As it happens, I'm about to sell my '85 Carrera to pick up a 981 Cayman 2.7, with (gasp!) PDK. I'm an old guy, and have owned 14 Porsches since 1983, including five air cooled cars, as well as three 987 Caymans that I drove on track. Now, though, as I've gotten to retirement, I want to do more long road trips via sports car. So the switch to something a bit more modern for said road trips with my wife, who needs an automatic, makes sense. And there's no need for an S model, as the plain Jane base model has all the power I'll realistically need. The interesting thing is, this approach is completely the reverse of my thinking 20 years ago.
I bought a 10k mile 2018 Carrera T (with carbon buckets!) for less than even the least expensive 993 Carrera I could find. It’s an amazing car and absolutely blows me away every time I drive in the canyons. I threw a tune on it and now have another 100hp. Zero complaints or regrets.
I broke all the rules when I bought my ‘86 Cabriolet. I got it off eBay. I didn’t do a PPI but the car was accurately presented. I expected there would be some things to sort out but the price reflected that. I bought a driver, not a garage queen. I’ve put some money into it but I have also been able to address some things myself. No regrets. It’s what I have always wanted and it’s been a lot of fun so far. Cheers!
Your advice and experience is gold. This is such an honest and revealing analysis. Some of the tips seem obvious, but it's important to hear someone who has been through the journey reiterate it. In my opinion, you and Nathan Merz are true authorities
Clearly one of the best and most informative channels on TH-cam for the Porsche enthusiast. Will’s honesty and oversights are so helpful. Another super duper video. Thanks Will, we sincerely appreciate your sharing of the Porsche ownership experience in an entertaining fashion. That is not easy to do.
I appreciate your honest self Apraisal. I think that ADD impulsivity, plus the need for mechanical perfectionism = a recipe to spend quite a lot! I own a 79sc Targa, which I’ve had since 1981. A few years back I told myself that I would sell it after getting a 996 turbo from a BAT auction. No surprise, I couldn’t bring myself to sell the Targa. One way to do this without going broke is to accept that very old cars develop a level of “patina” that can be experienced as either upsetting flaws, or a record of the the many enjoyable miles driven. Example- The older car could use paint at this point and there are some minor oil leaks , but it’s still very fun to drive and mechanically reliable. If I repainted it and dropped the engine to chase everything down, (don’t misunderstand, it’s well maintained by a highly reputable Porsche specialty shop), it would be extremely expensive and make the ownership of both cars feel to me like a financial burden that’s out of proportion to the amount of pleasure derived from owning both. As to air vs. water, the Sc is nostalgic and easier to appreciate at near legal road speeds, while the Turbo is much more precise and adrenaline producing in short bursts.
Will this is one of my favorite videos you've done. Great job! Very honest and useful information! This aligns very well with my journey with buying Porsches.
Thank you for picking a topic that will help members do some critical thinking. So many sport car dreams have been dashed early on by poor selection decisions and then quickly drowning in technical-ownership costs.
My tip is to actually drive both iterations and get the one that gave you the biggest smile. In the end, that is what makes us happy so long as you can afford the upkeep. My smile came with the 2-3 red line shift in the air-cooled. The sound!
Having owned both, this video is absolutely spot on. Fortunate enough to get into air cooled before the last big spike. Getting the cars sorted is no small undertaking. I wish I would have truly comprehended that early on as initially it just seemed like I was bleeding cash. Five years in and it’s still a work in progress (albeit not as much as before) and the number of qualified mechanics is far less than those that can work on modern cars. For me, the air cooled are more visceral and tactile but I fully appreciate their evolution to water cooled and the different experience there. I fully respect anyone’s decision and know that if it makes them smile, it’s all good and doesn’t matter how the engine is cooled. All I know is both drivers temperatures increase behind the wheel.
Something also to consider. I have zero mechanical inclination, however I was able to do some basic maintenance on my 1987 3.2 from watching TH-cam videos that would have cost me big to have a shop perform. You just can’t do that with a newer water cooled Porsche.
All fine until you are going to gap the valves and when you take off the cover you get a head stud or three on your shoes. Then you need a specialist to redo the blocks and rebuild it and if none are around you are in trouble.
I love Porsche vehicles and particularly the 911 which was introduced when I was a teenager. LOL, I've still got the original blue-dot radio from a 930 "Widowmaker" in storage. I wouldn't mind having an older 911 or even a 356 but it would be as a collectable, trailering to shows and not for driving on public roads. These older cars were pretty wonderful in their days but not in todays world of distracted driving while texting. I'll continue to stick to modern Porsches that have as much safety technology as available. But it is fun to see these older Porsches at Cars & Coffee and classic car events.
I was going to get air cooled because I do a lot of my own work and love a project. But prices went too high and I did not want to deal with the engine rebuild. So a 981 cayman it was. What a great car. Nothing against the air cooled but buying a project for the price of a 981 made no sense to me. Maybe someday…..
I enjoy that you highlight often that you rush into things and get bitten for it. I have the same problem and am extremely stubborn to boot. Bad combination! At least it's not just me, lol. Also appreciate you saying the quiet part out loud with point #4! The attention is definitely a factor that I think people might be reluctant to admit, even in their own minds.
Well done. As a classic car enthusiast, I’d add that air-cooled cars are more expensive in large part because they’re old. I recently had the fuel lines replaced in my 964 because they’re 30 years old. Ditto a few suspension bushings. Not a reliability or quality problem, but classic cars just need stuff done. A 991 obviously needs none of this, but they are complex cars so there’s a lot of expensive bits to fail eventually. For what it’s worth, old Porsches are well-supported and more dependable than the typical classic. It likely comes down to the appeal of classic cars, which can be considerable. Worth it? I think so, but most probably don’t.
My experience with Porsches over the last 17 years or so since I got my first one includes 987s, 981s, 997,993, a 718 and currently an 86 Targa. I think what you say is spot on. I love my current car for many of the reasons you state, but I would definitely drive a new one much much more than I currently do.
First here this morning. Owner of a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 I really want to add a 993 4S to daily with the Cayman. Wonderful cars. Keep making great content
@@JeffJacquesmd I have a manual 95 Carrera coupe. And every drive feels like a special event. That car is definitely a keeper. I think the 4.0 would be a perfect daily and a really good contrast to the 993 in terms of the Porsche experience. Currently trying to get an allocation now. Good luck with your hunt for a 993! They've gotten to be expensive but I still think the experience is worth the price as long as you're not chasing power.
Best advice I first heard on TH-cam, "buy the best car you can afford". For me, at the time was a 996... still have it, don't think I'll ever sell it, GREAT under appreciated car. Later I was able to add a 997, so I'm fortunate to now own 2 awesome cars for LESS than the price of one air cooled...
Man that's a pretty honest appraisal of your faults, good on you brother. As I told my wife after getting roasted on a couple cars over the years: "they can't all be winners." Also relevant: "All the best lessons are expensive."
Yep…it took me many years of working on myself to just say “I’m not perfect, I made some mistakes and it really doesn’t matter” lol I think many people never get there, which is why they try to hide their faults and blame others. I’ve been there so I know how it is. Thanks for watching!
Great content, Will...as always. One thing to consider in that hypothetical $100K budget for an air or water cooled Porsche is the cost of bringing it up to current maintenance standards - and that would include (at least for water cooled Porsches): plugs, brake and transmission fluids, coil packs, air and cabin filters, wiper blades, hood and trunk struts, rotors & pads, serpentine belt, tires, oil change, etc. If you don't know when any of these were last done, then do them ASAP and include them in your $100K budget. Some people's definition of "fully serviced" means an oil change. These cars require more than that. The costs can add-up quickly, but once rectified you'll have a pretty solid car with your imprimatur stamped on it. To one of your other points about why you would be buying a certain Porsche - don't be that person who buys a car based on how impressed someone else will be with it. They don't have to buy it, maintain it, and keep it garaged and insured. Buy that particular Porsche because of how it makes you feel and how you connect with it. If it's a base Cayman or Boxster that does it FOR YOU, then great - and you can skip the GT3RS Touring that seems to do it FOR EVERYONE ELSE (it's not their money!). Keep it going, Will!
