My wife had a 2001 Boxster S which she rarely used. I sold it. Now she seems to be suffering Porsche withdrawal. She wanted a 911 anyway. For a real daily driver. She needs a 911 that fits EVERY ONE of these criteria, I mean EVERY ONE: Coupe. 6 speed. Dependable as an anvil. Off the steep part of the depreciation curve (that's really my criterion). No wings or do-dads of any sort. Simpler the better, i.e. no turbo, "S", AWD, tuned for more power, etc. Nothing to drive cost up such as special audio or full leather. She cares not about water cooled vs air cooled etc etc. I'm looking for that model and year that intersects the lowest cost curve with the still dependable curve. Advice?
Are 993s more dependable than the newer cars? Seriously. I was kinda thinking about something along these lines unless the newer cars have more problems. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230224997852&rd=1
[size=+3]993[/size] sumpthin like THIS?? Lot's of (but not all of) the depreciation is out of these. After all, it's a Porsche, they depreciate for (almost) ever. Don't get a stinkin' tip, go six speed so you can steal it on those days when the Dino is getting, um, tweaked by your mechanic. DM
Besides the auto I do like that. Seriously, would a 13 year old car really be dependable? She has little tolerance for.... adventure.
A 993 is a good choice, newer is not necessarily more reliable with Porsches. The water-cooled 996's had their teething problems and depreciate like crazy. A good low-miles 993 should depreciate very slowly, mostly in relation to miles and a good example should be bulletproof with oil changes, fluids, tires, brake pads and batteries - just the consumables.
How reliable is your 35 year old car? Seriously, a good example, well cared for, should be solid as a rock. The last of the air cooled are certainly more reliable than the first of the water cooled, and better sounding, too!!! I love the air cooled cars. And as yin remarked, most of the depreciation is out of those cars. Go like stink, drive great, best looking of the bunch. No confusing it with a Boxster from the front, that's for sure. And $30K?? What's that? Maybe a dozen or so pecker enhancement surgeries, couple dozen implants?? Just the Porsche guys here would more than cover that if you offered a little discount. DM
Wow Dave, it is kinda COSMIC. Just think, all those penile enhancements I have to do for the under-endowed Porsche guys will more than pay for the car....cosmic.
The 997 will still depreciate ( The silver one you posted from Ebay ) . A 993 will not. Less creature comfort though..
993's are GREAT! They hold value pretty well and so that is good from a future resale standpoint. The 997 mentioned earlier is a GREAT car. One of if not THE best 911 EVER! I love them. They even look as good as the 993's. They still have a big hill of depreciation to go down though. SOOOO, my advice is an '02 to '04 996. They have lost 75% or more of the value that they are ever likely to loose (remember apples to apples here on the comparison front) and they are VERY reliable. PLUS both the dealerships AND the independent shops should know the cars quite well by this point, so you should not have any problems getting one serviced fairly close by. I have been in to the Porsche scene for 11 or 12 years now as Pres, VP, concours chair, DE instructor, racer, etc. etc. for our local Porsche club so trust me on this one. The late 996's are a great way to go all the way around! Really hard to beat! Not sure if they are down to $30k yet, but I bet they are getting close! For a good one worth buying I mean... YMMV! James Austin, TX
Hey, and while we're on the subject, did you REALLY do your own vasectomy?? REALLY??? And again, 993!!!!!!!! COSMIC??? Hey wait a minute. I've owned several P-cars. Uh oh, I think I dissed myself.. bet you can fix that, too!! DM
996 is perfect for the wife. The 996 is not too expensive, reliable, fast My wife has one and she love the 996 more than her Fcar 360.
Age has nothing to do with it. My 23 year old 911 has been rock solid dependable for the 17 years I've owned it. I drove it today, in fact. However, women may not perceive that. Perception, which may be important here, is probably that newer is more reliable.
go with the 993..very dependable, fun to drive and it sound much better than the 997...and depreciation is only a grand or two a year vs 5-10 grand a year.....
993 is the way to go. Been looking at 993 for several month myself, hope to pull the trigger soon. Atleast your wife is set on driving a 911. Mine on the other hand needs gentle persuassions here and there on the virtues of an older classic aircooled car that will hopefully, appreciate in value. I bet she would be all for it if I told her Pcar ownership comes with the aforementioned male enhancement surgery! lol Penische, there is no substitue...just reconstruction!
She's declared, It's going to be a 997. No reason to discuss it any more. She has spoken. She says the 993 would suit me better but not her. She feels I'm projecting my wishes on her. And shes right. As usual.
There is a TON of depreciation ahead of the 997, but you can't beat it for 911's. Like most all F-cars the new one is better than the one it replaces. I think it took till the 2nd gen of the 996 to be better and nicer than the 993, but I am no airhead and I do believe that the '02 and up 996's ARE in fact better than a 993. Certainly not "classic" like a 993 w/ its air cooling, but a superior car all the way around. The 997 is a BIG, BIG step up from a 996! It will be a GREAT car for her! I bet you will learn to enjoy the heck out of it too! Best, James Austin, TX
