Hi folks,

Long time lurker here but first time poster. This forum is great!!!!!!

A brief background on me.............

Had a 94 RX7 twin turbo that was completely built up from the inside out. Had close to 450hp and was an amazing car. Unfortunately it wasnt very reliable. I got myself into a 1994 NSX that was mostly stock except for a few bolt on. Now this car was astonishing. Handled very well and had great lines to it. I sold it in 2000. You know, getting married, moving, etc.

That was the last sports car Ive owned. Since then I have been busy with work, family, house and things along that line. Im now in the position to buy another car. And heres my dilema.

I would like a car that I keep for a very, very long time. Ive always been jealous of the guy who has had a car for 20 years. The idea of keeping a car and possibly handing it down one day to my son is very appealing to me. Ive always been the kind of guy to move from car to car, motorcycle to motorcycle, jet ski to jet ski just because I love projects and when somethings done, I want more.

Well, I havent been like that in quite some time and have sorta kicked that habit. So, I would really like a new car. Something my wife and I can buy brand new and keep forever.

I have decided the new car has to be a Porsche. I wanted one way back when but wasnt in the position to get in one. My questions are regarding if I should be looking at a carrera. I know we want a cabriolet. Just not sure which one. I would like some input.

A dream would be a turbo but out of my reach. Would buying a new Carrera with a bolt on turbo be the way to go?

Also, what type of trans?

I know for a fact it will get slightly lowered and some new wheels. Some of the cars Ive seen that are modified are gorgeous. Im just looking for experience and some basic input. Anything at all would be useful.

 

It all comes down to how much YOU want to spend. Turbo kit will run you 10K. New rims can be anywhere from 2500 to 6000+. A new C2 Cab will run 85k abouts and a new C4S Cab will be 100k+.

PDK vs. Stick is total personal preference. If your wife doesnt want to drive stick (or cant) that is something to think of.

There are lots of details that we would need from you to help us guide you.

 

I was kind of in the same boat as you. I flitted from numerous Mustang GT/Mach 1's to Corvette HT to Mustang Cobra to Corvette Z51 with mods after mods afer mods ($$$), but with every 911 I saw catching my eye and in the back of my mind thinking, "one of these days...". Well, that day happened very unexpectedly last September with the purchase of a new Carrera S (see here for mine and other's stories: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...id-take-2.html) . It is the car I feel confident in making a long-term committment, or if the opportunity (and finances) eventually permit in the next few years, staying true to the Porsche marque and trading up to a GT3.

Test drive everything you can. Only you know what you want and will fit your driving style. S or non-S, PDK vs 6spd manual, CPO vs new, etc, etc. A friend of mine just purchased his first Porsche, a 2010 911 Carrera, and he looked around for almost a 6 months before he found exactly what he was looking for (some of that time was because of a lack of available new 911's on the local market). You'll find your car, just be patient.

With the 911 you have a universally classic style that looks great without having to extensively mod the car to be unique. Just having a 911 maxes out the "unique" quotent, IMHO. I think small mods like minor aerodynamics or a good looking set of wheels does more for the car that a full blown body kit with a huge wing and the car slammed to the ground; again just my humble opinion. Go ahead and make the car your own, just exercise some tasteful restraint and resist the temptation to go hog wild. Building a "sleeper" with a quality turbo kit should give you all the performance you could want, but keep in mind that some mods may be frowned upon by your service manager if warranty work become an issue.

bottom line: You can't go wrong getting the Porsche that fits your needs and situation.

 

Thanks fellas for the replies. I guess all in all I need to be under 100K. That would be top of the line for me.

I was leaning towards a C2 and then dumping about $15000 of mods into it.

Can I ask a dumb question?................

Why are people still buying the turbos that cost quite a bit more than a c2 or c4 if an aftermarket turbo is available? Is that because its not factory?

Im sure Im missing the obvious. Is it better brakes, wing, interior?

 

Stock is one reason. Can't beat something that is wicked fast and has a nice fat warranty on it. But yes it has better everything. It is for the most part a beefy C4S. I would give a very good guess that since almost anything you do engine wise will void your warranty that is a mahor factor in not doing upgrades.

