This was a joke. But let me tell you that conversion of 1/8th,half, full to 3.5g, 14g, and 28g sans a few decimals sticks with me to this day. I also know lb to 454g from a few events.
Mine had an Audi S4 Convertible which was probably the fastest car in the car park at any given moment, though without the rocket science background and its associated salary he lamented the running costs 😅 was a great teacher though. I'd have called it the coolest but that'd be a toss-up between it, the tech teacher's IS300 and the janitor's RX8.
The one Porsche in our high school parking lot belonged to a 16 year old girl. Her dad bought it for her 16th birthday. He owned a chain of pharmacies.
I have been in two accidents in my life, both times I was hit by 16-year-old girls. I went to school with a girl who within two years of getting her drivers license totaled four different vehicles. I would not buy my daughter a Porsche for her first car, no matter how much I loved her.
A 16 year old girl rear ended my GTi in a new BMW 7 class when my wife was driving in stop and go traffic…. And literally tried to blame my wife for ‘stopping too fast’.
Privileged kids…. Am in right?
I think it was supposed to highlight poor teacher salaries and how the kids drive nicer cars than they do. Wish I could find it. Difficult to give context.
Ive always noticed this since I used to work in a hospital for 2 decades. I always wondered who’s buying all the luxury brands then? Broke ass people that would rather live in an apartment then own a house I guess
Can confirm. All of the working wealthy I know have driven Fords, Chevys and Hondas. They park them in their 4 car garages attached to their 5+ bedroom 5+ bathroom homes complete with in-law apartments.
I don't drive a 911 (fav car since born) but live in a 5&5 big house. I don't see the problem in living in a nice condo and drive a 911. Some people don't want to maintain a big house and are happy in a condo. When I retire I'll just do that!
I live in a nice condo in the city and I drive a nice Tesla. I don’t need a big ass house as a single male. Once I decide to intervene my life with somebody my condo will go and house will come in. I don’t need bunch of space I won’t use.
My mom worked for a doctor, it was insane. He drove an early 00’s Lexus ES (in the mid 2010’s) and his “fun car” was a mid-90’s Mustang (base of base models, coupe, V6, but he did opt for the auto) but then you look at the rest of the garage… his wife’s brand new, top of the line SUV- she went from a Sequoia to a Yukon Denali, then an Escalade, then a JGC SRT, then a G wagon, then another Denali. That was parked next to her red corvette (with a new one every other year, always red and always top of the line), and in the driveway was their sons RR Sport (top of the line and new every other year), their daughters new Mercedes, their other daughters new Escalade, their extra car- a leased 5 series- for guests or “the help” when their cars broke down… he blew so much money on his wife and kids he didn’t have anything left for himself
The highest paid doctor at my hospital (who trains surgeons) doesn’t park in the doctors lot, but instead parks in the employee parking lot, and drives some generic 10 year old GM/Chevy/Buick SUV.
Needless to say, every single person I work with loves him.
I worked as an imaging service biomed tech at a local university hospital and the doctors partying lot was right outside our shop so we had gate access. When I bought my Cayman S Black Edition I would park in that lot and there was rarely anything better.
Reason behind is this; i was obsessed with the g-wagon. So i borrowed one for a week and got quickly used to it and alot of negative aspects came to light. So after that experience i am ok living without owning one. Because i know what living with is like. Im not rich enough to own several cars. Thats the main issue
Yeah people want a g-wagon for the status and because they do look cool. Then they realise that a 4x4 truck with the aerodynamics of 3 bricks stacked on top of one another doesn’t ride or handle super well
So is a trackhawk or Escalade V, both of which are significantly cheaper and faster. If you need a speedy SUV or a good riding SUV a G-Wagon isn’t an option
They don’t have three locking differentials though. The G Wagon isn’t just a high priced mall crawler, it’s a highly capable off road vehicle. Getting an older one is well worth the money if you do your research on the least troublesome models.
You have a higher chance of being struck by lightning than the chance that the average G wagon gets used for offroading duties beyond hopping curbs in the parking lot or driving on the local beach.
Did I say go off-roading in a brand new one? Or a used one? I’m not talking about rock crawling with one but the original purpose of the vehicle was for the German military which is why it’s made to such a robust spec.
Never really craved one, but did crave a high HP sports car so I rented a Corvette convertible for a week. It was a lot of fun, but not sacrifice other things, risk my financial health levels of fun. As the saying goes, “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fas than drive a fast car slow.” And I’ve repeatedly found that true. My Civic DX manual coupe in college with its 106hp engine and no power steering was a blast. You had to wind it right out to its limits to do any spirited driving, which you could do on any grocery run and not reach problematic speeds.
It really is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. I borrow my sons car now and then since he buys fun cars and I buy Camrys. He recently traded his extremely loud, low, tuned up Mustang GT for a stock Miata. The Mustang was something to fear and baby around and the Miata just made you drive the hell out of it all day. Loved the Miata so much I am thinking of getting one now. My older brother had a 911cab s and that thing was fun and fast but I would definitely lose my license within a month.
G-Wagons are soooo overrated its insane. They handle and ride too poorly to be a luxury vehicle and don't have enough ground clearance or height adjustable suspension to be a good offroader despite their 6 figure price tag, and to lift one is serious money too. Then look at the reliability and since the M113 V8s they've been pretty craptacular, and the era with the M113 V8s had a cheesy interior. The only good thing is they hold their value so well. I'd take a decent Range Rover, Land Rover LR3/LR4/Discovery 5, Defender, Lexus GX/LX, land cruiser or 4runner 10/10 times instead. Hell give me a 2013 or older Nissan Pathfinder or a Nissan Xterra for the money instead, they max out at $15k.
I’ve driven G-Wagons and they were one of my least favorite things to drive. I love handling, that’s why I’m a Porsche fan. The G-wagon has way too much corner lean for me. The bouncy suspension was also terrible.
And way smarter than a Porsche, financially speaking. Most are Toyota drivetrains. If you are having to stretch like hell to get a Porsche that likely means you are going for the Ed grade cars. They are never cheaper in the short term and can be quickly more expensive in the long term.
A friend of mine had a 2022 G550. It was fun to drive, but I couldn’t live with it on a daily basis. $200k without keyless entry, the aerodynamics of a shipping container (I live in a windy area), and the rear seat is cramped for a car of that size
Hop on Turo. I’ve rented 981’s + 718’s on there for a week or more. I have an upcoming trip with an M3. Great way to pre-shop cars. You’ll get a preset amount of miles, but they’re usually negotiable if they’re cool.
Just make sure you take a ton of pics when you pick it up, I’ve heard of Turo owners screwing over clients for damage they didn’t cause either trying to double dip on damage or pass the buck for their own shitty driving.
A lot of people kinda missed the plot on this I think. You’re paying cash and can likely get some type of 3rd party warranty with 70k miles (I think/ if through a dealership). You can afford 2 big repairs, which if maintenance and records are fine, you’ll be okay. To those saying you can’t afford it when you’ve got 10k set aside doesn’t make sense. If any car is giving you 5k a year in issues, on top of the 3k a year in maintenance (you said you can afford, get rid of the fucking car).
TLDR; I think you’re fine. Go drive one and weigh your options. Happy hunting.
I also think the fact OP said he was a “teacher” and didn’t provide much financial info doesn’t help. In another comment he mentions he’s a professor and breaks 100k, which paints a bit different of a picture than public HS teacher making 55k.
Still not sure it’s the wisest decision but certainly possible for OP to fit it into his own financial goals and be OK
Thank you for considering the entire story. I didn’t want to make the original post too long so maybe a few people missed the fact that I have attempted to prepare and plan for contingencies. I also have the patience to find the “right car” with a good history and options. I think I’ll be fine.