This platform is very expensive I mean 20k rebuilds? Crazy. If you got the money sure go crazy but don't let these influencers fool you these cars are very expensive to fix, maintain isn't that bad.
I think it was Walter Rörhl who said, buy the newest one you can afford. Presumably because he just wants to drive fast. But it's still good advice, as the older the car, the more it needs, and if you don't love the maintenance and the wrenching, you won't be happy with an old car.
The new styling and upgrades that began with the 1969 model year and continued through 1973 are my favorites. Porsche increased the wheelbase by moving the rear hubs and wheel arches 2-1/2 inches toward the back of car. This improved the handling and overall appearance.
Good vid. I went through all of this in my search for the best 911 for my needs….my conclusion….997 GT3 is the sweet-spot IMHO. I can not recommend enough, seems to scratch the quasi ‘classic niche cool factor’ with modern reliability while also being absolutely amazing to drive.
That’s the beauty of this hobby. Be intentional and be rewarded. I’ve finally figured out my garage and am super content. It took me awhile but the journey has been challenging and (mostly) fun…but there’s nothing like driving a Porsche of any type so they’ve all been exciting in their own ways.
If you want and can work on the car yourself, it can make the air cool experience better. Much satisfaction knowing if something breaks down you can fix yourself and not be dependent on hauling the car to the dealer.
I have really enjoyed following your channel and learning more about the Porsche experience. After 2 years I finally got my Targa 4S allocation and am beyond thrilled! Irish Green/Heritage Classic combo :)
Sound and friendly advice ! Unfortunately I’ve never been in an air cooled 911 but I own a 992 of which I am greatly satisfied. If I had the means, I’d no doubt be looking for an air cooled 911 in addition to the 992, probably a 993 which I find very beautiful.
Spend some time really really thinking through what you want. For me, I am really more an air cooled fan than Porsche fan. Found an 83 SC and have been really happy with the choice. Bonus is to show up at PCA drives and have GT3/modern Porsche folks come over and admire my classic. At the end of the drives, get lots of comments how much fun it looked like I was having.
Great episode! Lots of truths here. Do your homework and pick the one that speaks to you and make it your own. After growing up with vw’s and air cooled Porsches I now run a 992 c2s fully modded and love it. Great comfort and performance at a good price.
I have owned 2 993 air cooled, the original owner of a ‘95 Carrera driven 90K miles and rebuilt the engine, and a ‘97 Turbo modified to Turbo S specs. Both were fun to drive, gorgeous lines and generated conversation wherever I drove it. Very expensive to repair and maintain. The problem was that I drove it less and less as the value went through the roof. For me, Porsches are to be driven and not put on the shelf like vintage wine to be enjoyed occasionally but minimally. I sold them to a collector and look forward to the thrill again of driving a high performance GT3 air cooled.
Very thoughtful Will .. other thoughts after 50 + years of Pcar ownership ... 1) when buying a used Pcar buy it from the original owner, it will save you lots of $$ and headaches. 2) Pull up anywhere in a 356 ... EVERYONE wants to stop/look at it and share their car stories w you. I was at a stoplight down in St Pete FL and this very rough looking guy on a old clapped out Harley stops-up very close to me ... he starts talking to me, knows my year all the facts and just a great guy ... we talked through some stoplight changes ... he used to be a lead mechanic for Vasek Polak out in CA decades ago - go figure! IMHO a 356 is the purest form of Porsche driving ! 3) I actually enjoy the 356 more than my previous newer Turbos, GT3s, etc.I loved those cars but this is now me and my experiences now. Full evolution circle having started w air cooled, moved to water cooled and then back to air cooled. And no I did not purchase the 356 from the original owner and yes it has cost a lot of money and worth every penny 😁
Thanks Will for sharing your thoughts on this topic. As an owner of both Air & Water cooled i have to say you nailed the 5 tips. FYI, right now i am into the water cooled CPO side of things and looking at adding another, possibly at the cost of my Air Cooled.
😱 you’re gonna cheat on air cooled??? Haha just kidding…I can relate. As I said in the video, there’s something so nice about CPO. Thanks for watching.
I'm in the UK, grew up with Air Cooled (my Dad) my goal age 50 is one 911 for life so heart says air, but head water as that could be my daily, however in 10 years time it will be just older but the air just the same, so for me if I can afford it air. Buy once, buy right so save up longer!
Simple for me personally at 71. I love looking at the old air cooled 911’s but I remember when I had a 1970 911 T Targa and it took a lot of attention and repairs. And those cars are old technology- the window cranks are never perfect and the a/c kind of works and the clutch pedal goes to the floor when the cable splits and on and on. Unless you enjoy working on these old cars yourself or don’t mind adding a mechanic to your family - but a new technology 911 from the 991 forward generations. All six of mine are 2021 or newer and I have only had one warranty claim - a set latch strap pull. I enjoy driving and the new tech in these new generation Porsche vehicles.
Will, great video as usual. I've used your advice to my satisfaction in the past, so thanks for sharing your experience. I agree that the decision is personal and honestly, you have to own a few different generations to truly know what you like most. This takes time (and money), but I think we can all agree that the journey is a great part of the experience. My word of advice would be to limit your garage size to your budget because once you own one Porsche, you start looking for the next one. It's my healthiest addiction!
I think the best tip is 1) drive the car you buy year round. Preferably as a daily or semi-daily driver. That way you maximize the reward of owning and using it for what it’s meant for. 2) Stay the f… off social media. This ensures you develop your own conduct of Porsche ownership, without being told by a..holes what to think and do.
Agreed with your 2nd tip, it’s getting so annoying, those experts telling what is right or wrong, these holy wars about coupes vs cabs, manual vs tips, air vs water, NA vs turbo, pure vs mods, 911 vs Caymans and so on and so on 😅
@@Nord_Mann How could you give others so much power over you as to steal your joy of ownership?! A real man cares little to nothing about other's opinions.
@@Nord_Mann How could you give others so much power over you as to steal your joy of ownership?! A real man cares little to nothing about other's opinions.
I can attest firmly to the point on attention. I went from a 991.2 C4S to a 993 C4S and the number of random thumbs up I get is not comparable. Down here in South FL modern Porsches, Turbos, GTs are as commonplace as Jeeps. You’ll be lucky to spot an air cooled Pcar once every few months on the street. They’re not being daily driven and you get attention from every man and woman. Not that I thirst for the attention but I could notice a significant change since the switch.
Thanks for saving my life. I own a 981 Cayman GTS which I absolutely love, but have always wanted an ‘85 ish 911, the one I grew up wanting. I think your video just changed that. I think I’ll stick with my dream of getting a gt4rs. (Dreams are good lol)
Good advice . Do your homework and comparison shopping. I once owned a 1988 Targa and although I enjoyed driving it then, I don’t think I would trade it for my 2017 911 with modern mechanicals and electronics. There are times I wish I still had the 88, but I doubt that I would drive it as much as I do the newer car. Nice video. Thanks.
You are fortunate to have had the experiences with Porsches that you share with us. All of have to have some fun & balance like a reality check on a fifty year old long hood hot rod.
Good video. I agree with you on your points. For me, I would have to go with an air cooled 911. I love the looks! They will hold their value. The newer models just don’t speak to me as much, vibe wise. That is just my opinion.
Definitely agree with the point about how much love you get in air cooled vs water cooled. Modern Porsches - in my experience - do get positive attention but there's also more likelihood of negative attention. Iv'e experienced this in 991 and GT4 models. My air cooled car gets constant thumbs up from other motorists, pedestrians, kids, adults - you name it, everybody seems to love it. Maybe I have a fragile ego but I must admit it's a nice feeling. Great vid as always Will!
