Porsche Owners Thread - If you own one or just like or hate them! :)

[tom_nieto]

£65k is a lovely budget to play with for a second hand Porsche. I think you need to think carefully about your intended usage and your long term aspirations for the car as this might help to guide you. Porsche sports cars are very sensitive to mileage on their resale, but are quite resistant to depreciation.

If you want an all round hero, then I don’t think you can get much better than a 997 turbo. Crazy performance pretty much wherever and whenever you want.

If you’re more limited with mileage and want a track focused machine you’d get into an older GT3, whether that’s a better machine than the Cayman GT4 that you linked is difficult to say, but they’re both fantastic machines.

Then again if you’re wanting a newer machine, a 991 is well within your reach.

911 GTS models appear to hold their value better than most and are quite sought after so that might be something to look out for.

Whether you should sacrifice the opportunity to own a more exciting, but older Porsche to buy a newer “cooking” model is very subjective. Personally I’d always go slightly older and go for the GT or turbo model if I could. My budget only stretched to an older Carrera anyway! They’re amazing to drive and I hope you enjoy hunting for the perfect car.

EDIT - although with £65k to spend I’d have to think very carefully about a TVR Sagaris!

 

[BongoHunter]

Working on the basis I know very little about Porsche cars, I'm considering buying one (very much a maybe) later in the year.

With a budget of £65K what would you buy from the Porsche range? Open to outright purchase Vs finance but the finance payments will come out of that £65K. Ideally, I'd like to try and keep as much equity in the car as possible - either to sell and save the cash or to sell on and by something equivalent.

I adore the older 911 turbos - like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-997-Turbo-Coupe/283839914133?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=b4f2b538c90c4d7eab40ba095dfaf89a&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&mehot=pp&sd=283839914133&itm=283839914133&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:14a11022-6579-11eb-92eb-e63874d8e0dd|parentrq:63b64cb31770ad355125fdd7fff59bc2|iid:1

However, I also really like the newer Cayman Clubsport like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Porsche-Cayman-3-8-981-GT4-s-s-2dr/264964834952?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=b4f2b538c90c4d7eab40ba095dfaf89a&pid=100675&rk=4&rkt=15&mehot=pp&sd=283839914133&itm=264964834952&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:14a11022-6579-11eb-92eb-e63874d8e0dd|parentrq:63b64cb31770ad355125fdd7fff59bc2|iid:1

I'm thinking maybe buy as new as possible?

Cayman 718 GTS would get my vote - I spent 2 hours in one at the Silverstone test track last summer 2019 and it was was bloody epic.

 

[mikeh501]

Id echo the above, that you should consider your intended usage. Is this a daily? or weekend/special occassion car? Age/tech not really an issue on a weekend car, and id prioritise 'specialness'. The other absolute must-do, is to get and drive a few of them. You will be surprised how different they are between cayman or 911, turbo or NA etc. Last point, you say you want a porsche.... or do you really want a 911? It wasnt until I drove a boxster, cayman and 911 back to back that my mind was made up in about 200 yards... I bought the 911.

Also, re: turbo models. Yes their much faster, but they just dont have the soul. Super capable, super fast - but 99/100 ill take RWD normally aspirated model please, especially as a weekend car. Nothing competes with actually having to think about revs, speed and gears. The turbo is a point and shoot missile, and in my view the same goes for the later 2016> carreras as they are all turbocharged.

Fyi, I bought a 911.1 GTS. Cant think what it swop it for other than a touring which i cant afford.

 

[bainbridge]

How many if you Porsche owners keep your car outside? We have a single garage but it's my workshop and would be difficult to accommodate a car. We live in a quiet cul de sac, low crime rate, but if I get one (Cayman 987, maybe gen 2 if I can afford it) it'll be a weekend car living on a driveway.

I'll be interested to hear people's thoughts.

 

[thewanted]

Mine lives on the driveway. It's just a car.

