Am I too old for a first timer?

Folks, I am new here and trying to make a decision on my next car purchase. Actually, I prefer to think of my next car purchase as a long defered desire rather than a mid life crisis. For 30 years I have been practical but now.... I have done some research (here and other sources) and, though there are no perfect cars I have found a 99 c2 6 speed stick, traction control, power windows and locks, power heated leather seats, a/c, cassette and CD changer, 18" factory chrome wheels, ABS brakes, dual front and side airbags, power top with 51k on it. It will be used as a daily commuter car. I did a CarFax check(for what thats worth) and it came out clean. I am not a 'car' guy but I am willing to learn, hence my post here. What is the opinion of the experts here of that car for my use? Or should I start looking at a nice Ford Focus? Thanks, Slider

Slider - you should get some good input here - a couple quick thoughts from me: no matter what, spend the money for an independent PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection). Try to get an independent Porsche shop to do it (where are you?). It will be less expensive than the dealer. Also, consider your personal budget - these cars are pretty bulletproof if maintained. Maintenance is not exorbitant, but it's not cheap either. You don't have to tell us how much you make, but you should determine whether you have the discretionary funds to cover tires, oil changes, and whatnot. But, you should also be able to cover a much larger cost if it happens. This is probably not likely, but things can happen that could cost $5 to $10k, and you want to be able to begrudgingly pay the bill if it does happen. Hardtops are usually a little less than a Cab, and there are fewer moving parts that can break. In addition, the car will be stiffer and a little lighter, so think about what is important to you. I bought my first car over one year ago. I learned a lot in the process and probably paid less than most people do, but I now know that I paid more than I would have with the knowledge that I now possess (nice runon sentence). Either way, if you can do it, skip the Ford and get a Porsche.

First off, p-cars are popular with the older crowd, so age is not an issue. Second, p-cars make excellent daily drivers. I commute every day in my 996, and it makes the journey very enjoyable. These cars are not meant to be babied. You can drive it as much as you like, in the rain even, just keep it maintenanced and it will keep going strong. The car you are looking at sounds nice. My advise is educate yourself in the differences between early 99/late 98's, and later 99's. Also educate yourself on the changes that the 996 went thru in 2000/2001 and then again went thru some major changes in 2002. Figure the options you like and the color combos and then try to find the one that fits you most. Drive a few of them to get an idea of what a good car feels like. Where do you live abouts? Also consider joining rennlist, I think in short time you will see this crowd is the best bang for the buck in trying to make sure your money is spent well on a good car.

Slider I don't know how old you are but that should not really make any differance. I'm 65 but have been driving high performace cars since I was 16. I also mountain bike race so you are only as old as you want to be. I am a car guy and grew up in my dad's junk yard working on cars ect. The new sports cars like the 996 are highly refined and make great daily drivers that are as reliable as any other car. However these are high performace cars. The clutch is touchy and takes some getting used to. The ride is stiff but comforatble. A friend of mine bought a 996 but after a while he bought a Jaguar. Uff Duh ! I suggest you test drive one for as long as a dealer will let you have it. You will soon know if a P car is for you.

You're definitely not too old for a Porsche! In fact, you're a great example for us younger guys on how to live life to the full. You're getting some good advice here and on the other thread you started about the potential car. 51k is a good mileage for a '99: reasonably low, but not so low that the car has been sitting in a garage all its life. These cars are great for putting a smile on your face during your commute, and my 67k '02 is coping well with a 70 mile daily round trip from LA to OC ranging from a few miles of crawling to a few blasts limited only by my concerns about the CHP

Go for the Pcar. You're never too old. Ask me why I know. I remember Pearl Harbor

Slider - yes, you are way too old, so get the hell out of here! Just kidding! Seriously, Welcome to Rennlist, the best Porsche site on the 'net! I can't really add too much to what has already been stated, but a common thought here is to buy the newest Porsche you can comfortably afford. Drive a '99 - '01 cat then drive a '02 - '04 car to see how they have progressed. Learn all you can about the various options that were available on the model year(s) you are interested in. Once you have a good idea of which options you want, search for the "right" (or best) car for you. Be patient, enjoy the search and, ultimately, get what you really want. Remember that "the chase" is part of the experience. Good luck with your search and again WELCOME!