@@Jodoi1 I've had people more inclined to cut me off or not let me merge in traffic and even had people traveling in the opposite direction abuse me without provocation.
@@lastrasp Hmmm....yeah, there are some real idiots out there. I can relate to the merging point - only had my 986 for 5 months and the last time I drove it, it was harder to merge where I would usually have no problems in my (also old) bog standard daily. I did wonder if it might also have had something to do with having the roof down in mid November (in the UK), lol.
Such GREAT points - well said Will! Personally, I would like to have one of each, but that’s not my reality at the moment. They are both great, but just offer much more of different things. But nothing sounds and drives like an air cooled and the lines of the 993 are just heavily. 🙌🏻
Porsches are addictive like the old BMWs they seem to share a lot in common and i know they can use interchageable parts from electrical/electronics to mechanical parts like brake Mc and i think even drive shafts.For me its the aircooled that appeals to me ,down to earth and that sound.The new ones sound like vacuum cleaners .However the one that appeals to me most is the 912 with that flat four,i saw one thats been souped up and mine the sound just touched my soul.I want something i can work on myself .With the watercooled you cant work on it yourself ,too many computerised gizmos i dont want to see in a Porsche.I must learn to fix them before i own one.
It’s fun to experience both. I moved from a 97 986 to an 03 996 to a 17 991.2 with some cross over ownership on the way. I have a video comparing the 2023 911 to the 2003. Go with what your budget allows. You can own a Porsche at any level- my first Boxster was just $4,500. Buy drive and enjoy! If you want a daily type car then anything 2012 and later feels modern and easy to drive while preserving the sports car nature of the car. If you want CarPlay get a 16 or later. If you are spending $$$$ getting CarPlay can be a decider cause you don’t want to say to yourself I spent all this money in my phone still doesn’t work with my car!
Or...if you want Apple CarPlay, buy a 987.1 and add a aftermarket or factory head unit with CarPlay/Android Auto and back-up camera for around $1500. Way more cost effective and a great blend of the last of analog with digital.
Will, awesome video as usual. Agree with everything you said. It was a dream of mine since the 80’s to own an air cooled 911. Finally was able to do so this year. I knew I paid more than I knew the market was because the seller is a high volume presenter on BaT (you’d know by the photography) and it had a top end rebuild this summer. When I received it, there were several things that were not sorted with the rebuild and other items. So I spent the first 2 weeks doing things myself then had it in the shop for a month. The sale went really smoothly, but after delivery, pretty much radio silence when I asked about the continuing issues. I remembered your previous video about recognizing that realistically one should add another 15% to get things sorted correctly for these older cars. I still love the car and know they are a labor of love. Your advice has been really helpful for someone just getting into this wonderful (and sometimes painful) world. The ownership community is awesome. Thanks for your channel and your Facebook group, Will!
I’m fortunate enough to own a 87 930........I recently got to have a go in a friends 992 turbo which was blisteringly fast and effortless, but the one big thing for me, was it lacked character and soul which the 930 has in bucket loads.
Not sure if you have seen this video but given your affinity for the 930 you might enjoy it: th-cam.com/video/4wHlWfeAjek/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LgudYd1xywgReWq_
Great summary. I have a 1980 weissach and a 718 cayman and enjoy both for the reasons you stated. Kinda at the same point where managing a classic (even though it is bulletproof) vs the precision of modern cars is influencing the next purchase, think you hit it right with the Carrera T, but not ready to part with the current cars, and may never…
Well done, great edit, sound thoughts! After five air cooled ‘Porsche’s beginning with a 911T, the experience has been a love affair with all the “ups and downs” imaginable. And like you say, that air-cooled model may be off the road and on a rack for weeks and sometimes months. I must admit being drawn to all the technology and convenience upgrades that come with the new models.
Great video great advice starting my shopping in the next year. My dad still has his first owner 87 targa drove it last week and I’m now a Porsche guy 😂
My Porsche ownership journey started in 1983 with purchase of a 1977 911S. Subsequently I’ve owned a 1979 911SC, a 1984 grey market Carrera, a 1989 3.2 Carrera, and my current car, a 1995 Carrera. I had zero major repairs with any of those cars. My current 993 will be needing a clutch soon so will have to open the checkbook for that repair. In that same period of time I’ve owned 2 996 TT’s a 996 GT3, a 986S Boxster, a 986 base Boxster, a 981 CaymanS a 996 Carrera, a 997 Carrera, and my current 981 Boxster Spyder. None of these water cooled cars needed any major repairs other than the 981 Cayman S which required an engine rebuild due to my own fault. I $ shifted it on track. I thought I’d respond to your thoughts that air cooled cars are more prone to costly repairs. Since I’ve owned so many Porsches over so many years with almost no major repairs on any of these cars I thought my opinion that you are wrong may be compelling. 😂😂
My dream car is a 993 but I will start with a 997 since it's will my first "stick" car I think the 997 is classic enough (last Porsche made by Porsche and last analogue) and easier to drive than a 993 (especially for a everyday car)
997 is a GREAT option. Not sure if you have .1 or .2 but you might enjoy this video regardless: th-cam.com/video/erYAkFUV1W0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EcLa5eFYPNMw4dBJ
Enjoyed your vid. I haven’t driven a 993 but currently have a 997, 991 and 992 (Turbo 6spd, Targa 4 GTS pdk, GT3 6spd). For me the 997 is king. With new PCCM+ it’s the perfect blend of driver engagement without too much tech. Maybe we can swap cars sometime! 😃 I’m down the road in CLT
Well my Porsches I have I like. A 996 Turbo S manual. Faster than any Porsche before it. My second a 987 Cayman S manual with borla exhaust. And my third 970 Panamera Turbo. A civilized beast. 550hp monster. They are all fun. Can’t loose with any Porsche. I work on mine and they all run perfectly. Cheers boys.also don’t be scared of the PCCBs. Two of my cars have them. Love them. And cheaper in the long run. Enjoy. I also have a lot of other cars that all different. Have fun
IMHO air cooled cars have a soul. They were hand built, they have distinctive sounds and smells - and they awake the Protective instinct. Water cooled ones are all modern machines with high performance - built by robots. Both are great.
Air cooled - you’re right…I have noticed that since my first one. Water cooled - something really fun about the precision and comfort of the newer cars. Love that I can daily them and tend to do so.
It really depends on the support available in your Porsche journey. Here in Switzerland, where everyone is isolative, it is best option to by a PPI Porsche from the Porsche Dealer directly to gain entry. Buying an aircooled is IMPOSSIBLE due to supply and also aircooled owners are never going to sell you their "good" ones.
As an owner of multiple Porsches over the years, i can say from experience - get the newer one if you can afford it. You will pay more in the end for the older ones and it will drain you monetarily and emotionally when your car spends more time in a repair garage or sitting in your garage waiting for parts or repairs. Good luck!
Will, good content as usual. I live in a smaller city and one of the issues is having a decent shop who has the capability to work on the air cooled cars. I have a decent shop but if my 3.2 needs anything major, I’m going to have an issue. Even my Porsche dealer has very few technicians who can work on the older cars.
You hit all the emotions, especially the "social validation" piece. I think for some people their cars are their identity, and that's why they buy them, but there are some people who don't live through their cars. I personally don't like the attention, I've loved Porsches for decades, and own one because of the history not for social status or validation. It is hard to find a good group to hang with that are of similar mindset, not that everyone has to be the same, but there's a balance. It does feel bipolar at times wanting an older 911 but also wanting a newer build...I've learned a lot, and most of what I learned was through ownership versus reading what others were saying. When I was in the buying cycle one common piece of advice was "buy the best car you can afford", which is the route I went, but ultimately wasn't THE car I really wanted, unfortunately!
