scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

For $29k would you all consider a 2004 Porsche 911 (996) C2 convertible OVER our beloved SC's?

I found one in Houston finally, after looking for a red on black forever.

It has 52k miles on it, which may be a lot for a 911. It is in GREAT condition for a 2004 and is guards red on black.

This car is a basic convertible, no AWD (C4) or S or turbo. Six speed. 320hp

Pros: Porsche would be more fun than the SC for sure. Looks? In eye of beholder. I am 35, so it fits my social style more I guess, if you believe that BS---my buddies made fun of me for having a "grandma" or "chick" car with the SC, but I told them to go fly a kite. The 911 I am looking at can be modded pretty quickly to be about 400hp with exhaust, intake and some other things as well as some nice upgrades with wheels and interior and tech that would make it a blast too. The car looks like a $100k car!!!

Cons: Dependability, service, lack of knowledge, out of my "comfort" zone. Inadequate tech and options inside---basically the car has a trunk cd changer and no BOSE or anything upgraded inside, no nav, etc. Very expensive to repair--even more so than Lexus. Out of warranty.

So...for $29k which one would you get? 2005 SC430 red/ecru with low miles potentially still under warranty OR a 2004 911 convertible with 52k miles out of warranty?

Thanks

TooCoolSC

This one is easy for me....hands down the SC. But then...I like SC's. People who don't would pick the Porsche.

The SC turns my head. The Porsche doesn't. The extra hp wouldn't mean that much to me, but I know it does to you. The interior of the SC is incomparable, which is important to me.

masagsxr

If $$$ is not an issue and you've always want a Porsche, you should get what you want. As far as maintenance tho, you would probably spend most of your $$$ taking the car to the dealer since porsche's usually use a lot of special tools that you don't have and probably only available at the dealer.

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

911 all the way, I'm thinking of picking up a turbo sometime next year if i decide against getting a bike.

as much as I love my SC its not cutting it anymore, after all the time and money I spent on it, it still leaves me wanting more....

norman52

Make sure you can afford to repair the Porsche before you buy one.
The Lexus $500 brake job can turn into a Porsche$1,500 brake job quickly. Same goes for our $250 headlight and their $900 headlight.
You can get a new engine installed in your SC430 for less than just the cost of the 911 shortblock. Just things to think about. If the wallet is full, go for the Porsche. My Porsche was the only car I have ever owned that cost more to operate than my boat! BOAT= Bring over another thousand! also applies to Porsche. I never left the dealership for under $1,000.

mpx

The upkeep on the Porsce will kill you eventually, i've had at least 5 posche's since 1970, started with a 60 356, 63 roadster,74'ish 944, 78 Targa, and the last one a 88 Cab, all great fun cars, but when my mechanic retired in 95 i sold my Cabriolet. I was very lucky in finding a great mechanic from Italy who never gauged me on repairs.
Know what your getting yourself into , cause that Porsche will cost you a bundle in repairs.

rcpeters

Probably the best way to get Porche out of your head, is to buy an older one and drive it around for fun on weekends. When it breaks down, let it set in your garage until you can afford to get it repaired. Drive the SC430 as your daily driver, now you have the best of both worlds.

I have never owned a Porsche, but have test driven a couple. Kinda fun car, but not very comfortable. I would like to have one of the older V8's to take short drives around paved mountain roads in good weather. I would not spend any money on mods though.

scorpio74

got pics for the porsche??? imo, I would pick the sc430. This car turns heads more than most cars I've seen. Lexus sc430 is somewhat easy to do repair yourself just like any other Lexuses. This in turn, saves you a bundle.
Now for the porsche, the 04 already looks old and horse pwer is not up there with the league compare to the newer ones. So you might smell the exhaust if you encounter a newer one. They'll def burn you.
Hope this helps you make your decision.

PHXSC

I'm going through the same decision process, and I have a 430....
I want a better performing car, both in acceleration and handling, and the 911's give you both. I've settled on a "S" though, just to get the most HP the factory offers. Plus with the "S" you get alot more engine displacement (torque).
Of course the Mrs. says what are you going to do with it? Good question Probably just get into trouble...
The 911 won't be as comfortable, the ride will be harsher, and the interiors are spartan. Oh well, decisions, decisions...

Baby ///M3

I wouldn't consider the Porsche 911 is a $29k car, as it'll prob. require a whole lot more money to maintain than the SC430.

If I had $29k to spend, I would spend low $20ks on an older, well maintained SC430 and use the rest of the money to mod. it. Or spend $20k on an older 911 and use the rest of the money to maintain/repair it (and at the same time, pray that the money I saved to keep the 911 going is adequate).

Jon

norman52

With traffic the way it is now where can you go to enjoy the full potential of the Porsche? That is why I got rid of mine. Two hours of stop and go, clutch in and clutch out No thanks.
That and Cap,Rotor,Plugs,sparkplug wires,air filter,oil change and labor
$1,048.36! For a six cylinder.

Now if Lexus would just build a LS460 Hard Top Comvertible..............

mpx

Also, forget about using a cell phone with the Cabriolet, even with top up, the engine noise will go right thru the cloth top,enjoy

EJC

I just went through this.
I had a 2003 SC and just swapped out for an '09 Boxster
The 1.9% financing offered by Porsche helped with the decision.
The Boxster is a hell of a car, I have absolutely no regrets
Totally different cars though and you have to ask yourself if you want performance or a grand touring luxury car.

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

EJC and Norman52-you two have owned 2000+ Porsches so you can relate the most probably. The SC is smoother, classier and requires less maintenance, has more tech, etc. EJC-I HANDS DOWN would get your Boxster if I didn't need a back seat, but my four year old loves to ride in the car with the top down and that would absolutely kill him if I told him he couldn't ride in my car. I love the Boxster. Your bodystyle is WAY better than the 996 911's FYI. Even though I am looking at a 2004, the interior still is about at the same level of my 1993 Mazda RX-7...an 11 year older car!

Some great points about maint costs by Norman52, and I have considered that. I don't have an "abundance" of cash for regular maint costs but, it seems that the more you love a car, the easier it is to drop $1k on a 10k/15k service. I had four RX-7's in the day and replaced three of their rotary engines everytime because I loved the car. I will only put about 3k miles per year on this car, so I wonder if that helps/hurts a porsche?

I spoke to the dealer today and it needs tires (I will put 20" on it anyway) and the 60K service which is $3k at the dealer. The wholesaler said they have a connection at the local Porsche dealer and can get the 60k for $1500 or build it into the cost.

They were asking $29k for the 2004 911 C2 Cab. Most 2004's are going for $40k+. So, I sent one of my Houston reps by to look at the car and he said the interior needs some TLC but the car looked sharp.

I will post the link for the pics for you all. Hands down I would love to get the 997 911 (2005-up) or the new Boxster but can't afford. This is by far the best price of a 996 cabrio I have seen---especially in RED. Most are in Silver then Black.

Norman 52-you had a 2001, right? I have been told that the 99-2001 996's were notorious for rear main seal leaks, electrical problems (a/c especially, cd changer) and water pump/thermostat issues. I looked at so many 99-01's and hated the interiors (no offense) and they were very rough. I decided I needed a 2002-2004 (second generation of 996) with the glass back window, bose and upgraded interior, hp, front fascia, etc. Did you have some problems with yours?

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

FYI, 95% of all 2004 911's (coupe or cabrio) are at least $42-$45k on the three biggest car sites. I am speculative as to what else could be wrong with this 2004 C2 911 Cab other than the 59k miles and needing tires, leather reconditioning and the 60k service???

Here is the link for the car:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false