black and white Porsches. The reality is that it will cost me as much as a more expensive one with lower mileage because Porsches are made of chocolate and most things wear out at 50-70k miles. I probably should have done more research!
ORD said:
997 GTS at that money.
I was in pretty much exactly your boat. I wanted back seats as I have a baby, but I wasn't absolutely dead set on that. The 981 seemed no better, and probably worse, than my 987.2. After test-driving a few 997s and 991s, I liked the 997 more but also found it less easy to drive (which, after a few hundred miles, becomes a good thing but at first put me off slightly).
I made that mistake.I was in pretty much exactly your boat. I wanted back seats as I have a baby, but I wasn't absolutely dead set on that. The 981 seemed no better, and probably worse, than my 987.2. After test-driving a few 997s and 991s, I liked the 997 more but also found it less easy to drive (which, after a few hundred miles, becomes a good thing but at first put me off slightly).
I didn't like the 997 GTS when it first launched. It didn't feel different enough from my 997.1, whereas the 991 felt so much more modern, more refined. But after living with a 991 for a couple of years I became bored, because the 991 is basically soulless unless driven flat-out. So I've gone "backwards" to a 997.
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