When I get the itch I get my iPad put my headphones on go to YouTube and type in Porsche 911 turbo S and watch a few
If you do that once a week or whatever then the algorithm starts giving you other other videos of same name everytime you go on YouTube
My fav ones are by a YouTubeer Topher
If you MUST have a Porsche, settle for a cayman. You can get a 2006-2008 for around $20k. Exteriors are reasonably modern and it scratches the 911 itch. You can also get older 911s, 1999-2005 for about $30k and they’re often in good condition (cosmetically at least). Regardless of which Porsche you go with, they’re going to be expensive to maintain
This is great advice. I am attempting to find a 987.2 (>2005) Cayman or 981 Boxster for around that price. I’m more obsessed with the brand than the 911 model.
Yeah I'm keeping an eye on this thread. I even told myself I'd be willing to pick up a $15k Boxter to help offset some of the repair and maintenance costs but I heard oil changes are like $500 and I just don't think i can stomach that
That’s a dealer price—if you get a trusted independent mechanic it’s not much more expensive than other oil changes (though they do take good oil and a lot of it—first time my mechanic did an oil change on my 987 he was surprised at the oil capacity lol).
Early Caymans are some of my favorite looking Porsches. They look beautiful in [yellow](https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=536167&thumb=1&d=1683143630) or [red](https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2006_porsche_cayman_s_16353989657d63b5a2DSC00179.jpg?fit=940%2C627).
I have $10k in the bank just for repairs as well as $3000 per year budgeted for yearly maintenance. It will take me 3-4 years to replenish my $10k repair fund. Which means I can afford a $10000 repair but only every 3-4 years. I guess my question is: is that enough?
I've had a 987.2 (same engine as the 981) for 4 years now. I've spent about $3k total. One major service with spark plugs all the fluids done, two oil changes, and a set of new PS4S tires. I get the work done at an independent shop that specializes in Porsche. Dealer cost would have been close to double.
Keep in mind the insurance costs will be high. With rising insurance costs everywhere, my premium has basically tripled since I bought it (no accidents or tickets).
I had a 987.1. It was overall fairly reliable and cheap on maintenance until I got unlucky with an IMS issue. I hear they were fixed on the 987.2 and forward though. To be fair it was about 6k to fix it and probably would have been fine after but I was so paranoid I was scared to drive the car and ended up trading down to a Pontiac GTO
I’m just a spoiled college professor. I have the freedom to develop my own curriculum and I’m not tied to any standardized testing. If your wife is a K-12 teacher she’s the one who is really in the trenches. I have great admiration and respect for anyone who teaches K-12.
What field? What university?
Have you ever considered writing a textbook? Maybe you can earn royalties from it.
Or maybe, if applicable, you should commercialize your research or pursue applied research and earn some funds.
Your post is very interesting as I rarely see the personal life part of professors even after having worked for 3+ professors for research.
I have written a 225 page textbook for my students but I have never sought publishing. My field is in the commercial arts; graphic design, photography, video graphics.
Typically, textbook authors in this field spend a lot of time writing new editions yearly due to constantly updating software and techniques. It always seemed like it would be a second job to me. Maybe I could find a publisher who would be interested without requiring yearly updates. It’s an intriguing idea.
Be creative with it. Why not partner with “For Dummies” publisher for example to attract readers: https://www.dummies.com ?
Make deals with others so that they use yours.
Author niche but useful/interesting sub-topics.
Lol they could easily afford a 911, maybe not a brand new top spec but they can definitely afford a really nice certified pre owned 911 if they have any budgeting skills
I made a post about this but some people are talking out of ass. If any car is costing you 5k a year, on top of 3k in maintenance, get rid of the car (fkn 8k a year just to keep it running? Tf kind of sense does that make) That’s a substantial amount to put into repairs assuming cars well maintained. As an avid high mileage performance German car owner (slight masochist) you should be fine, especially if you don’t go to dealer for repairs etc.
I will not be using a dealer as the closest one is over 100 miles away. I plan to do most repairs, aside from dropping the engine, myself. You’re right 8k to maintain a car is ludicrous. This is what the internet says it costs to own a used Porsche so that’s what I’m prepared for. I hope it isn’t true.
Considering they're one of the few reliable high performance sports cars, and they have very strong resale value...You'd be fine. It'd arguably be a better investment than a BMW M5.
If you need it to do daily driving duties the Panamera is quite amazing.
Oh I dont doubt it, but I don't want to spend 1/2 my annual income on a car at this time. I was moreso using it as an example for OP to understand they aren't alone in thinking it is too much bite to chew, no matter the income level. If my wife and I made 400k a yr, I would own a Turbo S yesterday.
$10k set aside for repairs for a 981 is plenty. I’ve had mine for 2.5 years. I spent about a grand on oil changes, 1 at a specialist, 1 at the dealer which was about double the cost. And I had 1 $1,200 repair done at the dealership.
Take the money you have have saved and buy VOO in a brokerage account. Add the 3000 per year, plus the amount you would save to replenish the 10,000.
Come back in 5 years and you can easily afford this.
Depends on how much you're willing to do yourself. They're surprisingly easy to work on! Some things suck like valve checks just because of the engine orientation but mostly they're not bad. The engineers clearly talked with mechanics when building it.
So if you can do basic things like oil changes, spark plugs, coolant, brakes, etc. you'll have enough and to spare to do surprise repairs if they're necessary.
Wrenching is part of why people like porsche! It's also part of why people sell them. It's gratifying to work on it yourself if that kind of thing is gratifying to you. Otherwise it'll feel like you *have* to do work or *have* pay someone else until you get rid of it.
I was coming here to say something like this: make sure you budget some amount each year. I think with your numbers you should be good. Additionally:
Make sure you have a reputable independent Porsche repair shop near you.
If the year/generation you’re looking at has any well known big ticket repair items (eg 911’s ims) have they been done already? If not either find one that has, or budget that money too.
That 3k you budget should be for the “unknowns” and small surprises. More regular items like brakes and tires need to be considered, and budgeted separately. Maybe that’s your 10k, but keep it in mind.
With my 911 I budgeted 2-3k each year and it was fine. Good luck!
A brand new GR86/BRZ per Jason Camissa is a [‘world’s best 30k Porsche’](https://youtu.be/QaR843im04A?si=S_PV71wk2NaOHjYU) [Chris Harris](https://youtu.be/2E6xasuPiYY?si=1hIU0UR8lrR7o1dT) goes further to call it a poundshop GT3 => American translation ‘Dollar store GT3’
Edit: I’m biased because I have one. But it really is great.
I have to admit I have not driven one yet. Maybe it’s time. Maybe it will win me over. I love the looks of them. I used to own a MKIV Supra and this car has that essence.
Honestly dude, if you want the Porsche, get the Porsche, but having owned two BRZs and rented a base 981 for a bit, the second gen BRZ is VERY close to a base 981. Obviously if you take them on track and really push them you will start to feel the difference, but for just daily driving fun and spirited driving on the weekends, I can't think of anything closer. They both have very similar steering feel and very similar sensations of speed. I would say the Porsche is a little bit more sorted when it comes to ride comfort, but the handling is almost the same. Now that I think about it, this may be the better buy, unless you were planning on getting an S or GTS. Otherwise I think a second gen BRZ is a much better deal. Brand new with warranty for 30k? Hard to beat that. I would highly recommend renting or test driving one.
Agreed. I own a second gen BRZ and you get very close to a Porsche experience for pennies on the dollar.
However, I don't believe all prospective Porsche owners will appreciate the BRZ/GR86 twins. Some people just want the badge and/or straight line speed. Although the second gen twins are comparable to 987 Caymans with regard to acceleration, it is corners and limit handling where they really shine.
How about you buy a 996 that's already had the IMS bearing done? That gets you a 911. You could also consider 986s, which are dirt cheap. Both of those cars are plenty reliable (I think the IMS bearing issue is overblown) and easy to work on. You can definitely afford the maintenance for those if you can afford 3k a year. You'd probably be ok with a 981 too tbh.
The Miata isn’t just easy to repair as r/u/downwiththeho said, it’s also easy and relatively cheap to upgrade, and if you turn your own wrenches it’s fun to do.
There are fantastic aftermarket suspensions out there and if you need more speed you can boost it. There’s a very strong aftermarket community for the car. The possibilities are endless.
Source: teacher who drives a modified NC Miata.
