I've got an interesting dilemma, and I was hoping some of you can give me insight. I've never owned a Porsche before, but I've always admired the 911. I only have around $60,000 to spend on a car this summer, and this puts me roughly in the range of either a base 2009 Carrera or maybe a higher mileage S with PDK.

My question is... should I wait a few more years to buy a used 991 instead? Or are they pretty similar and just spring for the 997.2 soon?

 

Life is too short to spend it in the waiting room...
Nothing wrong with a 997, if you can pick up a good one for your budget you will enjoy it just as much as anybody with a 991.

All the differences that get talked about so much are actually pretty small if you take a moment and just look at this from a bit of a distance...

Rainier

 

997.2 is a great car. If all you can manage is $60K then by all means get a 997.2. You will enjoy it more than you can believe. If you could go to $90-$95K then get a 991. It is an evolution of the species. Everything about the 991 is just that much more refined.

Whichever you get it will definately put a smile on your face!

 

get the 997.2....keep the maintenance up and keep it looking good by regular detailing.

And continue to save. In a few years sell the 997 and get a used 991 if you like.

As someone said...they all make you smile when your driving them.

 

They are both great cars, but as with each new generation, the new car is more sophisticated with more power, better mileage, noise reduction, high speed safety / performance and creature comforts. That's the same with the 997.2 vs the 991. I had a 997.2 C2S and enjoy the 991 C2 much better but it really depends on your preferences. Drive both for long periods of time to help you make your decision. If you like a more raw feel, you might like the 997 better. You could also start with a new Boxster / Cayman which will give you a taste of the new 991 while you continue to save. Just don't load it up too much with options as they can bust your budget and depreciate quickly.

ChuckJ

 

A new Porsche Cayman is a great car ... and you'll have a warranty to boot.

 

Great post!

 

don't wait, but what you can afford now. 997.2 are fine

here is the problem about waiting for the 991.
if you wait a few years for the 991 to reach your budge, a new model will be released (991.2 I guess) . then you will want to wait for the 991.2.

so you will always wait and never enjoy driving a porsche.. GO!

 

The 2 year lease deals are very attractive. You will pay about $1200 - $1400 a month in depreciation if you buy a used 997. The lease on a base model 991 won't be much more expensive. Put the $60k in the market, I think it's going to be a good year for that.

I just moved from a 997.1 turbo to a new c4s. It was a good move.

 

Don't wait. A good 997S is not just a good car- it is a fantastic car. But don't think that you have to have a 911 to have a Porsche. Recent Boxter S and Cayman S - or better yet a modestly optioned 981 would be just superb.