Great video, I currently own a 1987 Porsche 911 Coupe Outlaw. Thinking about selling and buying a 981 Cayman s. Can not make up my mind I’ll never will get another air cooled 911 again but I may get more use out of the Cayman and pocket some money from the sale, decisions, decisions lol
993 C2 6MT and 991.1 GTS 7MT owner here. Really good video from Will as usual! 👍 My feedback: 1. 993 was my teenage dream car so it was a no brainer. Drove a 964 and a 993 on track - both in racing trim 15 years before buying the 993. Confirmed 993 was the one for me. 991.1 GTS purchase was not scheduled, an opportunity came and I just pulled the trigger. 2. At this point, the only solution I found is to own an aircooled and a watercooled. I think it makes sense to enter the 911 world with an aircooled. Watercooled are nothing like the aircooled, a totally different proposition. Both complement each other well : more drama on the 993 (sounds, vibration) but less comfort / performance. The 991.1 is just the opposite. 993 is a chore on highways (too noisy) whereas 991.1 is a breeze. 991.1 start up sound is meh whereas 993 start up sound is so cool. 3. Follow all Will’s advice in his videos. Or, if you are in a market for an aircooled, just wait for Will to buy one, spend $$$ to get it right and buy it when his interest will settle on another watercooled 😂 since he always loses money on aircooled, you are guaranteed to make a fair deal on a restored aircooled 911 😊 You’re welcome 😇 😅 4. 993 gets more thumbs up and smiles but I do get waved at in the 991.1. But I don’t really care about validation tbh 😁 5. Better go see the car before purchasing. I think it’s pretty obvious. Worst case, you lose the deposit if you don’t buy the car.
Point #2: amen Point #3: you’re not wrong 😂😂😂 Point #5: you’d be surprised how many guys I’ve talked to (who message me on social media and want to talk) are willing to drop $100K…but they justify how they are too busy or whatever to fly out and see the car. Thanks for watching!
I would put 968,944 928 in the mix. Fantastic cars that are more modern to drive than the aircooled cars. The 968 CS or a 944 Turbo S is yesterdays Cayman GT4. A 928 S4 or GTS is yesterdays 991, 992
The S4s are heavier and not nearly as sporty as the early cars. European spec S models are every bit as fast and handle better...and look better (subjective)
I have a 987.2 because I really like them. I’m waiting on a 991.1 I’ve got a deposit on because I really like them. Maybe one day I’ll buy an air cooled 911 if I can afford it… but I’d need to like it before I did. TL;DR I’ve got Porsches in my collection because… I like them.
Love the honest realism with these tips. That being said, how do you like your 981 Spyder and did you get an opportunity to compare and contrast with a 718 Spyder?
I remember the gold old days when a G series was cheap and there was a natural order where each newer model was a step up. I love air cooled 911’s but they are way overpriced now.
@rbarnard264 I agree and I believe strongly that BaT played a big role in this. Not a BaT fan and am thinking about doing a video sharing exactly why….
As always, Will, I’m sure it’ll be great content thoroughly enjoy your channel! It’s not only purchasing them, but also to have any vehicle worked on these days has become quite expensive as well.
Another really good video, Will! At any budget level, there are usually multiple good choices. In the $100k (ish) range, in addition to 981 GT4/Spyder and 993, I would add 997TT, 991.2 Carrera S/4S, and 996 GT3. All fantastic cars, but very different experiences! I have these discussions with clients all the time! CheeRS!
Great honest video. I had a 86 Carrera before any water cooled. Had only water cooled since. Not slamming air cooled but are they really worth all that money? Rather have a 996GT3 for the same price.
Excellent video. Years ago I owned an 83 SC and I really loved the driving experience the sounds smells and the way they drive on the road. But I’m curious about a 997 and what it can bring to the table. What I want it mostly for is the driving experience and I’m not sure the new ones give a great driving experience as I have no experience with them.
I have a suggestion, Will. It will test your resolve and discipline. Set a limit. When you buy a Porsche, keep it for no less than 5 years. You'll see a dramatic drop in costs because when you pick up a perfect 993, only to find that you need both an engine and transmission rebuild, you're then set for many tens of thousands of miles. Maybe you need some hose replacements or other small issues fixed. But your big costs are covered.
5 years of anything is a stretch for me…but I am very pleased and centered with where my garage is now. 993, 86, Spyder and Carrera T. Bases covered. I’m shooting for no buying and selling for 1 year…which I just started in September as a bet with my buddies…that I could go 1 year without buying or selling.
That’s what I’ve been doing. I haven’t even been paying to miles added nor have I been worrying about it. That’s how I know I have a good mix. No mental chess game about selling this, trading for that and modding.
@@Rennthusiast 👍 Personally I never regretted to sell any of my cars. Why? Because it is not about the car- it’s merely what we experienced with them: the holiday trips, the rallies, the meetings,… those good memories are staying.
You probably have mentioned this in the past but I am a new follower of yours and am curious about what you do for a living? I am just wondering because of course if someone is smart with their money for 90% of the day they will have the money for cool cars, but sometimes it’s tough time wise to devote so much time and energy to these beautiful machines.
With your desire to quickly move on to the next car that interests you, you would do well belonging to a car club like Classic Car Club Manhattan where you can experience a variety of cars.
Thanks for the tip. Believe it or not I am actually very content with what I have landed on in the garage currently. Feel like I really have the bases covered and picked these cars based on lessons learned about what I want - and don’t want - in the crew. Now it’s a 993, an 86, a Carrera T and a 981 Spyder. Love them all for different reasons and there’s really no overlap at all between them in terms of looks or driving experience.
As it happens, I'm about to sell my '85 Carrera to pick up a 981 Cayman 2.7, with (gasp!) PDK. I'm an old guy, and have owned 14 Porsches since 1983, including five air cooled cars, as well as three 987 Caymans that I drove on track. Now, though, as I've gotten to retirement, I want to do more long road trips via sports car. So the switch to something a bit more modern for said road trips with my wife, who needs an automatic, makes sense. And there's no need for an S model, as the plain Jane base model has all the power I'll realistically need. The interesting thing is, this approach is completely the reverse of my thinking 20 years ago.
I bought a water-cooled 911 because I could no longer afford air-cooled ones. Buy what you can afford.
I bought a 10k mile 2018 Carrera T (with carbon buckets!) for less than even the least expensive 993 Carrera I could find. It’s an amazing car and absolutely blows me away every time I drive in the canyons. I threw a tune on it and now have another 100hp. Zero complaints or regrets.
I broke all the rules when I bought my ‘86 Cabriolet. I got it off eBay. I didn’t do a PPI but the car was accurately presented. I expected there would be some things to sort out but the price reflected that. I bought a driver, not a garage queen. I’ve put some money into it but I have also been able to address some things myself. No regrets. It’s what I have always wanted and it’s been a lot of fun so far. Cheers!
Love hearing stories like this. My friend rolled the dice also and got a great car that has had very few problems.
Your advice and experience is gold. This is such an honest and revealing analysis. Some of the tips seem obvious, but it's important to hear someone who has been through the journey reiterate it. In my opinion, you and Nathan Merz are true authorities
Clearly one of the best and most informative channels on TH-cam for the Porsche enthusiast. Will’s honesty and oversights are so helpful. Another super duper video. Thanks Will, we sincerely appreciate your sharing of the Porsche ownership experience in an entertaining fashion. That is not easy to do.
That means a lot. Truly, thank you.
I appreciate your honest self Apraisal. I think that ADD impulsivity, plus the need for mechanical perfectionism = a recipe to spend quite a lot!
I own a 79sc Targa, which I’ve had since 1981. A few years back I told myself that I would sell it after getting a 996 turbo from a BAT auction. No surprise, I couldn’t bring myself to sell the Targa.