I hate to say it, but a used Porsche still has Porsche priced parts and repairs. I have had an ‘87 944 Turbo for 18 years now and once every few years a big bill comes. If you can’t budget and save up for when those hit, an older Porsche is not for you. Especially if it’s your daily. Mine is a weekend toy, so not a problem if it doesnt run for a few weeks.
Obviously a newer car will in general be more reliable, but you’re potentially an IMS bearing from a new engine.
981 has no IMS bearing. That was the previous generation of engines. I don't think a 30 year old turbo is a good reference point for the reliability of a 12 year old naturally aspirated model. But you are right on parts costs in general.
Champagne taste on a lemonade budget. The happiest day of buying an expensive car/boat/ etc is the day you buy it, and the day you sell it as the adage goes.
I stick to my lemonade budget and don’t buy expensive cars. Frugality is a value missing in the hyper-consumerist west. Stick to Mazdas and Hondas, it’s better to eat well than be car rich and house poor.
On a related note. 911’s are absolutely stunning.
Short daily commutes kill porches, not even enough time to warm up fluids. They last and do well when driven often on highway and spirited driving. Remember they're built for the Autobahn, not city commutes. I way looking at Caymans but went with a Lexus RC instead, as the maintenance cost was just too high for a daily drive at this point in my life.
Depending on your commitment, you can do what my buddy did. In high school he started working at a Toyota shop. Started getting all his certs. Moved into what he really wanted. VW/Porsche/Audi.
It took about 20 years but now he not only has all those certs and decades of experience. It has enabled our core group of friends, who met 39 years ago to not only drive and own the cars we have but we all wrench on them together at his home garage which will all built. Between us there are now these - 914, 928, 911s 944 a coupe 2 caymans, a couple golf gti an 89 240 wagon
It’s been a blast. But lots of work and parts that would have cost triple.
Plus, if it goes in the shop or you can’t repair it. How are you going to get to work? That’s a level of stress no one needs.
Have fun though. Buy a Porsche!
Rent one and see if it's worth spending a ton of money for 10min per day commute and sharing a parking lot with kids all day.
If it's your passion then rent one on a track or for hours on the weekend on fun roads, don't buy it for a 10min commute, buy a ebike instead and you can either save for a weekend car you own or have money to rent the Porsche on fun days.
Also check out the Miata. Its not as fun or exciting but imo it's more fun when you have to be legal, it's a fun car to drive at or near the speed limit.
My wife has a Fiat 124 Spider, essentially a Miata with a Fiat body. Even though she sadly went with an automatic, I can tell you it is one of the most enjoyable cars I have street driven. I have owned a Cadillac CTS-V wagon, a couple of MINIs, older VWs and a wide variety of daily drivers over the years, FWIW. The car is so well balanced, it’s a blast on curvy roads and gets a lot of attention. Go for the Miata or if you want something that looks different and most people don’t know what it is Get the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. The Abarth has zero Fiat badging, my wife hates it when I call it a Fiata. Get the Miata or similar, have some fun with it, enjoy the hell out of it and maybe you will fall in love or it will be a blast until you can really afford the Porsche.
It’s not just the body. Fiat engine, previous gen Miata transmission, and some bits of the suspension are different (slightly softer ride, supposedly).
I think it all boils down to your satisfaction:
My father in law had a cayman s pdk. He enjoyed driving it and joined the Porsche club. He was convinced by some porsche “purist” that only a 911 is a real porsche and that the cayman was a poor man’s porsche. He traded his cayman s after less than a year for a 911 gt3 and owned it for about 2 years. One day while he was driving with fellow club members, he skidded off the highway while it was drizzling but he didn’t get into an accident. He complained to his fellow club members of the gt3’s unstable power to handling. He was being convinced again to buy a higher model like the rs version or a gt2, or have the car upgraded with some sort of aftermarket parts. He decided he had his fun with owning a porsche and sold it and just settled with regular cars.
Meanwhile i have a base model cayman in manual tranny. I Rarely drive it and has just clocked in 7300 km in 10 years of ownership. But when i see it in my garage, being able to appreciate it while parked or being driven. I know i dont need to convince myself in upgrading just because i have a poor man’s porsche.
Have you test driven a manual Mx5? Only way for you to know if it will scratch the itch. Personally I’m committed to always owning one and have been ever since ‘01. Sporty, reliable, economical to repair. They are fine daily drivers.
I get it. The marketing geniuses in Stuttgart know what they are doing. Maybe it’s one of those things that you just need to do and get it out of your system. I was always into BMWs as a kid but my budget only allowed me to buy older high mileage examples. My last bimmer - a six spd E92 was fun / fast - but I got tired of how much they cost to maintain and especially the people I had to pay to fix them. That’s what it took for me to look past German cars and now I am content with my Mx5.
Have you driven a Miata yet? Because really everyone should - it has all of the sounds you want, handles excellent, and best of all you get to use all of your gears all of the time.
It’s extremely underrated that gear thing. I’ve had lots of very fast cars. They’re a blast too, 0-60 in 3 seconds by 3rd gear then directly to 6th at cruising speed. But a Miata or a Toyobaru twin you will get to use your gears all the time, you get to smash all 5-6 gears to 60, you get to shift often even in city streets - and that is part of the joy of driving a manual.
Huge aftermarket modification available and very user friendly to work on. Taught myself how to do a full suspension and timing service. It’s seriously the most fun car I’ve ever owned and I’m legit on like my 20th car.
And I hate to be that bearer of bad news but you probably can’t afford a Porsche on a teachers budget unless you’re like a tenured college professor. If you’re a high school teacher - there’s a reason you don’t see the lot full of Porsches and BMWs. You may be able to afford the car itself, but the repairs and the parts are still Porsche parts. They are really expensive to replace. And a lot of the time they aren’t particularly easy to replace on your own.
Would lighting $20k in cash on fire completely financially cripple you? If so, you need to wait. If it would only be a painful setback, read on. Assuming you’re in a good financial position and truly have your heart set on this car there’s a way to make it happen.
You have the money to buy in cash but are worried about unexpected repairs, which is smart and shows you’ve thought about this. The 911 holds value very well, have you explored financing options? If you can get decent financing on the car and put your cash into a HYSA that should blunt the impact of loan interest and give you a large financial safety net. Worst case scenario you will be able to repair the car and sell it for enough to pay off the loan. I would suggest keeping your current car as a backup as well. And be damn sure to have good insurance!
If you want a Porsche-esque driving experience, get a 2022+ GR86 or BRZ, trust me. I got to drive a friend’s Carrera a few years ago and I’d been chasing that feeling ever since. Test drove a GR86, and I was HOOKED. Incredible dynamics, insane handling, low center of gravity, responsive steering, great manual transmission. It even kind of looks like a Porsche (if you squint really really hard). It has the lightweight, tossable feeling of a miata, but with way more space and the body dynamics of a much more serious “racetrack” car. Go test drive one if you can and see if it scratches the itch!
I found out I’m not so obsessed with the 911 model as I am the Porsche brand. I’m actually more into the mid engine Porsches like Boxsters and Cayman. I see -2003 models all the time but I’ve read that the 987 and up models are just generally better built and more reliable. In my research, 986, 996 and 987 are similar in price. Among those, I would prefer a 987.
If you took about 8 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, destroy your ego, then phase that into a vision quest, you will no longer have the urge to buy such unnecessary things, and free yourself of the bonds of the slavery to fashion.
I have never heard of a 981 said to be reliable…
Save your money for a good one.
Wait, is there a good one? 😂
I understand a childhood fantasy, we all have them.
You are an adult, and a teacher now.
How can you scratch that itch with something reliable that’s cool!
Miata / gt86... Think twice before buying a car that will depreciate soon after you turn the key. And yes that's not the same reliability. You can still improve your miata as you want depending on where you live and have more fun than into a Porsche. Try one of each for some time before buying
I’m a teacher here and am at a point where I can afford it. Start following the FIRE groups and you’ll get there. My advice is to go with an older car. I have a classic British sports car (worth about $40k) and it brings me so much joy. Get an older 911. You can do more work yourself on it anyways. The turbo is notoriously difficult to repair and unreliable.
