[Murf993]

Originally Posted by c1pher

997.2 is always thrown out there since it is the last generation that has hydraulic steering and the motor is NA. If you have to have a 911, buy the best condition one, with options you want, that you can afford at the time.

But honestly, why overlook a Cayman? You can find something even newer and very capable with a lot of 911 interior features. If you are thinking you need a back seat, it’s really not usable unless you have infants. Cayman actually has better storage.

I’m not saying one is better over the other but eliminating the Cayman without truly considering it would limit your options and ability to save money or spend the difference on mods if that’s your thing. If you have to have a 911, I get it, nothing else will do.

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[New2Roundel]

Here's the thing with Porsche's, like other high-end brands: you don't want to go cheap on one. In other words, that cheap 996 or 997 might cost you in repair costs what you spent on the car. Certainly, there are no guarantees either way, but the rule of thumb I've heard in the Porsche world is to get the newest, best condition car you can afford.

At the $30k mark, I'd be looking strongly at the best 987/987S cayman I could find.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

i went with a Cayman 718 GTS but nowhere near $30k

You could find base 718s in the mid to upper $40k range I think. And APR has a lovely stage 1 tune that brings the power up to 360hp with no other mods for $999.

But if sticking with $30k-ish, then a nice flat six 2014-2016 Cayman is possible.

[mdf]

Probably this comment gets my new membership banned, but you know, for around 30K, you might be able to find an old 911 SC. The SC is a little bit softer compared to the early 911's, but the early 911's have gotten so expensive now and the SC was a fun car to drive. I know that's a very different car from the Cayman and you'd be looking at a very different ownership experience but I have a lot of love for the classic 911's and the SC was a fine car. Rather have a Carrera that followed or a 70-72 that preceded but those are just stupid expensive now.

[No Boost]

Whatever you decide, be sure to get an invasive pre-purchase inspection done by a reputable indy shop. A few hundreds spent at the beginning could very well save you thousands later. The M9x engines that are in these ~$30k cars you are considering are far from bulletproof.

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by mdf

Probably this comment gets my new membership banned, but you know, for around 30K, you might be able to find an old 911 SC. The SC is a little bit softer compared to the early 911's, but the early 911's have gotten so expensive now and the SC was a fun car to drive. I know that's a very different car from the Cayman and you'd be looking at a very different ownership experience but I have a lot of love for the classic 911's and the SC was a fine car. Rather have a Carrera that followed or a 70-72 that preceded but those are just stupid expensive now.

I’m happy to get banned with you for that comment, because i think that’s a fantastic idea. I just didn’t think that a nice 911SC could be had within that budget.

Another consideration is that a classic air-cooled is not what 100% of people today have in mind when they think about their starter Porsche. It takes a person who wants a certain level of anachronism. But I’m totally with you on this.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by mdf

Probably this comment gets my new membership banned, but you know, for around 30K, you might be able to find an old 911 SC. The SC is a little bit softer compared to the early 911's, but the early 911's have gotten so expensive now and the SC was a fun car to drive. I know that's a very different car from the Cayman and you'd be looking at a very different ownership experience but I have a lot of love for the classic 911's and the SC was a fine car. Rather have a Carrera that followed or a 70-72 that preceded but those are just stupid expensive now.

I think those days are gone. Unless maybe you’re looking for a handyman special.

[mdf]

Originally Posted by c1pher

I think those days are gone. Unless maybe you’re looking for a handyman special.

I hear you. I haven't followed this segment of the market for a while and that was my expectation too. And I don't know how the SC's have held up and what issues they develop at this age and it seems like, good luck finding one that hasn't been beautified with a whale tail slant nose etc. But I'm seeing a few SC's, running, mostly original, for around $30K. I didn't do a lot of looking before I posted but

"1981 Porsche 911SC Coupe featured here with matching numbers is available in Light Ivory with a brown interior. it comes with a clean Carfax and is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, 3.0-liter engine, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, sunroof, 4-wheel disc brakes, and Fuchs wheels. A gorgeous color combination Porsche which is mechanically sound. For $34,750"

"1983 PORSCE 911 SC TARGA COUPE LOW MILES With only one previous owner, this automobile is ready for you.This is a smoke-free automobile.There is no damage evident on this vehicle.The exterior condition of this vehicle shows that it was garaged.The engine on this vehicle is running properly.This vehicle has no known defects. This vehicle has a smooth shifting transmission.All power equipment is functioning properly.The exterior of this vehicle is extra clean.Extra clean interior. Absolutely no rips, odors or abuse $34,900.00"

[chassis]

dleccord What do you think so far?

