Hi,
first-time 911 buyer here, and admittedly a little confused by all the different models, deals out there, IMS scare, etc. ... budget of up to 50k but weighing my options. Being 911, they're all a blast to drive for a newbie, but I'm trying to factor in longevity, maintenance cost, and resale value. Don't really care about options.

Currently looking at the following cars:

- 2001 Turbo, 50k miles, $47k, 2yr CPO warranty
- 2003 Carrera with x51, 50k miles, $32k, 2 yr aftermarket warranty
- 2005 997 Carrera, 25k miles, $43k, 2yr CPO warranty
- 2005 997 Carrera S, 30k miles, $48k, 2 yr CPO warranty
- 2007 997 Carrera, 25k miles, $50k, 1yr original warranty left

Any opinions on what's the best choice and why?

Thanks!

 

Well your kinda comparing two different animals a tt and natural aspirated .depends what your looking for ,my opinion is the tt cause it does everyting realy well.

 

yeah, I realize that - and just recently noticed that my budget can reach into an early turbo. Was originally looking at 05 C2 and C2S only, but now I wonder if a 996 Turbo for the same money might be a better buy (considering its engine pedigree and potentially better longevity and reliability).

 

996tt is better depreciated so on basis of capital preservation, it's the better choice.
2 year warrantee on most cars
get the turbo, resale will be better, more pleasurable to drive
carreras are just the shell of a 911 imo

 

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ic-silver.html

here ya go!

 

Keep looking. You can find a Turbo with much less than 50k miles for $47k

 

996tt or 997 S

 

it depends what you want a porsche for and what excites you about the car. if you want a easily modifiable supercar with a bullet-proof engine and love torque get a 996tt. if you're partial to the newer body style and head lights and a more refined interior and don't care about speed get a 997 2s. i too was in the same boat you are in. i sold my 993 and wanted to get into a newer porsche but spend less than $50k -- for me it was an easy decision to get a 996tt; it's today the best bang for your buck. wait and pick one up in the low 40's or high 30's with less than 50k miles. modify it like you want and drive the crap out of it. get a white one. to be honest i wish i did.

 

The TT is a better car all around and will be more reliable than the NA cars. Seems like most people prefer the looks of the 997 but not me. I think depreciation will be less as a percentage of price paid for the 996 than the 997 since they've already taken the huge hits.

 

By a 996tt, and if you wanna mod, buy a modded 996tt NOW. You will save thousands, if not tens of thousands. Lots of modded cars out there for sale now. Depending on how much you want to mod you could spend 5k or 25k.

 

This looks like a great car with mods for a very good price. 2004's are very rare very few cars made then. I wish there were cars like this with mods for low 50's exactly a year ago..

 

like other members said it really depends on what you really want out of the car.. performance, looks etc.. I would rather have the 996tt out of your listed choices.. you get looks and performance and a great base to add more performance and looks to..

 

Thanks!

 

If it eases your mind any, I was looking at similar options when I purchased my 996TT and found that they are some of the most reliable Porsches around (if properly maintained and not abused, of course). The overall reliability and unbeatable bang for the buck of the 996TT won me over quickly.

Drive all the variants that you're considering before buying of course, but I bet that one of them will 'speak to you' more than others. Here's to hoping it's a 996TT.

 

Look around here on the forum, there are guys out your way, with cars from stock to modified. I'm VERY sure you can catch a ride to help you make your decision.