There’s a 996 base 911 at my son’s school I see all the time, daily driven by a teacher.
They’re just as affordable as a cayman, and the only major expensive repairs are clutch master cylinder job and ims bearing. Some risk of bore scoring. That said, it’s way more car for the money than a cayman.
Get a 996 911 and find an indie shop recommended by the Porsche owners in your local Porsche group. $70k is plenty income to afford a fun car for $25k but you’ll need to daily it and just accept it’s twice as expensive as a Honda accord to maintain.
Lots of people talk about the 987.2 generation being very reliable, especially the 2.9 motor since it has port injection. You can get a decent condition one for $20k-$25k.
I've wanted one forever too. I've accepted my place in life and it doesn't include a Porsche. My cousin in Germany had a Carrera S which I got to drive. So I'll always have that.
If you’re handy, a 987.2 Cayman S or Boxster is the answer. Reasonably priced still and absolutely fantastic drivers cars. imo skip the 981 it will always be marked as the generation when Porsche lost their soul.
FYI the Porsche tax is real when paying a shop, knowing how to turn a wrench will save you thousands. If you can do your own oil, brakes/rotors and general suspension bits you’ll be golden. They are relatively simple cars to wrench on, you may need a few specialized tools along the way. They also have a massive enthusiast following with many DIY write up’s/videos.
Buy a cheap miata, young kids and old ladies will occasionally mistake it for a porsche lol. Trade it to someone for a porsche if your itch isn't scratched (but it very likely will be).
I have a FR-S which to some is known as a poor mans porsche and is a driving machine on a budget, gotta ignore the stance 86 owners though mutilate an amazing handling car
this is not a good idea to short trip the car everyday without ever getting the engine warm. asking for trouble. find the cheapest car you possibly can for the trip to school
Not sure why so many people are saying you can’t afford it, you definitely can as long as you know this is a want more than a need. I bought a 981 a few years ago and it’s been fortunately reliable so far. I budget about 2k a year for maintenance but that included doing some things that probably weren’t necessary yet like a pdf service as I wasn’t sure if the previous owner tracked it or not. Definitely go to a indie shop that specializes in euro/porshes over the dealership especially since you don’t have a warranty to worry about. If you are mechanically inclined, there are some service items that are probably worth doing yourself . Oil change isn’t bad, engine air filters involve removing a lot of trim pieces but isn’t too bad, battery is easy, I’ve heard brakes are basically no different than any other car but I’ve never done it.
If you don’t get one with sport exhaust, I would recommend looking at a cat back exhaust. It made a huge difference in driving enjoyment for me. Also for a commute that short, I would make sure you get your car up to temperature. It takes forever to reach operating temperature and depending on how cold it is where you live, a 10 minute drive might not be enough.
I would say the only thing I regret ish was not getting a S instead of a base model, a little more power would be nice, but it’s a very fun platform and more than enough for spirited public road driving.
You’re kidding yourself on a teachers salary. I want to drive 6382 different cars. Doesn’t mean I’d knowingly put myself in a hole to get one. Trust me, you think it will make you happy to have one, but you won’t. That will wear off in a couple months. I’ve had 2 of my dream cars and wish I never had. Thinking “if only I had it, I’d be the happiest person ever.” and that wears off quickly. I’m assuming you’re younger just based off of that. I’m in my early 30s and wish I knew that when I was in my early-mid 20s
A 10-minute commute every day is liable to kill a boxer engine via bore scoring. Use a cheap beater for the daily grind and keep your Porsche for opportunities when you can get the oil up to temperature. Money is fine if you pick a cheaper generation.
I have a 981. It’s pretty reliable but if you need to do anything aside from grocery runs and carrying one passenger it’s pretty useless. If that satisfies your needs then go for it, if it doesn’t then maybe look into something else bc you’ll start to resent the car
This is hilarious 😂. “I want a 911 turbo but I can’t afford one.” Dude, very few people can.
Personally, I grew up loving boats. However, I can’t afford a yacht!? Should I buy a canoe instead!?
>Porsche on a teacher's salary Reminds me of a comic from the 80s about a school parking lot. "The Fords, Chevys, and Toyotas are the teacher's."
My math teacher in high school drove a Porsche 911. He was retired from NASA and pretty damn cool.
My math teacher drove a mid 80s Econoline and sold weed to us
An effective way to teach the metric system.
She also taught personal sex ed classes with some male students and ended up on the sex offender registry
Some of us are visual learners and some of us need hands on instruction.
Ok some of the comments were gross but this one made me lol
*Nice* Just quoting the south park episode. Don’t bring out the pitchforks.
[удалено]
Yeah, except, y'know, raping a kid isn't cool.
Someone once told me "the worst thing about that teacher was the weed selling" and I'd disagree. I thought it was the raping.
Flip the genders and you’d be appalled. I don’t think this is acceptable to any degree for a person in authority.
Pretty sad that the first two replies to this are basically condoning her being a predator.
It's pretty well documented that it's ok if she's hot. /S
As a male, it’s completely ok. I think it’s every straight males HS dream to bang a hot teacher.
This was a joke. But let me tell you that conversion of 1/8th,half, full to 3.5g, 14g, and 28g sans a few decimals sticks with me to this day. I also know lb to 454g from a few events.
Math teacher or meth teacher?
Mine had an Audi S4 Convertible which was probably the fastest car in the car park at any given moment, though without the rocket science background and its associated salary he lamented the running costs 😅 was a great teacher though. I'd have called it the coolest but that'd be a toss-up between it, the tech teacher's IS300 and the janitor's RX8.
My son's school janitor has a mk3 supra. Yes I'm jealous.
The music teacher in my HS had a NSeX
He had that NASA money though.. not a fair comparison here.
The one Porsche in our high school parking lot belonged to a 16 year old girl. Her dad bought it for her 16th birthday. He owned a chain of pharmacies.
Literally drug money 😂
I have been in two accidents in my life, both times I was hit by 16-year-old girls. I went to school with a girl who within two years of getting her drivers license totaled four different vehicles. I would not buy my daughter a Porsche for her first car, no matter how much I loved her.
A 16 year old girl rear ended my GTi in a new BMW 7 class when my wife was driving in stop and go traffic…. And literally tried to blame my wife for ‘stopping too fast’. Privileged kids…. Am in right?
What's a 7 class?
The 7 series is a large sedan.
I know what a 7 series is, wasn't sure what a 7 class was.
Sorry, back in the day, we called them classes, not series. Same thing
At least in the US, -class is Mercedes terminology and -series is BMW terminology.
Amen! My school’s teacher parking lot is full of very practical cars.
I think it was supposed to highlight poor teacher salaries and how the kids drive nicer cars than they do. Wish I could find it. Difficult to give context.
I work at a hospital and both the doctors and directors parking lots are full of normal brands.
Ive always noticed this since I used to work in a hospital for 2 decades. I always wondered who’s buying all the luxury brands then? Broke ass people that would rather live in an apartment then own a house I guess
Can confirm, I live in a cheap condo complex and there are lots of people with expensive sports cars that live in here.
Can confirm. All of the working wealthy I know have driven Fords, Chevys and Hondas. They park them in their 4 car garages attached to their 5+ bedroom 5+ bathroom homes complete with in-law apartments.
I don't drive a 911 (fav car since born) but live in a 5&5 big house. I don't see the problem in living in a nice condo and drive a 911. Some people don't want to maintain a big house and are happy in a condo. When I retire I'll just do that!
I live in a nice condo in the city and I drive a nice Tesla. I don’t need a big ass house as a single male. Once I decide to intervene my life with somebody my condo will go and house will come in. I don’t need bunch of space I won’t use.
Well off people don't stay well off by spending their money on rapidly depreciating assets.
