question for porshe 911 enthusiasts?

[subtona]

decision time is still a year away... but inevitable none the less.

wtb a used porsche 911 (10-20 years old, new one is not possible)

criteria are these 2 points:

1)should be fit to be a Daily Driver (not that i drive that much.)
and
2)which model/year would be my best bet to be the most reliable, maintenance free and /or ease of maintenance of the choices.

if possible, essentially, i want to be able to drive the snot out of it and i don't want to deal with excessive service visits and costs.

in the tv series californiacation, david duchovny drives a 911 that is banged up and missing a headlight ... thats the kind of beating i expect to give the car, it may get that way after a few hours parked in the streets of nyc... but i would have the light fixed.

[bayerische]

I think a 993 is the best looking 911, and should be solid as a rock. Still air-cooled too! Early 996's have had a lot of troubles with the cooling. (water cooled)

[GoldenBear]

I have had my 1st 911 for just over a year, I love it. I look for excuses to drive places. I bet you could find a 10 year old garage queen for a very reasonable price. (Why people would own a sports car and NOT drive it is beyond me...). Good luck.

[Pix]

Depends on air vs water cooled...good history and a ppi is a must. check out 6speed online and rennlist forums.

[lhanddds]

Buy the newest you can afford. I've owned many models (82,89,95,99) but the water-cooled was the least problematic for me.

[Beek]

993 all the way. The last real Porsche and best looking 911.

[Trewth]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

I have had my 1st 911 for just over a year, I love it. I look for excuses to drive places. I bet you could find a 10 year old garage queen for a very reasonable price. (Why people would own a sports car and NOT drive it is beyond me...). Good luck.

I guess the same reason why people own watches and only wear them on rare occasions? If you got it like that and love a pristine car/watch..why not.
I am not fortunate to own a 911, but i used to collect shoes, Jordans to be exact, had them BNIB and filled up my closet, then 9/11 hit and us on the forum said "Let's wear them" why are we saving stuff that wont go with you when you die. So wear/drive it I say, it will not go with you when you leave this temporary place.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I think a 993 is the best looking 911, and should be solid as a rock. Still air-cooled too! Early 996's have had a lot of troubles with the cooling. (water cooled)

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

I have had my 1st 911 for just over a year, I love it. I look for excuses to drive places. I bet you could find a 10 year old garage queen for a very reasonable price. (Why people would own a sports car and NOT drive it is beyond me...). Good luck.

Originally Posted by Pix

Depends on air vs water cooled...good history and a ppi is a must. check out 6speed online and rennlist forums.

Originally Posted by lhanddds

Buy the newest you can afford. I've owned many models (82,89,95,99) but the water-cooled was the least problematic for me.

youve owned a good many of the range im looking at, does the water cooled versions create much more complicated servicing?

Originally Posted by Beek

993 all the way. The last real Porsche and best looking 911.

i have so much learning to do... 993 is essentially 911? they are not ALL air cooled?

Originally Posted by Trewth

I guess the same reason why people own watches and only wear them on rare occasions? If you got it like that and love a pristine car/watch..why not.
I am not fortunate to own a 911, but i used to collect shoes, Jordans to be exact, had them BNIB and filled up my closet, then 9/11 hit and us on the forum said "Let's wear them" why are we saving stuff that wont go with you when you die. So wear/drive it I say, it will not go with you when you leave this temporary place.

i agree, you cant take it with you!




cheers thanks all so much for the input, what else have you all found to be important?

[FiftyTwoEighty]

993 or 993 tt has been on my radar to add to my stable for the last decade. It has been mentioned, but check out rennlist, tons of great information.

SOOOO much fun on the track!

[Rsvrider]

993 is the best for what you want. Stay clear of the 996 ( horrible issues).
964 is the forgotten child but great little car, tons of upgrades over my next suggestion.
Classic look the '80s Carrera (84-89) no issues at all but they do require the valve clearance adjustment, not a big issue but later cars were free of this expense.
Earlier cars are very nice but CIS injection can be an issue and cost tons of money to sort.

Always make sure to doa PPI. Pelican Parts has a very good guide you can print. Don't skimp on it nd DO walk away from not desirable cars. There are plenty out there.
Other than the 993 TT S, the most desirable car is the 993 C2S. On the 964 look for the America version. As for the 911 there was a Cup version and a Club both very nice.
Most think the true 911 died the day water was introduced into the mix. I feel he same, nothing better than a true boxer engine.

[The Joker]

You guys got me looking at porsches now.

This is on autotrader for £26k

[onkyo]

I agree with staying away from 996.... due to multiple significant problems including engine issues.

Keeping a Porsche on the streets of NYC is tough. Someone hit my 997 parked on the street within 2 months and didn't stick around to apologize.

[FiftyTwoEighty]

I think the only 996 that has swayed me is the 996 Turbo, with the x-50 package. In a nutshell, it does not share the engine block with the normal 996.

From a "value" and best bang for your buck standpoint, all my P-Car friends keep telling me that this the one to own and track.

Im sure other P-car owners can chime in...

[G8RDPM]

I'm on my second 911. Both have been daily drivers.
Do a lot of research. It's a lot like "which Rolex should I buy"question that is a constant here on TRF!

There are many models for different "needs".
6 speed vs Tip/PDK
2 wheel drive vs 4.
Cabrio vs Coupe.
NA vs Turbo.
Go drive a few!

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Rsvrider

993 is the best for what you want. Stay clear of the 996 ( horrible issues).
964 is the forgotten child but great little car, tons of upgrades over my next suggestion.
Classic look the '80s Carrera (84-89) no issues at all but they do require the valve clearance adjustment, not a big issue but later cars were free of this expense.
Earlier cars are very nice but CIS injection can be an issue and cost tons of money to sort.

Always make sure to do aPPI. Pelican Parts has a very good guide you can print. Don't skimp on it nd DO walk away from not desirable cars. There are plenty out there.
Other than the 993 TT S, the most desirable car is the 993 C2S. On the 964 look for the America version. As for the 911 there was a Cup version and a Club both very nice.
Most think the true 911 died the day water was introduced into the mix. I feel he same, nothing better than a true boxer engine.

a big fan of the classic lines, absolutely no whale tail (i like this car with a tiny ass), also a big fan of the beautiful round headlights, the slant nose style was not for me.

i am completely unfamiliar with 993 are there subtle differences from 911 or drastic?

"PPI" ?

i didn't know there was a liquid cooled version of the 911? what year did they make the change?

my bmw was a air cooled boxer motor, and as much as i am a huge fan of its balanced performance, i have come to dislike its lack of ability to handle a hot day in traffic.

Originally Posted by FiftyTwoEighty

993 or 993 tt has been on my radar to add to my stable for the last decade. It has been mentioned, but check out rennlist, tons of great information.

SOOOO much fun on the track!

thanks, i put rennlist on the to do list, not ready to dive into the porsche forums yet, too time intensive for this OCD guy at this time.



again thanks all for all the great information

[esm]

Originally Posted by subtona

not ready to dive into the porsche forums yet, too time intensive for this OCD character.
a big fan of the classic lines, absolutely no whale tail (i like it with a tiny ass), also a big fan of the beautiful round headlights, the slant nose style was not for me.

i am completely unfamiliar with 993 are there subtle differences from 911 or drastic?

"PPI" ?

i didn't know there was a liquid cooled version of the 911? what year did they make the change?

my bmw was a air cooled boxer motor, and as much as i am a huge fan of its balanced performance, i have come to dislike its lack of ability to handle a hot day in traffic.




again thanks all for all the great information

PPI - pre purchase inspection.

What's the general view of 964 vs 993?

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by The Joker

You guys got me looking at porsches now.

This is on autotrader for £26k

Horrible, stay away Wes.

Absolutely wonderful.

[bayerische]

Just a side note, the 993 is a classic, due to low production numbers, was in production for about 3 years?... If I remember correctly. The 996 is all over the place, so it the 997.

993 is the car Will Smith had in the first "Bad Boys" movie if my memory serves me.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by esm

PPI - pre purchase inspection.
...

its so overwhelming to not have a clue
thanks

[esm]

Originally Posted by bayerische

993 is the car Will Smith had in the first "Bad Boys" movie if my memory serves me.

It's a 964 wide body turbo

[Rsvrider]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Just a side note, the 993 is a classic, due to low production numbers, was in production for about 3 years?... If I remember correctly. The 996 is all over the place, so it the 997.

993 is the car Will Smith had in the first "Bad Boys" movie if my memory serves me.

964 T "S"
2:09 best shot

[Cabaiguan]

The 996 gets a bad wrap but it's not a bad car. The early versions did have frequent RMS failures. I had a 2003 996 and had to replace the RMS once under warranty. It's not unusual for the RMS to be replaced multiple times.

The latter years were much more reliable in that the RMS was redesigned.

[Rsvrider]

Originally Posted by Cabaiguan

The 996 gets a bad wrap but it's not a bad car. The early versions did have frequent RMS failures. I had a 2003 996 and had to replace the RMS once under warranty. It's not unusual for the RMS to be replaced multiple times.

The latter years were much more reliable in that the RMS was redesigned.

