Am I totally mad..?? Please help
Discussion
Hey everyone - first post on PH!!
Was hoping for a few pearls of wisdom from you Porsche gurus....
Probably like a lot of people here I've wanted a 911 since I was a kid. Having just hit 30 and finally being in a financial position to get one, I bought a 997C2S four months ago. Being a city banker (don't shoot me..) I of course went for the latest version with all the toys thinking it to be the best. The car is fantastic and ticks every single box but somehow it just has no soul. Very hard to explain but in a way its just too good. I like the car but I don't love the car like I thought I would with a 911. Also, living in London every single banker, etc seems to have one.
I'm now seriously thinking of getting rid of the 997 and getting the car that I actually used to dream of as a spotty 18 year old and have a poster of on my wall, the 993C4S (Im my opinion the best looking Porsche ever). I've seen a few recently and just can't get rid of that nagging feeling that I've made a huge mistake going for the 'latest and greatest' model.
I spent 75k on my 997 that is now depreciating like a stone. I've seen a few beautiful 993C4S examples for sale for about 35k and so for the same money I could have my childhood dream Porsche and a nice BMW for everyday driving/commute. This would also make my wife very happy..!!
So, the question is: Am I being stupid here? Going from a new car to a 10yr old one - is that crazy? Should I just stick a Tubi on the 997 and try and fall in love with it? Will getting a 993 fix the itch? What happens if my boyhood dream car is no better? Is 35k for a nice 993 realistic?
Help, help, help!!
Was hoping for a few pearls of wisdom from you Porsche gurus....
Probably like a lot of people here I've wanted a 911 since I was a kid. Having just hit 30 and finally being in a financial position to get one, I bought a 997C2S four months ago. Being a city banker (don't shoot me..) I of course went for the latest version with all the toys thinking it to be the best. The car is fantastic and ticks every single box but somehow it just has no soul. Very hard to explain but in a way its just too good. I like the car but I don't love the car like I thought I would with a 911. Also, living in London every single banker, etc seems to have one.
I'm now seriously thinking of getting rid of the 997 and getting the car that I actually used to dream of as a spotty 18 year old and have a poster of on my wall, the 993C4S (Im my opinion the best looking Porsche ever). I've seen a few recently and just can't get rid of that nagging feeling that I've made a huge mistake going for the 'latest and greatest' model.
I spent 75k on my 997 that is now depreciating like a stone. I've seen a few beautiful 993C4S examples for sale for about 35k and so for the same money I could have my childhood dream Porsche and a nice BMW for everyday driving/commute. This would also make my wife very happy..!!
So, the question is: Am I being stupid here? Going from a new car to a 10yr old one - is that crazy? Should I just stick a Tubi on the 997 and try and fall in love with it? Will getting a 993 fix the itch? What happens if my boyhood dream car is no better? Is 35k for a nice 993 realistic?
Help, help, help!!
I don't think so. But...
I had a 993C4S (actually started out to get a 996TT but forgot all about them when I saw a 993TT - another story) and like you I consider it the nicest looking 911 ever made. I sold it and bought a Cayman S. Why? Because in my particular case the C4S was just too perfect - it was something of a showroom/concours car and I felt an obligation to keep it that way - I found myself cleaning and polishing it all the time, taking off wheels to clean them - that sort of thing. Because it was such a classic (albeit a modern one) the ownership experience was somewhat stressfull. I know I should have just forgotten about that and just driven it - but somehow I couldn't - I felt obliged to preserve its condition. I am of the opinion that the 993C4S was just about as good as Porsche have ever made and in that sense so much more valuable than the actual cost. FWIW I sold mine readily to the first dealer I 'phoned who sold it the same week.
With the Cayman S I just don't feel that way - I wash and clean it at the weekend but for half an hour - not several hours. I somehow just don't care if it gets dirty/wet and just don't feel the same anxiety - it's just a modern car - a Porsche sure, but just a modern car - I absolutely know I'd feel the same with a 997 of any variant. I'll look after it as well as any owner but I don't find myself stressing about it.
