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wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/23/09 1:40 p.m.

Ok so I've been thinking and thinking and as right now my AADD makes me want a Porsche, problem is I'm a year and some change from my purchase. That gives me tons of time to research and generally be annoying on the board.

My thoughts thus far are either a 993 non S coupe or a 2003+ BoxsterS both will be about the sameish price range (correct me if I'm wrong).

Given those two options, what would you buy.

This has been a public dis-service announcement, go about your days.

Carrera30
Carrera30 New Reader
6/23/09 1:49 p.m.

I would buy a 993 because they are the last of the air cooled Porsches and therefore more awesome. Plus they look better. If someone wanted to trade my '77 911 for a 993, I would probably do it in a heartbeat (although I still love my car, so don't tell her I said that).

2003+ Boxster S may actually be cheaper, though.

Rusty_Rabbit84
Rusty_Rabbit84 HalfDork
6/23/09 1:52 p.m.

id rather go for the 993 than the 986, just my opinion...

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/23/09 2:02 p.m.

1976 914 2.0!

Cotton
Cotton Reader
6/23/09 2:03 p.m.

993 vote here also. I've always liked them and plan to pick one up eventually.

maroon92
maroon92 SuperDork
6/23/09 2:14 p.m.

+eleventy for the 914-4

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/23/09 2:20 p.m.

Let me add a caveat, I don't really want something that I will have to wrench on constantly. I want something I can drive at autocrosses, and eventually a track day or two, I don't care if I'm competetive.

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
6/23/09 2:24 p.m.

Wait until you are ready to buy. Look at your bank account. Look at used car prices. Test drive one model of your top three picks. Choose appropriately.

The "wait until you are ready to buy" part is the most important.

Bryce

Winston
Winston New Reader
6/23/09 2:29 p.m.

[practical Winston] 993. It will always be worth as much or more than you paid (assuming you keep up with everything). Prices are already starting to swing up.

Can't say the same for the Boxster. [/Practical Winston]

[Emotional Winston] 993. C'mon, the 911 is an icon. You can't beat that. [/Emotional Winston]

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/23/09 2:33 p.m.

Winston makes a compelling argument, for the 993...

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/23/09 2:42 p.m.

as an investment.. go for the 993. as the last of the aircooled porsches, their values are only going to go up. In many eyes (mine included) they are the last of the true 911s.

From the standpoint of a car to have fun with.. the Boxster (986)

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/23/09 2:46 p.m.

How about dynamically, what are the differences between the two. Consider that I've never driven a middy or rear engined car in anger before.

Carrera30
Carrera30 New Reader
6/23/09 3:20 p.m.

Disclaimer: I have only driven a boxster once. With that said, I would say that the boxster is going to be a very tossable car that is easy to drive fast and will make a more practical cruiser as well. The 993 will be another experience all together - much more of a "driver's car" that you will reward you for learning how to drive it fast properly.

Asthetics - 993

Everyday drivability - Boxster

Re-sale value - 993

Servicability - 993 Might win here (I don't think I've ever actually seen a Boxster engine, they say it's in there somewhere)

Driving experience - 993

"Cool Car Mister!" factor - 993 (Hands down!)

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/23/09 3:25 p.m.

Is there a woman in your life?

If yes, the 993

If no, the Boxster

Reasoning: Chicks dig convertibles.

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/23/09 5:46 p.m.
John Brown wrote: Is there a woman in your life? If yes, the 993 If no, the Boxster Reasoning: Chicks dig convertibles.

there is, buuuuuuut she's not so much a fan of driving fast. She has a pretty bad anxiety disorder, and gets panicky when I drive spirited. She'd rather I get a big pick up truck.

The targa 993 is interesting but I can imagine on a summer day I'd have to wait a week to get in. Cabriolets aren't much more expensive from what I can tell though. But this car is all for me, my coming home present to myself.

Jay
Jay Dork
6/23/09 10:32 p.m.

