Which Porsche?
Discussion
Vagueness of this will no doubt anger lots, but on the off-chance it will provide a stimulating discussion...
I'm about to purchase a Porsche as a 2nd/3rd car and would appreciate some input, as the only ones I've driven are new ones (718/991.2 etc.), and I haven't got my heart set on a particular car/generation, so am open to suggestions.
My budget is flexible between £5k-£40k but would ideally like to stay <£20k. Having said that, I'd prefer something that's unlikely to depreciate much, so an air cooled 911 for £40k is OK, a 981 for £40k less palatable!
I'm basically torn between a mint early 986 S, a late 80's targa, a 993, 996 or 997. I'm not fussed about outright speed.
Would prefer a targa, but hard top with sunroof is acceptable. Solid tin-top absolutely no go. I'd consider getting a cabrio if someone who has one tells me it's amazing. I do prefer soft tops on sports cars, but on 911's the cabrio's shape does turn me off a bit.
Must be a manual or PDK (no tiptronic!).
Car would only be used on weekends and occasional trips away, maybe 6,000 miles a year.
Would getting a boggo 986 S be a good way to first Porsche ownership, or will I get significantly more bang for buck if I spend a bit more on a 911, and then how to decide between generations? For what it's worth, I know the 996 is the least desirable generation, but I personally haven't got much hatred for it... Do 996 Turbos require as big a bork fund as I fear?
Ta
I'm about to purchase a Porsche as a 2nd/3rd car and would appreciate some input, as the only ones I've driven are new ones (718/991.2 etc.), and I haven't got my heart set on a particular car/generation, so am open to suggestions.
My budget is flexible between £5k-£40k but would ideally like to stay <£20k. Having said that, I'd prefer something that's unlikely to depreciate much, so an air cooled 911 for £40k is OK, a 981 for £40k less palatable!
I'm basically torn between a mint early 986 S, a late 80's targa, a 993, 996 or 997. I'm not fussed about outright speed.
Would prefer a targa, but hard top with sunroof is acceptable. Solid tin-top absolutely no go. I'd consider getting a cabrio if someone who has one tells me it's amazing. I do prefer soft tops on sports cars, but on 911's the cabrio's shape does turn me off a bit.
Must be a manual or PDK (no tiptronic!).
Car would only be used on weekends and occasional trips away, maybe 6,000 miles a year.
Would getting a boggo 986 S be a good way to first Porsche ownership, or will I get significantly more bang for buck if I spend a bit more on a 911, and then how to decide between generations? For what it's worth, I know the 996 is the least desirable generation, but I personally haven't got much hatred for it... Do 996 Turbos require as big a bork fund as I fear?
Ta
Why a 986S over a 987?
I think my money in that arena would go either on a 987 Boxster or Cayman (not even necessarily an S...), a 997 C2S or if you can go toppy to a Cayman R (assuming they haven't joined the squillionaire appreciation society in the last 6 months...).
987 was a big step up from the 986 IMO, inside and out. Power wise the standard 987 was where the S was on the 986 too.
I think my money in that arena would go either on a 987 Boxster or Cayman (not even necessarily an S...), a 997 C2S or if you can go toppy to a Cayman R (assuming they haven't joined the squillionaire appreciation society in the last 6 months...).
987 was a big step up from the 986 IMO, inside and out. Power wise the standard 987 was where the S was on the 986 too.
A 986 is a great option in it's own right. If you've got the daily comfort requirements sorted elsewhere then an older Porsche might be for you. The trick will be finding one that is well looked after enough. As you can imagine these cars are so cheap now and at such an age that they need money spending on them to keep them tip top. I'm on my second 986 S now having had an early one and now one of the last 550 ones.
If it was me and a weekend/fun car purely for the road, I'd aim for:
220-250bhp/tonne with a person in it if watercooled (nothing faster), aircooled doesn't matter
Manual (6 sp ideally)
RWD
So, it'd be one of the following for me:
997.2 Carrera manual
987.2 Boxster Spyder manual (not strictly in budget)
993 Carrera manual (will have to be a Cab for <£40K)
The most consistently special experience = Boxster Spyder IMHO
The most useable while still great = 997.2 Carrera
The left field choice = 993 Cab
The 993 would be a bit of a dark horse provided it had been looked after (refreshed suspension etc) and ideally had an ECU going over by Wayne Schofield (bit more power, but more importantly much smoother delivery of it). On the right road (i.e. smooth-ish since it is a Cab!) on a nice day with the roof down, none of the other Porsches I've owned/driven come close to the fun of my 993 Cab. Aircooled noise through a motorsound airbox (£100) and a Carnewal GT exhaust (£600) is mega, and you hear it lots as you have to work the engine (esp the NVR ones). BUT, owning one will involve decent maintenance costs, and £30K+ for what is objectively the worst handling car of any of the ones you or I have mentioned could seem a bit bonkers!
