964? 968? 993? for 15-20k

[simonsporsche]

Hey,

So I'm doing research before buying my first ever Porsche. I've always dreamed of driving a Porsche, and now seems like the perfect opportunity. We have a large family car already, and only really need a second car for me to drive to work and when I go fishing, so it doesn't have to be huge and can be fun!

I'm not wanting to spend more than £20k as an absolute maximum, and would be happier spending between 10k and 15k; willing to pay up to 20 for the *right* car though. I'm after a cabriolet (I love open top motoring). So here are my current thoughts:

1) I could get a 968 cabriolet, prices start around 9k, probably around 15k for a decent example. Has good reviews in general. However rear seats are really tiny - so if I *did* want to put the kids in the back it'd not be fun. Also doesn't seem to have 3 point belts at the back. Also not a 911 ;-)

2) I could get a 964 cabriolet. Either the C2 with a tiptronic box (is it actually any good?), or the C4. I'll be driving this car in winter too, and I like the idea of the permanent 4 wheel drive (had an Audi S8 Quattro a while back and loved it especially in winter). Prices start from around 10k, again guessing 15k-18k for a decent one? Love the classic looks too. But...lots of reviews saying unreliable at times?

3) I could go for a very early LHD 993 cabriolet, if I'm very lucky, for around 20k. Would be absolutely the cheapest 993 around with lots of problems? Would probably accept a coupe too if it was the right car...is the 993 really that much better than the 964?

I'd like a car with no more than about 60k miles on it - been wary of high mileage cars before. Am I worrying needlessly about this? Should I be just has happy with a 100k+ car?

I'd like to have air conditioning. Yes, I know it's a cabriolet. But air con is nice in winter too, and in the rain...

Anything else I should consider in this price range?

Note: I'm not trying to start a religious war of 964 vs 993. I'm talking about cars in my specific price range

Thanks for any advice you can offer,

-simon

[warmfuzzies]

Well, if you're interested in the 964 just a couple of things.

The cabs only have lap belts, and the rear seats are not alltogether generous, although I have had two of my rather large freinds in the back each weighing 17 stone.....they were a little cramped though.....and passers by thought it looked hilarious.

kevin

>> Edited by warmfuzzies on Sunday 15th May 10:08

[softinthehead]

simonsporsche said:

I could get a 968 cabriolet, prices start around 9k, probably around 15k for a decent example. Has good reviews in general. However rear seats are really tiny - so if I *did* want to put the kids in the back it'd not be fun. Also doesn't seem to have 3 point belts at the back. Also not a 911 ;-) -simon

if youre after a manual the problem is not price its finding one. they are very rare. if youre happy with a tip you'll have more luck but its also fairly uncommon, especially if youre picky about colour. T
The rear seats are fine for short trips. if youre regularly transporting children hundreds of miles then its not your fun toy car is it? youre buying this car for you, not for the family. they will love it, trust me! my 10 & 12 yr olds fit fine, and they whoop with joy when the variocam kicks in...

simonsporsche said:

I'd like a car with no more than about 60k miles on it - been wary of high mileage cars before. Am I worrying needlessly about this? Should I be just has happy with a 100k+ car? -simon

youre being a bit unrealistic. all these cars are over a decade old. 80-120k on these models is fine provided theyve been looked after. if you limit yourself to 60K you'll spend the next 2 years looking. 100K+ 968s need to have had regular attention to cambelts. many 964s will have had a top end rebuild and new clutch anyway. dont worry about "high" miles, high for a porsche is a whole different ballpark - e.g 150-180K plus.

simonsporsche said:

I'd like to have air conditioning. Yes, I know it's a cabriolet. But air con is nice in winter too, and in the rain... -simon

a manual 968 cab with <60K and aircon. now youre just being silly! you dont need aircon in a cab. the cloth roof breathes so it just doesnt steam up (ive had a family of 4 in my 968 in a prolonged torrential winter downpour - no steaming, no fogging, no leaks. and the cabins are incredibly warm in winter - remember the big front air vents are about 18 inches from a 3 litre engine!

[verysideways]

Can i throw in an alternative?

Something that will be much cheaper to run than a 964 cab but give great performance and be in your budget (no chance with a 993 cab really).

You may struglle to find one with aircon, but how about a 944 turbo cab?.

You should be able to pick up the best of them for 13k, and the 2.5 turbo is arguably less expensive to maintain than the S2/968 3.0 engine.

Also, even though in reality the performance difference is negligible, the turbo will feel faster because of the torque and the boost.

Food for thought?

VS

[softinthehead]

verysideways said:

You may struglle to find one with aircon, but how about a 944 turbo cab?. Food for thought? VS

yes indeedy. tuck in!!!

(still think aircon in a cab is a waste of time and space though. and dont forget aircon bleeds BHP. why waste precious horses when you can just open a window??)

[paultje]

(still think aircon in a cab is a waste of time and space though. and dont forget aircon bleeds BHP. why waste precious horses when you can just open a window??)[/quote]
I'm with you ... it weighs more too!! don't bother..

[Paul Dishman]

Paul at GT Classics in Andover has a LHD car :
" PORSCHE 911 3.2 Cabriolet

1988
65,000 MILES
LHD
FULL SERVICE HISTORY
VENETIAN METALLIC BLUE

£ 13,500


A really wonderful 3.2 Cabriolet with absolutely no rust anywhere. The hood is in perfect condition with no leaks or fading. Heated and electric leather seats in dark blue, and everything works as expected in a car of this quality. Full service history with original German logbook and receipts. Any serious 3.2 buyers will not be disappointed with this car. "



>> Edited by Paul Dishman on Monday 16th May 13:45

[domster]

Paul at GT Classics is a top chap, so a car of his comes recommended by reputation alone.

Another thought:

BMW M3 Evo cabriolet

Surprisingly good and a more modern drive if that's your bag. You'd have plenty of change left over as well.