which 911

[jeffzsc]

i am trying to choose best porsche for us! i have had a few fun cars in past (e-30 m-3, 78-308gts, s-4 and others) i want a 2 seater used car to keep long term for weekend road trips (not daily driver) price range 40k-60k. reliable, used, low miles. i was thinking a 02-04 targa, c4s. prefer not cab. what would you pick. if price range needs to be a little more, let me know. thanks in advance.

[earlyapex]

With that budget, you can get almost anything you want except for the 993 TT, 996 TT, 996 GT3, 996 GT2. It all depends on your taste in Porsches. Their appearance versus their driving characteristics. The 996 C2 is a very nice car, comfortable, fast. The 996 C46 adds a modern AWD system and big brakes, but has a heavier steering feel. The 993 is the last of the air cooled Porsches and is more visceral than the 996. I like the look of the 993 C2S. These cars are getting old so you will have to search a bit to find the right one. I'd pass on the 964 unless you can find a 964 Cup car that hasn't been driven on the race track.

In the end, I'd get a 02 or newer 996 C2. It's very comfortable and fun to drive. They are very reliable. The biggest issue is revolves around the Rear Main Seal. This has gotten very little public press, but is a popular topic on the internet. It's basically an oil leak due to how Porsche designed the M96 engine. They have come up with a 4th generation seal that hopefully fixes many of the leaks. Some cars that are out of spec. will need a new factory engine.

[jeffzsc]

With that budget, you can get almost anything you want except for the 993 TT, 996 TT, 996 GT3, 996 GT2. It all depends on your taste in Porsches. Their appearance versus their driving characteristics. The 996 C2 is a very nice car, comfortable, fast. The 996 C46 adds a modern AWD system and big brakes, but has a heavier steering feel. The 993 is the last of the air cooled Porsches and is more visceral than the 996. I like the look of the 993 C2S. These cars are getting old so you will have to search a bit to find the right one. I'd pass on the 964 unless you can find a 964 Cup car that hasn't been driven on the race track.

In the end, I'd get a 02 or newer 996 C2. It's very comfortable and fun to drive. They are very reliable. The biggest issue is revolves around the Rear Main Seal. This has gotten very little public press, but is a popular topic on the internet. It's basically an oil leak due to how Porsche designed the M96 engine. They have come up with a 4th generation seal that hopefully fixes many of the leaks. Some cars that are out of spec. will need a new factory engine.

with the research i have done to this point. i lke the 996 02-04 targa ( i do like some top open air driving ) or c4s ( i like the more sporty look ) but like you say i thought it might feel a bit heavier and i dont really need the awd. also if i considered a 993 you said a c2s, so would that be a carrera 2 sport which would have the wider rear fenders? (which is not avail. on the 996 rear wheel drive just the c-4) also thanks for the info.

[earlyapex]

Don't overlook the 986 or 987 Boxster. They are very fun to drive and quite comfortable. With two trunks, they can be surprisingly practical.

The 993 C2S uses the turbo body, but retains RWD. They carry a tidy price premium over the regular C2. You'll have to drive one against a C2 to see if you like the way it drives.

I also like some open top driving, but I do not like the way the 996 Targa looks so I would go for a cabriolet if this is the direction you want to go. Cabs. will cost a little more than their hard top brothers. I have to admit that I really like the way the 996 looks with its top down.

I would recommend buying a car that is still under warranty and then buy an extended warranty. Repairs can be very expensive on any Porsche no matter what the model. It's nice if you can have a warranty cover the most expensive items, i.e. motor and drive train.

[jeffzsc]

Don't overlook the 986 or 987 Boxster. They are very fun to drive and quite comfortable. With two trunks, they can be surprisingly practical.

The 993 C2S uses the turbo body, but retains RWD. They carry a tidy price premium over the regular C2. You'll have to drive one against a C2 to see if you like the way it drives.

I also like some open top driving, but I do not like the way the 996 Targa looks so I would go for a cabriolet if this is the direction you want to go. Cabs. will cost a little more than their hard top brothers. I have to admit that I really like the way the 996 looks with its top down.

I would recommend buying a car that is still under warranty and then buy an extended warranty. Repairs can be very expensive on any Porsche no matter what the model. It's nice if you can have a warranty cover the most expensive items, i.e. motor and drive train.

your response is very helpful. funny, i think i switched gears to a older car. i do like to drive and want a car less refined. i talked to a porsche mech. today and picked his brain, he also gave me the scoop on difference between 996 and 993. i would like to think i will keep this car long term and hope for it to hold some value and become more disirable and most important fun to drive. maybe a 993 c2s, but i need to drive both and check it out so i know what i am really looking for . any other input would be a great help.

[earlyapex]

The air cooled cars are holding their values nicely. The 993 C2S runs about $50,000 due to its relative rarity and big but that many find beautiful. You should take a look at the 87-89 Carrera. They have a very nice 3.2L motor and G50 transmission. This car really feels like a Porsche and nice examples run in the $20,000 range. You can find many 911SC a bit less. They have the 915 tranny which is not as bad as some say. I really love the look of the 73 911RS and quite a few owners have converted their cars to this specification. I just can't get excited about the 964 except for some nice RSA's which are really just low optioned C2's. So how viceral do you want to get? The early cars don't have a functional air conditioning system!

[Danyol]

I have an 02 C4S, love the looks of the wide body. The car feels very balanced with the AWD, I find it a blast to drive. It's nice to have the PSM safety net in the background when you run out of talent :o

I took care of "viceral" with a GHL exhaust system, it growls appropriately now.

[jeffzsc]

I have an 02 C4S, love the looks of the wide body. The car feels very balanced with the AWD, I find it a blast to drive. It's nice to have the PSM safety net in the background when you run out of talent :o

I took care of "viceral" with a GHL exhaust system, it growls appropriately now.

Danyol thanks for the response. We stumbled upon a 95 993 coupe in great condition and documentation from day one. Plus it already has the right mods. (Short shift, 18" wheels, susp. Redone at euro. Ht., auth chip, rsr fly whl. And clutch, stnls exst. Etc.) all at a fair price. We couldnt pass it up. Drove it home on Saturday. This A.M. I had to look in the garage to make sure it was for real :jump: Thanks for the input!