£30,000 Porker - Page 3 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

You are in top notch 964 territory, or a cheaper 993 or even better, a 964RS, if you can find one.. Why don't you ask our 'Enry? Melv

Any of the above would be good choices, but what about a Turbo? Your budget would get a nice 930 or Turbo2 with money to spare. Suppose the answer depends on what you want out of the car? Could even be that one of those funny models with the engine in the wrong place (up front) could fit the bill! Anyway a nice dilemma! Chris

For that money you could get a really nice Boxster 2.7. Or possibly even an early 'S' ..with more grunt and brakes... I'm biased but if you don't need the rear seats you'll get a much younger car that IMHO is almost perfect. >> Edited by Don on Tuesday 21st January 09:42

I would agree with Don if you want an 'everyday' Porsche, with perhaps a 993 C2 entering the equation as well. If you want a balls-out Porsche, there is no question. It has to be a 964RS for that money. >> Edited by domster (moderator) on Tuesday 21st January 10:31

I'd agree there. Domster's car is very, very special..(I loved it!)...but only a die-hard enthusiast could possibly consider it as a daily driver.

So C3 GTK (do you know C3 PO?) what are your requirements? -we're all dying to spend your money!! Melv

Thanks for the idea's. It's only going to be a second (well third if you count the family bus) car so it will be for fun and frolicks alone, like a good blast down to Le Mans. Had considered the 964 but understand they can be less reliable? (More so than the Cerbs that had been on my list) I suppose early 993's will be good in the long term. Any idea's on a thirty grand turbo?

If you want a turbo for fun & trips down to le mans,maybe a lhd car would not be such a problem. For 30k you scrape into 964 turbo (965?) 3.6 teritory. these cars are totally awesome & give different thrills to the later 4wd cars....only down side is servicing costs & literally keeping them on the road.. I would personally go with a 993 coupe over any other Porsche for £30k,a truly fantastic car. >> Edited by clubsport on Tuesday 21st January 13:42

ROTFLMAO!!! Errr, I don't think so. The 964 costs marginally more to service than a 993, mainly because it does not have hydraulic tappets. A few minor things go wrong on them compared to a post 1995 993, but these things are not major headaches. See the buying guide on 964s in the Porsche section of the main site. As for the turbo, you could get a LHD 3.6 or RHD 3.3 965 Turbo 2 for that. In fact, my friend may be selling his RHD Turbo 3.3 with 400bhp if you are interested, for 28k. You won't get near a 993 Turbo unless you accept LHD, and then you're into the thirties by a few grand. If it is a second/third car, I would still consider the RS. A 964RS is far more *exciting* than any Turbo I can think of (non GT2), even if slower than something like a 996TT or Derestrictor's 993TT. Hmmm, you have to experience them to appreciate it. Derestrictor's 490bhp 993 felt like a Lexus (tuned by Han Solo) compared to my 964RS. Cheers Dom

Can we moderate the perpetual exhuberance for the 964 RS? Yes they are good cars and I am not putting them down,but they do appeal to a certain type of buyer. Yes i have driven 2 different examples,many other Porsches have redeeming factors in my opinion.

Funny you should mention it, Sir Domst; I forgot to mention in my last e-mail that I nailed The Kessel Run in ELEVEN par secs!!! Anyway, excitement takes on a slightly different dimension when tanking past 170, eh Daz?

The question asked originally was what Porsche for 30k. Yes, some of us harp on about the RS, but that is one end of the spectrum. Don kindly mentioned a suitable Boxster, which would suit the needs of an everyday Porsche far better. To be honest, the second or third car comment doesn't really narrow it down. Some see 924s as racy second cars. I used a Caterham as an everyday car. Basically, sir has to drive his Porsches and take his choice. I would suggest one from each end of the spectrum and then narrow it from there. I am selling my RS, but you'll still find me waxing lyrical about them. I have driven a few Porsches (more than most, less than some) and I found it by far the most rewarding of all Porsches to drive quickly. Almost as good as a Caterham, head and shoulders above a standard C2 or 965 Turbo. If someone posts 'the 30k' question, I'm not going to rattle off the 15 or 20 Porsche model types that *could* fit the bill. Most of them are not classics, despite their redeeming factors. We have an open forum here, hopefully enjoyed by those with an open mind. If someone wants to promote their 993 C2 Targa Tiptronic as the ideal 30k Porsche, we let them. Any other nominations?

Domster...totally agree that you have to drive them...I was just winding you 964 RS boys up and was leaning on the moderator angle.I am suprised it took you so long to come back! to be fair if you consider the numbers sold,particularly in rhd form.One would conclude that there is more interest / demand from the UK Porsche buying public for Tiptronic cabriolets than RS models. Even though we would both be at odds with this.