That said, the Cayman is a hell of a car - very very happy with it. Not near the same as a 997 of course but we're talking sentiment here as much as anything and in that sense I think it's relevant.
On the plus side, the toys and modern interior of the Cayman/997 are enjoyable - I won't deny it so be aware that you're forsaking that if you switch cars although the 993C4S interior is of superior build quality despite its comparitive simplicity and age. Some people hate that old interior style though and I can understand that.
You will be out of warranty too but in your situation, it's not likely to have you sweating if you have to drop a few grand on repairs. On the plus side you won't be losing anything in depreciation in a looked after 993C4S.
Make sure you go drive some and ask yourself are you happy being inside it and happy to say goodbye to all those toys?
Best of luck though - I understand entirely where you're coming from...An particularly about the soul thing - the 993 has it by the bucket load *for some people* - me included. Others just wonder why the hell anyone wants and old car with an interior from the 70s. That's the beauty of taste - it takes all forms.
But boy does the 993C4S look the business...!
I had a 993C4S (actually started out to get a 996TT but forgot all about them when I saw a 993TT - another story) and like you I consider it the nicest looking 911 ever made. I sold it and bought a Cayman S. Why? Because in my particular case the C4S was just too perfect - it was something of a showroom/concours car and I felt an obligation to keep it that way - I found myself cleaning and polishing it all the time, taking off wheels to clean them - that sort of thing. Because it was such a classic (albeit a modern one) the ownership experience was somewhat stressfull. I know I should have just forgotten about that and just driven it - but somehow I couldn't - I felt obliged to preserve its condition. I am of the opinion that the 993C4S was just about as good as Porsche have ever made and in that sense so much more valuable than the actual cost. FWIW I sold mine readily to the first dealer I 'phoned who sold it the same week.
With the Cayman S I just don't feel that way - I wash and clean it at the weekend but for half an hour - not several hours. I somehow just don't care if it gets dirty/wet and just don't feel the same anxiety - it's just a modern car - a Porsche sure, but just a modern car - I absolutely know I'd feel the same with a 997 of any variant. I'll look after it as well as any owner but I don't find myself stressing about it.
That said, the Cayman is a hell of a car - very very happy with it. Not near the same as a 997 of course but we're talking sentiment here as much as anything and in that sense I think it's relevant.
On the plus side, the toys and modern interior of the Cayman/997 are enjoyable - I won't deny it so be aware that you're forsaking that if you switch cars although the 993C4S interior is of superior build quality despite its comparitive simplicity and age. Some people hate that old interior style though and I can understand that.
You will be out of warranty too but in your situation, it's not likely to have you sweating if you have to drop a few grand on repairs. On the plus side you won't be losing anything in depreciation in a looked after 993C4S.
Make sure you go drive some and ask yourself are you happy being inside it and happy to say goodbye to all those toys?
Best of luck though - I understand entirely where you're coming from...An particularly about the soul thing - the 993 has it by the bucket load *for some people* - me included. Others just wonder why the hell anyone wants and old car with an interior from the 70s. That's the beauty of taste - it takes all forms.
But boy does the 993C4S look the business...!
Edited by sundiver on Thursday 14th September 07:54
If youre thinking along those lines why not get a mint 993 Turbo ?
Best of both worlds...
You dont have to drive fast everywhere but wont be much around that could burn you off if you needed to.
Beautiful looking car and loads of power....becoming a timeless classic...not depreciating much now.... you could pick up a 996 turbo cheaper than some 993 turbos so they are holding their value......
Thants my opinion...anyway
thanks
mike
Forgot to say welcome to the piston head forum...hope you enjoy it..
Best of both worlds...
You dont have to drive fast everywhere but wont be much around that could burn you off if you needed to.
Beautiful looking car and loads of power....becoming a timeless classic...not depreciating much now.... you could pick up a 996 turbo cheaper than some 993 turbos so they are holding their value......
Thants my opinion...anyway
thanks
mike
Forgot to say welcome to the piston head forum...hope you enjoy it..
Edited by sportsandclassic on Thursday 14th September 08:40
Not mad at all. The earlier cars have more character, the later cars are more accomplished and more comfortable.
What you need to do is try a 993 - if you 'click' with it then it will be perfect... however if things like interior toys etc. matter then you may consider it old-fashioned.
Remember there are lots of different 911s as well, catering for different types of buyer - there are the total enthusiasts cars as well as the 'status-symbol' types. Obviously the enthusiast cars will be more characterful, and harder to drive, etc. You need to decide why you want one and choose one that suits. If you're finding the 997 dull then try a GT3 or an earlier model 911...
What you need to do is try a 993 - if you 'click' with it then it will be perfect... however if things like interior toys etc. matter then you may consider it old-fashioned.
Remember there are lots of different 911s as well, catering for different types of buyer - there are the total enthusiasts cars as well as the 'status-symbol' types. Obviously the enthusiast cars will be more characterful, and harder to drive, etc. You need to decide why you want one and choose one that suits. If you're finding the 997 dull then try a GT3 or an earlier model 911...
I understand completely fella....
see here......www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=302157&f=48&h=0
I've gone for an old fella and now completely understand what the 911 phenomenon is all about. I drove loads of modern day variants before and never really got it.
Go 964!!!
KB
see here......www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=302157&f=48&h=0
I've gone for an old fella and now completely understand what the 911 phenomenon is all about. I drove loads of modern day variants before and never really got it.
Go 964!!!
KB
I completely understand this one - you didn't think ahead when you did the test drive.
I was looking at a 997S in the front half of the year, then I clocked the prices of nearly new low mileage GT3s in the classifieds... Hmmm...
Anyway to cut a long story short, I test drove the 997 back to back against the GT3. The 997 was perfect - it simply ticked every box. A done deal perhaps. It seemed like it at the time, but nope. Got in the GT3 and within the first half mile it blew my socks off. All those deftly ticked boxes of the 997 were hastily discarded for a new set of criteria that I was never even aware of. I expected to be intimidated and instead I was just sucked right in...
So I bought a GT3. Best purchasing decision of my life so far.
I was looking at a 997S in the front half of the year, then I clocked the prices of nearly new low mileage GT3s in the classifieds... Hmmm...
Anyway to cut a long story short, I test drove the 997 back to back against the GT3. The 997 was perfect - it simply ticked every box. A done deal perhaps. It seemed like it at the time, but nope. Got in the GT3 and within the first half mile it blew my socks off. All those deftly ticked boxes of the 997 were hastily discarded for a new set of criteria that I was never even aware of. I expected to be intimidated and instead I was just sucked right in...
So I bought a GT3. Best purchasing decision of my life so far.
Not many bankers drive gt2s.... rare car... piss them all off by blowing them all away... i did this at a track day last week... drove passed 997s like they were stopped...think the people on track bought them because of the new reg, model e.t.c...!! they could not believe my 02 996 gt2.. pissed them off big time..
Erik2006 said:
I'm now seriously thinking of getting rid of the 997 and getting the car that I actually used to dream of as a spotty 18 year old and have a poster of on my wall, the 993C4S
do it, if that was your dream then follow it, the 993 will be less accomplished but way more characterful, if this is what you want rather than ultimate ability the 993 shoul dbe the one you get, be it 4S or TT (and yes the 4S sans wing is nicer looking)
I can see wher you're coming from , a pal of mine has a 993 c4s and every time I see it a get a nagging ache that maybe I should have gone that way (AHH the lure of the dark side!!)
... BUT .. he is already looking at changing his car for a 996 GT3 , and he reckons that Porsche has gone back to it's roots with the 997 and would also really fancy an 's' .... But that's the thing about 911's ... If you're honest with yourself , the grass is always greener ....
... BUT .. he is already looking at changing his car for a 996 GT3 , and he reckons that Porsche has gone back to it's roots with the 997 and would also really fancy an 's' .... But that's the thing about 911's ... If you're honest with yourself , the grass is always greener ....
I bought one because it's the closest thing to a playstation I could find. This way I get to leave the house and get from A to B.. They have no soul but they've got USB ports on them and they play MP3s. If I wanted a car with soul I would not have gone for a 997S.. I might get a Triumph spitfire next.. 
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