you pose good arguments, but there is NO way to predict when a car, especially the 993 will need a top end, there are cars that have needed it as low as 30K miles, and there are some cars that have 100K plus and not been torn apart.
So, you cannot assume that the $55K car won't need a rebuild for 50K miles, it might need it NOW, likewise the 75K mile car, may need it now, or not until after 125K.

I have 75K on my 96 and will need to flush the SAI ports (which I will do prior to doing a full valve job) I have a friend that needed a full top end at 35K miles.

The way to approach it is that BOTH cars will eventually have their SAI ports clogged, there so budget accordingly.

Personally, I would get the car that is optioned the way I prefer and bank the $ for the eventual.

 

Bobby, I would say it depends greatly on two factors: how much you plan to drive the car; i.e. will it be your daily driver? Also, how long you plan to keep the car.

If you plan on keeping it for a long time and you're using it as a daily driver, I'd say go for the 75K mileage car for $40K-ish. You'll be surprised how quick that $55K car with low miles becomes a 60K mile car, if you drive it everyday. Ask me how I know LOL. Also, with the money you saved, you could pay for that new top end and some PSS-10s and sways and other goodies to sort the car out.

Now, if you plan on putting only a 1000 or so miles a year on this car, spend the $55K on the low mileage example. You'll always be able to sell it for what you paid, maybe even more if you hold it long enough. But personally, I could never only put a 1000 miles/year on a 993. I own it to drive it.

Either way, you'll be in good shape. Just remember to get a PPI on what ever car you pick, and ENJOY IT.

 

This discussion is helpful.

I'm buying the car to drive it. Maybe not a daily, but certainly not a Sunday morning car. I suspect I'd put about 6-7K a year, so you raise a fair point about putting on mileage quickly.

I hadn't really thought about the fact that you can't definitively say you will/won't need a top end rebuild based only on mileage. I'm hoping that on the 75K mile car, the PPI will tell me the condition of the SAI ports and give me a fair prediction of its remaining life.

For me, the wide body 993 has always been a favorite car of mine. It's one of very few cars that I've doggedly liked for years straight. For me, the only other cars that fall in that category are the 997 GT3 and the Modena. Regardless of whether/when I purchase the 993, I still plan to get the 997 GT3, so with some luck and good fortune, I'll have a garage with two Pcars...