1st Porsche - Which one ?

[Kosmo]

I'm looking at getting a Porsche for a 2nd car (more for my wife to use !) My budget is up to £17,000ish and was looking at a 993 or a 996... any advice for a 1st time Porsche owner would be apreciated.

Cheers,
Kosmo.

[Koln-RS]

Think I'd stretch the budget a bit and try and find a really nice 987'S'.

Great cars, newer and, probably, better than a 993/996 as a first Porsche, and lots of fun for you and wifey.

[GekkoRules]

Is a 987 the same as a 997?

[IMI A]

bog standard 996 2 facelift or vario 993 C2. pay a bit more to get a mint one if you have to. 996 for more frequent use or 993 to gawp at

[Koln-RS]

GekkoRules said:

Is a 987 the same as a 997?

No, the 987'S' is a mid-engined roadster - think of it as a mid sized Carrerea GT

[Christoffer]

GekkoRules said:

Is a 987 the same as a 997?

It's the current model Boxster.

Kosmo, not knowing which car your wife prefers the design of, I'd say you should buy her a 996. It's a bit bigger if you have children, it's newer and safer, and it will probably feel more like a normal car to her to drive.

The 996 is also cheap now so you'll get a lot of car for your money.
Which model does she prefer?

Edited by Christoffer on Saturday 7th November 21:49

[Kosmo]

Christoffer said:

GekkoRules said:

Is a 987 the same as a 997?

It's the current model Boxster.

Kosmo, not knowing which car your wife prefers the design of, I'd say you should buy her a 996. It's a bit bigger if you have children, it's newer and safer, and it will probably feel more like a normal car to her to drive.

The 996 is also cheap now so you'll get a lot of car for your money.
Which model does she prefer?

Edited by Christoffer on Saturday 7th November 21:49

996 C4 is 1st choice, as you say newer and safer etc... just a little worried about known problems and depreciation, however dont think it will loose too much money now and a lot of car for the money.

Not really interested in the Boxer, 911 is what she (I) want.

[graeme36s]

Christoffer said:

GekkoRules said:

Is a 987 the same as a 997?

It's the current model Boxster.

Kosmo, not knowing which car your wife prefers the design of, I'd say you should buy her a 996. It's a bit bigger if you have children, it's newer and safer, and it will probably feel more like a normal car to her to drive.

The 996 is also cheap now so you'll get a lot of car for your money.
Which model does she prefer?

Edited by Christoffer on Saturday 7th November 21:49

Sorry Christoffer. Newer yes. Safer No. 996's have to have a triangular plate bolted to the underside of the engine so that in the event of a severe accident it prevents the engine entering the habatical area because it no longer has a traditional rear bulk head. The 993 is the last of the panzer tank like shells. Oh and they do come with air bag protection.

[Pope]

graeme36s said:

Sorry Christoffer. Newer yes. Safer No. 996's have to have a triangular plate bolted to the underside of the engine so that in the event of a severe accident it prevents the engine entering the habatical area because it no longer has a traditional rear bulk head. The 993 is the last of the panzer tank like shells. Oh and they do come with air bag protection.

Not sure I agree here, 993's all had a catch bracket, to deflect forces into the subframes in the event of an accident. 'Normal' 996's don't (turbo/gt DO have the bracket - but they have the same engine cases as 993!). The triangular plate is on 986, not 996 and ties the suspension up under the transmission, not for crash protection. 9x6 was the first Porsche shell to use Boron and very high strength steel (the A pillar tubes have been noted by the rescue services as nigh on impossible to get through). The 993 has driver and passenger airbags but 9x6 got POSIP - driver/passenger bags, door bags and pyrotechnic seatbelt systems. 993 had ABS, 9x6 will (can) have ABS (TC/PSM - a far more safer option on a damp diesel strewn roundabout). Indeed IMHO I'd rather be in a 996 C4 on a damp, cold autumnal November night for useful progress. The wipers and screen are an improvement regards visibility (the dried up marks as the screenwash blows up the centre of the screen off the 993's wipers is a bit of a distraction (I'm really trying here )), the climate control system is less haphazard and the 996 can be considerably cheaper to own and run too............

993's can be more of an occasion to drive; but for everyday practicality and a sporty drive it has to be the 996 surely??.......

Edited by Pope on Sunday 8th November 07:42

[anonymous-user]

From a residual perspective a sorted high miles 993 but for the money you are likely to getter a better 996 than a 993. But comparing a 996 and 993 a bit like chalk and cheese. Try them both and the choice will become obvious once you are clear about whats more important to you

[Kosmo]

Thanks for all your comments.... let the search begin :-)

[Grinnders]

I'd suggest getting one of the Porsche mags from the newsagents. Not sure which one (GT Porsche?) but it has a full breakdown of the models and specs in the back

[pistonlager]

Peter Morgans' little A5 books are very informative.

[anniesdad]

Philip Raby's Little Book Of Porsche is also a handy errrr little book.