One way to do this without going broke is to accept that very old cars develop a level of “patina” that can be experienced as either upsetting flaws, or a record of the the many enjoyable miles driven. Example- The older car could use paint at this point and there are some minor oil leaks , but it’s still very fun to drive and mechanically reliable.
If I repainted it and dropped the engine to chase everything down, (don’t misunderstand, it’s well maintained by a highly reputable Porsche specialty shop), it would be extremely expensive and make the ownership of both cars feel to me like a financial burden that’s out of proportion to the amount of pleasure derived from owning both.
As to air vs. water, the Sc is nostalgic and easier to appreciate at near legal road speeds, while the Turbo is much more precise and adrenaline producing in short bursts.
Will this is one of my favorite videos you've done. Great job! Very honest and useful information! This aligns very well with my journey with buying Porsches.
Thank you!
Thank you for picking a topic that will help members do some critical thinking. So many sport car dreams have been dashed early on by poor selection decisions and then quickly drowning in technical-ownership costs.
Haha been there done that…but thankfully I’m resilient and love the hobby too much to bail out.
Absolutely love your videos. Passionate and well thought out.
Keep creating great content!
Thank you! Means a lot.
My tip is to actually drive both iterations and get the one that gave you the biggest smile. In the end, that is what makes us happy so long as you can afford the upkeep. My smile came with the 2-3 red line shift in the air-cooled. The sound!
Haha can’t deny the motor sound is to die for
Having owned both, this video is absolutely spot on. Fortunate enough to get into air cooled before the last big spike. Getting the cars sorted is no small undertaking. I wish I would have truly comprehended that early on as initially it just seemed like I was bleeding cash. Five years in and it’s still a work in progress (albeit not as much as before) and the number of qualified mechanics is far less than those that can work on modern cars. For me, the air cooled are more visceral and tactile but I fully appreciate their evolution to water cooled and the different experience there. I fully respect anyone’s decision and know that if it makes them smile, it’s all good and doesn’t matter how the engine is cooled. All I know is both drivers temperatures increase behind the wheel.
Something also to consider. I have zero mechanical inclination, however I was able to do some basic maintenance on my 1987 3.2 from watching TH-cam videos that would have cost me big to have a shop perform. You just can’t do that with a newer water cooled Porsche.
Yep, exactly
Just wondering- what basic maintenance did you perform on your AC that would not have been possible on a WC?
All fine until you are going to gap the valves and when you take off the cover you get a head stud or three on your shoes. Then you need a specialist to redo the blocks and rebuild it and if none are around you are in trouble.
This is the perfect video for me. Thanks for taking the time to make this one.
I love Porsche vehicles and particularly the 911 which was introduced when I was a teenager. LOL, I've still got the original blue-dot radio from a 930 "Widowmaker" in storage. I wouldn't mind having an older 911 or even a 356 but it would be as a collectable, trailering to shows and not for driving on public roads. These older cars were pretty wonderful in their days but not in todays world of distracted driving while texting. I'll continue to stick to modern Porsches that have as much safety technology as available. But it is fun to see these older Porsches at Cars & Coffee and classic car events.
I was going to get air cooled because I do a lot of my own work and love a project. But prices went too high and I did not want to deal with the engine rebuild. So a 981 cayman it was. What a great car. Nothing against the air cooled but buying a project for the price of a 981 made no sense to me. Maybe someday…..
Cayman is a great car.
I enjoy that you highlight often that you rush into things and get bitten for it. I have the same problem and am extremely stubborn to boot. Bad combination! At least it's not just me, lol.
Also appreciate you saying the quiet part out loud with point #4! The attention is definitely a factor that I think people might be reluctant to admit, even in their own minds.
Well done. As a classic car enthusiast, I’d add that air-cooled cars are more expensive in large part because they’re old. I recently had the fuel lines replaced in my 964 because they’re 30 years old. Ditto a few suspension bushings. Not a reliability or quality problem, but classic cars just need stuff done. A 991 obviously needs none of this, but they are complex cars so there’s a lot of expensive bits to fail eventually. For what it’s worth, old Porsches are well-supported and more dependable than the typical classic. It likely comes down to the appeal of classic cars, which can be considerable. Worth it? I think so, but most probably don’t.
Excellent video
My experience with Porsches over the last 17 years or so since I got my first one includes 987s, 981s, 997,993, a 718 and currently an 86 Targa. I think what you say is spot on. I love my current car for many of the reasons you state, but I would definitely drive a new one much much more than I currently do.
Great video and you provide an excellent way to go about thinking this through. No matter what path you take it will become an addiction!
First here this morning.
Owner of a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0
I really want to add a 993 4S to daily with the Cayman.
Wonderful cars.
Keep making great content
Haha my garage is the exact opposite! I have a 993 and I'm planning to replace my 987 Cayman S for a GTS 4.0. Congrats on your 4.0!
@@RSDDS996congrats brother! Which 993 do you have?
The GTS 4.0 is a lovely car, excellent daily and fun tooling car.
Good luck with the hunt
@@JeffJacquesmd I have a manual 95 Carrera coupe. And every drive feels like a special event. That car is definitely a keeper. I think the 4.0 would be a perfect daily and a really good contrast to the 993 in terms of the Porsche experience. Currently trying to get an allocation now. Good luck with your hunt for a 993! They've gotten to be expensive but I still think the experience is worth the price as long as you're not chasing power.
Best advice I first heard on TH-cam, "buy the best car you can afford". For me, at the time was a 996... still have it, don't think I'll ever sell it, GREAT under appreciated car. Later I was able to add a 997, so I'm fortunate to now own 2 awesome cars for LESS than the price of one air cooled...
Really some of the best advice I have seen ever on how to determine what Porsche is right for you.
This one hit home!!!! Really nailed it. Going through this mental exercise right now and took a lot of great ideas from this video.
Man that's a pretty honest appraisal of your faults, good on you brother. As I told my wife after getting roasted on a couple cars over the years: "they can't all be winners." Also relevant: "All the best lessons are expensive."
Yep…it took me many years of working on myself to just say “I’m not perfect, I made some mistakes and it really doesn’t matter” lol
I think many people never get there, which is why they try to hide their faults and blame others. I’ve been there so I know how it is.
Thanks for watching!
Great content, Will...as always. One thing to consider in that hypothetical $100K budget for an air or water cooled Porsche is the cost of bringing it up to current maintenance standards - and that would include (at least for water cooled Porsches): plugs, brake and transmission fluids, coil packs, air and cabin filters, wiper blades, hood and trunk struts, rotors & pads, serpentine belt, tires, oil change, etc. If you don't know when any of these were last done, then do them ASAP and include them in your $100K budget. Some people's definition of "fully serviced" means an oil change. These cars require more than that. The costs can add-up quickly, but once rectified you'll have a pretty solid car with your imprimatur stamped on it.
To one of your other points about why you would be buying a certain Porsche - don't be that person who buys a car based on how impressed someone else will be with it. They don't have to buy it, maintain it, and keep it garaged and insured. Buy that particular Porsche because of how it makes you feel and how you connect with it. If it's a base Cayman or Boxster that does it FOR YOU, then great - and you can skip the GT3RS Touring that seems to do it FOR EVERYONE ELSE (it's not their money!).
Keep it going, Will!
This platform is very expensive I mean 20k rebuilds? Crazy. If you got the money sure go crazy but don't let these influencers fool you these cars are very expensive to fix, maintain isn't that bad.
I think it was Walter Rörhl who said, buy the newest one you can afford. Presumably because he just wants to drive fast. But it's still good advice, as the older the car, the more it needs, and if you don't love the maintenance and the wrenching, you won't be happy with an old car.
Another well thought out and presented video. I love the excellence of your channel. Well done!
