Porsche Thread: If you can't afford two, you can't afford one

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Porsche Thread: If you can't afford two, you can't afford one

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got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Sigma X posted:

My point is that, for a car that was originally in excess of $60K (sticker on mine was something like $68K with the options) I should not have problems like this. My Miata and 200SX were way more reliable. (although I will admit I had almost as many issues with the '02 M Coupe I owned, and those were major mechanical issues).

I'm probably going to sell it in the late spring or summer and get something with more seats, practicality, and hopefully a bit more excitement. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful car for going fast, but I find it almost completely boring unless I'm at 8/10ths or above.

Oh, I'll also complain about the paint. Aside from the obvious (quite bad) fading of the Speed Yellow color, it takes chips like nothing I've owned before. I guess the response could be "That's what you get for daily driving it!" but that's what a car is for, in my mind, unless it's a specialized vehicle.

I got rid of my 987.1 Cayman S at ~78,000 miles thanks to the air-oil separator failing. It was a complete sweetheart for (most) of the 65,000 miles I had it; didn't have any issues with the clutch or power steering despite putting about 35 track days on it. Did have a power steering cooler (+3rd radiator + GT3 brake ducts) installed though. I'm just surprised you had that many interior/trim problems. Mine did have a gazillion rock chips (including on the leading edge of the roof!) which I put down to the very low, wedge-like shape of the front + going off at various tracks into sand/gravel

It's been a year since I sold it and I miss it more and more

# ¿ Mar 12, 2015 04:24

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# ¿ Apr 29, 2024 13:21

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

This is how I will always remember it: passing (badly driven) GT3s all day at Buttonwillow

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# ¿ Mar 12, 2015 04:30

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

thechalkoutline posted:

One last question for the day: Is it a total waste of time to look into base Cayman's? Or should I go S or go home?

Mostly an issue because the WRX is making 300 brake so I don't want the step down to dampen the transition

Late response but the base Caymans are still worth looking at. I knew a guy who would track his all the time; it was caged and modded (r-comps and so forth) but did a good job of keeping up with higher HP cars. Anecdotally I've heard that the base engine has fewer issues than the 3.4 does at the track, although that sample size is likely a lot smaller

However, that one car was the only base Cayman I ever encountered at the track and the guy ended up putting the car on its side at Thunderhill (last turn coming on to the main straight), crumpling an a-pillar in the process. I still remember I was ordering a burger when it happened and then everybody took off running in the direction of the sound

# ¿ Mar 22, 2015 02:20

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

thechalkoutline posted:

That's a good analogy. I was referring specifically to stories I've heard of people taking a used purchase in and having upgraded IMS bearings put in before any issues occurred. I was just curious how much longer the improved bearings lasted, I assumed much longer otherwise why go through the prohibitive cost of replacing it in the first place...?

I recommend you read this if you haven't already: http://www.euroquipe.com/misc/intermediate-shaft-upgrade-retrofit-kits.php

TLDR: good things to do are frequent oil changes, high RPM driving (when the engine is warm), using oils with moly additives (e.g. Liqui Moly 5w40)

I also had my oil tested by Blackstone at every oil change

# ¿ Mar 24, 2015 04:57

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Mat_Drinks posted:

I know I have problems because I see that red interior and absolutely love how weird it is. The only thing better would be blue or an even weirder green.

It's not weird! That silver/red combo is how God (Ferry) intended Porsches to be (also mid-engined, but we'll save that for another day). See: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/img/31087/Porsche-356-1-Roadster.html

Also Yachting Blue might seem like a weird color for an interior but it works quite well in person

# ¿ Apr 12, 2016 07:41

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

thechalkoutline posted:

Yeah, my initial thought was straight up how hard it was to keep clean, and if I'd have to keep the visible part of the engine superficially clean as well... ie am I making more work for myself? So far at 2 - 1 I'm leaning in, haha.

