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Best modern Porsche 911

post #1 of 12
9/7/07 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
I have a friend who is in the market for a used Porsche. I don't know anything about these cars. From an owner's standpoint, what are the substantial differences between types 964, 993, 996, 997? Is the 993 really the ultimate 911? Or should he just get the newest one he can afford?

A vintage Porsche is out of the question - not mechanically inclined.
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post #2 of 12
9/7/07 at 6:52pm
In general terms, I think they've gotten significantly easier to drive quickly (I don't mean just in terms of their absolute performance) over the years. Some would also say they've lost their quirkier and most endearing characteristics in the process (i.e., the 993 was the final air-cooled Porsche if he cares about that), that it's become a bad idea executed too well. The 911's defining characteristic (engine mounted behind the rear axle) has been at different times it's achilles heel, it's priciple charm and allure, and it's conquered obstacle through supreme German engineering.
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post #3 of 12
9/7/07 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 
You raise a good point. I've been advising him to go for a Boxter or Cayman, but he wants the 911. One of those, "I've wanted a 911 forever and a 'lesser' car will not do" kind of things...
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post #4 of 12
9/7/07 at 7:08pm
A guy I know who's a Porsche fanatic always says - "by the newest and best maintained Porsche you can afford." He thinks that each generation of 911 has become more reliable, drivable and better engineered. I've driven a 993 and a 996 and the differnce is striking. The 993 is better looking, but it would be a slight chore to drive daily. The clutch, steering and shifter are all very heavy and take more effort that most people are used to.
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post #5 of 12
9/7/07 at 7:19pm
The 911 is still a fantastic machine, and it's still an icon. I think 911 drivers still turn up their nose at Boxsters and Caymans, regardless of how great they are (and the Boxster and Cayman are really great cars) they are still seen as not being in the 911's class. I myself would like to own a 911 coupe at some point in my life, because it's overall performance and refinement as a mid-sized coupe stand alone at that price point. I'm also a big fan of the current design, which is just the right amount of modern lines and borrows the best elements of the model's history, and the latest Carrera S's performance is generally staggering. Were it my money and I could afford it, I'd get the current 997 S. Assuming a GT3 was out of my price range.
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post #6 of 12
9/8/07 at 9:45am


Give me a modified Cayman S anyday of the week. If Porsche didn't want to alienate their 911 buyers they could be putting the Cayman S (track) version to the test and owning. The Cayman S with the proper modifications still not available stock is to evole into the ultimate Porsche.
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post #7 of 12
9/8/07 at 10:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soph View Post


Give me a modified Cayman S anyday of the week. If Porsche didn't want to alienate their 911 buyers they could be putting the Cayman S (track) version to the test and owning. The Cayman S with the proper modifications still not available stock is to evole into the ultimate Porsche.

I suspect that a turbo Cayman would be the ultimate Porsche, but would demolish all the other lines. Has anyone released an aftermarket turbo kit yet for it?
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post #8 of 12
9/8/07 at 12:15pm
No turbo kits AFAIK, but a X51 3.8L engine transplant is done by some (doubling the Cayman's price when all is said and done):

http://www.farnbacherloles.com/

--Andre
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post #9 of 12
9/8/07 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxnharry View Post
I suspect that a turbo Cayman would be the ultimate Porsche, but would demolish all the other lines. Has anyone released an aftermarket turbo kit yet for it?

I don't think a turbo is the solution. I'd say, maybe an LSD and a slight bump in power. Keep the weight and complexity down by leaving off the turbo, but a little extra.. oomph wouldn't hurt. The LSD would aide in putting it down when it counts.

I've driven and S, and its a very capable car, but it seemed a tad bit.... sluggish. I expected something less civilized.
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post #10 of 12
9/8/07 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soph View Post


Give me a modified Cayman S anyday of the week. If Porsche didn't want to alienate their 911 buyers they could be putting the Cayman S (track) version to the test and owning. The Cayman S with the proper modifications still not available stock is to evole into the ultimate Porsche.

I'm sure there are aftermarket turbo kits, another consideration would be the Ruf version of the Cayman...as for the 911's, there is something intoxicating about the 997 GT3 RS, I would love to have one.
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post #11 of 12
9/8/07 at 2:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by briancl View Post
I don't think a turbo is the solution. I'd say, maybe an LSD and a slight bump in power. Keep the weight and complexity down by leaving off the turbo, but a little extra.. oomph wouldn't hurt. The LSD would aide in putting it down when it counts.

I've driven and S, and its a very capable car, but it seemed a tad bit.... sluggish. I expected something less civilized.
It's already a great performer, do you think a LSD would help it that much?

Did you drive it on street or track>
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post #12 of 12
9/8/07 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe View Post
It's already a great performer, do you think a LSD would help it that much?

Did you drive it on street or track>

My drive was just a test drive on the street, and I never reached any kind of limit, but if I owned one, it would spend a lot of time on a track. I could see how the lack of LSD would be limiting, especially if the car had a bit more power.
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