Porsche quest

I've got my bank account growing to get a porsche under my butt! I even got the wife's approval. ;-) Now the questions I ask you are these (I'm a newbie, so don't wince at the low porsche iq questions):

1 am I settling if I get a boxster instead of the 911? I don't need to make noise but can you screech a boxster's tires?

2 it MUST be a cabriolet, ragg topp. What problems should I expect even though my goal is to never let it see rain?

3 for a 2k porsche, boxster or 911, what's the better car for my goal of $25k? (I assume the boxster)

4 should I join the porsche club?

5 I don't know how to work on cars at all, so how do I find a good mechanic that won't take me?

I'll quit here. I can go long and bend your ear (eyes).

Thanks for the help!!

derek

Reply to
derek
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"derek" wrote

Absolutely, especially the S. Even the 2.7 is a pretty fast car (my wife has a 2000 Boxster).

Plastic rear window. A fair amount of creaking with the top up.

You definitely won't find a 2000 911 for that. We paid $30K for our (used) Boxster last March - it was (and is) in perfect shape with 36K miles. The 2000 has a little more HP (2.7L vs. 2.5L in earlier years) and other updated stuff in the engine.

They're fanatics. I don't think it's necessary, but certainly nice. YMMV

Local Porsche club members will know. Other owners will know.

BTW, southern CA is a better place to buy Porsches than other places, due to the plethora of them there, and the downturn in the tech industry in the Bay Area. I'm in Seattle but bought (essentially over the www) one from Sacramento.

Floyd

Reply to
fbloogyudsr

Have you considered a 968 Convertible? Better handling than a 911 (porschefiles keep that quiet!), better looking than a Boxter, and much much rarer than either.

Reply to
Oliver Keating

Concur the 968 is a worthy consideration. Porsche made about 3,900 cabrios. You may also want to consider the 944S2, about 6,500 of those were produced. (The 968 was originally going to be marketed as the 944S3).

I'd say different handling than a 911. The 944/968 family has a nearly

50/50 weight distribution between front and rear tires; 911s are about 40/60. Very simplistically, the 944/968 tends to react the same as you approach the limits of lateral acceleration (cornering), while 911s (particularly those prior to the type 993 and 996) tend to want to oversteer, particularly if you lift out of the throttle. For an average driver, oversteer is more difficult to deal with. An accomplished driver who can exploit the oversteer characteristic of a 911 has a formidable vehicle at his command. At less than the limit, the 911 is a wonderful machine. The type 993 and 996 911s have pretty much had the oversteer engineered out of them, unless you really toss the car into a corner (or the roadway is slick - Vic Elford says a 911 with proper tires is the best handling car in the world on slippery surfaces.

The Boxster is a wonderful car also. In your price range you're probably looking at a type 964 911, or a 944/968 or early Boxster. Whichever you go after, take the car to a Porsche specialist for a complete pre-purchase inspection.

Reply to
Jim Keenan

You are not settling, IMHO. I own a 993 S4, but drove an early generation Boxster and was impressed by its handling. Definitely Porsche-like.

Plastic rear window will quickly deteriorate in the sun. I live in S Florida and most of the older Boxsters I see have zero visibility through the rear plastic. The newer ones have glass.

You will not get a recent 911 for that price. You could get a 964 type

911.

Yes, they will help you with questions like #5!

See answer #4.......

Reply to
M

I forgot to say Good Luck and let us know what you finally purchase!

Reply to
M

a) Congrats! b) No problem. Were here to help. ...and occassionally flame... ;~P c) These are all my opinions.

1) You are settling in style and in power. Handling is better in the Boxster. Never be concerned about screeching the tires in a Porsche. They are not suited well for this venture. Unless you have a monster... 2) I have little experience with cabs, but expect wind noise and some leaks. Also expect that it can be cut into if someone wants to... 3) $25k will get you several 1997-9 Boxsters, but the newest 911 will be a ~1991. Still more power with the 911. 4) I think so. There are some benefits to be had. 5) Where do you live? Start asking around for a "Porsche only" mech in your area. I would only go with a mech that works on a mix of cars if he were HIGHLY recommended, the only mech for 100 miles, or known through a reputable source. 6) Keep asking questions. Check Rennlist and Pelican Parts for more info. Let us know what you do ir if you have more questions.

Best regards,

DS

95 993 Coupe
Reply to
The Dead Senator

Absolutley concur on a 968. Far better car than a Boxter and has the looks and performance to match.

Reply to
wgg

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