And re: cabin engine noise, on any other car it would be a minus but you so rarely travel with passengers in P cars anyhow and it is really quiet, but then my last car had a really loud turboback swap so what do I know about refinement I suppose

I seriously considered it on my 987 but decided not to in the end. People on other forums said it changes the character of the sound - less growly and more zingy if that makes any sense. The dust thing is also apparently a real issue if you're OCD and I am rather. I went off spectacularly at Buttonwillow once and had clouds of fine dust just pouring in everywhere and had a fit about the state of mein full leather interior. Can't imagine what it would have been like with a transparent cover installed

# ¿ Mar 23, 2018 22:46

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Jymmybob posted:

Also the PDK is incredibly good and if I was DDing I'd get a PDK 911 without a second thought.

Echoing this; I test drove a 2012 C2S w PDK years back and found it drat near telepathic. Having said that, the 7-speed is a sweetheart too

# ¿ Mar 24, 2018 00:30

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

That and you'll feel a lot more feedback from bumps etc through the wheel; iirc it's because there's a good amount of caster built in. It's all part of the charm

You should absolutely make sure the power steering fluid is properly topped up nonetheless

Also I would suggest having a Porsche specialist go over the undertray for missing / damaged bits of plastic / rubber trim. By 50k my 987 needed brake ducts (we put new GT3 ones on), a couple of bits to direct air towards the transmission, a bunch of front lip trim and so on

# ¿ Apr 2, 2018 20:02

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Elephanthead posted:

This is true for every P Car though. I does seem particularly high dollar per actual enjoyment hour ratioed.

Nah I put 65K miles on my 987.1, tracked it a good bit, and paid only $16K in depreciation :3:

# ¿ Apr 7, 2019 17:30

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Rakekniven posted:

Just joined the club, picked up a 2014 base model Cayman (PDK) on Monday. Did my first autocross in it yesterday, such a fantastic car.

Congratulations! I suggest getting an alignment as soon as you can; my 987 was pretty sensitive to that. I liked max camber (1.5 degrees ish) and a bit of toe out on the fronts

# ¿ Sep 29, 2019 23:51

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

There�s this cool cam transition for the NA engines at 4500rpm where the engine takes on a metallic note and screams to redline. I have always loved that character. My friend let me drive his 991.2 and though it was capable it was missing precisely that jekyll/hyde thing and so I�ve never felt the urge to get a forced induction Porker

# ¿ Oct 6, 2019 20:56

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Rakekniven posted:

If you can live without the backseats, 997 money buys a nice 981. Yes, EPS isn't as good as the old hydraulic setup, and "it's not a 911" but it the mid-engine cars are arguably the better driving experience.

The 911 has a real distinct feeling to it that is impossible to replicate. May not be faster around a track, but sometimes it's what you crave. I have the good fortune of having friends who've let me drive theirs, which is a good way to scratch that itch when you own a 987

# ¿ May 2, 2020 16:25

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Here4DaGangBang posted:

The interior is very dated, but for exterior styling the 993 is when the 911 peaked IMO. Such a gorgeous car.

I rolled my eyes so hard when I learned you couldn't adjust the position of the 993 steering wheel. Such a ridiculous throwback of a car, but so dangerously tempting

# ¿ May 4, 2020 06:41

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Here4DaGangBang posted:

Is oil leaking into cylinders when they sit for a while a common thing on 3.4L motors at all?

Dad hadn�t started his 987.1 Cayman S for a month or so until today, and once it warmed up a bit it blew quite a lot of oil smoke. It�s never done it before, but it wouldn�t often have sat for that long since he�s owned it.

It alarmed us so we shut it down and brainstormed what the hell it might have been, and when we started it up a second time to see what happened it again started smoking a little after a couple of minutes, but fairly quickly stopped and it was normal after that.

