Whats the cheapest reputable porsche you can buy?

[BimmerToad]

if you want the crest, buy one at a local dealership and slap it on your E30

or save up and buy a good example of a 911 when you can afford it :)

[ddavidv]

So are e30's!
My brothers 944 turbo makes my e30 look like a fuckin turd in every aspect. It's fast as fuck too. I don't know what you guys are talking about.

One word: turbo.
Non-turbo 944s are nothing special. They handle well, but just don't have anything in the way of power. I'd rather have a 325i with some suspension upgrades than a 944 anyday.

[Midnight Sun]

I always thought people laughed at the 914, not the 944.


944 is sex if you ask me. The epitome of Porsche addressing the problem of not having a car shaped 80's enough.

[KillerCalypso]

Cuz they're slow money pits.

So are e30's!
My brothers 944 turbo makes my e30 look like a fuckin turd in every aspect. It's fast as fuck too. I don't know what you guys are talking about.

[Mr.SWISS]

Why don't people like 944's?

Cuz they're slow money pits.

[ldsbeaker]

It depends. (as always)
Some Porsche enthusiasts contend that 944's aren't REAL Porsches because they have a front mounted engine. I was interested in the 944's at one time, but the more I look at them, I would probably just get the newest, best condition 911 that I can afford. Pay more now, or you will CERTAINLY pay more later. I recently started reading Excellence (Porsche mag) and they just had an article about buying Porsches. Anything late 70's or early 80's should be good to go, simple to work on (relative), and depending on locale, less rusty.
Good luck!
I hope to get one in the next couple years.

[Ray Smoodiver]

Get a 911 SC

[ddavidv]

My last car decision was "used 911 or go racing with an E30". Guess which one I chose. :pimp:
This means I researched Porsches quite a bit. With all due respect to our previous poster, a 924 is a dog in so many ways...no real power, okay but nothing special handling, truly expensive parts and zero respect or resale value in the Porsche world. If you goal is to own something with a Porsche crest to impress people who know nothing about cars, then the 924 may be for you.
The 914 is a Volkswagen. Except it's a really expensive, rust prone Volkswagen that's nigh impossible to work on.
The 914-6 is so rare and so expensive you'll never afford one.
The early 912 is powered by a 356 engine and is a dog. Plus, 356 engine parts cost a fortune. And they rust.
The 912E, a one year only bastard child, actually could be the solution provided you don't want to go fast. It's got a regular VW style engine. Hard to find, and not much cheaper than a 'real' 911 when all is said and done.
944's are overhyped. I was unimpressed when I drove one, they can be bastards to work on and the parts are not cheap. If you're going to pay Porsche repair prices, may as well get a 911.
924 and 944 turbos are actually decent runners, but multiply the parts prices of the regular car by at least 4.
It's been said many times, but there is no substitute for a 911. If you buy a early to mid 1980s car, they are very reliable and almost overbuilt. High miles mean nothing to them. However, you must do your homework on these and have any potential purchases screened by a Porsche knowledgable mechanic or you could wind up with a several thousand dollar repair bill in a heartbeat. Properly maintained and upgraded, they are stellar cars. Neglected and 'cheap', you'll soon wish you had just blown the money on hookers and beer and saved yourself a lot of anguish.
928s are overweight pigs and make all other Porsches look cheap to fix.
Don't enter into Porsche buying lightly. They are wonderful cars, but not for the neophyte.
Also, 911s drive like no other car on the planet. Meaning, everything you know about car control you can forget and need to relearn. Applying BMW driving skills to a 911 will send you spinning off the road at the first turn. Challenging cars to drive, but when you get it right...oooohhh baby!

[Simon S]

fuck porsche

get a ducati

[george graves]

what the cheapest porsche

Sorry man, but to me, IMHO, that like asking "What is the cheapest crack whore I can get with out getting a STD:

I almost sold my car to buy the shell of the speedster that was the acutual car used on "90210"...now, that's a sick car.

[DarkWing6]

I thought you were buying a house.

Either way, if you buy a Porsche buy a 911 or 914/6. 912 or regular 914 are underpowered IMO. Have fun getting insured on a 911.

[KenC]

The 924 Turbo (aka the 931). This car has much more respectable power and performance.....roughly 150bhp in US cars....even more with euro market parts, but this was a very rare car (far fewer in numbers than the E30 M3) and finding parts are a bitch and expensive. Unless you're seeking a money pit, avoid this one.

I saw a 924 Carrera GT a few months ago in Oregon. I talked to the owner for a bit... I guess there are only two in the state. His was one of the first to cross the Atlantic (grey market car).

Amazing car, in any case.

[Kruzen]

If it is a Porsche you want and you desire to keep it cheap (both buying and maintaining) get an early 924 (produced from 1977 to 1982 for US market). I've had three in all, two '79 models and a '77. For all years it was available, the only naturally aspirated engine available was a 2.0L 8-valve four banger that made something like 100bhp. These motors utilized Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (mechanical) which did not allow for much tuning potential but very, very durable and reliable if correctly set up (I never experienced a problem). I know the HP figure is not much to write home about but at least these early cars were relatively light (under 2500 IIRC) and a 52/48 weight distribution as well as very low C/G. You won't win any drag races with it, but at speed through the bends it is respectable - even in relatively stock form. Some quick facts...