Looks like you could get a C2 Cab plus mod and be under your 100k cap. All depends on the options on the car stock. As I am sure you know that a fully optioned out car adds 5k-10k+ to the price tag.

 

The new 911 Turbo is a total package: electronics, engine, suspension, drivetrain, et al. It would be hard to replicate with aftermarket products for a reasonable price, end up with anything that resembles the factory product, and still has a warranty in effect.

It's more than just boost and horsepower.

 

If I was going to buy a Porshe and keep it forever I woild pick a benchmark Porsche and be very selective with mods (if at all). I would not bolt Turbos on a normally aspirated car . The only model i would modify heavily would be the gt1 Turbo engine. The 997S cars would only get exhaust and suspension . In fact the Gt3 would remain stock .

If the car MUST be new .. you can get a nicely equipped 997S for at or near 100K.

a car like this at 116K MSRP has everything (aerokit. PSe.Paddles) right from day one. http://the-collection.porschedealer....61431/info.php

 

Thank you yrralis1. I was waiting for you to jump in!

 

from above link
Top Track Speed: 188 mph (manual) / 186 mph (PDK)
• 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec (manual) / 4.3 sec (PDK)
• When equipped with both PDK and Sport Chrono Package Plus, 0-60 mph is 4.1 sec

i have never seen porsche say NA cars are quicker with SC

If you ever needed proof that SC is an absolute must - this is it!!!!!!!

 

Vintage:
Like you, I’m relatively new to this forum (which I find quite informative by-the-way). I owned 8 Porsches for 20 years from 1967 to 1987. Then I switched to Corvette as I couldn’t afford the Porsches and put my kids through college. I had 5 vettes over the next 23 years. The C6 vette was the only one that compared well to the Porsche 911 (and it is nice). Now the kids are gone and I bought a 2007 997 that was a lease car. When I started looking I never thought I would consider a lease car, but I found out that many people (especially doctors) keep their lease cars in perfect shape because they feel they may get charged for everything that’s wrong including dings). Mine had 29,000 miles when I got it. That’s important because it still has a year of warranty. The car still smells new. If you haven’t had a Porsche before you might try that strategy and save 40-50% (when you count the taxes) over a new one while you determine how much you like it and whether you want some of the other things you were considering. My Corvette C6 was a convertible and I did enjoy that. It is VERY stiff. I assumed I would get a Cabriolet but found it wasn’t nearly as stiff as the vette. I ended up getting a coupe (with sunroof) and I enjoy the solid feel of that car over the flexibility of the Cabriolet. I haven’t missed the open air drive yet. I also assumed I would want a TIP as I enjoyed the vette’s automatic over their 6-speed. But the Porsche’s 6-speed is so smooth and light compared to the Corvette’s it was not an issue. I like a peppy vehicle and the TIP starts in 2nd gear so you don’t feel the responsiveness you do with the 6-speed. Though the TIP is night and day better than the first autos back in the 60’s, unless you or your wife doesn’t like to shift at all, I would recommend the 6-speed.
Chuck

 

Wow, see I like those numbers. Although Im really not interested to much in launching off the line. But this is something to definately look into

I would be interested in some of the others models, but the wife and I want a topless option. My Rx7 just had the sunroof and the nsx was a hardtop.


Thanks again folks.

 

You must realize that if you opt for topless both the car's weight and structure change. Even though Porsche does a great job at trying to maintain performance .. some of it gets lost so the idea of adding mods to a cab is somewhat contradictory . I realize that a lot of guys do this (but i debate them on it and they do admit that they are trying to have a well rounded car).

If you are going to buy a Cab there are really two camps
1) the Boxter Spyder -fun no frills track style group
2) The Turbo Cab lavish luxury complete with leather everything, carbon fiber and stitching . It's a luxury power machine.

The 997S cab falls somewhere in the middle .

I am not a Cab person but if i were getting one I'd get the Turbo Cab 20 years from now a Gt1 engine car will still bring joy and fun drives. An 08 CPO is near 100K . I would NOT get a Tiptronic though and it must have Sport Chrono and preferrable axle lock.