My 987.1 S would do this occasionally as well, though the events generally seemed to occur a few days after going to the track. My AOS did eventually go, and that was a bitch and a half. May be good to have it pre-emptively replaced for peace of mind

# ¿ May 10, 2020 21:34

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

krysmopompas posted:

$0 down, 0% apr/48mo for a 2019 911 turbo & we haven�t even scratched the surface of this economic collapse.

oh nice! Can I ask whereabouts this is happening

# ¿ May 12, 2020 06:36

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

dema posted:

Was cleaning my 996 and noticed it turned 20, last month.

Here's a photo from today:

The roads were lovely.

Lapis blue? Love the color

# ¿ May 26, 2020 21:46

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Residency Evil posted:

I dunno man, my 987�s steering feels noticeably more connected, direct, and transmits road feel better than the 981.

Agreed; the difference is pretty noticeable. I'm still buying a GTS 4.0 when I get the chance though...

# ¿ May 31, 2020 07:34

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Ether Frenzy posted:

Deary me that's a sad situation.

Daily driving in SoCal means you can have the windows down every day of the year. Heated seats if it gets below 60!!

SoCal is really the best. I think I left the top down on my Solstice GXP for 6 months straight

RE I really think you'll regret selling the Spyder. I still miss my Cayman and it's been 6 years. No joke, why don't you offer the buyer some $$ to cancel?

# ¿ Jun 5, 2020 06:08

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Happy wife happy life! FWIW I was in the same spot with my husband - he did not like the Cayman at all because of the ride quality & noise

Nidhg00670000 posted:

https://www.blocket.se/annons/stockholm/porsche_924_turbo/89719911

Nice! Didn't know the 924 came with a turbo. The 924/944/968 have always been my secret car crush. You should do eeeeet...

# ¿ Jun 6, 2020 16:58

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Scionix posted:

so question, as the guy that recently purchased the 981 cayman halfway up the page.

I don't like the wheels, and am planning on getting rid of them when I change the tires. I would prefer a 19" oem wheel in the normal light grey color. Where do you even go to try and get a OEM porsche wheel? Could I hit up the dealer and be like "hey I have a set of 20" carrera wheels in black, will you swap me for a 19 inch set?" Is that hilariously naive?

e: on the last page now

after bending two 19" wheels in two months I went to my independent Porsche shop and they sold me a full set of 18" OEMs off a 911 (with spacers to make the rears fit) for less than a grand (and they took my old wheels). Not pristine but I was tracking the car and didn't care. This was Socal, the land of aftermarket wheels, so ymmv

# ¿ Jun 9, 2020 19:23

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Scionix posted:

I'm kind of an anti-social weirdo so I like to drive in my confined little box with the engine noise to keep me company. Same thing with music, actually, I love a lot of different stuff but don't really like going to live shows.

Also, please rate my taste in new wheels (19"):

I love convertibles - used to commute down the 280 in the Bay Area with the top down rain or shine - but have reluctantly given them up

As to the wheels 8/10 I think you did pretty well but for me the best OEM wheel is the one that came with the R/Spyder

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# ¿ Jun 12, 2020 05:25

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Renting a 987 Boxster exactly like this (except it had a tip lol) was what got me into Porsches in the first place. Enjoy in good health :mrgw:

# ¿ Jun 23, 2020 02:33

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:

solution: buy the car in some lovely porsche nerd high resale color like BLACK or SILVER (gently caress those boring assholes) and wrap it

Do wraps screw up the paint when you remove them?

# ¿ Jun 27, 2020 16:58

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

The 992 is so underwhelming. I didn't expect it to be this bad.

Having driven every (sub)generation of the 911 since the 993, I'd certainly expected it to be a bit bigger, a bit plusher, and a bit more disconnected from the raw driving experience. However, even the 991.2 with the turbos had a soul - a gloriously direct character that made it and prior generations a real hoot to drive. I remember running through the 7 gears in a friend's 991.2 S and loving the feel of the turbos and wanting so desperately to own a Porsche again.