This video is one of your best ones. You nailed exactly where I’m at. Perfect timing.. Thank you so much
The new styling and upgrades that began with the 1969 model year and continued through 1973 are my favorites. Porsche increased the wheelbase by moving the rear hubs and wheel arches 2-1/2 inches toward the back of car. This improved the handling and overall appearance.
Good vid.
I went through all of this in my search for the best 911 for my needs….my conclusion….997 GT3 is the sweet-spot IMHO. I can not recommend enough, seems to scratch the quasi ‘classic niche cool factor’ with modern reliability while also being absolutely amazing to drive.
That’s the beauty of this hobby. Be intentional and be rewarded. I’ve finally figured out my garage and am super content. It took me awhile but the journey has been challenging and (mostly) fun…but there’s nothing like driving a Porsche of any type so they’ve all been exciting in their own ways.
Good advice. I had a budget for a 992 GT3, but bought 2 cars instead. An 86 930 and a new base 992. I love both cars.
Great video Will. I’ve followed your journey and it’s very similar to mine. I think these are great tips 👍
If you want and can work on the car yourself, it can make the air cool experience better. Much satisfaction knowing if something breaks down you can fix yourself and not be dependent on hauling the car to the dealer.
I have really enjoyed following your channel and learning more about the Porsche experience. After 2 years I finally got my Targa 4S allocation and am beyond thrilled! Irish Green/Heritage Classic combo :)
One of your absolute best videos. Great advice. From a 911 991.1 happy owner.
Sound and friendly advice ! Unfortunately I’ve never been in an air cooled 911 but I own a 992 of which I am greatly satisfied. If I had the means, I’d no doubt be looking for an air cooled 911 in addition to the 992, probably a 993 which I find very beautiful.
Spend some time really really thinking through what you want. For me, I am really more an air cooled fan than Porsche fan. Found an 83 SC and have been really happy with the choice. Bonus is to show up at PCA drives and have GT3/modern Porsche folks come over and admire my classic. At the end of the drives, get lots of comments how much fun it looked like I was having.
Great episode! Lots of truths here. Do your homework and pick the one that speaks to you and make it your own. After growing up with vw’s and air cooled Porsches I now run a 992 c2s fully modded and love it. Great comfort and performance at a good price.
I have owned 2 993 air cooled, the original owner of a ‘95 Carrera driven 90K miles and rebuilt the engine, and a ‘97 Turbo modified to Turbo S specs. Both were fun to drive, gorgeous lines and generated conversation wherever I drove it. Very expensive to repair and maintain. The problem was that I drove it less and less as the value went through the roof. For me, Porsches are to be driven and not put on the shelf like vintage wine to be enjoyed occasionally but minimally. I sold them to a collector and look forward to the thrill again of driving a high performance GT3 air cooled.
Very thoughtful Will .. other thoughts after 50 + years of Pcar ownership ... 1) when buying a used Pcar buy it from the original owner, it will save you lots of $$ and headaches. 2) Pull up anywhere in a 356 ... EVERYONE wants to stop/look at it and share their car stories w you. I was at a stoplight down in St Pete FL and this very rough looking guy on a old clapped out Harley stops-up very close to me ... he starts talking to me, knows my year all the facts and just a great guy ... we talked through some stoplight changes ... he used to be a lead mechanic for Vasek Polak out in CA decades ago - go figure! IMHO a 356 is the purest form of Porsche driving ! 3) I actually enjoy the 356 more than my previous newer Turbos, GT3s, etc.I loved those cars but this is now me and my experiences now. Full evolution circle having started w air cooled, moved to water cooled and then back to air cooled. And no I did not purchase the 356 from the original owner and yes it has cost a lot of money and worth every penny 😁
These are great insights. You should do a video of your own 😄. 50 years is a huge collection of wisdom.
Thanks Will for sharing your thoughts on this topic. As an owner of both Air & Water cooled i have to say you nailed the 5 tips. FYI, right now i am into the water cooled CPO side of things and looking at adding another, possibly at the cost of my Air Cooled.
😱 you’re gonna cheat on air cooled???
Haha just kidding…I can relate. As I said in the video, there’s something so nice about CPO.
Thanks for watching.
Cross shopping new gr86/brz vs 2014 cayman! Love the content thanks for the video
I'm in the UK, grew up with Air Cooled (my Dad) my goal age 50 is one 911 for life so heart says air, but head water as that could be my daily, however in 10 years time it will be just older but the air just the same, so for me if I can afford it air. Buy once, buy right so save up longer!
Simple for me personally at 71. I love looking at the old air cooled 911’s but I remember when I had a 1970 911 T Targa and it took a lot of attention and repairs. And those cars are old technology- the window cranks are never perfect and the a/c kind of works and the clutch pedal goes to the floor when the cable splits and on and on. Unless you enjoy working on these old cars yourself or don’t mind adding a mechanic to your family - but a new technology 911 from the 991 forward generations. All six of mine are 2021 or newer and I have only had one warranty claim - a set latch strap pull.
I enjoy driving and the new tech in these new generation Porsche vehicles.
Will, great video as usual. I've used your advice to my satisfaction in the past, so thanks for sharing your experience. I agree that the decision is personal and honestly, you have to own a few different generations to truly know what you like most. This takes time (and money), but I think we can all agree that the journey is a great part of the experience. My word of advice would be to limit your garage size to your budget because once you own one Porsche, you start looking for the next one. It's my healthiest addiction!
Amen. Thanks for watching!
I think the best tip is 1) drive the car you buy year round. Preferably as a daily or semi-daily driver. That way you maximize the reward of owning and using it for what it’s meant for. 2) Stay the f… off social media. This ensures you develop your own conduct of Porsche ownership, without being told by a..holes what to think and do.
Agreed with your 2nd tip, it’s getting so annoying, those experts telling what is right or wrong, these holy wars about coupes vs cabs, manual vs tips, air vs water, NA vs turbo, pure vs mods, 911 vs Caymans and so on and so on 😅
@@DenysStafiniak it’s downright exhausting and takes a lot of the joy of Porsche ownership away unfortunately.
@@Nord_Mann How could you give others so much power over you as to steal your joy of ownership?! A real man cares little to nothing about other's opinions.
@@Nord_Mann How could you give others so much power over you as to steal your joy of ownership?! A real man cares little to nothing about other's opinions.
I can attest firmly to the point on attention. I went from a 991.2 C4S to a 993 C4S and the number of random thumbs up I get is not comparable. Down here in South FL modern Porsches, Turbos, GTs are as commonplace as Jeeps.
You’ll be lucky to spot an air cooled Pcar once every few months on the street. They’re not being daily driven and you get attention from every man and woman. Not that I thirst for the attention but I could notice a significant change since the switch.
Thanks for saving my life. I own a 981 Cayman GTS which I absolutely love, but have always wanted an ‘85 ish 911, the one I grew up wanting. I think your video just changed that. I think I’ll stick with my dream of getting a gt4rs. (Dreams are good lol)
Good advice . Do your homework and comparison shopping. I once owned a 1988 Targa and although I enjoyed driving it then, I don’t think I would trade it for my 2017 911 with modern mechanicals and electronics. There are times I wish I still had the 88, but I doubt that I would drive it as much as I do the newer car. Nice video. Thanks.
You are fortunate to have had the experiences with Porsches that you share with us. All of have to have some fun & balance like a reality check on a fifty year old long hood hot rod.
Good video. I agree with you on your points. For me, I would have to go with an air cooled 911. I love the looks! They will hold their value. The newer models just don’t speak to me as much, vibe wise. That is just my opinion.
This is exactly the dilemma I’m going through right now. Thanks for posting!
Definitely agree with the point about how much love you get in air cooled vs water cooled. Modern Porsches - in my experience - do get positive attention but there's also more likelihood of negative attention. Iv'e experienced this in 991 and GT4 models. My air cooled car gets constant thumbs up from other motorists, pedestrians, kids, adults - you name it, everybody seems to love it. Maybe I have a fragile ego but I must admit it's a nice feeling. Great vid as always Will!