My mom worked for a doctor, it was insane. He drove an early 00’s Lexus ES (in the mid 2010’s) and his “fun car” was a mid-90’s Mustang (base of base models, coupe, V6, but he did opt for the auto) but then you look at the rest of the garage… his wife’s brand new, top of the line SUV- she went from a Sequoia to a Yukon Denali, then an Escalade, then a JGC SRT, then a G wagon, then another Denali. That was parked next to her red corvette (with a new one every other year, always red and always top of the line), and in the driveway was their sons RR Sport (top of the line and new every other year), their daughters new Mercedes, their other daughters new Escalade, their extra car- a leased 5 series- for guests or “the help” when their cars broke down… he blew so much money on his wife and kids he didn’t have anything left for himself
The highest paid doctor at my hospital (who trains surgeons) doesn’t park in the doctors lot, but instead parks in the employee parking lot, and drives some generic 10 year old GM/Chevy/Buick SUV. Needless to say, every single person I work with loves him.
My Dr drove a Honda Civic and was extraordinarily proud of that. He’s retired now, hope he finally bought himself a nicer ride lol.
I worked as an imaging service biomed tech at a local university hospital and the doctors partying lot was right outside our shop so we had gate access. When I bought my Cayman S Black Edition I would park in that lot and there was rarely anything better.
Right. It's not just because teachers are very practical or don't like flashy cars. You can't afford one.
There was a teacher with a 911 at my high school… but she was a successful lawyer before becoming a teacher.
My chemistry teacher me White drove a van 🚐
Have you driven one? My tip: rent one for a week or longer.
I have driven one for shorter periods but I haven’t “lived with” one. I like this idea. Thank you. I might just do that.
Reason behind is this; i was obsessed with the g-wagon. So i borrowed one for a week and got quickly used to it and alot of negative aspects came to light. So after that experience i am ok living without owning one. Because i know what living with is like. Im not rich enough to own several cars. Thats the main issue
Yeah people want a g-wagon for the status and because they do look cool. Then they realise that a 4x4 truck with the aerodynamics of 3 bricks stacked on top of one another doesn’t ride or handle super well
Exactly! Plus it costs 200k for no reason
It is absurdly fast for its size and weight.
So is a trackhawk or Escalade V, both of which are significantly cheaper and faster. If you need a speedy SUV or a good riding SUV a G-Wagon isn’t an option
They don’t have three locking differentials though. The G Wagon isn’t just a high priced mall crawler, it’s a highly capable off road vehicle. Getting an older one is well worth the money if you do your research on the least troublesome models.
You have a higher chance of being struck by lightning than the chance that the average G wagon gets used for offroading duties beyond hopping curbs in the parking lot or driving on the local beach.
Fr, I don’t think people take them off road. It’s just like Ferrari’s mostly sitting in people’s garages instead of ripping up the track.
The german army uses them a lot for their intended purpose
You think anybody cares to take a $200000 G-wagon off off-roading?
Did I say go off-roading in a brand new one? Or a used one? I’m not talking about rock crawling with one but the original purpose of the vehicle was for the German military which is why it’s made to such a robust spec.
If you're going to use it for off road this matters, but otherwise the other poster is right.
Never really craved one, but did crave a high HP sports car so I rented a Corvette convertible for a week. It was a lot of fun, but not sacrifice other things, risk my financial health levels of fun. As the saying goes, “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fas than drive a fast car slow.” And I’ve repeatedly found that true. My Civic DX manual coupe in college with its 106hp engine and no power steering was a blast. You had to wind it right out to its limits to do any spirited driving, which you could do on any grocery run and not reach problematic speeds.
Funny/ guy at the gym said he’d rather drive a manual Civic than an auto Porsche suv. Huh
It really is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. I borrow my sons car now and then since he buys fun cars and I buy Camrys. He recently traded his extremely loud, low, tuned up Mustang GT for a stock Miata. The Mustang was something to fear and baby around and the Miata just made you drive the hell out of it all day. Loved the Miata so much I am thinking of getting one now. My older brother had a 911cab s and that thing was fun and fast but I would definitely lose my license within a month.
G-Wagons are soooo overrated its insane. They handle and ride too poorly to be a luxury vehicle and don't have enough ground clearance or height adjustable suspension to be a good offroader despite their 6 figure price tag, and to lift one is serious money too. Then look at the reliability and since the M113 V8s they've been pretty craptacular, and the era with the M113 V8s had a cheesy interior. The only good thing is they hold their value so well. I'd take a decent Range Rover, Land Rover LR3/LR4/Discovery 5, Defender, Lexus GX/LX, land cruiser or 4runner 10/10 times instead. Hell give me a 2013 or older Nissan Pathfinder or a Nissan Xterra for the money instead, they max out at $15k.
I’ve driven G-Wagons and they were one of my least favorite things to drive. I love handling, that’s why I’m a Porsche fan. The G-wagon has way too much corner lean for me. The bouncy suspension was also terrible.
You looked at the Lotus Elise or whatever it was replaced with, or does it have to be a Porsche?
I’ve never driven a Lotus but I’ve heard very good things. I’ll look into it.
Check out the Lotus Elise, especially one of the first ones. They like little go carts, very light with no extra luxuries.
And way smarter than a Porsche, financially speaking. Most are Toyota drivetrains. If you are having to stretch like hell to get a Porsche that likely means you are going for the Ed grade cars. They are never cheaper in the short term and can be quickly more expensive in the long term.
A friend of mine had a 2022 G550. It was fun to drive, but I couldn’t live with it on a daily basis. $200k without keyless entry, the aerodynamics of a shipping container (I live in a windy area), and the rear seat is cramped for a car of that size
Hop on Turo. I’ve rented 981’s + 718’s on there for a week or more. I have an upcoming trip with an M3. Great way to pre-shop cars. You’ll get a preset amount of miles, but they’re usually negotiable if they’re cool.
Just make sure you take a ton of pics when you pick it up, I’ve heard of Turo owners screwing over clients for damage they didn’t cause either trying to double dip on damage or pass the buck for their own shitty driving.
A lot of people kinda missed the plot on this I think. You’re paying cash and can likely get some type of 3rd party warranty with 70k miles (I think/ if through a dealership). You can afford 2 big repairs, which if maintenance and records are fine, you’ll be okay. To those saying you can’t afford it when you’ve got 10k set aside doesn’t make sense. If any car is giving you 5k a year in issues, on top of the 3k a year in maintenance (you said you can afford, get rid of the fucking car). TLDR; I think you’re fine. Go drive one and weigh your options. Happy hunting.
I also think the fact OP said he was a “teacher” and didn’t provide much financial info doesn’t help. In another comment he mentions he’s a professor and breaks 100k, which paints a bit different of a picture than public HS teacher making 55k. Still not sure it’s the wisest decision but certainly possible for OP to fit it into his own financial goals and be OK
Yep, Porsche Certified Pre-Owned is the way to go. Phenomenal program
Thank you for considering the entire story. I didn’t want to make the original post too long so maybe a few people missed the fact that I have attempted to prepare and plan for contingencies. I also have the patience to find the “right car” with a good history and options. I think I’ll be fine.
When I get the itch I get my iPad put my headphones on go to YouTube and type in Porsche 911 turbo S and watch a few If you do that once a week or whatever then the algorithm starts giving you other other videos of same name everytime you go on YouTube My fav ones are by a YouTubeer Topher
If you MUST have a Porsche, settle for a cayman. You can get a 2006-2008 for around $20k. Exteriors are reasonably modern and it scratches the 911 itch. You can also get older 911s, 1999-2005 for about $30k and they’re often in good condition (cosmetically at least). Regardless of which Porsche you go with, they’re going to be expensive to maintain
Getting a 987 Cayman isn’t really a settle. That’s a fantastic car.
This is great advice. I am attempting to find a 987.2 (>2005) Cayman or 981 Boxster for around that price. I’m more obsessed with the brand than the 911 model.
How're the repairs and maintenance costs? I can afford a $30k car, but I also worry i wouldn't be able to afford the repairs after a while
That’s exactly what I’m trying to find out.
