RabidManatee
2240
2nd generation for me.
930 would be amazing but I’d “settle” for a Carrera. I had a chance to buy one before prices went ballistic but didn’t; although the car was perfect, the seller was asking for a little too much money and I wasn’t sold on the color (Guards Red — to me red is for Italians).
And so it goes…
If I was looking for a new Porsche it would be a Cayman with the 6 cylinder engine. As you said, I think the new 911 has morphed into more of a grand tourer than a sports car (like your Alpine, which is wonderful). That being said, full disclosure, I haven’t driven a “modern” 911.
I’ve played with Porsche’s on line configuration tool entirely too many times, but nothing done. And damn those options are pricey!
Perfect world, money no object: an original, early Carrera RS, please!
More posts:
A post on Porsche 911s.
I guess I am far from being the only one to love and have a huge admiration for the Porsche 911, which will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its unveiling, next year. 60 years, already!!! I never owned a Porsche, I considered the idea many times, and I a...
993 all the time
I had two of them, Targa and Turbo. Best air cooled technology, best proportions
I cannot say
First bought the Targa for the roof but it was totalled in an accident. Then the turbo for the power. Both lovely.
Great post.
Don't forget to talk about the 912. That help keep Porsche alive when they switched from the 356 to the 911. The 911 was too expensive and sales were not good. So Porsche came up with the 912, a scaled back 911 and the rest is history.
993 Targa
Unlikely to ever own one and rather wasted where I live but the 993 Targa for me. Love that sliding glass roof.
I’d go for a 911 turbo type 930 from 1988.
300hp 3.3 Liters 6 cylinders (I stole the pics on but I prefer the very same model with side grills.) ...
Owned a 964 Series
Was a 1990 Targa, just like the is photo, and how I do miss it! ...
911s are gorgeous cars with tons of presence...
...either moving or standing still. My only issue with them is this; they are GTs (Grand Touring) automobiles. They should be fast but comfortable. But every article I've ever read about them mentions that they are noisy at speed. Mostly road noise/tire r...
They have the speed and grip of sports cars...
...but most are automatic transmission, and if you look at your photos, they have grown huge and heavy over the years. They are a weird mix of GT and sports to me. You can order the 'T' version that is lighter and probably more true to the spirit of the o...
It's true, I think Porsche hits their weight targets by sacrificing sound deadening and comfort. Iconic status seems to have earned them a free pass on this.
Too small and noisy for a GT car, too big with useless rear seats for a sports car.... but maybe that's what makes thee 911 great even today. The ultimate compromise do everything car. I'd rather have a v12 front engine car for a road trip, a mid engine t...
Love the 997
but can't afford one, especially under the current "premium" pricing environment 😅 hope to be able to find a used 718 Cayman in the NY.
2nd generation for me.
930 would be amazing but I’d “settle” for a Carrera. I had a chance to buy one before prices went ballistic but didn’t; although the car was perfect, the seller was asking for a little too much money and I wasn’t sold on the color (Guards Red — to me red ...
Thanks
Been a member for a while but got locked out of my account and system wouldn’t let me reset password
All the greatest hits, Nico!
The 997 GTS has been the sweet spot for me since 2014 and going to add a 992 Carrera T before the petrol engine is banned in the UK by 2030. Wonder what specials they’ll come out with for 60th Anniversary next year?! ...
I’ve always pictured you a vintage 911 kind of guy.
I appreciate the vintage but don’t appreciate the upkeep. One of my good friends had a 964 turbo that he finally traded in towards a 488 because he got tired of chasing the gremlins and in constant repair of something. My personal sweet spot is the 991. G...
I look forward to see where your heart takes you!
No wrong choice there, Porsche can be forever cars if you decide it to be.
Thanks for a great post!
I have also never owned one but maybe one day. It is impossible to choose wrong. The prices are so astronomical, that would lead me to order a new one if able to source at MSRP.
You’re absolutely right
I have not owned one either (and maybe it works out someday?) but it’s probably impossible to go wrong with any 911….they’re magnificent sports cars.
Stubbornly Overrated... But very good once you know how to drive it...
