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YOUR RESEARCHWhat to buy for $40 to $50k
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"investment grade" play of the cars
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I would also consider a 996 Turbo which is likely the "investment grade" play of the cars on my list.
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I've owned and tracked several 996 Carreras, GT3s and turbos, probably a combined 200k miles in them.
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Hi everyone. I just posted this to the 997 forum as well so interested in your take as 996ers,
After a 13 year hiatus I'm looking to get back into a 911. My last Porsche was a 2003 Targa that I sold back in 2007. Looking to spend between 40 and 50. Prefer under 50 but I would stretch to low 50s for the right car. All that I know is that I definitely want a coupe.
So with that, I'm looking for some advice. I've thought about a 996 C4S, a 997.1 S or base, and same for 997.2. I prefer the manual but willing to listen to PDK fans. I would also consider a 996 Turbo which is likely the "investment grade" play of the cars on my list.
Thanks in advance for your insight. Appreciate the advice.
996 Turbo 👍
Not sure if you can still find one in that price range though.
Same great looks of the 996 C4S with more power and no IMSB or bore scoring headaches.
Don't do this - you would be upside down financially and never get your money back.
Stretch a little (turbo) or a little more (gt3) and get the Mezger - peace of mind and enduring link to Porsche Motorsports DNA.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...ed-by-a-genius
Whatever you get don't buy from Bring A Trailer. I had a very bad experience. They took care of me, but car tend to be over priced there. Great place to sell a car, but not to buy.
Maybe here, the PCA club, or a local dealer that can talk with you.
I wish you the best,
how do you go about finding one with a broken heart? I am willing to go up to 40-50k but I plan to drive it a lot in the NYC area so I would want to rebuild a lot of things.
I have driven the 996 and 997 and have been happy with both. I think the 2012+ might be well out of my $ range.
I wouldn't go that route if I were planning on selling the car soon.
Going with an FSI build is a long-term commitment in my opinion.
That's definitely not the engine rebuild to do if you're just going to sell your car right away, and expect to make money.
That being said, I'm interested in an FSI build BECAUSE I want to keep my car long-term.
My thinking too is you can get everything you want, aero of your choice, interior mods, wheels, suspension, all the bits and pieces you desire.
With a 50k budget to blow, I�d build a Mexico Blue 996 aero with a 3.8, LSD and Ohlins, custom interior pieces and awesome wheels.
Totally agree that cars are for driving and not for investing. Having said that, there are definitely choices at the OP�s price point that make more performance and financial sense than others.
Adding expensive modifications like FSI engines to the 996 can definitely improve your long term enjoyment of the car. However, stuff happens - like the kid that pulled out in front of my �02 and totaled my car. My audio, brake, CAI, ROW M030, plenum, and BBS wheel mods were not fairly valued by the insurance company and I took the financial hit after arguing and salvaging what I could.
On the other hand, at that price point the OP can drive a turbo essentially for free because the stock version of the car is appreciating. Or the OP can stretch a little and get a GT3 in the low 60�s (and also essentially drive it for free) which is the factory race car that all these mods are intended to emulate in the first place.
I wouldn�t get the FSI engine because I don�t think that it makes sense from a �bang for the buck� perspective. For that kind of money, there are too many better choices - some in a 996 and others that are not.
What is your goal for the car? Weekend driver, commuter, track *****, HPDE visitor, etc.
Hard to beat a 997.2 or a Cayman S in that budget. A TT would be my pick for a weekend cruiser or cars and coffee participant but not for a track warrior or commuter. Just a great looking car with absolutely stunning lines and a purposeful thrust that wont be found in any NA Pcar.
The disadvantage (for me) of a GT3 is the lack of rear seats which makes it much less practical if you have children. Also, while I love the look of the 996.1 GT3 it's way less "under the radar" than a 996 or 997 Carrera.
I would actually love a 996 Carrera with a GT3 engine.
You can easily pick up a 2012 991 for $50-$55k. The mk1 never came with a manual option, which is probably why they weren't (or aren't) highly sought after. Good deal for a comfortable daily driver.
You never told us what type of ownership experience you're looking for. You will obviously have a completely different experience between buying a roller vs something you need for daily commuting.
I�ll sell you my �04 C4S for $40k! Jk. Sorta, ha.
Anyways, you could easily get a nice, well optioned 996 C4S for low $30�s. I�d say that and then have some left over money to play around with it!
I would not stretch to buy a car like a 996 turbo or GT3. As much as you hear about how bulletproof they are all the time, they are not. Coolant lines, window regulators, occasionally internal transmission stuff, variorum actuators, vacuum canisters, secondary air injector valves, power steering pump and reservoirs (ironically the Mezger motors are far more susceptible to these) and don't forget good old maintenance.
You're buying a ~20 year old car, it will need things. I've owned and tracked several 996 Carreras, GT3s and turbos, probably a combined 200k miles in them. For the most part, they've all been quite reliable, I would not call any of them bulletproof but on aggregate they're all close
Another vote for a 996TT.
Been looking for one myself and have found some in this price range but only w/Tiptronic wc is a "hard pass" for me.
There is a TT Tip located in San Luis Obispo w/100k miles being offered for around $37k and there's a 6MT X50 in Dublic/Livermore being offered for around $57k, whichis outside my price range. Was tempted by the one in SLO but I really need to find a dealer selling one so that I can trade in my 2000 C4 Cab as part of the deal.
So, I'm still looking
If I were in your position I�d go one of two ways:
- cleanest 996 C2 coupe I could find, should be way under budget. Not much room left to depreciate.
- 997.2 manual, top end of budget but seems both reliable and so far maintaining value
Fun to think about for sure. I currently have a C4S and did an elective 3.8 FSI rebuild. It is a perfect car for me (80% street + 20% track). Next on my list is to get a set of Ohlins.
If wanting to buy a car stock and drive it without modifications, I would lean towards a 997.2 S MT. The turbo cars need quite a bit of love to make them good track cars, in my opinion.
Many options and the nice 6 GT3�s are in the 70�s now so you missed the window on them in your price range.
Good luck with your search and drive as many as you can.
is 2012 for 50-55k with a PDK safe to buy? I would drive it twice a week (1 for errands) and 1 for a long drive. and 1 a month for a very long ~ 8 hour round trip between DC and NYC
I have a house, don't need a 2nd house and never liked being a landlord.
Besides, if you're a landlord now, you're lucky if you can even still collect the rent.
If I find the right 996TT, I'd drop $50k on it in an instant and take back $20k for my 996. So, net $30k doesn't sound that bad to me.
Great plan. Especially if you don�t plan do wrench on it - have an extra $10k for the inevitable maintenance items for a 16+yr old car. I have a 99c2 and a 03tt x50 - no such thing as 16yr old mint rubber or plastic.
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