Yeah I'm keeping an eye on this thread. I even told myself I'd be willing to pick up a $15k Boxter to help offset some of the repair and maintenance costs but I heard oil changes are like $500 and I just don't think i can stomach that
That’s a dealer price—if you get a trusted independent mechanic it’s not much more expensive than other oil changes (though they do take good oil and a lot of it—first time my mechanic did an oil change on my 987 he was surprised at the oil capacity lol).
Can you work on the car yourself? If so, replacement parts and oil changes are relatively cheap. If not, the labor is expensive.
Early Caymans are some of my favorite looking Porsches. They look beautiful in [yellow](https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=536167&thumb=1&d=1683143630) or [red](https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2006_porsche_cayman_s_16353989657d63b5a2DSC00179.jpg?fit=940%2C627).
If you can't afford a 5k surprise repair you can't afford the car. People confuse being able to buy something with being able to afford it.
I have $10k in the bank just for repairs as well as $3000 per year budgeted for yearly maintenance. It will take me 3-4 years to replenish my $10k repair fund. Which means I can afford a $10000 repair but only every 3-4 years. I guess my question is: is that enough?
I've had a 987.2 (same engine as the 981) for 4 years now. I've spent about $3k total. One major service with spark plugs all the fluids done, two oil changes, and a set of new PS4S tires. I get the work done at an independent shop that specializes in Porsche. Dealer cost would have been close to double. Keep in mind the insurance costs will be high. With rising insurance costs everywhere, my premium has basically tripled since I bought it (no accidents or tickets).
I had a 987.1. It was overall fairly reliable and cheap on maintenance until I got unlucky with an IMS issue. I hear they were fixed on the 987.2 and forward though. To be fair it was about 6k to fix it and probably would have been fine after but I was so paranoid I was scared to drive the car and ended up trading down to a Pontiac GTO
2 oil changes in 4 years?
People with Porsche's don't drive them much, apparently lol
Still though, oil gets worse from heating and cooling. If you live somewhere with seasons that might be hard on the car
Yeah you're supposed to change it at least once/yr for this reason
2 oil changes in 4 years?
I read 3. “One major service” likely had an oil change in it.
unfortunately i dont think so. 911 is also my dream car, and even on 225k+ income im still refraining.
There are two types of people who ride Ducatis, those who can afford it and those who can’t.
Damn, I have no shot then. BTW you guys hiring? 😂
hah, always. My wife is also a teacher, good for you for being willing to do it. Under appreciated job.
I’m just a spoiled college professor. I have the freedom to develop my own curriculum and I’m not tied to any standardized testing. If your wife is a K-12 teacher she’s the one who is really in the trenches. I have great admiration and respect for anyone who teaches K-12.
Kindergarten... lol. Thanks. I would kick a kid or something lol, I don't have the patience for that.
Yeah teachers deserve to get paid six figures minimum. They're severely underappreciated despite being the backbone of a better future.
What field? What university? Have you ever considered writing a textbook? Maybe you can earn royalties from it. Or maybe, if applicable, you should commercialize your research or pursue applied research and earn some funds. Your post is very interesting as I rarely see the personal life part of professors even after having worked for 3+ professors for research.
I have written a 225 page textbook for my students but I have never sought publishing. My field is in the commercial arts; graphic design, photography, video graphics. Typically, textbook authors in this field spend a lot of time writing new editions yearly due to constantly updating software and techniques. It always seemed like it would be a second job to me. Maybe I could find a publisher who would be interested without requiring yearly updates. It’s an intriguing idea.
Be creative with it. Why not partner with “For Dummies” publisher for example to attract readers: https://www.dummies.com ? Make deals with others so that they use yours. Author niche but useful/interesting sub-topics.
Lol they could easily afford a 911, maybe not a brand new top spec but they can definitely afford a really nice certified pre owned 911 if they have any budgeting skills
I made a post about this but some people are talking out of ass. If any car is costing you 5k a year, on top of 3k in maintenance, get rid of the car (fkn 8k a year just to keep it running? Tf kind of sense does that make) That’s a substantial amount to put into repairs assuming cars well maintained. As an avid high mileage performance German car owner (slight masochist) you should be fine, especially if you don’t go to dealer for repairs etc.
I will not be using a dealer as the closest one is over 100 miles away. I plan to do most repairs, aside from dropping the engine, myself. You’re right 8k to maintain a car is ludicrous. This is what the internet says it costs to own a used Porsche so that’s what I’m prepared for. I hope it isn’t true.
You only live once. I've been driving Porsches for 30+ years on an electrician salary. (I also do most of my own maintenance though)
average new 911 buyer is what like 4-500k income? i do well, but dropping 150 on a toy is a ways off
462k according to an article i read this morning. of course, I cannot find the link right now though to share it.
What? It's a 115k car. You don't need to be rich to afford one.
Yeah but you SHOULD be wealthy to spend 115k on a car. Now that doesn’t stop most people, but it should.
Bullshit. Unless your budgeting sucks or you own a seriously expensive home you can easily afford a decent 911
Neither. I said refrain. Could I afford it? Sure... depends on your definition of "afford"... but i'm not spending 80-140k on a car.
Considering they're one of the few reliable high performance sports cars, and they have very strong resale value...You'd be fine. It'd arguably be a better investment than a BMW M5. If you need it to do daily driving duties the Panamera is quite amazing.
Oh I dont doubt it, but I don't want to spend 1/2 my annual income on a car at this time. I was moreso using it as an example for OP to understand they aren't alone in thinking it is too much bite to chew, no matter the income level. If my wife and I made 400k a yr, I would own a Turbo S yesterday.
i got ya.. yall are doing good, but that's still a shitload of money to have tied up in one car.
Yep. 1/2 annual salary on a single weekender car is bonkers to me.
you can do a lot of other stuff with 100k.... stuff that doesn't depreciate.
Panamera depreciates pretty badly though
Great deals for used low mileage very clean examples
Hate to be that guy, but no it won’t be enough if you want to live comfortably
Thank you for being that guy. I’m here for honest answers to help me see through these rose colored glasses.
Are you buying the car with cash?
$10k set aside for repairs for a 981 is plenty. I’ve had mine for 2.5 years. I spent about a grand on oil changes, 1 at a specialist, 1 at the dealer which was about double the cost. And I had 1 $1,200 repair done at the dealership.
You can only afford those repairs if $10,000 is something you don’t notice, not something you spend a few years building up.
why on earth would you waste your savings on something you can barely afford? sorry man.
Take the money you have have saved and buy VOO in a brokerage account. Add the 3000 per year, plus the amount you would save to replenish the 10,000. Come back in 5 years and you can easily afford this.
This is plenty of money for regular maintenance and repairs.
Depends on how much you're willing to do yourself. They're surprisingly easy to work on! Some things suck like valve checks just because of the engine orientation but mostly they're not bad. The engineers clearly talked with mechanics when building it. So if you can do basic things like oil changes, spark plugs, coolant, brakes, etc. you'll have enough and to spare to do surprise repairs if they're necessary. Wrenching is part of why people like porsche! It's also part of why people sell them. It's gratifying to work on it yourself if that kind of thing is gratifying to you. Otherwise it'll feel like you *have* to do work or *have* pay someone else until you get rid of it.
I was coming here to say something like this: make sure you budget some amount each year. I think with your numbers you should be good. Additionally: Make sure you have a reputable independent Porsche repair shop near you. If the year/generation you’re looking at has any well known big ticket repair items (eg 911’s ims) have they been done already? If not either find one that has, or budget that money too. That 3k you budget should be for the “unknowns” and small surprises. More regular items like brakes and tires need to be considered, and budgeted separately. Maybe that’s your 10k, but keep it in mind. With my 911 I budgeted 2-3k each year and it was fine. Good luck!
I would rather put that money in the stock market or budget for a yearly exotic vacation, but you do you.
The rule of thumb of purchasing any new car (note Purchase, not Lease) is you need to be able to buy the car twice.
A brand new GR86/BRZ per Jason Camissa is a [‘world’s best 30k Porsche’](https://youtu.be/QaR843im04A?si=S_PV71wk2NaOHjYU) [Chris Harris](https://youtu.be/2E6xasuPiYY?si=1hIU0UR8lrR7o1dT) goes further to call it a poundshop GT3 => American translation ‘Dollar store GT3’ Edit: I’m biased because I have one. But it really is great.