No such merriment in the new 992. It feels like a parody of itself. Heavy control inputs that attempt to convey a sense of the Teutonic, while smothering the life out of your driving experience. A chassis that feels really planted and even a little harsh, to give you that sporty sensation, but without that telepathic feel for the road the older generations convey. Highly capable, to be sure, but dull and lifeless. Kind of the way BMW is today.

The interior looks great in pictures but is full of irritations. Annoying piano black plastic on the door switches and cheap-rear end gray plastic across the dash, a far cry from even the alu-look plastic in the 997. Nice in pictures and crap in practice. Shift lever reused from the Taycan, sticking out of the center console instead of next to the wheel where it belongs. Essential controls hidden away in the infotainment.

None of the above is a disqualifier in itself, but it all adds up to a whole that is strangely diminished from the heights of the previous generations. It's like as they've "improved" it over time they've crossed an invisible line and lost something.

So I walked into the showroom intending to place an order for a Lizard Green 992S, and walked out feeling awfully unsure of myself. And I'm someone that's lived the last 6 years dreaming about the day I would come back to the Porsche fold.

So then I walked into an Audi dealership and test drove the TT RS on a lark. For all the objective ways in which it might be measurably inferior to the 992, it did something that the Porsche could never do, which is make me laugh like a madman while flooring it on an onramp and listening to the sweetest gearchanges I've heard in a while. It feels like it's got a soul. So tomorrow I'm putting a deposit down and ordering one of the last cars of its kind. Thank god for Kyalami Green, and goodbye to my Porsche dream.

(It's not fully dead; maybe one day I'll buy myself a 997.2 GT3 RS)

# ¿ Jul 3, 2020 07:44

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Niacin posted:

Hot take: ever since hearing the phrase 'Panamera Coupe', I just can't with the 991 or the 992. They're too big.

Good one! It's a mystery to me how despite that the backseat remains as cramped ever

# ¿ Jul 3, 2020 23:22

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Bajaha posted:

That's a really nice spec with that steering wheel and the hard back seats with the added bolstering.

Post more pics but that looks to be a huge winner.

Agreed, the adaptive seats are definitely a cut above the regular. Nice score!

# ¿ Jul 4, 2020 20:32

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Sipher posted:

I've had a mid-engined, rwd hole in my heart for a while. I was seriously contemplating an MR2 v6 swap but the prices on even crappy donor cars are through the roof at this point.

So I fell down a Boxster rabbit hole. I haven't got any experience with Porsche outside driving my friends horrible 98 Boxster. Top down, swapbar and suspension banging around, with a big grin on my face I was sold even by that terrible example.

This: https://sp.pooleauto.com/details/used-2006-porsche-boxster/64175932 is about 90 minutes from me. Am I insane for buying a 90k miles Porsche? The price is on the low end of KBB, seems like a decent deal. I've researched common issues as much as I can, anything y'all with more intimate knowledge can warn me to look out for?

Not insane. This has pasm which is nice, and xenons and auto climate control. Check for sticky buttons on climate control and infotainment. Make sure frequent-ish oil changes done

# ¿ Jul 10, 2020 21:29

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Also yes I had 2 water pump replacements in 75k miles and yes you should get a DME report for over revs. Range 1 and 2 are ok, 3 and up are not

# ¿ Jul 10, 2020 21:31

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Mahatma-Squid posted:

How do the earlier Boxsters rate as a fun roadtripping holiday car for 2 people? Would you happily take one on a two week driving holiday for instance, or are they a bit too harsh and noisy to spend hours driving in repeatedly? I'm considering trying to find a well sorted later 986 or 987.1, probably an S, but maybe I would be better off saving some cash on a base model since they are apparently also a little bit softer riding? Did the 987s come with any really big improvements over the later 986s?

