Buying a Porsche is something that is on many car enthusiasts’ bucket lists and more than a few of them will make it one of their New Year’s resolutions. But alas, not many have the budget for a brand-new 911.
TFLcar is here to help. It is possible, thanks to the magic of depreciation, to pick up a real Porsche without taking out a second mortgage. Sure, anyone could pick up a clapped-out 924 for less than two grand, but these are real Porsches that don’t need a frame-off restoration to drive.
All cars here were found on Craigslist or eBay, and while they may not still be available when you read this, it shows that it is possible to find a good used Porsche for not a lot of cash.
5. Porsche 914 – The 914 has become the forgotten Porsche. Developed collaboratively by Porsche and Volkswagen, the 914 was meant to replace the 912 as the entry-level Porsche. It was available with either a VW-derived flat four or a Porsche-derived flat six mounted in the middle of the car instead of in the back like the 911. While the expensive 914/6 didn’t sell well, the 914/4 did, so they are much more plentiful in the used car market. A fringe benefit is that nice examples like the one above can be had for the price of a used Civic. This car, found on eBay, is a 1972 914 1.7 in fine shape for less than $10K. (If the ad is gone, click here.)
4. Porsche 928 – The 928 had the unenviable task as the 911’s replacement, something that Porsche enthusiasts and the free market didn’t let happen. It did, however, become a classic in its own right. It was Porsche’s first V-8 and it was a radical departure from the 911. It was front-engined and water-cooled, plus the organic rounded shape was a stark contrast to the 911’s Beetle-on-steroids look. The 928 is becoming more collectible, but it doesn’t mean that it’s expensive. This 1984 928S found on Craigslist in the Los Angeles area is a fine example of the early 928, but at only $16,000, it’s a relative bargain. (If the ad is gone, click here.)
3. Porsche 944 Turbo – The 944 was Porsche’s attempt to apologize for the 924, taking that car’s basic shape and platform and turning it into a true Porsche. The Turbo was the ultimate 944, taking the base car’s excellent handling – aided by the rear-mounted transmission and 50/50 weight bias – and adding serious power. The 944’s four-cylinder engine was derived from the 928’s V-8 – it was essentially one side of the V – and the turbo sent horsepower ratings above 200, no small feat for the early 80s. The Turbo S was an even faster version of the 944, making 247 horsepower, and was the fastest four-cylinder car of its era. This 1988 944 Turbo S found on Craigslist is a pricey but pristine example of the model at nearly $20K, but less expensive examples are available to those with less disposable income. (If the ad is gone, click here.)
2. Porsche 911 (water-cooled) – The 911 is the iconic Porsche, tracing its roots back to the 60s and with the signature flat-six engine mounted behind the rear wheels. For the 1998 model year, however, Porsche did what was at the time the unthinkable: it replaced air cooling with water cooling. Purists revolted, but water cooling was necessary to meet increasing emissions standards and modern performance demands. The first generation water-cooled 911, known internally as the 996, is typically the most inexpensive 911 on the used market. It’s not uncommon to find good used examples for under $30K. This one, a 2003 Carrera 4S found on Craigslist, is less than $24K and is in good condition. It has some miles and it’s an automatic, but similar examples can be found with a manual gearbox. (If the ad is gone, click here.)
1.Porsche 911 (air-cooled) – Air-cooled 911s are the Porsche holy grail. For many, they are the only real Porsches. Since they were made for a very long time – up until 1997 – it’s easy to find plenty of examples of almost any kind. Prices vary, of course, but whether it’s an original 911, a mid-70’s Targa, a fire-breathing Turbo or a last-of-the-breed 993, they’re all out there for sale somewhere. This fine example, a 1977 911S found on eBay, is available for just under $30K and is a great first 911. It has the 2.7-liter version of the flat six engine and clean, uncluttered lines. (If the ad is gone, click here.)
TFLcar hasn’t had a Porsche to test for a while, but you can still check out this 0-60 performance test of the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S:
