Another one of "Those" Threads....

First, if you haven't done so already, spend some time on Rennlist.

Second, what do you consider fast? For your budget, I think the fastest thing you'll find is a 996 turbo, which is very fast by most standards. They've depreciated like crazy so finding one shouldn't be difficult.

Third, if you want to talk about rewarding (as opposed to fast) you should look at a 993 for many reasons. Not as fast as a 996 turbo, but IMO much more rewarding.

 

Spot on.

 

Yup, 996 turbo.

Stock it will probably make you wet your pants, throw $5000 at it and it may get me to wet my pants.

No question, that is the one to get.

 

Make sure you turn the 996tt to rwd, if not it is no fun at all.

 

996 turbo post eggshape headlights

 

Problem with 996 Turbo is it's like the girlfriend with the killer body and great personality, but you just can't get past the face.

It's ugly.

 

The man wants cheap speed.

The 996 Turbo is the one of the most turd-ish renditions of the 911. It's also one of those cars whose interior actually looks increasingly worse inside as you add options (fake aluminum trim, dark wood...)

But it is cheap and fast.

Hands down I'd be looking for a 992 C2 in his price range, but those were ~280 bhp IIRC, which puts it in 348 territory.

 

My question for the OP would be: when you say 'scary fast' do you mean a car that gives the sensation of the speed you're pushing toward , or one that is capable of going very,very fast, but maybe is a bit muted.

The reason I ask is this: I wonder if the more modern TTs won't seem a bit sedate until you're doing Warp 9 (think ludicrous speed).

If the answer is maybe a move toward the 'feel' and 'drama' of acquiring speed, we might have different recommendations.

 

Wow, what a tough crowd.

Anyway, RAC is asking $46k for this 2001 Turbo... if it's a one-owner car w/ no paintwork or skeletons in the closet, then it may be worth it.

http://inventory.racperformance.com/web/vehicle/681932/2001-Porsche-911%20Carrera-Turbo-Dallas-Texas

/m

 

I'm gonna pile on here as well......

"scary fast" = turbo car............you have no other choice unless you have cubic dollars.

996 engines are limited in NA form, as the law of dimini$hing returns wreaks havoc at around 350 HP. The others which are even older aren't going to do what you want unless you have $25-30K to spend on the engine.

996TT/993/930/964 with or without modifications........they are all solid cars if you pick right, and it was done right. I've got lots of guys with big HP running around 3-4 years and 30,000 KMS later after we did the mods..........no issues whatsoever.

 

LOL!

 

As an owner of an '87 911 turbo, I don't think reliability is an issue. Lack of AC might be, though. At least if you intend for the car as a DD. And there is pretty significant turbo lag, in stock form (mine is). But the car has loads of character and driving feel. That's part of what makes driving fun, isn't it?

The car is supposed to do 0-60 in about 5 seconds. There was a car mag article that commented it felt as if 0-30 took about 4 seconds, and then 30-60 happened in the next second. That's turbo lag.

But 930s (1976-1989) are arguably the best looking of 911 turbos ever made. You can buy a clean one for $30K or so. Then spend another $8K in bolt-ons (turbo, intercooler, headers, muffler). The overall HP might only bump up from stock 282 to about 350/375. But what gets overlooked are the significant gains in low- and mid-range that make the car much more exciting to drive. The turbo spools much quicker.

965s (1991-1994) can be had in the $30-40K range. They have working AC. Same basic 3.3 liter engine design, but more efficient intercooler to boost HP to around 330, IIRC. The '94 Turbo 3.6 (360 HP) was the pinnacle of this model run, but that's a little bit beyond your price range.

993TT (1995-1998) are out of your price range.

996TT can be had for the $40s. Those are scary-fast. But I've heard more than a few past owners complain that it was too vanilla of a driving experience.

 

I'll tell you what I'm doing as soon as I get back from deployment. 996TT and calling my friend Dave at SmithMotorworks to get the EVOMS Stg 1 kit. It lists for $3k, but you can pick it up for around 2.5k if you look. 500+ crank hp daily driver and nothing but smiles.

http://evomsit.com/Results-996TT_Hitachi_Stage_1.htm