Need help deciding on next car

Current stable is 40th anniversary 86k miles and '04 cayenne turbo 152k miles. The 40th is mostly for auto cross but gets some trips and street driving. I have all but given up on being competitive in auto cross now that all of the national talent is moving into AS with me. I don't want to mod the car into another class. Options I am pursuing: Add an e39 m5, budget $20k. DD condition, not collector. Add an e60 m5, budget $30k. Nice DD condition. Sell 996 and get 996 turbo, run as an SP car. Budget $25k. Sell 996 and get e90/e92 6 speed m3, sunroof delete competition package, run in FS. Budget $15-20k. Sell cayenne turbo and get lower mileage 08-09 cayenne turbo. Budget $30-35k. Add a new Chevy SS, 6 spd, sunroof delete. $50k? Add a new focus RS and potentially sell 996 depending on how good it is. $45k?

I love the E39 M5 - pretty robust, fantastic driving car and very comfortable. That was really the golden era of BMWs. If you can find a nice one for 20k, that's an awesome way to go. I've seen higher mileage DD E9x for around the same 20-25k range, which may be an interesting alternate to the E39. That's not really the same as an E92 ZCP to go racing with, though. The E60 scares me, I have so little faith in the S85's durability/upkeep costs so my instinct has always been to just avoid that platform. The Focus RS looks absolutely crackers, I can't wait to drive one. It's a little boy racer-y though, especially in that neon blue colour (love it, but far from subtle). What turned me off was dealers asking $2-5k above sticker to wait for the opportunity to pay $40k for a Focus. A fast as hell Focus, but still a Focus. It's funny, my four options for a car earlier this year were 996, E39, E90, and the Focus RS waitlist. Happy with my choice, but I still very much want an E39.

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Do it for fun then and just place where you place. The best part of AutoX is learning the limits of you and the car. If you want to stay in AutoX but want more than the 996 can give, look at 986/987 Boxsters and Caymans. Crazy handling that makes them quite the cone eaters. Or go nuts, get a spare set of wheels/tires and take the P!g AutoXing. That is a blast and a half

996tt

buy a Vette

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NEVER

You seem interested in the M cars. They've never done anything for me, but I admit I haven't had much time with them. Meh. If you don't need 4 seats, just stay with the Porsche family. I would do the 996TT for mixed track/fun/pleasure use. It's a ton of perf for adding $25-30k over the 996. Keep the Cayenne for tootling around.

A bit off topic, but if you had to do it over again, would you still buy the Cayenne Turbo over some other SUV? The wife's Saab 9-7x is getting long in the tooth. She loves it, but its got 170k miles so on borrowed time. Thinking about an '09 Cayenne.

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Oh hell yes! Mine is "only" the diesel, but I'll be pissed if I don't manage to hang onto it another 6 years or so (3.5 done) at least. It has things I don't like, but in the end it is still a Porsche. It's an SUV that is not out of place at the track or AutoX, what's not to like?

I'm under the impression this is for a dd. If not, please disregard the following. This is like "Which one is better, redhead or brunette?" And since beauty is in the eye of the beerholder, I typically choose the blond. So having said that, I'm straying off your list and suggesting a gently used CLS55. They make adequate power, they're durable, and in my humble opinion, they look great. But of course, I'm partial. Careful shopping will keep you in or under budget. My .02

I agree with doc. The 996 turbo is a fantastic value in a high-performance car. That's what I'd buy from your list.

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I had a suburban for awhile. The cayenne tows better, is luxurious, is actually fun to drive by any measure, turns heads, and is faster than most cars on the road. Did I mention it easily off roads with the right tires? I'm spoiled by it and couldn't go back to a normal SUV. My only complaint is mine is getting high in mileage.

^ Thanks knfeparty. And gnat. FWIW, if you buy a 996tt and change your mind later, you aren't going to lose any money on it. And may actually make a little if you buy it right. That may not be a big factor for you, but worth considering. Also, I don't know that I've ever heard anybody say "Dammit, I really screwed up buying that 996tt - I hate the damn thing." Just sayin'.

I love my 996 Cab 4, having said that, you need to look at a Maserati coupe. I have an 04 with the V8 Ferrari engine naturally aspirated which revs like well a Ferrari. If you want a change of pace, drive one you will be impressed.

If for some reason, you don't wanna go TT route, another option would be to sell your 996 and get a new M2 instead, especially if you don't really need the extra space of the e90 M3. As much as I like all the NA M series, any used DD condition one could cost you quite a bit in maintenance cost over the long run. This time and additional $ for maintenance could go into paying the difference on a M2 with no down time and max drive time instead. I got 125k reliable miles out of my N54 TT motor on my e60 and counting. Glad I went that way instead of e60 M5. With a couple bolt ons and flash, I could easily get it over 400, not to mention the better low end torque. BTW, if I ever decide to push the 480 mark, n54 long blocks are dime a dozen and as low as $2k. That's peanuts compared to the M96. My $.02

I think a Subaru Justy would be a nice next step from the Cayenne... All of the 4WD goodness, but a 2WD hatch. Almost like a shooting brake if you squint...