Thank you sir! Hope all is well.
What negative reactions have you had? If you don't mind me asking.
@@Jodoi1 I've had people more inclined to cut me off or not let me merge in traffic and even had people traveling in the opposite direction abuse me without provocation.
@@lastrasp Hmmm....yeah, there are some real idiots out there. I can relate to the merging point - only had my 986 for 5 months and the last time I drove it, it was harder to merge where I would usually have no problems in my (also old) bog standard daily. I did wonder if it might also have had something to do with having the roof down in mid November (in the UK), lol.
Such GREAT points - well said Will! Personally, I would like to have one of each, but that’s not my reality at the moment. They are both great, but just offer much more of different things. But nothing sounds and drives like an air cooled and the lines of the 993 are just heavily. 🙌🏻
Great video Will. Vintage will always be my first love, but I think I need both air and water cooled!
Porsches are addictive like the old BMWs they seem to share a lot in common and i know they can use interchageable parts from electrical/electronics to mechanical parts like brake Mc and i think even drive shafts.For me its the aircooled that appeals to me ,down to earth and that sound.The new ones sound like vacuum cleaners .However the one that appeals to me most is the 912 with that flat four,i saw one thats been souped up and mine the sound just touched my soul.I want something i can work on myself .With the watercooled you cant work on it yourself ,too many computerised gizmos i dont want to see in a Porsche.I must learn to fix them before i own one.
Great video, Will! Looking forward to the next one.!
Another great video Will!
Thanks!
It’s fun to experience both. I moved from a 97 986 to an 03 996 to a 17 991.2 with some cross over ownership on the way. I have a video comparing the 2023 911 to the 2003. Go with what your budget allows. You can own a Porsche at any level- my first Boxster was just $4,500. Buy drive and enjoy!
If you want a daily type car then anything 2012 and later feels modern and easy to drive while preserving the sports car nature of the car. If you want CarPlay get a 16 or later. If you are spending $$$$ getting CarPlay can be a decider cause you don’t want to say to yourself I spent all this money in my phone still doesn’t work with my car!
Or...if you want Apple CarPlay, buy a 987.1 and add a aftermarket or factory head unit with CarPlay/Android Auto and back-up camera for around $1500. Way more cost effective and a great blend of the last of analog with digital.
Will, awesome video as usual. Agree with everything you said. It was a dream of mine since the 80’s to own an air cooled 911. Finally was able to do so this year. I knew I paid more than I knew the market was because the seller is a high volume presenter on BaT (you’d know by the photography) and it had a top end rebuild this summer. When I received it, there were several things that were not sorted with the rebuild and other items. So I spent the first 2 weeks doing things myself then had it in the shop for a month. The sale went really smoothly, but after delivery, pretty much radio silence when I asked about the continuing issues. I remembered your previous video about recognizing that realistically one should add another 15% to get things sorted correctly for these older cars. I still love the car and know they are a labor of love. Your advice has been really helpful for someone just getting into this wonderful (and sometimes painful) world. The ownership community is awesome. Thanks for your channel and your Facebook group, Will!
Thank you for the support.
I have found it rewarding sharing my experiences in the hopes of helping owners out.
Enjoy your car in good health!
I’m fortunate enough to own a 87 930........I recently got to have a go in a friends 992 turbo which was blisteringly fast and effortless, but the one big thing for me, was it lacked character and soul which the 930 has in bucket loads.
Not sure if you have seen this video but given your affinity for the 930 you might enjoy it: th-cam.com/video/4wHlWfeAjek/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LgudYd1xywgReWq_
Simple-Both, You are right-Air Cooled-you better be able to wrench-992 GT3 is amazing but too capable for most roads in US.
Great summary. I have a 1980 weissach and a 718 cayman and enjoy both for the reasons you stated. Kinda at the same point where managing a classic (even though it is bulletproof) vs the precision of modern cars is influencing the next purchase, think you hit it right with the Carrera T, but not ready to part with the current cars, and may never…
Well done, great edit, sound thoughts!
After five air cooled ‘Porsche’s beginning with a 911T, the experience has been a love affair with all the “ups and downs” imaginable. And like you say, that air-cooled model may be off the road and on a rack for weeks and sometimes months. I must admit being drawn to all the technology and convenience upgrades that come with the new models.
Excellent video, sound advice. Have to slow down and make a decision based on what you like.
Absolutely!
Great video great advice starting my shopping in the next year. My dad still has his first owner 87 targa drove it last week and I’m now a Porsche guy 😂
Very helpful . Great tips .
My Porsche ownership journey started in 1983 with purchase of a 1977 911S. Subsequently I’ve owned a 1979 911SC, a 1984 grey market Carrera, a 1989 3.2 Carrera, and my current car, a 1995 Carrera. I had zero major repairs with any of those cars. My current 993 will be needing a clutch soon so will have to open the checkbook for that repair. In that same period of time I’ve owned 2 996 TT’s a 996 GT3, a 986S Boxster, a 986 base Boxster, a 981 CaymanS a 996 Carrera, a 997 Carrera, and my current 981 Boxster Spyder. None of these water cooled cars needed any major repairs other than the 981 Cayman S which required an engine rebuild due to my own fault. I $ shifted it on track. I thought I’d respond to your thoughts that air cooled cars are more prone to costly repairs. Since I’ve owned so many Porsches over so many years with almost no major repairs on any of these cars I thought my opinion that you are wrong may be compelling. 😂😂
My dream car is a 993 but I will start with a 997 since it's will my first "stick" car I think the 997 is classic enough (last Porsche made by Porsche and last analogue) and easier to drive than a 993 (especially for a everyday car)
997 is a GREAT option. Not sure if you have .1 or .2 but you might enjoy this video regardless: th-cam.com/video/erYAkFUV1W0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EcLa5eFYPNMw4dBJ
Enjoyed your vid. I haven’t driven a 993 but currently have a 997, 991 and 992 (Turbo 6spd, Targa 4 GTS pdk, GT3 6spd). For me the 997 is king. With new PCCM+ it’s the perfect blend of driver engagement without too much tech. Maybe we can swap cars sometime! 😃 I’m down the road in CLT
Let’s do it. Would love to see the GT3…and maybe get it on video. If you’re interested send me an email at therennthusiast@gmail.com
Thank you for the awesome advice you’re doing great
Thanks. Nice job
Well my Porsches I have I like. A 996 Turbo S manual. Faster than any Porsche before it. My second a 987 Cayman S manual with borla exhaust. And my third 970 Panamera Turbo. A civilized beast. 550hp monster. They are all fun. Can’t loose with any Porsche. I work on mine and they all run perfectly. Cheers boys.also don’t be scared of the PCCBs. Two of my cars have them. Love them. And cheaper in the long run. Enjoy. I also have a lot of other cars that all different. Have fun
IMHO air cooled cars have a soul. They were hand built, they have distinctive sounds and smells - and they awake the Protective instinct. Water cooled ones are all modern machines with high performance - built by robots. Both are great.
Air cooled - you’re right…I have noticed that since my first one.
Water cooled - something really fun about the precision and comfort of the newer cars. Love that I can daily them and tend to do so.
It really depends on the support available in your Porsche journey. Here in Switzerland, where everyone is isolative, it is best option to by a PPI Porsche from the Porsche Dealer directly to gain entry. Buying an aircooled is IMPOSSIBLE due to supply and also aircooled owners are never going to sell you their "good" ones.
Great video - sure helped to validate the choice I made 3 years ago 😅
wow that ice green metallic 1976 911s is beautiful
As an owner of multiple Porsches over the years, i can say from experience - get the newer one if you can afford it. You will pay more in the end for the older ones and it will drain you monetarily and emotionally when your car spends more time in a repair garage or sitting in your garage waiting for parts or repairs. Good luck!
