Robert O. Urfer Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 So I am toying with selling my seven and getting into the Porsche 911 game. Anybody with Porsche knowledge, I am looking for unbiased opinions. Should I go with an older air cooled car? Are the 99-2001 models really junk? They sure are inexpensive? Should I look more at a 2004-2005 or newer? Will I hate myself for this decision?...... All input is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I'll chip in my two cents. Neither are good in the snow. :jester: Both are fun to drive. The Seven will kick the crap out of a standard Porker on the track. :party: The Porsche will be a rougher ride due to the low profile tires and the rear tires will wear out at least twice as fast as the fronts. Tires aren't cheap either. The 911 has good road manners but doesn't like bumps/expansion joints. No where near as fun as the 7 on the road, but more civilized, has a radio, a/c, heated seats etc. I bought mine from a friend who was trading it in on a new one, it only had 4500 miles on it after 6 years ownership and the price was very good. I'm not a Porsche guy, I just bought it because it was a good deal. Like it don't love it. There is really no comparison to the fun of driving a se7en. IMO. Keep the se7en and buy a Honda. :jester: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Yellow -- I think Robert is looking for this Porsche not the one you described Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Depends on what you want. If it's a se7en replacement, then I'd argue air cooled is better. ignoring specials like the GT2 & GT3, 911s have become more civilized and a little less involving to drive as the years progress, with a particularly large inflection point occurring with the launch of the water-cooled 996. Depending on your point of view, that's either a good thing or a bad thing. If you're replacing a se7en, then it might be the latter. I've had my 993 for almost 8 years. I also cross-shopped the 996, which at the time was effectively the same price, so the decision really came down to preference. After driving several examples of each model, I determined that the 996 was the better car. It has significantly better HVAC, more interior room and luggage space, it's quicker, gets better gas mileage, and pollutes less. That said, I bought the 993 because for me, it was the better experience. It was more engaging to drive, and consequently put a bigger smile on my face. YMMV. Go drive various models and see which you like best, and also visit rennlist.com to sift through the forums. Very friendly people and lots of great information. Oh and regarding the snow comment, the 964 & later cars are available in AWD :-) -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 We came close to buying a 1989. Still the best (last) year of aircooled cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wings Aviation Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 1989 last year of the air cooled????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 As one who owns a 7 and several Porsches, let me give you my perspective. They have NOTHING in common....other than 4 wheels, brakes, etc. Really, there is no comparison possible. Yes, both can and are driven on the track, but driving experience is totally different. My 87 Porsche is a factory steel slant nose 930 with a highly modified 962 based race engine, and it is very very quick but very very expensive to maintain. My 7 is more fun unless it's raining, or if it's hot (Florida). My 996TT (04 twin turbo cab) is quick and the ride is harsh. You feel every crevice, every pebble, every road imperfection without fail. A/C is great, steering feel is phenomenal, traction is awesome and maintenance expense is enough to consider disposal. Mine developed an oil leak out of the right camshaft timing cover......dealer needs to pull the engine, 35 labor hours @ $132/hr + any seals and let us not forget shop supplies.....around $5,500 or a little bit more since I may want to replace the water pump & clutch while we have the engine out. Ok, buy a new 911 ?? How about $182,000 + tax. Allow me to recommend Corvette. I have 3 of them & maintenance cost is minimal, speed is equal to if not better, ride quality is better, storage space for luggage is 3 times the Porsche, and resale value will match any but the GT2 or GT3 cars. I hate to say it but Chevy is a better deal than Porsche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 You could buy one 911 or two Corvettes; a coupe and a convertible ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 So I am toying with selling my seven and getting into the Porsche 911 game. I've thought on several occasions that I wouldn't mind owning a 911. I got the chance to drive a late mode with a six speed and was allowed the liberty of putting it through its paces. Impressive car, but I sure wouldn't give up my Storker to get the Porsche. Will I hate myself for this decision?...... Yep . . . . Probably so. :svengo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzempel Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Are the 99-2001 models really junk? They sure are inexpensive? Should I look more at a 2004-2005 or newer? The '99-01 engines are fragile beasts--not junk by any stretch. Just know that you may end up paying more for engine repairs than you pay for the whole car. IMHO, they didn't get the engine "right" until 2008 (IRRC), when they deleted the troublesome countershaft entirely. I had a Cayman (arguably better than the 911 because the engine is in the right place), but ultimately sold it because I couldn't stand how heavy and sluggish it felt compared to my Birkin. If you don't own a Porsche and Se7en at the same time, this might not be an issue. Have fun agonizing over the decision. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Mine developed an oil leak out of the right camshaft timing cover......dealer needs to pull the engine, 35 labor hours That right there would make me walk away. I have a particular fondness for maintainability. It's one reason I sold my MR2. The drivetrain was designed for the front drive Corolla and Toyota translated it into the back seat to make a mid/rear layout. For example, I changed the oil many times, but never saw the oil filter in place. Did it by feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOTTTCAR Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I bought a new 427 convertible grand sport because we liked our Zo6 but wanted basically a ZO6 convertiable......(same engine and trans). This thing is very fast. The LS 7 Storker how ever makes the Vett seam like a family car. When you get used to that much ass twitching power it changes your perspective. I was with an instructor who was showing me how fast a customers 500 hp $250000 special order Porsche was. He was really ringing it out ......all the time telling me that this was the fastest Porsche made. It handled and stopped beautifully like my Vett but it didn't accelerate even close to a zo6 when coming out of the corners. I expected to blown away by this car but a $ 20,000 Miata powered Locost 7 that was on the track at the same time just went off and left the Porsche. I would prefer to have both, the 7 for shear fun in the sun and the Vett to get from point a to point b comfortably. Just for me when looking at value between Porsche and Vett it was an easy choice. Gale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdca7 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Funny how many of us who own sevens also have or had Porsches and Corvettes. I've had all three too, and they are certainly all very different cars, with different purposes. Don't sell the Porsches short though on either the road or the track. My 996 turbo is a blast both on and off track. It has the right bits, so runs about the same lap times as my R500. I much prefer the Porsche on the road. It's no cadillac, but I never want to get out of it. Even long drives, I am sad when I get there and have to stop driving it. Z06's are fantastic values, so are a great option. But if you can afford to maintain a Porsche (which can be very expensive), they are extremely rewarding cars! Hence the almost fanatical following. Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CASwede Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 When people are around the seven, it makes them happy. The Porsche will not do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I see half a dozen Porsches a day I have never seen another Seven on the road other than on the way to a car meet[and I usually know them] Sure you can take the kids to school in the Porsche, so there is that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hill Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 But the one that gets dropped off with the Seven gets more cool points! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdca7 Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 You certainly do get "thumbs up" at least once a block when driving a seven! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now