bear924

The challenge with the 996 and 997 models is that we are still not sure how they fit into the big Porsche picture. We don't know this as we don't know what Porsche 911s in the future are going to look like. In 10 years the 996 will be a proper classic and will have a specialist niche that older and newer 911 will be unable to fill. It's my view that the analogue feel of the 996 era 911s will eventually overcome the change in engine cooling technology. When this happens, I believe there will be more parity between early water cooled and air cooled in terms of price and classic status. The other thing to remember is that if you buy a SC, you will be the slowest 911 in the pack.... this isn't a bad thing, just something you need to accept. Ultimately I wanted a 911 that has more grunt, a car that has handling and power ... and maybe a little more refined for the long drives to the twisties... that was why I've sold my SC. What I need to determine is whether I stay air cooled and sacrifice power and refinement ... or go water cooled and sacrifice the amazing experience of the air cooled engine. Even then, various models within the 996 have different refinement... turbo or GT?? Talk about rabbit holes. I know of others who have sold 3.2s and purchased SCs to get less refinement ... to feel more connected to their car. Ultimatley there is no right or wrong answer, just varying degrees of specific goodness.

No, I haven't driven any turbo charged 911 (if anyone wants to offer me a ride or drive I'm happy to drive anywhere in Qld to participate). I have driven a 6 GT3 and a 6 Carrera and found both cars a joy to drive. I do wonder about the loss of steering feel with 4wd .. however unsure how much of this is internet rubbish or actual feedback from experienced 911 owners. (I loved loved loved the steering feedback in my SC ... think it was one of the best parts about the car).

This one seems to also still be for sale: https://promotive.com.au/an-immaculate-996-turbo-for-sale/ If I was in buying as opposed to tyre kicking phase, I would be checking both these cars out.

I'd be off to look at this one: https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-1988/SSE-AD-5202554/?Cr=6 It might be in WA however transport isn't that much and it looks tidy to me. Being a late G series you get the larger vents, different gearbox and all the other upgrades they made along the way.

I have come to the conclusion you are best to wait to find the car you really want. Otherwise you'll buy the one you can afford which won't scratch the itch you've developed. Regardless of the car you buy, there is a chance you'll need to put some $$ into it, so you might as well put that into the car you want to keep for a long time. The 964s hold a certain appeal to me as well. I would also focus on a C2... that said, 993 C2s are now cheaper and are arguably a better car. Think if I go late air cooled, I will look at 993s as I think you get more for you $ at the moment. 996 turbos also appealing. Very little to pick from out there at the moment though. Wish the blue one at $149k would put a few pictures and more information about the upgrades.

Agree that there are a number of 930 that seemed to be priced well at the moment. Presuming though that you could purchase a converted '81 SC in similar money and condition for $85k, the 930 listed is still $50k more. In my mind, a 50% price increase on an SC puts the turbos into a different market. My view is that the 100-150k market is one of the most competitive with 964s, 993, 6 and 7 turbos, later 997s and 6 GT3s competing for the Porsche dollar. Will be interesting to see what the 930 coming up for auction at Shannons sells for. That should give a good indication of where the 930 currently sits.

I sold my SC a fortnight ago. I believe it was priced to meet the market and I had a number of people interested in purchasing. My location is not the best for Porsche selling and suspect if I was located in a capital city the car would have sold very quickly. My take on the market at the moment is that its neither a buyers or sellers market. As a seller, if you price too high your car will sit, as a buyer if you are too slow and only want to secure a bargain, you'll find cars will sell while you are waiting for their prices to drop.

Klassisch, As you ponder your next Porsche, what are you leaning towards?

Is that a supercharger tucked up in there with water injection? One would have to think that car would move. Working out fair value on a car like this is difficult .. opinions anyone? or for $67k .... a Ferrari Mondial https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ferrari-Mondial-1981/SSE-AD-4465114/?Cr=0

Jason, would you consider the 996 the last of the analogue? My next 911 will be either a 964/993/996/997 .. the question of analogue or digital is one I also ponder. I also wonder about turbo or NA .. as the world goes turbo charged the NA cars will be something different. At which point the digital nature of the 997s may not matter.

There's a 996GT3 and a 991GT3 market watch thread, so I thought I'd start one for the 997GT3s. Part of my motivation was because of some recent price drops, so it will be interesting to see how they sell. There are currently four 7 GT3s for sale on carsales. https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-2007/SSE-AD-5058332/?Cr=0 Club sport, White with orange trim (mirrors, wheels) MY07. Car appears to be on WOVR and has minimal history. 21k km Price $165k (recently dropped from $175k) https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-2007/SSE-AD-5161543/?Cr=3 Club sport, black MY07. Full service history with 38k km. Price $195k https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-2008/SSE-AD-4670370/?Cr=1 Club sport, white MY08. Full Service history with 33k km. Price $198k (recently dropped from $208k) https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-2008/SSE-AD-4047460/?Cr=2 Touring, white MY08. Full service history with 42k km. Price $225k Seems GT3s are now sub $200k cars, with the black GT3 sitting at $195k for a little while, possibly suggesting they may need to move a little lower. The white and orange car might be a good buy for someone wanting to drive and wrench. $165k when other GT3s were selling for $225k would probably make it a good buy. Presuming you could negotiate one of the other cars to $185k, $165k seems a tad high. Maybe $150k would pull a buyer?? Makes the 6/7 GT3 market around the $160k a little crowded.

Getting a 'bargain' Porsche is cool however unless you have inside knowledge or can drive straight to the car with cash, it's a difficult task to pull off. Take into account the time you spend ringing and being distracted by the bargain, and the risk you have to accept to play the game, it may be worth looking for a fair priced car, as opposed to a bargain. To me, the 82 911 is beginning to feel like a fair price. Organise to check it out this weekend and if it seems OK, buy it. You won't have purchased a bargain, however you'll get a car that is honest. If you want a more sorted car, be willing to spend a little more... once again, look for a fair price. Look for a vendor who is looking for a win win outcome. If you are chasing the trill of trying to grab a bargain, that's also cool and something I've tried doing myself. Just don't confuse bargain hunting with 'normal' car buying.

https://gosfordclassiccarmuseum.com.au/surplus-car/porsche-911-1979/ Cheapish coupe at Gosford cars. Not really my thing however might float someone's boat. or https://gosfordclassiccarmuseum.com.au/surplus-car/porsche-911-1972/ Looks like a conversion, however once again, price seems in the ball park at first glance. or https://gosfordclassiccarmuseum.com.au/surplus-car/porsche-928/ 928 GTS .. unsure of where these sit value wise these days.

H program cars are those 911 manufactured between August 1986 to July 1987 . (classed as a 1987 model year) Vin for H program Carrera should be between WP0ZZZ91ZHS100001-3381, with engine numbers from 63H00001

I was reading something about 'investment' grade cars recently. The article basically said that a car is only an investment if it's worth more than $1M. If any less than that the holding costs consume any capital gain. I plan on avoiding any low km, perfect condition cars for my next purchase otherwise I'll be too worried about driving the silly thing. Patina is really just another word for "cars already covered in stone chips ... a few more won't worry anyone". Now after saying that, I know that I consider how desirable the P car I'm purchasing will be in the future. Not so much from an investment point of view, more from a 'Need buyers to sell' point of view when the time comes to try something different. The 924 on the other hand is a labour of love. My recent engine rebuild is worth more than the car, however at least that meant I could do it myself and not be worried that it wasn't a documented engine rebuild (which was one of the reasons I decided on using a specialist to rebuild my 911 engine). When I decided to rebuild I decided to keep the car forever (so hopefully I did a good job on the engine!!)