 

[tom_nieto]

I keep mine inside because it’s getting very occasional use. It will be outside much more in the next 12 months because I’ll be using it more.

If you’re very worried, then buy a cover. A convertible roof does benefit from some protection from the elements if you’re not using it regularly (mould can be a problem!).

A coupe I wouldn’t be too worried about. A decent layer of wax and the paint will be fine.
Cars sometimes get stolen, you could get a steering lock or a bollard if you’re concerned.

 

[bainbridge]

Mine lives on the driveway. It's just a car.

Is a Porsche "just" a car? Really?

Hmm, Vauxhall Corsa, Kia something or other.. oh it's just a car, I'll get a Porsche

 

[bainbridge]

I keep mine inside because it’s getting very occasional use. It will be outside much more in the next 12 months because I’ll be using it more.

If you’re very worried, then buy a cover. A convertible roof does benefit from some protection from the elements if you’re not using it regularly (mould can be a problem!).

A coupe I wouldn’t be too worried about. A decent layer of wax and the paint will be fine.
Cars sometimes get stolen, you could get a steering lock or a bollard if you’re concerned.

A cover would be a good idea, my current car has sat on the drive and hardly moved and I've been turning it around to try and stop one side fading, and doing birdpoo inspections.

 

[EddScott]

Thanks for all the replies.

So, this is really just thoughts at the moment. I have a daily car and I also have an old Impreza in my garage. I don't have room for two weekenders so if I get another car it will reside at my mothers garage - only small worry there is she lives by the sea and I'm not entirely sure whether the sea air would affect the car long term. Mileage would be very limited as we have kids so it would probably get used less than the Impreza.

I hesitate to admit it, but part of reason for buying is as an alternative form of investment. Similar to the Impreza, I prefer having something that has the potential to increase in value that I can actually see and use rather than a bunch of numbers on a screen.

Only Porsche I've ever driven is a 997 Turbo. Was on one of those pay drive days. I drove a GTR first and then the 997. The GTR was quicker but not really "fun". The 997 felt like it wanted to kill you so of course, I fell in love with it.

 

[tom_nieto]

Thanks for all the replies.

So, this is really just thoughts at the moment. I have a daily car and I also have an old Impreza in my garage. I don't have room for two weekenders so if I get another car it will reside at my mothers garage - only small worry there is she lives by the sea and I'm not entirely sure whether the sea air would affect the car long term. Mileage would be very limited as we have kids so it would probably get used less than the Impreza.

I hesitate to admit it, but part of reason for buying is as an alternative form of investment. Similar to the Impreza, I prefer having something that has the potential to increase in value that I can actually see and use rather than a bunch of numbers on a screen.

Only Porsche I've ever driven is a 997 Turbo. Was on one of those pay drive days. I drove a GTR first and then the 997. The GTR was quicker but not really "fun". The 997 felt like it wanted to kill you so of course, I fell in love with it.

I wouldn’t buy a Porsche or 911 as an investment currently (not at this budget!). Very minimal depreciation, sure, but certainly not a guaranteed return (especially considering money to keep it in prime condition and insured).

A good example is the GT4 that you posted. People were paying over list price for these for ages and were surely going to be a good investment. Prices have softened and whilst no one has lost their shirt, they’re not appreciating. They may well appreciate in the fullness of time, but it’ll depend on how long you’re keeping it for.

EDIT - An early 996 would be cheap to buy and would probably increase in value long term. 997 still have some depreciating to do. Air cooled are expensive and a minefield if you’re not prepared.

 

[shaank]

911 inbound! Just purchased a 997 911 C4S with some ETH rather than staring at it on my phone constantly going up and down. Yeah I might kick myself in years to come if it goes higher but felt the time was right to realise some profits and pick one of these up, arrives Saturday, I am the excites

 

[tom_nieto]

911 inbound! Just purchased a 997 911 C4S with some ETH rather than staring at it on my phone constantly going up and down. Yeah I might kick myself in years to come if it goes higher but felt the time was right to realise some profits and pick one of these up, arrives Saturday, I am the excites

Congratulations! What year did you go for? Pictures and spec please! Have you had a 911 before?