Folks, Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I am sneaking up on 50 and can afford the more expensive maintenance. Current time constraints dictate that I wont ever use the car for anything but regular driving though I am envious of all the members that can take thiers to that track. I am outside of Sacramanto and dont know of any reliable mechanics for a PPI. The car is actually located in the Walnut Creek area so I will probably look in that area for one. (not that I know anyone there either :^) The asking price is a bit under $35,000 but I was thinking of asking that be the 'out the door' price including enough of a reduction in addition so I can get an extended bumper to bumper. Or is that too much to ask or not recomended? I have taken Signals advice and started looking at the differences in the '98'99 range but I think some of the differences are lost on me. I will look around at '02='04's as well. Trying to determine repair record fact from fiction is a challenge for me right now. Is there a mountain/mole hill thing going on regarding engines dying? We can get pretty warm in the Sacto area so the is the AC going to run strong enough? I would really love to be able to join Rennlist before the end of the year and put a pic of my pcar up like many of you do. Thanks in advance for any additional guidance.

Is $35k a little high for a '99 cab?

These cars are water cooled now and their AC systems are very good. You should have no problems even on 100 degree days. The '02-'04 have some meaningful improvments, however those cars will cost you a bit more and there is absolutley nothing wrong with the earlier cars. Get a good PPI and you should be just fine!!

That's what you say now... ...three months from now you'll be asking for advice between TE and DAS rollbars, later that year you'll be debating the merits of Dot-R tyres

Thanks....Is $35k way off if in clean shape? I have checked around and it seems as though maybe $1k lower is more in line or is that still too high. Simon, and how exactly do I thank you for your gentle (?) kick into that abyss..... :^) For now its enough to find a car that gets me from work to home with great smiles per miles ratio and not strand me on the side of the road. Regards.........

Having been a car nut all my life, whenever I hear someone accused of going through a mid-life crisis because they bought a p-car, or any other sports car, at ~ 50 (guilty) I point out that the real crisis was that I had to drive minivans and SUVs for far too many years

As a fifty year old who just got his first 911 a couple of weeks ago, jump on in, the waters fine! As far as pricing is concerned, I'd look at www.kbb.com and take their BOTTOM prices as target. I bought mine from a dealer in Chicago ( http://www.carsourceusa.com - it was a good experience) and with a little "discussion" got it for a little under trade-in "good" condition. I've also splashed out on an aftersales warranty - $3000 for 4yrs/100k miles. If you do this, make sure it's an EXCLUSIVE warranty - i.e. covers everything expect part specifically listed, and watch out for "shakey" companies - several have gone bust. Have you seen the Harley ad about the Grandfather that bought aluminum siding rather than a Harley (and having a life to look back on?). Same thing applies to Porsches.

DOOOOOOoooooooo it! You are only as old as you feel.

Slidershoe, You know Thunderhill is just next door in Willows right... and PCA run friday track days... and even half days. At 50 you would be right around the average age i would guess. I have a 2001 Cab and you will probably find (like me) you get all the usual issues. MAF O2 sensor Cab rear window (99-01 only) Coolant bottle cracks None of these are a big deal and most are DIY if you have the correct number of thumbs on each hand. Here are some gratuitous pics of Thunderhill to temp you

Why are you waiting so long, stop waiting and enjoy. If you regret, sell. The cars seem to be holding their numbers at that level.

