Best daily driver 911 for £50k

Best daily driver 911 for £50k

Author
Discussion

ttdan

1,091 posts

192 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
quotequote all
Kettmark said:
Thanks for the feedback chaps. Would any of these offer twice the drive of my current 997.1 c2s?
My head says keep it as it's so much fun for low £20s k outlay. Recon engine fitted 15k ago so hopefully some comfort there.
Surely depreciation proof whereas £50 k gen 2 or 991 would cost me a few grand a year in depreciation.
Answered you own question there mate.

g7jhp

6,959 posts

237 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
quotequote all
A good manual 996 turbo, so easy to use for daily duties.

Chubbyross

4,537 posts

84 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
quotequote all
Kettmark said:
Thanks for the feedback chaps. Would any of these offer twice the drive of my current 997.1 c2s?
My head says keep it as it's so much fun for low £20s k outlay. Recon engine fitted 15k ago so hopefully some comfort there.
Surely depreciation proof whereas £50 k gen 2 or 991 would cost me a few grand a year in depreciation.
Keep it. Only 15k on a new engine, very little depreciation and plenty of smiles. What’s not to like?

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
quotequote all
997 turbo, the c2/c4s feels quite slow compared to modern cars but the turbo still flies! the 4wd system is good for winter too

Cheib

23,112 posts

174 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
quotequote all
If it’s a genuine “use in all weathers” daily....I’d say it’s got to be a 4 of some sort. Just that bit better in the wet and as per the recent aqua plaine thread....lightweight 2wd cars with big wide tyres aren’t the best (that was a Cayman though).

My 997.2 GTS is definitely a decent amount more tail happy in the wet which can be decent fun at the right time.

NAS90

146 posts

111 months

Saturday 15th December 2018
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
not the remit though

"what do people think is the best 'value' daily driver 911 currently available for cira £50k?"

best value daily 911 is a 991.1, of that their can be no question, now what people like to drive and own on forums is not he same as " best 'value' daily driver 911 currently available for circa £50k?"

:-) talks of GT3's and 997 is laughable at best.
The answer to this question will always be a very subjective one as we all see 'value' differently, some will rate cost of ownership as the most important part of value, others will balance the driving experience against outright cost when judging value. To definitively assume you have the right answer and dismiss other's opinions as laughable is, with any respect that you feel due to you, somewhat arrogant.

Surely in considering this question cost of ownership cannot be excluded and so any discussion involving the word "value" has to, in addition to running costs, consider depreciation. A 991.1 is a nice drive for sure, but is likely to depreciate more over the next few years than almost any other 911 you could choose; whilst obviously an option to consider, the financial aspect alone must surely preclude it from being the 'best value...no question' option.

A GT3, whilst not plentiful, can be found at this money and factoring in possible appreciation again maintenance would likely have a low or possibly zero cost of ownership, add this to an undoubtedly rewarding driving experience should certainly make it worthy of consideration rather than 'laughable at best'

Clearly there are lots of options at this price range, some better than others, but none wholly right or wrong.


GT03ROB

13,208 posts

220 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
NAS90 said:
A GT3, whilst not plentiful, can be found at this money and factoring in possible appreciation again maintenance would likely have a low or possibly zero cost of ownership, add this to an undoubtedly rewarding driving experience should certainly make it worthy of consideration rather than 'laughable at best'

Clearly there are lots of options at this price range, some better than others, but none wholly right or wrong.
Given the original thread title is "best daily driver", whilst a GT3 could be used as a daily driver, it really doesn't fit within the normal understanding of a daily driver. Last week I had to do what I would consider to be a typical daily drover route. Pissing down with rain, bit of motorway, M25, north circular, type stuff. Would I have considered taking my GT3? Nope. The Panamera is best for that sort of stuff, fast, comfortable, PDK. Closest 911 equivalent I would suggest would be a Turbo. The GT3 just could not be described as a "best" daily driver.

Steve Rance

5,435 posts

230 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
I suppose it depends on what you do and where you live. Out here in carrot land, a GT3 will do just fine as a daily - but £50k may be stretching it... but this is Pistonheads after all and we all want Champagne cars for lemonade money on this forum don’t we.

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
997 GTS allowing for a few more grand to get one. A lot are above £50k but below £60k.

Kettmark

Original Poster:

901 posts

152 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
Not looking for a garage queen, in fact I would rather have a car with a few miles on so as not to become precious about mileage.
If I could get into a gt3 I would rather save up and increase my budget.
I've got a 205 gti I use in the summer which I've had for 22 years and would like a daily with the same feeling of aliveness and communication if possible.
Does this rule out all but gt3's?

