Was looking for a sports car that I can drive up to 3 seasons a year. Ive been looking for a little while keep gravitating back to Porsche. Seems like a good and terrible idea all at the same time. Any info appreciated.

Yep. Add winter tires and you can drive it all year long.

A global P-bubble has dramatically lifted 911 prices the past couple of years. The unbelievable appreciation rates have slowed, but there's no signs of of the bubble popping. Feels like a great place to park your car dollars if you can still afford the price of entry.

While 911's are indeed available in awd (no go for Boxsters / Caymans / 718's), there's not much you can do with the low nose that can "snowplow." It's all fun and games until you start hitting frozen chunks.

Happy car shopping! Keep us posted, but don't rub our noses in your new P-car. wink, wink

I guess it depends on if you are looking for new or used.

Prices on older 911s have held ridiculously solid, but pretty much all 996 and some early 997 cars are still pretty affordable. Doug DeMuro did a pretty flattering 996 video earlier this year. They're an underappreciated car.

I was thinking a 997 or early 991. I want a NA model. Can’t wrap my head around all the models having turbos. Getting too old I guess.

997.1 4S. We’ve only owned it since July. Right now, summer tires only. We may get another set of wheels and winter tires, but the use of gravel on the highways worries me more than anything else. Probably will though, like you said, three season driving makes sense and right now just low temps is keeping it garaged.

I had a 72 back in the day and used to drive that thing all year long. Did great in the snow. Man I wish I had that one back.

Long time Porsche owner here including several 911's
They are remarkable cars and if you have any concerns get a C4 (or C4S) with all wheel drive and don't worry about the weather. Just be sure to get dedicated winter tires (that should be slightly narrower) than your summer tires.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Rad:
A global P-bubble has dramatically lifted 911 prices the past couple of years. The unbelievable appreciation rates have slowed, but there's no signs of of the bubble popping. Feels like a great place to park your car dollars if you can still afford the price of entry.

This only applies to pre 1998 911s. The recent watercooled ones depreciate like most other German cars.

I've owned Porsches off and on for the last 20 years, all of them 911s except for the Boxster I currently own. The parts aren't all that expensive and I've done all the work on myself. That really does keep maintenance costs down. I couldn't afford any of them if I had a shop do the work. If you're inclined to do the work yourself, Pelican Parts is a good source for parts and they have excellent technical articles. They have fast shipping and good service after the sale. Pedros Garage is another good source for technical articles.

One thing, have the car checked out by a pro before you buy it. Make sure that it will pass emission tests. Those repairs get really expensive really fast. Make sure whoever inspects the car to check the IMS bearing. I've never experienced one going out but if it does a new engine or rebuild is your only option. You can read more about the possible IMS issues here.

Like all German cars, don't skip maintenance checks. They are really a must and will save you a bunch of headaches.

I have run Blizzak snow tires on all four corners in the winter time. The cars don't handle deep snow very well but those tires really do work well on snow and ice covered roads. None of my Porsches were garage queens. I drove them daily and took them to the track a few times every summer. They all held up really well considering how much they were driven. I never did keep one past 120,000 miles. When I did sell them they were issue free so you should expect at least that kind of mileage for trouble free driving.

I had an ‘87 911 Cab that I loved. I lived in Charlotte at the time and it was my every day driver all year long.

As long as you get a PPI from a trusted shop you’ll be fine.

I only sold it because we moved to the mountains and have an 8 mile dirt road with lots of switchbacks. I couldn’t subject the car to that.

Before the 911 I had a 2000 Boxster that I bought new. I loved that car and regret selling it.

If I were to jump back in I’d buy a Boxster S.

what About the PDK? I love how they shift but I am worried about potential reliability vs a manual. I wanna be one of the cool kids with a manual but they seem to be relatively rare.

I wish I could own a new Panamera. What a cool car.

I have a first gen C4(1990). Best snow car ever, except for the toll that salt extracts.

I lust after (but can't afford) a Macan.

quote:

Originally posted by jezsuiz:
I was thinking a 997 or early 991. I want a NA model. Can’t wrap my head around all the models having turbos. Getting too old I guess.

Sold a 2 year old 2006 C2S and bought a 2008 997 TT new - big mistake! Agree the NA engines are best. If I were going P car shopping now I'd look at the 6 cylinder Caymans with manual trans.

Have owned lots of 356s and a few 911s. I only have the 72 911 now. I have driven lots of Porsche's for work. My most favorite by far was a real 73 911 RS. Still like my 72 with engine and suspension upgrades the best. Can't seem get into the newer Porsche cars, except for my 09 Cayenne. Use that pig to haul engines and transmissions regularly. My dad had a 2012 911 for a bit, he loved it.

I just went to the Panamera site and built a sapphire blue sedan with matching blue wheels, chalk interior and the smallest engine, 330 HP and, it comes in at $ 97,000.00. It dont look good for me any time soon...

I just got a 2018 Macan about a month ago, its a blast. We had about 7" of snow last week, even with the all seasons it did pretty good.

quote:

Originally posted by porterdog:
I have a first gen C4(1990). Best snow car ever, except for the toll that salt extracts.

I lust after (but can't afford) a Macan.

Been looking at a 2016 Cayman with the 6 cyl and manual tranny. Anybody have one of those and can compare to the 911? Thanks, and sorry for the thread drift.