Its not the RMS that worries me its the Intermediate shaft bearing failure which = new engine!
There is a preventive measure which I did to my 996. Cost was about $3000 but I had an extended warranty which covered it with a $1000 deductible.
It replaced the RMS and while doing so they installed the new brace for the Intermediate shaft bearing. If you budget for it then a 996 is not that bad although a bit underpowered with horrible cheap interior IMHO. If I was going down that road again I would go 996 GT3 (different engine altogether, no issues, great power and balance).

[betrezra]

2002 or later 996 TT..... ohh la la. Good value, and a few bolts ons away from 600 HP.
If you are patient... get a 997 used in the next 2 yrs.... for lower prices.

OR if you like to tinker... get an early 80's model and perform an engine swap..

The 70's/80's 911 is the fox mustang of today. Enjoyl

[nick c]

[Ristretto]

993 Turbo or 964 Turbo

[How]

993. Look no further than Air-cooled..

[DMac225]

I own a 996 2005 Turbo "S" and a 997 2009 Targa 4S. I love both cars for different reasons. I have driven almost all of the 911 platforms, base, s, Turbo, Turbo S, GT2, GT3 and Targa. Like Rolex owners, PCar owners all love their cars and swear their's in the one to have; and that's how it should be! My advice is to start reading and researching the different platforms of the 911 and how they differ. Their are tons of articles out there that will explain how the different 911's compare. Most Porsche Turbo owners agree that the 993 was the best, but it's very hard to compare that car to today's modern Turbo "S". That can run 0 - 60 in 2.8 sec, with a PDK transmission. The modern GT2rs is one of the most wicked fast and track ready cars you can buy, although as a daily driver the suspension would rattle your dental work pretty good, same for the normally aspirated track ready GT3rs. Both of these cars have minimal traction control and produce massive horsepower/tourqe and require the driver to know what the heck he's doing before pushing the limits of these two cars. The GT2 is dubbed as the "widow maker" as many CEO types purchase these cars and many have ego's that won't allow themselves to consider attending the Porsche high performance driving schools. If you are looking for a lower end (although I mean no disrespect by that comment, because I love all Porsche cars) for a daily beater type, I would suggest getting the newest model you can afford, and a CPO warranty would be a plus if you can find one, because when they break, they break big...I know first hand haha.
Best of luck with your search for your own PCar and please let me know which way you go, they are awesome machines!!!!

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by FiftyTwoEighty

I think the only 996 that has swayed me is the 996 Turbo, with the x-50 package. In a nutshell, it does not share the engine block with the normal 996.

From a "value" and best bang for your buck standpoint, all my P-Car friends keep telling me that this the one to own and track.

Im sure other P-car owners can chime in...

Ehhhh, to the hardcore rennlist enthusiasts and track guys , such as myself... It's a stout car but not one you'd want to track IMO.. I had a 996TT modded, converted to RWD and with the rare no sunroof option,, It was lightened up a bit and don't know, it just blah... Hence what I needed was a GT2 :)
For the avg person who will enjoy it however on weekends/street and occasional track? Yea can't be beat, it's such a well rounded car...

For the original poster, honestly, I would go with the newest you can afford as someone else mentioned.. They are rock solid, and damn near bulletproof but not fully which is to be expected, and can be very costly to maintain/repair pending what may go wrong..

My RUF GT2 has been SOLID for almost 7 years, it's spent most of it's life on the track and just for weekend blasts. I recently a year ago took it down to FLA to daily drive, and well, oddly enough some things were starting to fail or needed to be replaced.. Things add up, and they weren't major by any means ! But for the most part it's been a headache free ownership, especially for what it's been through...

If you are driving this in NY, is it a daily driver all year round? if so, you need AWD, NY winters suck and I know it all too well...

[DMac225]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

Ehhhh, to the hardcore rennlist enthusiasts and track guys , such as myself... It's a stout car but not one you'd want to track IMO.. I had a 996TT modded, converted to RWD and with the rare no sunroof option,, It was lightened up a bit and don't know, it just blah... Hence what I needed was a GT2 :)
For the avg person who will enjoy it however on weekends/street and occasional track? Yea can't be beat, it's such a well rounded car...

For the original poster, honestly, I would go with the newest you can afford as someone else mentioned.. They are rock solid, and damn near bulletproof but not fully which is to be expected, and can be very costly to maintain/repair pending what may go wrong..

My RUF GT2 has been SOLID for almost 7 years, it's spent most of it's life on the track and just for weekend blasts. I recently a year ago took it down to FLA to daily drive, and well, oddly enough some things were starting to fail or needed to be replaced.. Things add up, and they weren't major by any means ! But for the most part it's been a headache free ownership, especially for what it's been through...

If you are driving this in NY, is it a daily driver all year round? if so, you need AWD, NY winters suck and I know it all too well...

I live in Dallas (RUF Home Town) and the TT RUF GT2 is a beast...and not meant for inexperienced drivers. Enjoy her in good health...that's one hell of a car!