Let me start off with the following. I really like Porsches, but I feel the vast majority of people who buy them have NO IDEA what they're buying. Let me explain... Porsches and BMWs are two luxury/premium German car marques. Porsche is considered luxury....
Highly interesting and impressive answer, my dear Patrick. Thank you so much for that. Now...
Now, about driving experience... There are indeed two schools: Those who like the electronic assistance, and yes, you are right, I already read that the recent 911 systems are very efficient. And those who prefer to face the difficulty and to feel the car...
You might want to consider a 997 series then...
The 997 generation were produced in model year 2005 to 2011. Earlier models have the risk of an "IMS" failure. The IMS is an "intermediate shaft bearing" that has the potential to fail. This problem plagues all engines up until the 2008 model year. It als...
Right! Although the Mezger engine has its own set of problems...
The Mezger engine, designed by a man named Mezger, has certain unusual reliability problems. Sometimes they're dramatic. So everything needs to be carefully scrutinized. But I would say any of the 997 GT3s are extremely desirable cars. The steering is won...
Yes. Although avoid 2009s.
There are two sub-generations of 997s. Porschephiles call them 997.1 and 997.2. You'll notice that the headlight and front bumper changed and the rear taillamp changed as well. I would get either a late year 997.1 or a late year 997.2. The first couple of...
Yes. But if you're considering a GT3 model, this is less of an issue...
GT3 models generally don't have the IMS issue. And even the 997.2 GT3 doesn't have direct injection. So if you're looking at a GT3 model, you're completely safe! But they have their own problems. Basically, if you drive the car hard, you need to check hos...
Wow, I missed some great posts over the holidays! Patrick is on the money. One thing to note is 911s don't really dance imho, best drive before you buy!
The big fat tires on the back and weight balance mean most of the time the car wants to understeer, car really needs to be moving and on the power to get it play and then you're going quite fast, np for the track but tough on public roads. As Patrick note...
Visualizing that made me want to go for a drive!
Unfortunately, it's pouring rain out here!
earlier models.....
911 from the early 1970's or maybe a 911sc.......really an amazing car to drive if it is sorted out well ...
Great pics and a great subject!
Best debated over a few nice bottles of wine! I've driven many but only owned one, an 89 930 3.2 Carrera. Before buying it I had the chance to test drive the 964, 993 and 996 but the 930 was the most charming one with the thin steering wheel even though t...
As an occasional toy
The 964 but they've gone up a lot in prices like most air cooled, followed by the 930. I love the small blocks (2.4 or 2.7 but that's almost out of reach nowadays). My current use dictates near daily usage and for that reason in my case 996 would be my ch...
Hi, not sure you mean 1989 930 (3.3 turbo) or 1989 911 3.2 Carrera.
They are quite different animals.
Fat and heavy
Up to the F-series, the 911s were rather light and nimble. By growing them fatter and bigger, Porsche has done those enthusiasts a disservice who want to feel their cars directly, visceral and analog. The G-series started the gain weight disease in 1974. ...
It would "fly" once you got over 200 km/h
It was a real work-out to keep it on the road. If you look at the gaps around the door or the hood, you will notice that it was in very good shape.... We had completely gone over the body in 1977/78. There had been zero rust-proofing from the factory :-(
Great post, Nico
In my very personal opinion, the 991.1 is my favorite one (although all generations are great). I just love the styling, the lovely taillights and the face with the smoldering indicator lights, plus it was the last generation with naturally aspirated engi...
930 = Widowmaker
I have driven lots of 911s on the street and track - the modern varieties are relatively tame and well sorted out -- but the older turbos were dangerous. The 911 Turbo aka 930 picked up the nickname " the Widowmaker " because of its unusual driving charac...
2,7 RS
2,7 RS I still remember a day in Sydney (while I lived in Australia) where a friend of a friend gave me the keys to his right hand driven 2,7 RS. “Take it for a spin, and see you in the evening” And, he said that in the morning One of my best cars days ev...
It was
The gentlemen also promised me a drive sometime later in a GT3 with race specs.. but the day before I came back he had smashed it on the race track, and the second GT3 he had was in Melbourne..
