Like so many others here, I've lusted after the 911 since I was a kid with a poster on my wall. I've been window shopping for probably a decade, and have only just now gotten around to the point where I'm seriously considering a purchase. I've had my share of relatively (at least compared to many of you guys) inexpensive "fun" cars over the years, currently a turbocharged Honda S2000 and a chipped BMW 335i before that. I daily drive an Acura.

So I'm doing this the old fashioned way, and I'm going to actually save up(!) some discretionary funds (cut back on the expensive meals and mini-vacations for awhile), sell my S2000, and I'm aiming to make a purchase in the ~$45K range sometime in 2013. Now that barely scratches the surface in this world, but I think it is enough for me to get a Porsche I'll be happy with.

The question is this... for those of you that have had experience with many different Porsches, what would you rather have?
1. 2002-2003 996 Turbo
2. 2005-2006 997 C2S
3. 2006-2007 997 C2
4. 2009 Cayman S (/ducks)

If I make the purchase next year, I should be able to find a few of the above vehicles in my price range give or take a few thousand.

I'd probably drive the car around 6K-8K miles a year or so as this would be a 2nd vehicle for me. Since I'm patient, I'd prefer to find something well maintained by a fellow enthusiast. I know from the S2000 world, you can find immaculate used cars out there because people are so **** about maintenance and detailing (like I am). So obviously the lower the miles the better, but I'm not afraid to get something that's got a few more miles on it if I know the history of the car.

Sorry for such a long introductory post. This is the result of 25+ years of drooling over almost anything Porsche and finally getting the mindset to buy something.

 

I was in the same spot last year. I had come from Datsun Zs, 944 Turbo, BMW M cars including an original M3 and S54 Mcoupe, and an M5. I needed a rear seat, so that eliminated the Cayman for me, and test drove 996s but dismissed them as a little too old, and a little fragile (probably very exaggerated, but IMS warnings abound online). I ended up with a 2006 C2S X51 and a good friend with a 996 turbo.

Overall both are fantastic. I'd say I have the better daily driver...nav, PASM, pse, nicer interior, more comfort, and he got a faster car with the better overall motor. however his maintenance costs are probably a bit higher. If I had to do it over, I'd still probably pick the 997.

Good luck!

 

+1 for IslandS62, but be sure to get the 2006 (engine upgrade), but TT's are wonderful and have the Mezger engine.

 

I'm sure many were in the same spot.
I also was saving for a decent down payment.
Some of the most painful times were right at the beginning when I was just browsing around and finding the right cars with right options/color but I wasn't ready to buy.

So my advice: yes look at online ads but be careful that you don't find the perfect car before you are ready to buy.

 

Definitely 2.

 

I was in the same boat a few months ago and bought a 2006 997 Convertible C2S with 61K. It is silver with black top and interior, all for 39K. It took 6 months to find the right car at the right price. I use it as a daily driver and love it. Good luck with your choice. I recommed the "S" (and am obviouly biased). I took a chance on a car with moderate milage car - be sure you have records.

With respect to your question, 997 (non-S) is very responsive, very fast, and has a great look both interior and exterior.

I like the 996 turbo - almost bought one, but I like the interior of the 997 better. Also, the turbo does have a very slight lag - no lag in my stick shift. The 997 is a great car but the S is slightly more responsive. For 45K you can get the 997S for 45K right now (with moderate milage) if you want. You might be able to get the 997.2 if you wait a year. I don't know much about the Cayman but I like the four seats of the 911 - it is great with the top down for short rides to the pool with the kids (under 10).

I highly recommend a convertible.

 

That's a great price Oadams. Man I thought I got a great deal for the same car at 43k! Good for you.

Completely agree with everything above.

VBB,

I did the same thing you did only 11 months ago. Was rolling a s2k for 9 years before the wife said it was time to get rid of the 2 seater. I actually missed the s2000 quite a bit, so getting the cab is a must if you truly enjoyed the s2k experience.

Definitely wait for a S model, I shopped around for quite a while and the cab S costs about 5-6 grand more than base vs the 20 grand it costs brand new(S model plus cab), so that's a great return from an option standpoint.

Aside from that I would really recommend sport chrono, not all the S's have it but just the ability to have an extra adrenaline rush with a push of a button makes it one of my favorite options.

GL

 

Nice to hear from a former S2K owner. I'm in that same boat (sort of). When I first got the S2K I was engaged with no kids. Now I'm married with 2 kids, and it would be nice to have a fun sports car that the whole family can get in on occasion (which is why I'm tilting away from the Cayman). My S2K has had a hard top on it for the last 2 years. I'm more a fan of the coupe than the drop top actually, though my wife is more a fan of the convertible.

 

If you are spending that kind of money skip the Cayman and go for the Carrera, you'll be glad you did in the end.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. It seems that everyone is tilting towards the 997 C2S. That's probably my favorite of the choices as well, just because I do like the upgraded interior of the 997 vs. the 996, and the C2S has plenty of power. Heck, the C2 has more power than I will realistically use on a regular basis.

I figure with taking my time, I can wait til I find just the right car. I'd really love to find something in white or that metallic gunmetal color, under 50K miles, and that has been meticulously maintained. If I have to fly out somewhere and drive the car home (which I'd do if it was East of the Mississippi) or ship the car if it is beyond that, I'm not opposed. As someone mentioned, I'm trying not to search until I'm ready to throw down the money, because I'll end up finding the perfect car within 200mi of here before I'm ready and that'll just drive me nuts, lol!

 

I was you a few weeks days ago. I wanted a 996 turbo, but then I drove a 997. I waited slightly longer, and spent slightly more to get the car I really wanted. I ended with a 2006 4s. Could not be happier. My wife, my kids and me included spent the whole weekend driving around in the car, we all are very big Porsche fans now.

By far the best thing is when you can hear your kids burst out in laughter when you get on the gas a little. My son (8) and daughter (6) ask me to take them in the Porsche all the time now. I of course do as they wish (Love the back seats).

 

I think in a year, you should be able to get maybe a base 997.2 with DFI, some are already showing up in high 50's range if with about 30k miles. But due to the fact that you will not put too many miles, something to consider.