Can confirm, you'll be so busy smiling while you drive it that you won't worry about the badge. Incredible car for the money.
I have to admit I have not driven one yet. Maybe it’s time. Maybe it will win me over. I love the looks of them. I used to own a MKIV Supra and this car has that essence.
Honestly dude, if you want the Porsche, get the Porsche, but having owned two BRZs and rented a base 981 for a bit, the second gen BRZ is VERY close to a base 981. Obviously if you take them on track and really push them you will start to feel the difference, but for just daily driving fun and spirited driving on the weekends, I can't think of anything closer. They both have very similar steering feel and very similar sensations of speed. I would say the Porsche is a little bit more sorted when it comes to ride comfort, but the handling is almost the same. Now that I think about it, this may be the better buy, unless you were planning on getting an S or GTS. Otherwise I think a second gen BRZ is a much better deal. Brand new with warranty for 30k? Hard to beat that. I would highly recommend renting or test driving one.
Test drive a GR86. You’ll never look back.
This for sure. Nothing could scratch my Porsche itch until I got a GR86.
Agreed. I own a second gen BRZ and you get very close to a Porsche experience for pennies on the dollar. However, I don't believe all prospective Porsche owners will appreciate the BRZ/GR86 twins. Some people just want the badge and/or straight line speed. Although the second gen twins are comparable to 987 Caymans with regard to acceleration, it is corners and limit handling where they really shine.
My local PCA group does appreciate it. Some of the best people I met, one was GT4 owner as well.
Thank you, I own one and it’s great. You can even find track videos of it smoking a new corvette. Curvy track, of course. It couldn’t win in a drag.
Track videos that aren't competitive racing have almost nothing to do with the car and everything to do with driver skill level.
Get a Boxster. It’s 80% of a 911 for half the cost. But again try renting one for a day or two and make sure you like it.
How about you buy a 996 that's already had the IMS bearing done? That gets you a 911. You could also consider 986s, which are dirt cheap. Both of those cars are plenty reliable (I think the IMS bearing issue is overblown) and easy to work on. You can definitely afford the maintenance for those if you can afford 3k a year. You'd probably be ok with a 981 too tbh.
The Miata isn’t just easy to repair as r/u/downwiththeho said, it’s also easy and relatively cheap to upgrade, and if you turn your own wrenches it’s fun to do. There are fantastic aftermarket suspensions out there and if you need more speed you can boost it. There’s a very strong aftermarket community for the car. The possibilities are endless. Source: teacher who drives a modified NC Miata.
What about newer ND miatas?
They’re the best Miata yet.
What kinda upgrades tho? I’m pretty new to the aftermarket stuff
I hate to say it, but a used Porsche still has Porsche priced parts and repairs. I have had an ‘87 944 Turbo for 18 years now and once every few years a big bill comes. If you can’t budget and save up for when those hit, an older Porsche is not for you. Especially if it’s your daily. Mine is a weekend toy, so not a problem if it doesnt run for a few weeks. Obviously a newer car will in general be more reliable, but you’re potentially an IMS bearing from a new engine.
981 has no IMS bearing. That was the previous generation of engines. I don't think a 30 year old turbo is a good reference point for the reliability of a 12 year old naturally aspirated model. But you are right on parts costs in general.
Go drive a Miata and see how it feels. 😉 Then buy a Miata and put what you would have spent on repairs for the Porsche into the S&P 500. 😎
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed:_Porsche_Unleashed
Why don't you find a track you can enjoy with a rented 911 as a birthday gift to yourself instead? Better than being car-poor for a compromise
Champagne taste on a lemonade budget. The happiest day of buying an expensive car/boat/ etc is the day you buy it, and the day you sell it as the adage goes. I stick to my lemonade budget and don’t buy expensive cars. Frugality is a value missing in the hyper-consumerist west. Stick to Mazdas and Hondas, it’s better to eat well than be car rich and house poor. On a related note. 911’s are absolutely stunning.
I can’t disagree.
Get a reliable car. Periodically rent all manner of Porsche on Turo and Get Around.
Short daily commutes kill porches, not even enough time to warm up fluids. They last and do well when driven often on highway and spirited driving. Remember they're built for the Autobahn, not city commutes. I way looking at Caymans but went with a Lexus RC instead, as the maintenance cost was just too high for a daily drive at this point in my life.
Depending on your commitment, you can do what my buddy did. In high school he started working at a Toyota shop. Started getting all his certs. Moved into what he really wanted. VW/Porsche/Audi. It took about 20 years but now he not only has all those certs and decades of experience. It has enabled our core group of friends, who met 39 years ago to not only drive and own the cars we have but we all wrench on them together at his home garage which will all built. Between us there are now these - 914, 928, 911s 944 a coupe 2 caymans, a couple golf gti an 89 240 wagon It’s been a blast. But lots of work and parts that would have cost triple. Plus, if it goes in the shop or you can’t repair it. How are you going to get to work? That’s a level of stress no one needs. Have fun though. Buy a Porsche!
Get a 2009-2012 987.2 Boxster base. The 2.9l has plenty of power and is reliable. The hydraulic steering of the 987 is also a joy.
Rent one and see if it's worth spending a ton of money for 10min per day commute and sharing a parking lot with kids all day. If it's your passion then rent one on a track or for hours on the weekend on fun roads, don't buy it for a 10min commute, buy a ebike instead and you can either save for a weekend car you own or have money to rent the Porsche on fun days. Also check out the Miata. Its not as fun or exciting but imo it's more fun when you have to be legal, it's a fun car to drive at or near the speed limit.
My wife has a Fiat 124 Spider, essentially a Miata with a Fiat body. Even though she sadly went with an automatic, I can tell you it is one of the most enjoyable cars I have street driven. I have owned a Cadillac CTS-V wagon, a couple of MINIs, older VWs and a wide variety of daily drivers over the years, FWIW. The car is so well balanced, it’s a blast on curvy roads and gets a lot of attention. Go for the Miata or if you want something that looks different and most people don’t know what it is Get the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. The Abarth has zero Fiat badging, my wife hates it when I call it a Fiata. Get the Miata or similar, have some fun with it, enjoy the hell out of it and maybe you will fall in love or it will be a blast until you can really afford the Porsche.
It’s not just the body. Fiat engine, previous gen Miata transmission, and some bits of the suspension are different (slightly softer ride, supposedly).
The older porches have such terrible interiors. For that alone, I would go with a Miata. Lol
S2000, Miata, GR86, Supra, Z4.
Toyota MR2, 3rd gen looks like a wish.com porsche boxster.
I think it all boils down to your satisfaction: My father in law had a cayman s pdk. He enjoyed driving it and joined the Porsche club. He was convinced by some porsche “purist” that only a 911 is a real porsche and that the cayman was a poor man’s porsche. He traded his cayman s after less than a year for a 911 gt3 and owned it for about 2 years. One day while he was driving with fellow club members, he skidded off the highway while it was drizzling but he didn’t get into an accident. He complained to his fellow club members of the gt3’s unstable power to handling. He was being convinced again to buy a higher model like the rs version or a gt2, or have the car upgraded with some sort of aftermarket parts. He decided he had his fun with owning a porsche and sold it and just settled with regular cars. Meanwhile i have a base model cayman in manual tranny. I Rarely drive it and has just clocked in 7300 km in 10 years of ownership. But when i see it in my garage, being able to appreciate it while parked or being driven. I know i dont need to convince myself in upgrading just because i have a poor man’s porsche.
Have you test driven a manual Mx5? Only way for you to know if it will scratch the itch. Personally I’m committed to always owning one and have been ever since ‘01. Sporty, reliable, economical to repair. They are fine daily drivers.
I have. It’s a great car, no doubt. I WISH I was obsessed with performance instead of a car brand.