220-250bhp/tonne with a person in it if watercooled (nothing faster), aircooled doesn't matter
Manual (6 sp ideally)
RWD
So, it'd be one of the following for me:
997.2 Carrera manual
987.2 Boxster Spyder manual (not strictly in budget)
993 Carrera manual (will have to be a Cab for <£40K)
The most consistently special experience = Boxster Spyder IMHO
The most useable while still great = 997.2 Carrera
The left field choice = 993 Cab
The 993 would be a bit of a dark horse provided it had been looked after (refreshed suspension etc) and ideally had an ECU going over by Wayne Schofield (bit more power, but more importantly much smoother delivery of it). On the right road (i.e. smooth-ish since it is a Cab!) on a nice day with the roof down, none of the other Porsches I've owned/driven come close to the fun of my 993 Cab. Aircooled noise through a motorsound airbox (£100) and a Carnewal GT exhaust (£600) is mega, and you hear it lots as you have to work the engine (esp the NVR ones). BUT, owning one will involve decent maintenance costs, and £30K+ for what is objectively the worst handling car of any of the ones you or I have mentioned could seem a bit bonkers!
I'm going with the 80's option.
Something like this with the later G50 box.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Something like this with the later G50 box.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I'm a Porsche newbie so I've no comparison to make. I own a gen 2 987 2.9 Cayman, and I absolutely blinking love it. I've always wanted a Porsche and so glad it's exactly as I imagined. Only things I've thought negatively about are some minor things due to slight design lack of thought, but they're minor. It's plenty fast for me and handles like a little go cart. Despite not being a V8 super car it still hits the speed limit very quickly in a low gear. Feels new enough to be comfortable yet raw enough to feel like you're in a proper sports car, not a GT. Plus I can't stop looking at it (along with everyone under the age of 13 - it being bright yellow). Appreciate you want a soft top, so maybe a 987 gen 2 Box? If they're anything like the Cayman, fantastic.
I'd love to have a go in other Porsches to see what they're like, it quite honestly I'd love another Cayman when the years go by, a late model 981 for instance once they've flattened out a bit more price wise. Although I do drool at the 997 turbo (i can dream
). If I did hoping I won't be disappointed meeting the other heroes as the little cayman has been brilliant.
Find a place that has a variety of used Porkers and just have a go in the different flavours and once one lights you up do your research into it
For your upper price point you're nearly into 997 Turbo territory looking at PH classifieds. I know there'd be some potentially large bills associated with a 997 turbo, but they're newer than the early P cars so? I don't know. Depreciation wise maybe some of the folk who know would be able to guide. But are 997 turbos bottomed out? So maybe a reasonable bet on that front too. Just a thought.
I'd love to have a go in other Porsches to see what they're like, it quite honestly I'd love another Cayman when the years go by, a late model 981 for instance once they've flattened out a bit more price wise. Although I do drool at the 997 turbo (i can dream
). If I did hoping I won't be disappointed meeting the other heroes as the little cayman has been brilliant. Find a place that has a variety of used Porkers and just have a go in the different flavours and once one lights you up do your research into it
For your upper price point you're nearly into 997 Turbo territory looking at PH classifieds. I know there'd be some potentially large bills associated with a 997 turbo, but they're newer than the early P cars so? I don't know. Depreciation wise maybe some of the folk who know would be able to guide. But are 997 turbos bottomed out? So maybe a reasonable bet on that front too. Just a thought.
Edited by Buggyjam on Thursday 26th October 16:16
Mario149 said:
David A said:
Life’s too short.
Get a turbo cab.
Otherwise known as "go big or go home " Get a turbo cab.
997 turbo would be one hell of an intro to the brand
My first and only caterham is a 620R so fully on board with your sentiment!
To add some context a few years back I went looking for a cheapo 996 cab as a daily hack. The idea was to save the Maserati for sunny days.
I read all the engine stories and figured the mezger engine was the one to have, hence a turbo S cab soon appeared. Didn’t even drive it before buying. It’s now been fetteld by 9e as life really is too short.
Since buying it I’ve put nearly 40k on and a new arrival to family meant I accidentally bought a panamera 4s too.
In short get one bought.
Edited by David A on Thursday 26th October 19:22
As a 2nd/3rd car I would also recommend clear/low miles 986 S. They are totally bargain, for weekend toys. If you prefer coupe, then the 987 Cayman is also fantastic option. I run my old 986, for nearly 6 years as a weekend car. It did needed engine rebuild at the end, and several upgrades but for overall cost/ownership, it was still a quite good value!
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