Modern Classic vs. Near New 911?

atx_auto

Hey there,

I'm helping a family friend try to source a convertible 911 4s and we found 2 interesting options that are wildly different from a price standpoint, but each have pros / cons.

The first is a 2006 Porsche 911 4s in deep blue (awesome color), with 5 owners but low mileage and has been well maintained and stored for winters up north. $56k

The second is a 2019 911 4s in red (a bit much IMO) with similar mileage so it's been pretty heavily driven, also from Northeast so I'm a bit concerned about possible road salt damage. ~$123k

Obviously price wise they're wildly different, but this buyer isn't totally concerned about that specifically. Any thoughts on pros cons to consider here? A bit of a weird one for me cause i'm always so price focused.

oldfarmer50

As much as I rant about what salt does to cars in the northeast I don’t think too many owners are driving Porsches in the snow. I suppose there could be some knucklehead who tries it but then you would be looking for accident damage not rust. I knew a woman once who deliberately drove her ex husband’s Corvette in the winter just to get back at him.

In any event, an inspection by someone who knows about these cars would be the first thing I’d arrange. Not just Joe’s corner garage.

explorerx4

Why a 4S as opposed to a 2WD model?

stickguy

what are they looking to do with it? a low use toy for nice summer weekends? regular driving? long trips?

and do they want all the modern features, or something that is more pure old school experience?

in any case, with any old car (and especially something like this) maintenance records and a PPI are key. At least on a Porsche (unlike say a Ferrari) miles are not necessarily a deal breaker.

for me, it would be a 3rd car/toy and I would go with the older one. And would if possible go with a 2WD model, and of course, a manual trans (probably easier to find on a 2006)

also, northeast does not always mean much. I lived in south Jersey and my cars almost never hit salt (and if they did quickly were cleaned) so at 8 years old they were still clean as a whistle underneath. Now I live upstate NY and see a ton of rotted out cars and trucks up here. In Jersey I could use something like the Porsche almost year round (more temperature dependent) but up here, it would be a winterized garage queen for 3 months of the year (maybe 4)

atx_auto

oldfarmer50 said:

I knew a woman once who deliberately drove her ex husband’s Corvette in the winter just to get back at him.

lol - brutal.

Re: AWD vs. RWD - He just generally prefers it I think. Less that he drives hard enough to notice it and more just wants it there in case.


RE; usage -

So they're both manuals. That was the one hard requirement . One that I wholeheartedly agreed with. But i believe it will be a frequent driver if not daily driven so comfort is definitely a concern.

100% agree on PPI and we're gonna get one which ever direction we go.

Intereting on the road salt stuff. I'm in Texas and only lived in sunny places so have 0 understanding of how often cars actually hit salt. I just hear 'northeast' and think uh-oh the cars gonna be all rusted.

Any good things to look for to detect salt damage other than obvious rust?

explorerx4

@atx_auto,
I'm guessing your friend is looking buy their first 911.
The 4's are a lot more complicated the RWD models.
With a manual, there's always the possibility of the 'Money Shift'.
He should test drive a few different one's first.
Due to the benevolence of a friend, I've been lucky enough to drive an 02 911 4S, 2006 911 GT3, a modified 1992 911(964) and a 1997 911 (993).

atx_auto

explorerx4 said:

@atx_auto,
I'm guessing your friend is looking buy their first 911.
The 4's are a lot more complicated the RWD models.
With a manual, there's always the possibility of the 'Money Shift'.
He should test drive a few different one's first.
Due to the benevolence of a friend, I've been lucky enough to drive an 02 911 4S, 2006 911 GT3, a modified 1992 911(964) and a 1997 911 (993).

What's the money shift?

This is actually his 3rd, and I had a '14 911 base cabriolet. all of em manual

Michaell

What's the money shift?

I'll guess that's the shift that blows up the engine.

explorerx4

Money shift? Just look it up. Bad news.

stickguy

3rd to 2nd instead of 4th would do it!

Salt? Just look underneath and see if the bolts all show corrosion instead of looking fresh.

explorerx4

This is what my friends 993 looked like when he got it. It has had a few upgrades since then.
I sent him this same link, It should make his day.
His has about twice the mileage on it.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-15/

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

This is what my friends 993 looked like when he got it. It has had a few upgrades since then.
I sent him this same link, It should make his day.
His has about twice the mileage on it.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-porsche-911-carrera-s-coupe-15/

About 8 years ago, I was talking to a guy with a 993 at cars n coffee. He had just acquired it a few months earlier for around $48K. He said, "If you want one, better get it now, because they are taking off.

Sorry to say, he was correct.

stickguy

gorgeous car. I would be afraid to buy it. especially after paying $205,000 (current bid last I looked) for it!

explorerx4

It went for 208K. My friend were following the bidding and when it was done, he said he needs to call his insurance to up his coverage.

atx_auto

Michaell said:

What's the money shift?

I'll guess that's the shift that blows up the engine.

Ahhh got it. Yea that's never ideal. But then again it's no fun driving in fear!

explorerx4 said:

It went for 208K. My friend were following the bidding and when it was done, he said he needs to call his insurance to up his coverage.

Wow that's an insane run for the 993. I'm sure he's happy with that result.

atx_auto

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I think we're going with the 2006 for now. Will hopefully be the better investment anyways.

Might be dumb but a big decision turner was also the color combo.

Black / blue ext vs.
red / white ext with a red top.

Something about the red top & red interior threw me off.

explorerx4

Congrats and that's a very nice blue.

atx_auto

explorerx4 said:

Congrats and that's a very nice blue.

Thanks! Now just have to hope the PPI goes well...