I bought a 911 C2S, 09 model around 18 months ago and I was looking to upgrade it some time in the near future.
I'm in a bit of a dilemma though, there is no viable option for upgrade with sensible amounts of funding.
I'm a little concerned that Porsche may be leaving a gap in the market regarding people like me.
So looking around I have the following options:
Newer 997.2 - Less Miles / Younger - Essentially the same car - £15,000 more
Newer 997.2 Turbo - Less Miles - Faster - £30,000 more
Newer 997.2 GT3 - Less Miles - Faster - £40,000 more
Newer 991 - Less Miles - 15bhp increase - £40,000 more
Nothing above is viable, especially paying £15,000 ($24,000) for an identical car with a fewer miles driven.
The power increase for a 997.2 turbo is noticeable, I've driven one recently, but the increase in cost for the speed benefit on normal roads can't be justified. Same position with the GT3. I do not want to drop back to the 997.1 range as I would miss the benefits of the PCM3 module, the mild face lift etc. Finding anything with manual transmission is proving a nightmare too - everything is PDK.
Paying double the value of the car for a 991 model that has a mild increase in speed and handling is plain nuts.
So I'm sat here feeling a little alienated. There is nothing in the Porsche range of 911 cars that I can chose as a mid point upgrade and my car, whilst continuing to be an absolute joy to drive is starting to age a bit and I have an appetite to spend a bit of money for a better one.
There is just simply nothing worth purchasing.
A Cayman with the 911 3.8 engine in it and upgraded suspension?
I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
Paul
We should all have your problem
...
I'm in a 2007 Boxster S and have lots of opportunity. But I'm very happy with my car
If you can get past the "cheaper Porsche" stigma and don't need the rear seats (since you are considering a GT3). The 981 is an option. I can't imagine going from one 997.2 to the next. With your options there, I go with a turbo. GT3 is too hardcore unless you'll be taking it to the track more than a handful of times a year.
If you are thinking about a transplant, how about a 987.2 Cayman S with a turbo? You might put some money in your pocket and get more HP than a 3.8 and could probably live with the suspension. Is Parr close to you to do the install?
I have the same issue; leased a 2011 Carrera S cab in Feb2012 ... need to decide what to do by Feb2014 ... new cabs similarly equipped are $130K+, out of reach .... since I need more than 2 seats, the Boxster is out ... looking at BMW and M-B ...
Its a Porsche not a Toyota, except stuff to cost more.
You cant have a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget!
Every sports car owner has his own set of values. So what is important to me may have little import to the next guy. After purchasing many sports cars over the last four decades, I have learned the following leason: don't compromise. Of course you've got to be realistic, but it's much better to stretch your budget to the max and get the car you really want, rather than compromise and get the car you almost like in order to save $20K - $30K. If you are lucky the compromise car may give you satisfaction for a year or so, but after that you will be looking to replace the compromise car with another car. The more expensive car could very easily cost you less in the long run than the compromise car.
I'm on the same boat but at a lower price point. I love my 987.1 BS and don't really care for the 981 as much... But a 987.2 is about twice the value of my 987.1. I just can't justify having one 987.2 over two (or the equivalent of) my existing car.
At the end of the day, I decided to keep mine because I like it. It is simply not worth it to me to upgrade. Sure there are better and faster things out there, but I enjoy my existing car too much to justify the 'upgrade'.
I too had a 09 997 and wanted to upgrade. I'm not sure about the market in your area but, using the Porsche search tool, I was able to find a 2012 991CS with only 3000 mikes on it. It was a CPO car and the original owner had taken the depreciation, making the car over $25K less than he paid. It took some time to find the equipment and options I wanted but I found one within 2 months. Fast1 makes a valid point. As good as the Cayman is, if you want a 911, stick with it or you will be disappointed. Good luck.
I am kind of like Fast1.......this is not a dress rehearsal.....don't have many vices but sports cars. I have owned well over 40 cars and later in life (63) I discovered Porsches.......I am now on my 3rd one in 5 years (brief respite with a Golf R for 5 months.....another story). Do what pleases you as long as it is not harming your fellow human being
Some great perspectives here and I'm grateful that a fair few could relate to my position. It's very true about compromising, or rather not wanting to. I will keep the 911 because I do still love it, my frustrations were more poiting out a position regarding available choices.
I'm under no illusion that sports cars cost money, I spent nearly £50k on mine. The main objection I have is the amount of money requred for what I perceive as small benefits and whilst I realise there isn't such a large disparity between new models, there is no price point to be had between various generations and models.
The idea of going custom and dropping engines into other cars etc would probably end up costing me a lot more than just buying the higher rated stock cars which are supported by warranty etc.
Cheers
Paul