1) 1977 & 1978 model came with 4 speed manuals and offered a slushbox too

2) 1979 and early 1980 had 5 speed manuals which had the dogleg pattern (first gear being where you 'normally' find second). This was a somewhat problematic gearbox. Weak sychros saw many making a lot of noise or just breaking altogether. A slushbox was also available.

3) from late 1980 through 1982 a revised 5 speed with a traditional H shift pattern was used and it was much better in every respect. Auto trannys were still available I believe.

Brakes: antiquated and weaksauce set up. Solid discs up front and drums in the rear. From 1980 on there was a 'sport' upgrade available which gave discs all around (vented up front, not sure if vented or solid in back) plus Porsches' famous 5-lug pattern which allowed various 15x7 and 16x7 early factory alloys to be mounted....including Fuchs. I've never seen this upgrade on the 100bhp wunder car, but I have seen it on the turbo model.

The 924 Turbo (aka the 931). This car has much more respectable power and performance.....roughly 150bhp in US cars....even more with euro market parts, but this was a very rare car (far fewer in numbers than the E30 M3) and finding parts are a bitch and expensive. Unless you're seeking a money pit, avoid this one.

An alternative P-car would be a 914 which definately has a more cult-like following. It is a catch-22 car of sorts. Can be cheap to buy and some parts can be very afordable (VW derived) but others can be not so cheap as well. It all depends on what is being addressed. Nice thing about the 914 is a simply HUGE aftermarket for them (unlike the red-headed stepchild early 924). What you have to be wary of with the 914 is that most of them (up to around 1974 or 1975) lacked the corrosion coating process that was later employed in Porsches' manufacturing. What this means is rust can be a problem with these cars - particularly the battery tray issue inside the engine compartment. Rust in the rocker panels is a well documented problem and if you don't do your homework ahead of time, you will find yourself with a costly fix on your hands.

The early 944 (and '87/'88 model 924S) is a better car in many respects. Both share the same drivetrain - 2.5L single cam four bangers, 5 speeds with standard H-pattern, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. The one headache of these cars is the timing belt and water pump issue. Both well documented and neither can be cheap to replace. The 944s are seeing a bit of a comeback thanks to the 944-spec series through NASA racing so there's a modest level of aftermarket and maintanence support for these cars. Learn how to work on them and save some $$$.

Jon

Awesome post, very informative, thanks!

[Jon325i]

If it is a Porsche you want and you desire to keep it cheap (both buying and maintaining) get an early 924 (produced from 1977 to 1982 for US market). I've had three in all, two '79 models and a '77. For all years it was available, the only naturally aspirated engine available was a 2.0L 8-valve four banger that made something like 100bhp. These motors utilized Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (mechanical) which did not allow for much tuning potential but very, very durable and reliable if correctly set up (I never experienced a problem). I know the HP figure is not much to write home about but at least these early cars were relatively light (under 2500 IIRC) and a 52/48 weight distribution as well as very low C/G. You won't win any drag races with it, but at speed through the bends it is respectable - even in relatively stock form. Some quick facts...

1) 1977 & 1978 model came with 4 speed manuals and offered a slushbox too

2) 1979 and early 1980 had 5 speed manuals which had the dogleg pattern (first gear being where you 'normally' find second). This was a somewhat problematic gearbox. Weak sychros saw many making a lot of noise or just breaking altogether. A slushbox was also available.

3) from late 1980 through 1982 a revised 5 speed with a traditional H shift pattern was used and it was much better in every respect. Auto trannys were still available I believe.

Brakes: antiquated and weaksauce set up. Solid discs up front and drums in the rear. From 1980 on there was a 'sport' upgrade available which gave discs all around (vented up front, not sure if vented or solid in back) plus Porsches' famous 5-lug pattern which allowed various 15x7 and 16x7 early factory alloys to be mounted....including Fuchs. I've never seen this upgrade on the 100bhp wunder car, but I have seen it on the turbo model.

The 924 Turbo (aka the 931). This car has much more respectable power and performance.....roughly 150bhp in US cars....even more with euro market parts, but this was a very rare car (far fewer in numbers than the E30 M3) and finding parts are a bitch and expensive. Unless you're seeking a money pit, avoid this one.

An alternative P-car would be a 914 which definately has a more cult-like following. It is a catch-22 car of sorts. Can be cheap to buy and some parts can be very afordable (VW derived) but others can be not so cheap as well. It all depends on what is being addressed. Nice thing about the 914 is a simply HUGE aftermarket for them (unlike the red-headed stepchild early 924). What you have to be wary of with the 914 is that most of them (up to around 1974 or 1975) lacked the corrosion coating process that was later employed in Porsches' manufacturing. What this means is rust can be a problem with these cars - particularly the battery tray issue inside the engine compartment. Rust in the rocker panels is a well documented problem and if you don't do your homework ahead of time, you will find yourself with a costly fix on your hands.

The early 944 (and '87/'88 model 924S) is a better car in many respects. Both share the same drivetrain - 2.5L single cam four bangers, 5 speeds with standard H-pattern, 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. The one headache of these cars is the timing belt and water pump issue. Both well documented and neither can be cheap to replace. The 944s are seeing a bit of a comeback thanks to the 944-spec series through NASA racing so there's a modest level of aftermarket and maintanence support for these cars. Learn how to work on them and save some $$$.

Jon

[backtrail69]

I drove one at work (912)...they are dogs. I also drove a early 70s 911 targa. You will be happier with your 325i...