Does the Porsche you are contemplating need to be reliable? What transportation purpose would it serve? Weekend? Groceries? Taking the kids to school?

[MBM340]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Huh????

Pre-covid 997.2's in decent shape were already well above 40K, closer to 50K.

Looking at a 996 and a well used one at that for under $30K. And I'll say it, a sub 30K 911 is likely a bad idea.

Good God you and Golden are right. I haven't checked 911 prices in a while. If you want one you better get in now while you still can. Prices on the 997.2 are going up.
https://www.pca.org/news/2019-06-25/...he-9972-market

[Alfisti]

I've been shopping for two years and it is pretty clear I fucked up. A decently speced out 997.2 or 991.1, say "S" with sport chrono and sports seats, under 50000 miles, looking at 60KUSD

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by MBM340

Good God you and Golden are right. I haven't checked 911 prices in a while. If you want one you better get in now while you still can. Prices on the 997.2 are going up.
https://www.pca.org/news/2019-06-25/...he-9972-market

997.2's are the new Bitcoin. Better get one while you can before it's $200k. I just bought my 997.2 C4S in October and it seems like prices are up 15-20% since I bought it then.

[GenXer]

..... in a fire.

[Germanauto]

Regardless of the 996's flaws, it's just too old in my opinion. The interior is cheap and it wont have some modern conveniences that the 997 has; which as others have already stated is out of your budget. The 987 Boxster/Cayman is the car to get.

The 997 is very much like the E9X BMW in my opinion as both cars are old school enough to have tactile hydraulic steering and visceral driving character while being modern enough to have nice interiors and decent tech. In hindsight the mid-to-late 2000s was one of the best eras in automotive history for this reason.

[Socal_R8]

I joined the club last year when I picked up my 981 Cayman S

No complaints so far

Do it!!!

[strohw]

I have a 987.2 and I've ridden in or driven a 981 as well as a 997 and 991 of various model designations. I don't think I'll ever have the desire to move into a 911. The Cayman does so many things so well that the jump to the 911 feels unnecessary. This year I'm going to sell the 987 and pick up a 981s or a 982. Even though I could afford a 997 it just doesn't seem worth it.

I will say my friend had a 2015 991 GTS he bought brand new and just sold it a few months back to move back into a 997.2. He had one which he sold when he got the 991. Overall he felt that the 991 got too big and lost the feel he enjoyed from the 997.

[MBM340]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

997.2's are the new Bitcoin. Better get one while you can before it's $200k. I just bought my 997.2 C4S in October and it seems like prices are up 15-20% since I bought it then.

No kidding. Nice move DGoldenz. I just bought the M340 and already have a few other fun cars so unfortunately not in position to grab one so like e-type Jags they will probably go up and out of sight before I can get one in the garage...
I am keeping this BMW until I get my kid out of school and then it is going to be a 911 for a daily driver. By then they will be gone. Hopefully something in the Porsche 911 family will still float my boat.

[Vivek.]

The Cayman drives REALLY nicely and with minor suspension and power mods you're easily at 911 performance levels in every aspect. I've driven 997 and 987 and I definitely could not say that one is far better than the other. The balance of the Cayman is great and I can't shake the feeling that it's just a liiiittle more confidence-inspiring through the corners than the 997.

[4play]

996 C4S with IMS done.

Not sure if they are still sub-30k for a decent one, but unlikely to depreciate and you get the Turbo widebody.

Could also find a decent 996 Turbo for high 30s. Also will not depreciate and you get more power + LeMans winning Mezger engine.

[Fined]

For $30k range a 987.2 Cayman or Cayman S gets you into the modern Porsche sports car sweet spot. If the plan is to get a 911 at some point you'll do yourself a favor by getting a highly desired Porsche sports car that you will not lose money on while owning it and driving it, that also will not make you poor.

2009 is a good starting point to do that. And if you can get down with the Boxster then they are cheaper than the equivalent Cayman.

A Cayman of any variety is not a replacement for a 911 of a similar variety (S vs S, GTS vs GTS, GTx vs GTx) But it is still a great car and fun to drive. I say all this having had both a 987.2 Cayman S and a 997.2 Carrera GTS at the same time.