Having PASM and smaller wheels really makes a difference to the ride. I had PASM and downgraded the wheels from 19" to 18" and was very happy to have done so. It took the ride from borderline to decently comfortable for long distances. Would recommend trying out the seats because imo they're not for everyone

# ¿ Jul 11, 2020 00:19

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

willroc7 posted:

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/d/butler-porsche-911-carrera-cab-manual/7140842607.html

goon thoughts on this one?

at that interior and the base 987 Boxster wheels but mechanically the 1999 is a good year to get. If it's been maintained regularly and driven like a Porsche (i.e. seen high revs regularly) it should be a decent buy as long as you can get past the cosmetic issues

Sipher posted:

Test drove that 2006, but I'm gonna pass. Zero service history and while they're willing to let me take to get a PPI, ehhhh. Big puff of smoke on startup, rest of the car seemed in decent enough condition but that worn out base interior just sort of made me sad, I'd rather spend a few more bucks on something nicer optioned or better condition.

The full leather really makes a difference, but it's uncommon. Fastest way to tell IMO is look for the seam on both sides of the center console, when looking at the center console straight on from the front

# ¿ Jul 12, 2020 02:49

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Sipher posted:

Fastest way to tell what?

Whether the car has full leather

# ¿ Jul 12, 2020 15:53

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Scionix posted:

Rate my taste in wrap color

Wow that is really pretty indeed

# ¿ Jul 15, 2020 06:21

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

The reflection from the dash may annoy you over time, esp since you live in a sunny place. That's the one regret I had about black/beige

# ¿ Jul 15, 2020 17:52

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

blk posted:

I had someone take a second look at it today and cam deviation is way out of spec on one side, but they think some dealer monkey might�ve misaligned the chain when the IMS was done 3000 miles ago - going to keep an eye on it, as long as it doesn�t get worse I should be fine. If not, well, I better not get attached to the car.

Totally betraying my ignorance here, but what about fixing it given the ridiculous cost of a new engine? How much are we talking about

# ¿ Jul 16, 2020 15:47

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

PDK was an upcharge. Putting aside the color, the 997.2 is comparatively rare and combines a modern powertrain (2nd year of PDK + 9A1 engine so no more IMS or oiling issues at the track) with more classic proportions

IMO the dividing line between the 911's slow transformation from sports car to GT is right there between the 997 and 991 generations. The 2009-2012 cars ought to hold their value well as the last of the 997

All of which is a long winded way of saying, I think the price is fair if the color floats your boat

# ¿ Jul 26, 2020 16:43

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

willroc7 posted:

Anyone have a link to a VIN decoder that will spit out an options sheet? The seller of that red cab I posted a ways back says there is no options sticker under the hood.

https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/VIN.html

I used this service in 2010 hope it still works

# ¿ Aug 1, 2020 19:06

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

mobby_6kl posted:

OTOH:
Don't have an automatic Cayman

At least it's a non-S

e: honestly the Tip is fine if you're just looking to have a bit of casual fun :dadjoke:

got off on a technicality fucked around with this message at 01:55 on Aug 4, 2020

# ¿ Aug 4, 2020 01:49

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Welcome to the order of Uusikaupunki

# ¿ Aug 14, 2020 04:12

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Residency Evil posted:

Going to check this car out on Saturday! Anything to look out for in particular on a 996? If I do end up buying it, I'll obviously get a real PPI beforehand.

981 Cayman S -> 987 Spyder -> 996 Turbo?

Apart from the obvious coolant line thing, I have read here and there about 2nd-gear pop-out on abused gearboxes. Doubt that's the case on this one but it may be worth testing yourself, esp when the car is cold

# ¿ Aug 19, 2020 05:34

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# ¿ Apr 29, 2024 13:21

got off on a technicality: Feb 7, 2007; oh dear

Motronic posted:

If someone else is that thirsty you're not gonna be able to buy that car right.

It sucks, but it is what is is unless you want to spend way too much.

To be fair, if I was going to risk buying a Porsche without PPI, it would be a 993 that's obviously been babied the way this one has. 996 and 997.1 heck no

# ¿ Aug 26, 2020 01:50

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Porsche Thread: If you can't afford two, you can't afford one

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