 

[shaank]

Congratulations! What year did you go for? Pictures and spec please! Have you had a 911 before?

2006 - it gets delivered at the weekend so I'll post some pics then. First 911, but I also have a Cayenne S (2014) and a BMW M4. So this isn't a replacement for anything, just a kinda 'try it out' - and if I really fall for it, I'll sell this and the M4 and get myself into a newer 911 991 of some shape or size.

 

[tom_nieto]

Very nice! It’s definitely an itch worth scratching! Will be interesting to see how you find it compared to the M4.

Got a few 2006 911 owners on here now!

 

[shaank]

911 inbound! Just purchased a 997 911 C4S with some ETH rather than staring at it on my phone constantly going up and down. Yeah I might kick myself in years to come if it goes higher but felt the time was right to realise some profits and pick one of these up, arrives Saturday, I am the excites

It arrived yesterday. Love the thing, spacers ordered (7mm front, 15mm rear), booked into a local porsche specialist to give it the once over next week - and private plate to go on so it matches up with the rest of the fleet. Not a bad crypto gain purchase IMO!

First thoughts, looks ace, sounds great, goes great - no where near as quick as my tuned M4 however. But considering it's 15 years old it's so nice. The sat nav is lol. just lol.

 

[Jez]

Amazing pair of cars there shaank, Jel!


Does anyone have a link or know of a VIN decoder which actually works for Porsche vehicles? I am used to be able to decode bmw etc, but am drawing a blank with Porsche. Makes it hard to narrow down a spec with used ones.

 

[shaank]

Amazing pair of cars there shaank, Jel!


Does anyone have a link or know of a VIN decoder which actually works for Porsche vehicles? I am used to be able to decode bmw etc, but am drawing a blank with Porsche. Makes it hard to narrow down a spec with used ones.

thanks mate. There's an M4 in the garage too though, just in this weather... it doesn't really move in the direction you want it to

 

[Jez]

thanks mate. There's an M4 in the garage too though, just in this weather... it doesn't really move in the direction you want it to

The BMW I’m not so interested in, the brand is totally diluted for me, a bit like Mercedes unfortunately. The cayenne looks fantastic as that’s my type of car and what I’m upgrading to. (the 997 is also is fantastic, absolutely timeless, cover the ‘55 plate on that and it’s barely aged, how many 2005 cars is that true of?)

 

[shaank]

The BMW I’m not so interested in, the brand is totally diluted for me, a bit like Mercedes unfortunately. The cayenne looks fantastic as that’s my type of car and what I’m upgrading to. (the 997 is also is fantastic, absolutely timeless, cover the ‘55 plate on that and it’s barely aged, how many 2005 cars is that true of?)

Agree re BMW, sadly, I've owned numerous for the last 12-13 years, and although I love the M4 I can't see it being replaced by another BMW now.

In other news, had the 911 for 3 days - spacers fitted today (7mm front, 15mm rear) and looks like it 'should' now I think. Booked in with a Porsche specialist on Thursday for a full check-up for peace of mind too!

 

[tom_nieto]

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-porsche/new-510hp-porsche-911-gt3-officially-unveiled/43761

Hard to believe how much performance they've extracted from the fairly modest power output. Add this to the ever expanding list of cars that I'll probably never get to own! I'm not convinced about the bonnet vents, but the rest has come together really nicely.

I still think my ultimate 911 is the 991 speedster, but any GT3 would do in the dream garage!

EDIT - @shaank - your car looks gorgeous. I'm obviously biased, but the 997.1 shape is really ageing well. Got to love the lobster claws! PCM 2.1 is total junk, I'm still getting my arse in gear to replace mine. PSE makes a good substitute for the radio though!