IMI A

9,410 posts

200 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
Kettmark said:
Not looking for a garage queen, in fact I would rather have a car with a few miles on so as not to become precious about mileage.
If I could get into a gt3 I would rather save up and increase my budget.
I've got a 205 gti I use in the summer which I've had for 22 years and would like a daily with the same feeling of aliveness and communication if possible.
Does this rule out all but gt3's?
GT3 a no brainer and worth noting a nice 964 C2 or 993 C2 will also give you similar feel to the Pug. The Pug is very torquey, light and fast in a similar way to the old air-cooled cars.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

233 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
Kettmark said:
Not looking for a garage queen, in fact I would rather have a car with a few miles on so as not to become precious about mileage.
If I could get into a gt3 I would rather save up and increase my budget.
I've got a 205 gti I use in the summer which I've had for 22 years and would like a daily with the same feeling of aliveness and communication if possible.
Does this rule out all but gt3's?
Didn't you start the GT3 thread? Think you are quite confused - obviously you are being very cautious with cash and don't seem to be able to get what you want for the price you want to pay?

The market is the market and only you can make up your mind so I suggest going out and trying a few cars and if possible stumping up the extra if needed.

I had a 205 GTI and loved it - the only cars that gave the same feeling of steering communication was a Caterham and Elise S1. So that's what I have now.



Kettmark

Original Poster:

901 posts

152 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
Didn't you start the GT3 thread? Think you are quite confused - obviously you are being very cautious with cash and don't seem to be able to get what you want for the price you want to pay?

The market is the market and only you can make up your mind so I suggest going out and trying a few cars and if possible stumping up the extra if needed.

I had a 205 GTI and loved it - the only cars that gave the same feeling of steering communication was a Caterham and Elise S1. So that's what I have now.
Yes I did start a gt3 thread & have contributed to several over the past few months.
It's a lot of dosh to spend as I'm sure all can appreciate so don't want to make a costly mistake.
You are right. I need to get out & try some cars to see what suits my needs.
Thanks.

northpolar

137 posts

135 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
Given that you have a 997.1 c2s, you have a bit of a problem defining a replacement car which will offer an improvement.

A 996 may feel a bit more 'alive' but it doesn't have the same build quality and, my experience being 6' 2", it was blooming uncomfortable over any distance - the driver seat simply does not go back far enough for me.

A 997.2 may offer a more reliable option which is fine if you were buying from outside the Porker family, but you already have a 997 so I can't see you gaining much more performance and certainly not more rawness, if that's what you are seeking. It would seem sensible to stick with what you have and hold back an engine repair fund, should chocolate tendencies emerge with yours.

The turbo models will be faster, but they don't sound anywhere near as good as the NA engines and you have to ask yourself, do you need the extra performance for UK roads? They certainly won't add any raw factor.

Definitely worth checking out a 997.2 GTS as that may just offer you a sizeable upgrade. If you can stretch to it, a 997 GT3 is the obvious answer - rawness by the bucket load and plenty more power. If memory serves, the 997.1 GT3 had the ability to have rear seat belts fitted, if that fall back option floated your boat. Please double check my last statement as it may have applied to the 996! I recall at some point in the GT3 cycle, rear seat belts vanished as an option.

991 will offer more refinement, lecky steering, better all round ability for long journeys -> less raw feel. Doesn't sound like that's what you are after.

Good luck with your hunt!

RicM5

190 posts

205 months

Sunday 16th December 2018
quotequote all
Had a 997.1 C2S manual for a year then bought a 997.1 GT3 and have just sold a 997.1 manual turbo after a years ownership and have just bought a 991.1 C2S manual
The GT3 is absolutely amazing but spent more time in the garage and I was too precious about it. the turbo was very usable but you got the feeling “your mum could drive it as well” and was a tad uninvolving
The 991 C2S is fantastic as was my 997 C2S
I believe that unless your bloody loaded the cooking 911’s are best and less sensitive to a few miles on them. The 991 is quicker,more comfortable,less tyre noise and the sports exhaust is mustard!! And I have no idea what all the fuss about the manual gearbox not being any good I think it’s great
It’s also the last manual naturally aspirated Carrera porsche made and I reckon that will help values

ATM

18,096 posts

218 months

Monday 17th December 2018
quotequote all
Kettmark said:
SidewaysSi said:
Didn't you start the GT3 thread? Think you are quite confused - obviously you are being very cautious with cash and don't seem to be able to get what you want for the price you want to pay?

The market is the market and only you can make up your mind so I suggest going out and trying a few cars and if possible stumping up the extra if needed.

I had a 205 GTI and loved it - the only cars that gave the same feeling of steering communication was a Caterham and Elise S1. So that's what I have now.
Yes I did start a gt3 thread & have contributed to several over the past few months.
It's a lot of dosh to spend as I'm sure all can appreciate so don't want to make a costly mistake.
You are right. I need to get out & try some cars to see what suits my needs.
Thanks.
You can get nearer to gt3 feel by lowering and stiffening. After all if you ignore that engine and box - a big ask I know - then they're basically the same cars. If modifying is not your thing then you need to look for one of the cars with the low passive dampers and lsd option - these are rare. This means your daily driver is low and stiff and more feelsome than your current 997. The problem with this is your daily driver is now lower and stiffer than your current 997 and mighy become a bit tedious.

If you read the thread from start to finish you will see the different views of different people defining what they view as a daily driver.

One guy wants to use his panamera for daily driving. Others would use a gt3.

We're all guessing what you want or telling you what we want.