I know it's not quite what you were thinking, but I'm visiting my parents this week and have been driving around in the 944S that my dad and I bought a few years ago. They're a heck of a fun car for the prices you can pick them up for. Skip the base 944; the S or turbo models are almost as cheap, don't really cost any more to maintain, and are that much more fun.

FindlaySpeedMan
FindlaySpeedMan New Reader
6/24/09 10:34 a.m.
wherethefmi said: She'd rather I get a big pick up truck.

See, I once boggled at the popularity of Celine Dion. I thought, "Who the heck is buying this CRAP?". I always pictured some mousey lil bald dude with a house full of doilies, a nervous condition, and a swish in his walk. Then one day some girl was going on about Celine Dion, and I wanted to smack myself. It was so OBVIOUS. Damn them!

Likewise, I always blamed the attack of the SUV on dudes. It seemed like such a man-thing, what with overcompensation and "mine is bigger than yours", and trying to be rugged when you weren't. Then I started to hear women talk about wanting big trucks.

Then I started looking at who was driving them in traffic. One female after another, by herself, in a huge carruck. Of course! It makes so much sense now! The little dorks just want to drive a house, a big safe comfy HOUSE, everywhere they go! It's got a stereo, and lots of places to squirrel away womany stuff! And they can pack it with gabby friends, and babies!

Damn them again!

ECM, and Leslie, and Margie, they're just a few candles in the Big Dark that is womanity. At least they use thier big trucks to tow stuff.

Oh, Lord. There was a topic, and I'm way the heck far and gone off it. Ahhhhmm....

Yeah, uh 993 is a much cooler name than Boxster, which sounds a little twee.

Uhhhh... need more coffee,

Bye.

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/24/09 12:20 p.m.

Ooooooookaaaaayyyyy then.

njansenv
njansenv Reader
6/24/09 5:29 p.m.

I think the 993 will be a much better investment in the near future, and as Boxster values continue to plummet. That said, recent developments are making the (previously unservicable) Boxter engine servicable. As fixes are found, the values "may" maintain their levels. That said, it'll always be seen as a "poor mans Porsche", and I suspect that it's value will resemble that of the 944. Great performing car, but never found "status" with the porschophiles. The 993 WILL be a classic.

Nathan

Rangeball
Rangeball Reader
6/24/09 5:34 p.m.

Boxster to get Audi heart

Just throwing it out there.

walterj
walterj Dork
6/24/09 11:15 p.m.

No love for the 964C2? Cheaper than a 993, looks like an old 911 but is faster, more reliable and has a heater that really works. Stay away - it leaves more for me ;)

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/24/09 11:28 p.m.

Well I hadn't considered them, though now I might, and I may be opening up to the 996 too. There's a 996 c4s cab for like 22k on the local cl.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1233297096.html

I don't really dislike anything but the headlight surrounds on this car, but I really don't dig the 996 headlights anyway.

Ps copy and paste on my iPod touch has got to be the greatest thing ever lol.

Volksroddin
Volksroddin HalfDork
6/24/09 11:43 p.m.

I would say 993. If you do get Boxster next thing to send it to RUF. I think they have a dealership in TX. They get nice 3.6 or 3.? in there,....for a price.

wherethefmi
wherethefmi Dork
6/25/09 12:17 a.m.

That for a price scares me a little

Matt B
Matt B New Reader
6/25/09 10:14 a.m.

I think most people will agree that the 993 is a cooler car. However, the Boxster is going to be easier to drive at the limit and is, on average, considerably cheaper than (a usually older) 993. I kind of consider the Boxster the easy button. I love it that people consider the 911 more of a "driver's" car because it has (arguably) inferior weight distribution and requires more careful inputs.

That said, I just don't care about the 993's drawbacks. People don't buy these cars because they want to be practical. In my eyes, the 993 is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, not to mention an icon. If I had the extra cash, the choice would be no-contest. I would probably just crack open a beer and stare at it in the driveway after work for an hour or so every day.

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