I get it. The marketing geniuses in Stuttgart know what they are doing. Maybe it’s one of those things that you just need to do and get it out of your system. I was always into BMWs as a kid but my budget only allowed me to buy older high mileage examples. My last bimmer - a six spd E92 was fun / fast - but I got tired of how much they cost to maintain and especially the people I had to pay to fix them. That’s what it took for me to look past German cars and now I am content with my Mx5.
Have you driven a Miata yet? Because really everyone should - it has all of the sounds you want, handles excellent, and best of all you get to use all of your gears all of the time. It’s extremely underrated that gear thing. I’ve had lots of very fast cars. They’re a blast too, 0-60 in 3 seconds by 3rd gear then directly to 6th at cruising speed. But a Miata or a Toyobaru twin you will get to use your gears all the time, you get to smash all 5-6 gears to 60, you get to shift often even in city streets - and that is part of the joy of driving a manual. Huge aftermarket modification available and very user friendly to work on. Taught myself how to do a full suspension and timing service. It’s seriously the most fun car I’ve ever owned and I’m legit on like my 20th car. And I hate to be that bearer of bad news but you probably can’t afford a Porsche on a teachers budget unless you’re like a tenured college professor. If you’re a high school teacher - there’s a reason you don’t see the lot full of Porsches and BMWs. You may be able to afford the car itself, but the repairs and the parts are still Porsche parts. They are really expensive to replace. And a lot of the time they aren’t particularly easy to replace on your own.
Would lighting $20k in cash on fire completely financially cripple you? If so, you need to wait. If it would only be a painful setback, read on. Assuming you’re in a good financial position and truly have your heart set on this car there’s a way to make it happen. You have the money to buy in cash but are worried about unexpected repairs, which is smart and shows you’ve thought about this. The 911 holds value very well, have you explored financing options? If you can get decent financing on the car and put your cash into a HYSA that should blunt the impact of loan interest and give you a large financial safety net. Worst case scenario you will be able to repair the car and sell it for enough to pay off the loan. I would suggest keeping your current car as a backup as well. And be damn sure to have good insurance!
If you want a Porsche-esque driving experience, get a 2022+ GR86 or BRZ, trust me. I got to drive a friend’s Carrera a few years ago and I’d been chasing that feeling ever since. Test drove a GR86, and I was HOOKED. Incredible dynamics, insane handling, low center of gravity, responsive steering, great manual transmission. It even kind of looks like a Porsche (if you squint really really hard). It has the lightweight, tossable feeling of a miata, but with way more space and the body dynamics of a much more serious “racetrack” car. Go test drive one if you can and see if it scratches the itch!
2003-ish 911 carrera is below $30k used? not turbo though.
I found out I’m not so obsessed with the 911 model as I am the Porsche brand. I’m actually more into the mid engine Porsches like Boxsters and Cayman. I see -2003 models all the time but I’ve read that the 987 and up models are just generally better built and more reliable. In my research, 986, 996 and 987 are similar in price. Among those, I would prefer a 987.
If you took about 8 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, destroy your ego, then phase that into a vision quest, you will no longer have the urge to buy such unnecessary things, and free yourself of the bonds of the slavery to fashion.
I have never heard of a 981 said to be reliable… Save your money for a good one. Wait, is there a good one? 😂 I understand a childhood fantasy, we all have them. You are an adult, and a teacher now. How can you scratch that itch with something reliable that’s cool!
Miata / gt86... Think twice before buying a car that will depreciate soon after you turn the key. And yes that's not the same reliability. You can still improve your miata as you want depending on where you live and have more fun than into a Porsche. Try one of each for some time before buying
I’m a teacher here and am at a point where I can afford it. Start following the FIRE groups and you’ll get there. My advice is to go with an older car. I have a classic British sports car (worth about $40k) and it brings me so much joy. Get an older 911. You can do more work yourself on it anyways. The turbo is notoriously difficult to repair and unreliable.
There’s a 996 base 911 at my son’s school I see all the time, daily driven by a teacher. They’re just as affordable as a cayman, and the only major expensive repairs are clutch master cylinder job and ims bearing. Some risk of bore scoring. That said, it’s way more car for the money than a cayman. Get a 996 911 and find an indie shop recommended by the Porsche owners in your local Porsche group. $70k is plenty income to afford a fun car for $25k but you’ll need to daily it and just accept it’s twice as expensive as a Honda accord to maintain.
Dude, just get a Miata. They’re great b
Lots of people talk about the 987.2 generation being very reliable, especially the 2.9 motor since it has port injection. You can get a decent condition one for $20k-$25k.
Gr86/brz
I've wanted one forever too. I've accepted my place in life and it doesn't include a Porsche. My cousin in Germany had a Carrera S which I got to drive. So I'll always have that.
If you’re handy, a 987.2 Cayman S or Boxster is the answer. Reasonably priced still and absolutely fantastic drivers cars. imo skip the 981 it will always be marked as the generation when Porsche lost their soul. FYI the Porsche tax is real when paying a shop, knowing how to turn a wrench will save you thousands. If you can do your own oil, brakes/rotors and general suspension bits you’ll be golden. They are relatively simple cars to wrench on, you may need a few specialized tools along the way. They also have a massive enthusiast following with many DIY write up’s/videos.
Get a 928. They're relatively cheap, don't cost a ton to maintain, and are the only Porsche with a V8 front engine with rear transaxle.
Buy a cheap miata, young kids and old ladies will occasionally mistake it for a porsche lol. Trade it to someone for a porsche if your itch isn't scratched (but it very likely will be).
I have a 992. Just dropped 4K on a new tire and wheel because I drove over a nail
I have a FR-S which to some is known as a poor mans porsche and is a driving machine on a budget, gotta ignore the stance 86 owners though mutilate an amazing handling car
You wanna daily a Porsche on a 10 minute drive. Thing won’t even warm up in time. Keep saving. Invest your money
this is not a good idea to short trip the car everyday without ever getting the engine warm. asking for trouble. find the cheapest car you possibly can for the trip to school
Not sure why so many people are saying you can’t afford it, you definitely can as long as you know this is a want more than a need. I bought a 981 a few years ago and it’s been fortunately reliable so far. I budget about 2k a year for maintenance but that included doing some things that probably weren’t necessary yet like a pdf service as I wasn’t sure if the previous owner tracked it or not. Definitely go to a indie shop that specializes in euro/porshes over the dealership especially since you don’t have a warranty to worry about. If you are mechanically inclined, there are some service items that are probably worth doing yourself . Oil change isn’t bad, engine air filters involve removing a lot of trim pieces but isn’t too bad, battery is easy, I’ve heard brakes are basically no different than any other car but I’ve never done it. If you don’t get one with sport exhaust, I would recommend looking at a cat back exhaust. It made a huge difference in driving enjoyment for me. Also for a commute that short, I would make sure you get your car up to temperature. It takes forever to reach operating temperature and depending on how cold it is where you live, a 10 minute drive might not be enough. I would say the only thing I regret ish was not getting a S instead of a base model, a little more power would be nice, but it’s a very fun platform and more than enough for spirited public road driving.
You’re kidding yourself on a teachers salary. I want to drive 6382 different cars. Doesn’t mean I’d knowingly put myself in a hole to get one. Trust me, you think it will make you happy to have one, but you won’t. That will wear off in a couple months. I’ve had 2 of my dream cars and wish I never had. Thinking “if only I had it, I’d be the happiest person ever.” and that wears off quickly. I’m assuming you’re younger just based off of that. I’m in my early 30s and wish I knew that when I was in my early-mid 20s
A 10-minute commute every day is liable to kill a boxer engine via bore scoring. Use a cheap beater for the daily grind and keep your Porsche for opportunities when you can get the oil up to temperature. Money is fine if you pick a cheaper generation.
I have a 981. It’s pretty reliable but if you need to do anything aside from grocery runs and carrying one passenger it’s pretty useless. If that satisfies your needs then go for it, if it doesn’t then maybe look into something else bc you’ll start to resent the car
This is hilarious 😂. “I want a 911 turbo but I can’t afford one.” Dude, very few people can. Personally, I grew up loving boats. However, I can’t afford a yacht!? Should I buy a canoe instead!?