LOL, well that is true. The 964RS was never made in great numbers, ans as you mention, RHD is a rarity. You can just get them for 30k in RHD. To be honest, I would probably recommend a 993RS over a 964RS, but they are even sillier money. For far less money, I suppose a RHD 968CS would cover off the 'enthusiasts' angle quite well. It amazes me how the Porsches that don't sell much when new (993RSR etc) are always worth more than the more expensive turbos second hand. Could it be that company car owners are buying them new, and enthusiasts buying them s/h? As for winding the RS boys up, well, you are lucky that Melv considers his Cup car a league above our production metal (as it rightly is!) and that 9M has been sleeping, or working or something. And Daz and DeR, your cars are seriously impressive (especially in the rain!!). Just have too much interior for my liking I can't wait for DeR to drive a 993GT2 as he'll have his chequebook in no time...

Dom, i'd kick your ass in my RS eating T2. Unless of course you insist on an 'off(the)road' section to the race

Thanks again to everyone I have some leave due so I think it's time to start doing some driving. Giw 12: The 30 grand isn't just sitting there it's taken a lot of effort to raise and justify to the missus the cash But now we have stopped adding sprogs to the planet it's "game on" Domster: Is the 964RS LHD? I think I can remove from the list anything with Tip or Cab on it. Where is the best place to find these cars?????

LOL, yeah, you would in the wet for sure! In the dry, well, you'll have to get yourself along to 9M's Oulton RS trackday, and we'll see. The Red Baron will be going, and it will be even more of an animal according to a little birdy (not Scottster's missus ). Glad you got that tractor exhaust of it, though. What does it kick out these days? ATB Dom

The RS is available LHD and RHD, but RHD is very, very rare. There are some for sale, though, if you keep your eyes open. I would suggest: - Porsche Post (official club magazine, subs are about 50 quid a year) - 911&Porsche World classifieds - PistonHeads classifieds - there was a RHD in black for sale in the last six months - www.mcpmotorsport.co.uk - And I think auto classica in knaresborough have one or two. Maybe google it. - Our 'Enry... or maybe not! - Paragon and camtune have a good choice of 911s, maybe worth a look if going down the 993 route.

hmmm round any UK circuit ending in park ie Cadwell, Oulton, Donnington & I really think not, but then again if it is against Dom in the RS I would have to put my money on the Turbo as he will be enjoying himself scaring badgers too much I'm gunna try & grab a drive in the RS if it makes it to Oulton under new ownership, although I will have to pay if I bend it, which might make any gin palace turbo chasing antics slightly moderated coz it will take me 3000 yrs to pay that off PS I reckon the RSPCA will probabally try and ban Dom from driving if he does get his Ultima, for the sake of our wildlife

Dom, it's just been serviced at AFN and I don't know what they did but it's much quicker than before. I'm currently deciding what stupid BHP i'm going to squeeze out of the old girl, before I find a new toy. I might leave it at a RS worrying 400 or take it to levels only suitable for a strip known as drag. Neeeeeooooooowwwwww www.......

C3GTK, If I got the right impression from your posts it sounds like you may only plan occassional track outings? And that you want something that can play Grand Tourer on a run but deliver that oh-my-god feeling when you're in the mood? If this is true then IMHO you really must make sure to include a Turbo of some sort in the cars you drive. I was in this position and went for a 930 and so far have not been disappointed. Your budget would certainly cover one of those or a 3.3 965. Reading posts from Domster et al has made me toy with the idea of a 964RS. I'm sure it would be a far more pure experience ultimately, but as realistically 90% of my miles are on the lumpy bumpy public highway I don't know if it would really suit me as well. Besides winding up the windows yourself is such hard work, and unheated seats wreak havoc with your Farmer Giles on a cold winter morning. Chris

C3GTK, No Tip, no Cab. OK Tiptronic isn't a "real man's" system - you need manual. That I'm sure is true until someone like McNab gets hold of it and then I'll bet its no barrier to a quick drive! Personally I wouldn't have it. But I can see why some would - if the car was a daily driver in the City. Cab. OK 996 Cabs have a lardy looking butt. And I mean UGLY! BUT Beauty is in the eye etc and personally with 320bhp on tap I'd be happy to enjoy 150mph roof down moments in one. (I'm the guy who's only happy if the roof comes off - others don't care, of course). BUT A Boxster S, whilst not having the "go" of a 996/993 still has a startling level of performance, the top comes off properly - and without its beam end suffering the ill effects of needing to contain it. Like I say if you don't need rear seats... And finally. The handling is sublime. Mid-engined. S**t to a blanket stuff. The Boxster is the Lotus Elise of the Porsche world with a healthy does of practicality thrown in for good measure. A Boxster will go touring for two weeks and then go on a track day and hoon with the best of 'em. The car is so nearly perfect its untrue. I have told AFN that if Porsche stick a couple of turbos on it and up the power to 340 - 360 bhp they will have my deposit followed by my right arm in a hot second. Sure - try your 911s - they're what Porsche is about really I suppose - then come try the dark side. Be seduced by a Boxster S.

