I just sold my M3, and I am looking to purchase an older 911 (late 2000s or older). My budget is around $15,000. I would prefer a convertible, but I will consider all options. I am not married to a particular year. If interested, you can send me a PM or reply to post. Also, I will require that seller have complete service records. I am located in Georgia, so preference will be given to those who live in regions that serve sweet-tea.
Thanks.
I will try to make this easy.
1. You will be able to find one or two $15k 911's in the US.
2. If you purchase one you should have $5,000-10,000 in your bank account to fix all of the issues that will exist or will arise in the first few months of ownership. They are great cars, but your budget will only allow for a car that has not been maintained properly.
3. Keep in mind that consumables (Tires, brakes, Clutch, etc… ) are more expense than most cars. For example if you do not abuse the car and do not take it to a track you will get between 10-12k miles out of a set of new back tires ($650-850 depending type of rear tires installed).
4. You live in GA. In 1994, (over 20 years ago) I purchased a 1981 911 SC Targa with 99,000 miles for about $11,000. A few weeks ago, I noticed the same 1981 911 SC Targa with 233,000 in unrestored condition for $32,000 (asking price). Think about it.
5. You may want to wait until you can save some additional $ to spend on a 911 or consider a different model.
Just trying to share my experience. I keep you from making a decision that you might regret.
+1 to what Kindrunnermike said.
Try to find some "Excellence" magazines. Read all of those that you can get your hands on. You might get some good ideas about what used 911s go for.
"Panorama", the official PCA magazine, might be helpful too. Just to give you an idea, in this month's issue I found one 911 for $17,000. Everything else was more expensive.
One last suggestion - Think about a Boxster or Cayman. You can get a six-cylinder Porsche for a lot less money. You could probably find a decent car in your price range.
you can get a descent 986 for that kind of coin!
but not a 996.. BTW.. 993 with a "S" badge are no less than 100k..
Lemon
Ok, I hate to bid against myself, but maybe I started too low. Autotrader does have a good amount available for less than 20k range (177 in U.S), 60 available for less than 17k, 39 available for 16k, which is around $15k range, right? There are 22 available in US for 15k or less on Autotrader. I have owned three BMWs, so I am familiar with rainy day fund.
let me guess.. Tiptronic?
lemon
Getting complete service records for a 911 in the $15k to $18k price range will be a challenge.
Yeah, you probably have to divide those Autotrader numbers in half to take out the Tiptronic. For example, out of the 177 911's available under 20k, 107 appear to be sticks. Out of the 39 available under $15k, 23 appear to be sticks. How are the Tiptronics on the Porsche? I drove a 2006 Bentley the other day with one, and it was worse than pointless, but that is a relatively new generation of Tiptronics for the Bentley.
your about correct on you assessment on the tiptronics..
lemon
