What a great market to be looking for a used Porsche. I started out looking at 4S's, then turbos, then Cayman S's or even 997 2 and 2S's. I'm looking for the opinions of guys who have owned/driven most or all these cars.

I am going to start test driving different ones but I wanted to see if there was any consensus on a P car for a Porsche newbie. I'd love a turbo but it seems like overkill for a noob. A Cayman S would be nice since I hear it's very balanced and hard to get into trouble - handling wise. I love the look of the 4S's but they seem the Porsche with strongest resale value.

Thanks!

 

As a first P car I d go for a 2002 to 2004 resale 911 cab (996).

Great car for the money and they are low now ,, shouldnt depreciate too much if you keep it in good condition.


cab

 

IMHO the 99 is tops (not including the 997, 997S and ALL 996 Turbos). No egas, lightest, and a heck of a deal. I put a (3)-year warranty on it and still under 30K.

I've driven several face-lifted C2's & C4's (02-04) and nothing has changed IMHO (other than more optional toys [more weight]). Some rave 'bout the 3.6, but seriously, they felt much more tame overall for me. I did test drive an X51 and that was impressive. Unfortunately, that was out-of-my-league at the time.

I really believe that Porsche, when they introduced the ALL new - water-cooled car, that they threw everything but the kitchen sink in. I truly believe that those early cars turned Porsche around.........

I watched 'Gone In 60-seconds' and was hooked when they stole the Silver 99 right off the showroom floor. Fast forward to that part in the movie and listen to the car's soundtrack. AMAZING CAR!

 

Funny... 6 months ago I was pondering the same kind of questions.

I have driven 996-C4S, 996 C2, 996 cab, a 964, and (2) Caymen S.

The 996-cab and one of the Caymen S were a test drive with a dealer. It was the salesguy's 3rd day, so he was letting me get away with driving how I wanted. The other cars belong to friends.

I ended up with a 996-C4S. It has never lost traction when I wasn't expecting it to. There is plenty of power. My only real complaint with the 996 is the interior. The dashboard is fine. All the other controls look and feel a little dated. Black is the only color I like the 996's interior.

The 964 is one of my personal favorite Porsches. In the end I decided if I went for 911, I was going to stick to the 996. The value the 997 is still too high (too much depreciation left.) The C4S I ended up with is a 2004. I bought it with 24k miles on it. A husband bought it for his wife. In the winter, she drove a BMW 5-Series.

The Caymen S almost won. However, I found it was pretty easy to get the back-end to break. That being said, the next Pcar I buy will be for the track. So the Caymen will get another visit by me. (And again, they are so new that I didn't want to take the larger hit on depreciation.)

As a fellow first-time owner, I can also add this... in the end, it probably does not matter which one you choose. It is difficult to make a rational decision. Which is okay, any Porsche you get will make you smile.

Don't be in a rush. There are plenty of great deals to be hand. Don't sweat to much on "which options should I get?!?" Instead, just compare the options of the models you are interested in.

Also, I am glad I didn't get the Turbo for my first car. I wouldn't be able to afford the speeding tickets.

 

I would start by asking yourself what you would want in a car.... list them all down in priority

for example
1. Daily Driver
2. comfortable
3. cup holders
4. drivers car
etc...etc...


once your done, put the list up here. We should be able to help you from that list. Everyone has different reasons for getting a P-car... your reasons will be diff from others.

 

Thanks for the responses! I guess I'll have to rent "Gone in 60 Seconds" !

Thanks CMiYC...that helps a lot that you've driven all of them! None of my friends have a Porsche...all are Mercedes and BMW people.

I'm leaning between a 02-04 C4S, a Cayman S or a 01-03 Turbo. All are between 40-50K. Here's my issue, I never learned to drive stick. I want to but can't find a driving school that'll do it, none of my friends have stick, no rental company seems to have stick and I don't really want to learn on a beautiful Porsche One of the reasons I was leaning towards the Turbo was that it is so powerful...even with the Tip. I hear that the C4S is a bit of a slow poke with a Tip. I'm not a big fan of the look of the regular 996 Carrera, especially the front bumper.

Great idea Redridge...here's my list.

1. Fun to drive especially handling.
2. Easy to shift manually or fast even with Tip (depending which way I go)
3. Engine and exhaust note sounding good. (I'm a little disappointed in recordings I've heard of the Turbo's sound - love the sound of the C4S)
4. Reliable (esp. engine)


I don't care about a comfortable ride, cupholders or creature comforts. I have another car for a daily driver.

Thanks everyone!

 

with a economic downturn and with a recent facelift on the 997, I would wait for a great deal on a 997 or 997s. If you buy a 996 and replace the engine, you will be in the same cost boat anyway, so buy the newer technology... or a 996 turbo which is an incredible value/cost.

Don't worry about being a newbie.. Seat time in anything will make you comfy with it. I learned to drive stick on my first porsche... I flew to Houston to pick up the car and bounced my way from each stop sign until I hit the highway...

 

Just remember that he is using a special "tool" to get the car. (My favorite line in the entire movie.)

Even though none of your friends have a manual, does at least one of them knows how to drive one? Hop on craigslist and buy a 1-2k manual car. Have your friend teach you to drive it. Once you are comfortable driving a stick (most people take 2-4 weeks), get rid of the car. Just make sure you drive it in neighborhoods and stop/go traffic. Highway driving doesn't count. You'll be able to sell it for the same price back on craigslist and save some life on your future-pcar's clutch.


Plan on buying an aftermarket exhaust eventually, or find one with PSE (porsche sport exhaust). The stock exhausts on a Porsche do not do the engine justice.

 

you want a 996TT, in a tiptronic.... price is cheaper with the tip, and its all what you listed above... replace the exhaust with high flow exhaust and you have yourself a super car!!!