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Hi C3 GTK. Just to reiterate what everyone else has "really" said and you've already decided, get out and drive or passenger in as many different cars as possible. Also to restate a good place to start is classifieds section of PCGB's monthly magazine, which in addition to lots of adverts for cars also has details of many of the brokers offering specialist insurance schemes for porsche drivers, some even including fully comp cover when on Porsche Club GB trackdays (That policy was also my cheapest quote BTW) DAZ PS1 - Oh, welcome to Pistonheads BTW. PS2 - Sorry I haven't kept track today guys, I've had a bitch of a day with a sum total of about 40 minutes in the office (Of which 20 minutes was scanning but not posting on PH

Don, Surely your S has the go of a 993 ?

Depends on the 993 I think. My Boxster S has 260bhp and weighs 12XX kg. I thought that a 993C2 had 280bhp ish and was a little lighter? 993 owners care to elucidate? To compare: Boxster S 0..60 5.7 seconds 996C2 0..60 5.2 seconds 993C2 ??? Besides. Sheer power isn't everything. Worrying too much about the grunt of an S is missing the point of the car IMHO.

Don...993 from 11/93 to 10/95 =272 bhp..then varioram, came in with 285bhp.....Unfortunately as much as I am a fan of them ,the 993 is so well built it is a bit of a Porker, a regular C2 weighs in about 1420 kg depending upon spec.This is heavier than a 996 C2 coupe. 993 C2 & Boxster S are very similar in performance,as can be witnessed on any Porsche track day. They are both very different cars which have characteristics which would appeal to different buyers.

Thanks again everyone. Went to my local OPC today and going to take a Boxter S out tomorrow to give me some form of reference. Will try and find an early Turbo and 964RS et al as well before I buy. Why is it whatever cost limit you set there is always something just that little bit more

on 911 virgin, theres a T plate 996 for very low 30's

If anyone hasn't guessed, 911 virgin is our good friend Henry - see 'Our 'Enry' thread for entertaining banter regarding the self styled noble leader and Boxster fan. I wonder if he likes the 996 as much as the Boxster?

The grass is ALWAYS greener. Melv

C3 GTK..... I assume that you are going to share the details on your new purchase??

Tony. From Saturday will be the proud owner of 993 C2 which came in just under budget Thanks to everyone for the advice. I visited 7 dealers in a week covering about 600 miles plus the test drives I'm looking forward to owning it already.

C3 GTK hope you enjoy your period of porker custodianship. DAZ

£30,000 ?? Don't buy some [typical kind of insult you may expect from a TVR fan] Try making some sense and buy yourself a nice 2000 reg TVR cerbera 4.5 Lightweight. 0-60 in 3.9 secs 0-100 in 8.3 secs 0-150 in 17.9 secs (faster than murciéago !!!) and close enough to 200 mph do yourself a favour and just have a look in the classifieds on this site. Don't just dismiss this , go have a look. For your own good. Tony Edited by domster to remove cliched insults. Tony, please remember this is a Porsche forum. Your point is a good one, but less comments about jackboots and the third reich please. >> Edited by domster (moderator) on Wednesday 29th January 12:46

Christ, what is it with you French? Talk about anti-German xenophobia!

Monty, I did consider a lot of other types of cars( Lotus TVR Jag Subaru Evo's)and was impressed at the loyalty TVR owners had for their cars. But after putting in lots of leg work the TVR was crossed off the list because of reliability and depreciation (leaving Lotus & Porsche) The final straw was driving north on the M1 three lanes of traffic doing 60mph in the cold and wet, when I passed a Tuscan bonnet up suited driver on his mobile.....they look good sound good go fcuking quick but when I leave "A" I want to get to "B" in the same car on the same day. Thats why I bought a Porsche.

Thanks C3. Hopefully that will be the end of the Porsche vs TVR debate on this thread.

At 30k the BoxterS is the best value Porsche you will buy. 14secs to 100, 911 brakes, sounds fantastic, a soft top for sunny days, great handling, refined & comfortable, ABS & modern build quality. Best value car in their range , buy one.

Grant. Having just driven them both you know my opinion and what I have gone for. (I'm sure my 933 has more than just 911 brakes) Lets hope it's as reliable as i'm hoping.

Best of luck to you, C3. Let us know how it goes....and some pictures as well, if its not asking too much? Way to go... PS - TVR peeps insulting Porsche persons? Now there's a thing

Hopefully see it at VW on Sunday..... if 'er indoors lets you out!!!

I want to buy my first Porsche. Have set a limit of £30k but do not want to go the LHD route. So what should I be looking for? Idea's and adivce pls.