"Driving_Impaired" (drivingimpaired)
07/19/2014 at 23:07 • Filed to: None
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"Driving_Impaired" (drivingimpaired)
07/19/2014 at 23:07 • Filed to: None | 0
| 10 |
It's funny... I used to think Porsche's were pretty ugly but now as I've gotten older they've really grown on me. Is this a part of the maturing process?
Anyway, as the subject line says, I am deciding between one of these fine autos. There's a lot of comparisons between newer versions of these but I my budget limits me to the older ones. Currently, I've got an e36 for my rally cross car, I'm getting an e39 540 wagon for a DD when I've got to haul people (+ my wheelchair), and now I want to unload my e92 335 for an older 911 or a less older Cayman. So I am basically at +/- $32k to play with. I will likely be taking this to the track a couple times a year as well. (Another reason to have the 540!)
Unfortunately it has to be auto -which is bad enough to admit on Jalop but even worse when it involves a Porsche- but this is due to the aforementioned wheelchair and me having to use hand controls to drive. But hey, don't hate me, hate the disability. (whoa, might have just made myself a new slogan!) Maybe that fact will factor into the overall decision... I don't know enough about Porsche's yet but I do know everyone raves about the PDK which wasn't available in the older 911s and not until the 09 Caymans.
Let me hear your thoughts!!
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Pics for interest!
catkam623 misses his 944
> Driving_Impaired
07/19/2014 at 23:56 |
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I would say take the 911, following doug de muros point of view noone will be able to tell it's not a new super expensive sportscar as opposed to the 911 which just makes people think you were too poor to afford a 911. The 911 in your picture is absolutely gorgeous and is one of a dying breed with the engine in the wrong (right) place, the back. Finally I say that you should disregard all of our opinions and buy the one you prefer because at least it was your decision. To buy the 911 that is.
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Driving_Impaired
> catkam623 misses his 944
07/20/2014 at 00:02 |
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4 sentences, 5 911 references. Nice ratio! Ha, and this is the exact reason I posed this here. I literally have no opinion, I like them equally aesthetically speaking (though that '03 911 AT ad I posted has all sorts of extra goodies that appeal to me) and I have no experience driving them so I am hoping to hear all sorts of feedback from owners of both! Thanks for chiming in!
GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
> Driving_Impaired
07/20/2014 at 00:23 |
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Not going to lie I toyed with the idea of a 996 when looking for a M3, that 2003 looks insane please buy it.
Good luck with your hunt.
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catkam623 misses his 944
> Driving_Impaired
07/20/2014 at 01:08 |
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appealing extra goodies? Why haven't you bought it yet????
JR1
> Driving_Impaired
07/20/2014 at 07:47 |
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Have you seen Chris Harris compare a 911 and the Cayman? Might be worth watching. Of it was me I'd take a 911
JasonStern911
> Driving_Impaired
07/20/2014 at 19:43 |
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Neither - they're both automatics. :)
But seriously, they're fairly different cars. I'm biased towards the 996-
* It's a Carrera
* The intermediate shaft bearing is replaceable without having to crack open the block casings
* A real dipstick
* Rear seats
But they Cayman S is easier to drive at the limit and has prettier headlights. People are really anal when it comes to headlights... :)
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Driving_Impaired
> JasonStern911
07/20/2014 at 22:07 |
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Excellent insight! Thank you. I am leaning towards the 911 as well... especially with that one being track prepped... it's almost a no brainer.
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JasonStern911
> Driving_Impaired
07/22/2014 at 01:06 |
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Best advice I can give you is to find a local independent mechanic that specializes in Porsches, save an extra 2-3 thousand on top of the purchase price, and then have a fairly major service done - upgrade the intermediate shaft bearing to the LN Engineering one, replace the clutch (if applicable), replace the air/oil separator, replace the rear main seal, replace the water pump, replace the v-belt, etc.
A lot of the reason why Porsches are expensive to maintain is because a lot of the repairs require dropping the motor, so if you drop it once and do everything, you'll save some money and have the peace of mind in knowing that all of the common problems and routine maintenance for the car has been addressed.
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Driving_Impaired
> JasonStern911
07/22/2014 at 11:57 |
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Thank you again! Extremely valuable advice as it's easy to get distracted by the bright lights of 100k car for 30k while forgetting that the maintenance is still that of a 100k car!
Do/did you track yours? If so, how has that affected the wear and tear- if at all? And how does that affect the longevity of things like brake pads/rotors (which are also not cheap parts!)
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JasonStern911
> Driving_Impaired
07/26/2014 at 01:36 |
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Sorry for the delay in responding.
In general, taking a car to the track will wear the wear parts (pads, rotors, struts, fluids) exponentially faster. Porsches are no exception to that rule.
Personally, I do not track my Carrera. I have an AE86 for that. That's not to say that I will never track my 996, but if you don't have track experience, I totally recommend starting with something cheap - ideally an MR2. The handling characteristics of a rear-engine car are incredibly unique. The limits are really high, but unlike a Miata or AE86 where the car is neutral handling, when a rear-engine car loses traction, it's counter-intuitive to recover. Supposedly, you're supposed to hold the throttle down while the rear end slides out of control. I honestly cannot prove that works outside of video games, as the only times that I have lost traction in either my Carrera or Boxster I was going faster than my limits and not expecting it. As such, the idea of giving the car more throttle in a panic situation escaped me.
Not saying it cannot be done - just saying it is something that takes practice, and Porsches are an expensive car to learn on.