Cayman?

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I do like the last ones before they shifted to the turbo 4 cyl, but I can't justify that type of coin for no increase in power. Also, it's my job as a 911 owner to look down on the mid-engine cars. I think the e60 m5, e39 m5, and 996TT are all at the point in their depreciation curves where I could potentially own them for a year or two and sell them at about the same as I bought them. My 40th has weathered the market extremely well compared to most 996s and I would love to have another experience like that.

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I saw your visceral reaction to the 'Vette suggestion...Corvettes are about the same bang for the buck as 996's. You can get a WHOLE lot of car for $15-20K. The ONLY regret I have about buying my 996 was selling my 986...it is still after all these years, including exotic rentals and rich friends' cars, the best-handling car I've ever driven. Except the 986, there's only one other car I've ever driven and thought, "wow, I need one of these someday" - and that was a Bentley, so I won't be getting one any time soon. There's something almost impossible to process about a car that is at least six times nicer than my living room that still manages to accelerate like a raped ape.

I strongly do not like the lack of torque down low in the E90/E92 M3's.... I have driven my best friends many times... Even he loves the powerband of my 3.6L more than his.....

I've been stalking the forum for a week and there is a lot of info. Looking to buy a 996 this Fall, but want to get folk's opinions on the best places to look for purchasing. My hunt is nationwide and I am on autotrader and cargurus so far. If there is a thread that someone can toss me that would be appreciated.

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Join the PCA (you'll want to when you buy one anyways) and watch their classifieds. Also spend some time cruising the individual PCA sites. A lot of times their classified ads are different. Also watch the Rennlist marketplace of course. Maintenance history and good PPI are a must. Otherwise, you can end up paying way more than you expect to. If you can find one that has had the RMS, IMS and clutch done recently it's a big plus. Finally, the '99s are where you will find the cheapest deals and get the most bang for the buck. You get all of the mechanical feel of an aircooled but with the extra HP of a water cooled. They are amazing. Good luck with your search, take your time, and feel free to post or PM if you have any questions along the way. As for threads, read the stickies. There is a ton of good info there.

Hey guys, I've been on the hunt for a few months now and I've narrowed my search to two cars. Would appreciate any input you might have. 2003 C2 (55,000 miles) $22,500 (CAD) - body is in decent shape has a few blemishes but nothing major, clear coat is flaking on bumper and mirror a bit - PPI was decent, although they suggested the clutch felt heavy so as a precaution could replace and do IMS at same time (nothing else mechanical, no leaks) - not many options other than the full leather package, everything else is base (even has the terrible 4 speaker stereo) 2000 C4 (15,000 miles) $33,000 (CAD) - almost perfect C4 that has been babied its entire life, have full service history since new - This car is optioned out with full aerokit, special order paint, mesh factory 18's, full leather interior, comfort seats, hi-fi stereo, aluminum accents - This car is effectively a collector car Should I go with the mint C4 or buy the mk.2 C2 and put some money into it (coil overs, clutch/IMS, SSK, Fister D) and still be about $5k cheaper than the C4? I need to make a decision ASAP so any input is appreciated!

The former. $22.5k CAD sounds like a pretty good deal for a 996.2 with a decent PPI, you'll be in for around 27 after clutch/IMS/RMS/AOS for what's honestly probably a better driving (more powerful, RWD) car. I'm not sure of the real collector value of any 996.1, and these cars are meant to be driven anyway.

What are you looking to do with it? Daily driver, track, weekend cruiser?

It will be my spring/summer car and will be driven most days/weekends. No tracks around here unfortunately but may see one or two autocross events at some point (at least I hope). I'm buying one as a driver, not as a garage queen but it probably won't see more than 4,000 miles a year.

Mk I aero coupe is a special car. Buy it. Look here for proof: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...mk1-aeros.html

The 2000 has the better engine IMO but I think you will have more fun in the '03. Specifically because it's cheap enough that you can do some work on it yourself, drive it all you want, and have some money left over for mods. There is no sign that the 996s will ever appreciate it but nobody predicted the 993 doing what it's doing either. But the '99s are still the gem of the 996s. Might see if you can spot one of them for a bargain.

You think the lower powered mk.1 engine is better than the mk.2? I've been led to believe otherwise by several sources.

^ Oh boy, that has been discussed ad nauseum. In a nutshell, pretty much a wash as each has its pros and cons.

Some pics... 2003 2000

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PM if you want to take the conversation offline. As KC said, it's not as bad as debating which oil to use but it's probably up there. But everyone assumes the MK2 is more powerful and more reliable but it's not nearly that cut and dry.

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Best to start a new thread, so you get more commentary. Good manners not to thrash up this thread.