Will, good content as usual. I live in a smaller city and one of the issues is having a decent shop who has the capability to work on the air cooled cars. I have a decent shop but if my 3.2 needs anything major, I’m going to have an issue. Even my Porsche dealer has very few technicians who can work on the older cars.
Yep…this is a very common problem for air cooled owners.
@@Rennthusiast that in and of itself is a reason to lean toward the newer machines.
You hit all the emotions, especially the "social validation" piece. I think for some people their cars are their identity, and that's why they buy them, but there are some people who don't live through their cars. I personally don't like the attention, I've loved Porsches for decades, and own one because of the history not for social status or validation. It is hard to find a good group to hang with that are of similar mindset, not that everyone has to be the same, but there's a balance.
It does feel bipolar at times wanting an older 911 but also wanting a newer build...I've learned a lot, and most of what I learned was through ownership versus reading what others were saying. When I was in the buying cycle one common piece of advice was "buy the best car you can afford", which is the route I went, but ultimately wasn't THE car I really wanted, unfortunately!
Perfect video.
Just subbed to your channel.
Don’t own a Porsche yet but I totally agree with you..water cooled for me :)
Thanks, my man. Hope you enjoy my future vids. 🙏🏼
Great advice. My recent purchase was through a specialist which worked out well as he knows more thank I’ll ever know.
Great video, I currently own a 1987 Porsche 911 Coupe Outlaw. Thinking about selling and buying a 981 Cayman s. Can not make up my mind I’ll never will get another air cooled 911 again but I may get more use out of the Cayman and pocket some money from the sale, decisions, decisions lol
Thinking About Buying a 981 Cayman? Here’s Why I’m Already Selling Mine.
th-cam.com/video/3WGroNuvbis/w-d-xo.html
Thanks I will watch the video next.
993 C2 6MT and 991.1 GTS 7MT owner here. Really good video from Will as usual! 👍
My feedback:
1. 993 was my teenage dream car so it was a no brainer. Drove a 964 and a 993 on track - both in racing trim 15 years before buying the 993. Confirmed 993 was the one for me. 991.1 GTS purchase was not scheduled, an opportunity came and I just pulled the trigger.
2. At this point, the only solution I found is to own an aircooled and a watercooled. I think it makes sense to enter the 911 world with an aircooled. Watercooled are nothing like the aircooled, a totally different proposition. Both complement each other well : more drama on the 993 (sounds, vibration) but less comfort / performance. The 991.1 is just the opposite. 993 is a chore on highways (too noisy) whereas 991.1 is a breeze. 991.1 start up sound is meh whereas 993 start up sound is so cool.
3. Follow all Will’s advice in his videos. Or, if you are in a market for an aircooled, just wait for Will to buy one, spend $$$ to get it right and buy it when his interest will settle on another watercooled 😂 since he always loses money on aircooled, you are guaranteed to make a fair deal on a restored aircooled 911 😊 You’re welcome 😇 😅
4. 993 gets more thumbs up and smiles but I do get waved at in the 991.1. But I don’t really care about validation tbh 😁
5. Better go see the car before purchasing. I think it’s pretty obvious. Worst case, you lose the deposit if you don’t buy the car.
Point #2: amen
Point #3: you’re not wrong 😂😂😂
Point #5: you’d be surprised how many guys I’ve talked to (who message me on social media and want to talk) are willing to drop $100K…but they justify how they are too busy or whatever to fly out and see the car.
Thanks for watching!
I would put 968,944 928 in the mix. Fantastic cars that are more modern to drive than the aircooled cars.
The 968 CS or a 944 Turbo S is yesterdays Cayman GT4.
A 928 S4 or GTS is yesterdays 991, 992
The S4s are heavier and not nearly as sporty as the early cars. European spec S models are every bit as fast and handle better...and look better (subjective)
@@928pcar Yes I agree, the early 928:s are sweet. Just wanted to ad the transaxle cars into the mix in this comparison.
I have a 987.2 because I really like them. I’m waiting on a 991.1 I’ve got a deposit on because I really like them.
Maybe one day I’ll buy an air cooled 911 if I can afford it… but I’d need to like it before I did.
TL;DR I’ve got Porsches in my collection because… I like them.
Love the honest realism with these tips. That being said, how do you like your 981 Spyder and did you get an opportunity to compare and contrast with a 718 Spyder?
I did not but I can’t imagine it’s much different than these 2 GT4’s as long as the motor and transmission are apples to apples
I remember the gold old days when a G series was cheap and there was a natural order where each newer model was a step up.
I love air cooled 911’s but they are way overpriced now.
It’s disappointing you can’t be a car enthusiast anymore because it’s a rich man’s game. I find it to be frustrating often.
@rbarnard264 I agree and I believe strongly that BaT played a big role in this. Not a BaT fan and am thinking about doing a video sharing exactly why….
As always, Will, I’m sure it’ll be great content thoroughly enjoy your channel! It’s not only purchasing them, but also to have any vehicle worked on these days has become quite expensive as well.
Another really good video, Will!
At any budget level, there are usually multiple good choices. In the $100k (ish) range, in addition to 981 GT4/Spyder and 993, I would add 997TT, 991.2 Carrera S/4S, and 996 GT3. All fantastic cars, but very different experiences! I have these discussions with clients all the time!
CheeRS!
Great honest video. I had a 86 Carrera before any water cooled. Had only water cooled since. Not slamming air cooled but are they really worth all that money? Rather have a 996GT3 for the same price.
Great show, sincere!
i think i would only buy 1 air cooled porsche, the rest will be more modern
Ill take one of each thank you very much!!!!
Hi great show, when did the Porsche bug bite you.
6 years and 12 cars ago
Excellent video. Years ago I owned an 83 SC and I really loved the driving experience the sounds smells and the way they drive on the road. But I’m curious about a 997 and what it can bring to the table. What I want it mostly for is the driving experience and I’m not sure the new ones give a great driving experience as I have no experience with them.
I have a suggestion, Will. It will test your resolve and discipline. Set a limit. When you buy a Porsche, keep it for no less than 5 years. You'll see a dramatic drop in costs because when you pick up a perfect 993, only to find that you need both an engine and transmission rebuild, you're then set for many tens of thousands of miles. Maybe you need some hose replacements or other small issues fixed. But your big costs are covered.
5 years of anything is a stretch for me…but I am very pleased and centered with where my garage is now. 993, 86, Spyder and Carrera T. Bases covered. I’m shooting for no buying and selling for 1 year…which I just started in September as a bet with my buddies…that I could go 1 year without buying or selling.
@@Rennthusiastmy advice: drive’em as much as possible so you don’t have time to search for new opportunities 😉
That’s what I’ve been doing. I haven’t even been paying to miles added nor have I been worrying about it. That’s how I know I have a good mix. No mental chess game about selling this, trading for that and modding.
@@Rennthusiast 👍 Personally I never regretted to sell any of my cars. Why? Because it is not about the car- it’s merely what we experienced with them: the holiday trips, the rallies, the meetings,… those good memories are staying.
Basically the question is pre VW post VW owned that happened in 2008. Time will tell if newer cars will have same quality.
You probably have mentioned this in the past but I am a new follower of yours and am curious about what you do for a living? I am just wondering because of course if someone is smart with their money for 90% of the day they will have the money for cool cars, but sometimes it’s tough time wise to devote so much time and energy to these beautiful machines.
Business owner.
With your desire to quickly move on to the next car that interests you, you would do well belonging to a car club like Classic Car Club Manhattan where you can experience a variety of cars.
Thanks for the tip. Believe it or not I am actually very content with what I have landed on in the garage currently. Feel like I really have the bases covered and picked these cars based on lessons learned about what I want - and don’t want - in the crew. Now it’s a 993, an 86, a Carrera T and a 981 Spyder. Love them all for different reasons and there’s really no overlap at all between them in terms of looks or driving experience.