Alright......the motivation is there. Now I will just try to figure out if the '99 is a good way to go or if moving to a newer year is worth the money. Dare I ask if the engine failure in the '99-01's enough of an issue to spend the additional to get into the 02's and newer? Thanks all

The '99 - '01 models do not have a corner on the engine failure market. There were some '03 and '04 car that had engine failures too. To help guard against a major repair expense, getting a warranty is a good idea. You may never need to use it but it will help you sleep better at night. If you go with a '02 - '04 model, I would recommend you try to get a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned from a Porsche dealer) Adds 2 years and an additional 50,000 miles to the original 4/50 warranty. THere are some minor differences in CPO versus original warranty, but you can check on that when the time comes.

Alright....I am motivated now. I guess the question is if there is enough reason to avoid the '99-01's and go to the 02-04 (I think I have those dates correct) to avoid the engine issues I see discussed. I dont want to open a can of worms at the same time being new to p cars I would like me first experience to as positive as possible (darn...does that imply I think there might be a second?) Thanks all.

after paying for two college educations and a wedding, i felt it was time to indulge myself with one of life's just rewards. just sold my 87 carrera, bought a 2000 996. btw---that is in addition to my 83SC dedicated trac car. exactly what is it you're waiting for?

I'm 58. Bought a 2001 C2 new and have driven it as a daily driver, ever since. I have done all required maintainance and have had no problems with the car. It now has 65,000 miles. I live in Florida and the A/C works just fine. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it!!

Life is too short...Go buy your dream car. Don't worry about what could happen, just do it. Get the newest one you feel you can aford (and then buy a more expensive one).

No, there is no reason to "avoid" the '99-01. So long as it is a well maintained car, there should be no issues. Pre-Purchase Inspection, full service records, and close personal inspection will help in getting you into the right car. The '02 and up cars are improved from the earlier cars, in that the engines are bigger, a bit more HP, different ergonomics, etc. They are reasons to go with the newer cars, but not reasons to "avoid" the older one's.

I'm 57 bought my first P car 2 yrs ago, used with a CPO. best thing I ever did. Many of my friends have gotten cancer or heart problems, do it before it's too late. This forum will assist you if you have any problems and advise you as to repair, maintenace etc. You will have great fun driving your car and people will go WOW when they see you in it.

What they all said: the 99-01s are great cars, the 02-04s are even greater for most people (slightly heavier is the only major downside).

50 is the new 30. Where the hell have you been? There are some guys at your age ready to check out the new Focus or Saturn and are quite content. Older guys with pot bellies climbing into their P-car are going through a medical condition called menoporche and they merit our compassion, understanding and a twenty-five year old blond with sunglasses sitting on her forehead. You only go around once and if you want a P-car get the damn thing but if you think 50 is old you might want to find a guy with a nice couch and tell him about it a couple of times a week.

Slider, if your too old then I'm too young. If you think 33 is too young to own a PORSCHE, don't get one. I have been told by some of my "friends" that I'm in my mid-life-crisis....what? I have just gotten to a financial point in my life to afford one, I'm just a kid to some. Live a little and get one. Just consider all aspects of your purchase, appeal to yourself and others (of course, it's a pcar). Initial cost of purchase, and maintenance of pcar. Just do your research and you'll do fine. Best advice is go PORSCHE Certified.

31 and on my second p-car- maybe like the 10th one at 50? Never to young or to old.

OK.....so now I am motivated. At this point, being new to pcars, I wonder if I am setting myself up by looking at the '99-01 cars rather than spending more to get into the 02-04's (I think I have these dates correct). It appears that the 02's and newer are significantly more $. If I get the car and everything looks good, I have an engine prob and replace it, is the replacement engine likely to have a problem for the same catastrophic failure reason? Or is it really just an issue with original engines? Sorry for what is probably a very ignorant question....clearly I am not a car guy. :^( Thanks

The '02-04 engines have the same potential for RMS problems, but RMS is not an engine-destroying issue. If you do have to replace an engine for any reason, the going rate seems to be $10k - hardly cheap, but not out of line for this kind of car.

Hey, Too old and not even 50??!! You're joking, right? That car will be the best therapy you'll ever get. Get out there and get your Porsche. I started at 22 "My name is Tom and I am a Porscheholic" cheers! TW