Ask the Car People.SM


All Things Porsche

237 messages,  Last post on Sep 06, 2011 at 10:52 AM

You are in the Porsche 911 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Porsche, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 22 of 24

#208 of 237 2000 911 Carrera by dhg1

Oct 29, 2007 (6:55 am)

what does the A2/4 designation stand for

#209 of 237 Need Help Finding A used 911 by dbarton7

Nov 24, 2007 (8:00 am)

Hi there.
 
I am in the market for a used 911 in the $35K range.
 
Since I was a kid I always wanted one and now I have finally saved up enough cash to take leap but I do not know much about the various models and the pros and cons of each.
 
I want one that I can drive on weekends and that will give me the least amount of mechanical problems.
 
Can you please recommends which models I should focus on and the best places to look online for them?
 
Thanks,
D

#210 of 237 Re: Need Help Finding A used 911 [dbarton7] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 24, 2007 (10:46 am)

Replying to: dbarton7 (Nov 24, 2007 8:00 am)
I think a Porsche 993 (last of the air-cooled cars) from 1993 to 1997 (or early 1998), non-turbo, no AWD, no tiptronic, would be ideal. These are rugged dependable cars. Stay away from 90-92 C2s.
 
Of course, you will have to shop for the cleanest, lowest mileage car you can find, with excellent service records. Any car you find that is a "mystery" as to who owned it, how it was serviced, where it came from....just walk away. Pay a premium price for a premium car and ask to see all service records, or talk to the shop that serviced it.
 
Don't expect these cars to maintain their value however. They will decrease in value slowly just like any other used car, at least for the foreseeable future.
 
You can drive any modern Porsche daily, just like a Corolla if you wish, and they will run a long, long time. Just bring 'er in, in the Spring and Fall and have the car thoroughly serviced.

#211 of 237 Re: Need Help Finding A used 911 [Mr_Shiftright] by 993c4s

Jan 13, 2008 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 24, 2007 10:46 am)
"Don't expect these cars to maintain their value however. They will decrease in value slowly just like any other used car, at least for the foreseeable future. "
 
Not sure I agree with this statement. I think 993s are at or very close to their bottom. They are very quickly becoming valued as "collector" cars and certain models within the 993 model range are quickly increasing in value (Twin Turbos, Turbo S, C2S and C4S for example).
 
Now, with that said, no car should ever be bought as an investment (at least not in the price ranges we're discussing here).
 
In real-estate it is location, location, location. With a used Porsche it's service history, service history, service history. I would rather a high mile care with an unblemished service history, then a low mile vehichle with a spotty past.

#212 of 237 Re: Need Help Finding A used 911 [993c4s] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 13, 2008 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: 993c4s (Jan 13, 2008 6:55 pm)
RE: 993s: What I meant was (more accurately) is that they are still behaving like used cars---that is, the newer years are worth more than the older years. That's the opposite of how a collectible car usually prices out. But you may be right, they might be close to bottom. It seems to take about 15 years for a Porsche to bottom out, then it starts to come up again. But not the 90--91s. The word is out on those.

#213 of 237 '90 Cab C2 by bbailey70

Feb 07, 2008 (9:00 pm)

I am looking at a '90 Cab C2. The dealer says the top doesn't work, but he will have it fixed, and recommends "converting " it to manual the next time it has trouble. I assume the electric motors and associated cables,etc. are hard to reach / repair / maintain? Is this correct? Otherwise, the vehicle looks and runs great.
 
How much does that hinder the otherwise top condition vehicle. This would be my first Porsche. I've owned several (more than 5) BMW's since '88 andd am no longer charmed. Considered an M3 convertible, but concluded nothing will compare to my old '65 AC Cobra I drove when a bachelor in the 60's. I crave that performance again now that the kids are grown (finally) and I'm recently single again, and feel that a Porsche is my best hope.
 
The vehicle is listed at around $10K below Edmunds' "value" for its mileage in my zip code. I plan to take it to a Porsche dealer to have it checked out. What should that cost me?
 
Thanks for the guidance.

#214 of 237 Oops!(?) by bbailey70

Feb 08, 2008 (5:29 am)

I just found this forum, and see that my previous post has been moved here.
 Where can I get a "quick study" on the recommendation to stay away from the '90-'92 C2s. I have been looking at one, and I like it. Sounds like I should keep walking, and find a '93-'97, right? Just would like to know 'why'.
Also, what's the 411 on tiptronic? Is it ok on later models, or too expensive to maintain?
Thanks.
 
just so you know, I'm on the East Coast, so the time here is 7:29am (I'm not THAT anal!)

#215 of 237 Re: Oops!(?) [bbailey70] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 08, 2008 (9:53 am)

Replying to: bbailey70 (Feb 08, 2008 5:29 am)
Couple of serious items on the C2s, some of which may have been dealt with by this time, some maybe not.
 
Clutch -- it's a dual mass flywheel and if the clutch doesn't feel very light and very smooth, you could be in for a major gut-busting repair of maybe $3,000 or so, maybe more.
 
Engine--if the car was built before June 1991 (look on left door jamb), it may develop oil leaks at the cylinder heads, requiring disassembly of the engine -- that should cost a measly $10,000 or more.
 
Sooooo, if it's a low miles car, it may not have had these modifications done.
 
Other stuff that's chronic is rather minor, like rear tail light lenses cracking regularly, and defective fuel tank sending units.
 
Yeah, you'd better have it checked out. That would cost about $150. You don't want a "manual" top on a car like this. That's mickey-mouse IMO.
 
What's the mileage on this car?
 

Messages Page 22 of 24

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement