Is 993 better LT value than K-Man?

**zedd06** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 10:50 PM

What is the best depreciating asset? 993 or Cayman S.

Do you think my money (mid $60s) over a 7-10 year period wouldbe better employed against a beautiful basaltblack Cayman S or a used 993 (modest mileage).

Please comment on my crazy'logic'............

The 993 is my favorite p-car with respect to styling. However, the valve wear problems andthe likely emission challengesin CT make me weary. Check out the tech forums on 993s (pca.org). The risk with 993s (or any used p-car) will never be totally eliminated through pre-purchase inspections and maintenance records.I also do not have the time orresources or personalityto check out 10+ cars in the NE to find what I think is the 'right' car (i.e. reduce my risk). You 'know what you know' and you'know what you think you don't know'. However,you 'don't know what you don't know'. The car cannot talk and the the seller wants to maximize his gains in the exchange. I price the risk formost used p-cars in the $20s. no seller will sell me a operating porsche at that price.

I am mindful that the Cayman S will likely exchange hands for $20-30K in 7-10 years in a private sell . A new Cayman will offer me a warranty for 4 years (low $ risk)PLUS I knowhow it was ithandled and maintained.

The 993 would cost ~$40K used + ~$20K in repairs/engine replacementsover 7-10 year period. The 993 will be worth in the $20s in 7-10 years.

A Cayman S is better value in 7-10 years?

**fmarshall** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 11:08 PM

'She's eighteen years old, with ways just like baby child' ... from an old blues song.

You should buy the best Porsche that you can afford to buy. And it would appear that the best Porsche today is a Cayman S (excluding CGTs, TT, etc).

RedRocket · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 11:18 PM

zedd06,

buy the car that you love the most....in todays economy anything could happen...if you can afford a porsche..you can afford to lose money.

ahhhhh....just noticed your location...mgoblue!!!! my old stomping grounds. in 7-10 years your pretty porsche will have rusted out, with all the salt they throw up there. so......i guess.....buy the car you love the most!

Edited by - RedRocket on 02/23/2006 5:22:19 PM

**Woodhouse** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 11:22 PM

The 993 is great and all....but I'll probably be ridiculed for saying this, but it'sOLD technology. Have you driven a 993? A Cayman S is an awesome car that you can have loads of fun with but still drive daily. It's full of creature comforts that you will appreciate more the longer you own the car. I own a 965, which is also a highly sought after body style----but it's OLD. I would trade my '91 Turbo anydday for a Cayman S!

The 993 is nice, but the Cayman is stunning and very practical. It's the best buy on the market right now, in terms of any new or pre-owned Porsche.

Financially,I'd put my money with a nicely optioned Cayman S (around $65-70K).

ilarson · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 11:47 PM

You're on the wrong website if you want us to tell you to get the 993.

Get a Cayman and you will never look back.

**Woodhouse** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 11:52 PM

The main lure to the 993 are the body lines....but the Cayman has better lines!

The Caymanhas the best lines of anything produced by Porsche. Go admire one somewhere and then take it for a test drive. Your contemplation will be over.

**Santa Fe** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 12:25 AM

I had a new 993 and it was behind the times then. Go for the Cayman and enjoy it everyday. Forget the economic analysis because this decision is more about emotion and living good than money.

Tom Simmons · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 12:48 AM

Having just trade a '96 993TT in for my Cayman you know where I stand. 1 of the reasons I got the 993 is I thought it would be really neat to have the last of the air cooled Porsches. It was for awhile, but after a couple of years that didn't hold that much sway anymore. I agree with the advise to go drive a Cayman. It wasn't till I had driven one that a became quickly convinced. My wife also encouraged (can you believe it?) me to get the 'new' car after she saw the heartache I would go thru with the old ones (I had several used ones for the 'value') when they would break down on track days, etc.

**K-Man S** · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 01:09 AM

Tom, a broken down 993 TT at the track is slower than the courtesy golf cars isn' t it? [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/tounge_smile.gif[/img]

A lot of 'Porsche Purists' say go for the 993, last of the air-cooled and all that, but there is a reason Porsche moved away from air cooling and a reason that all of the great Porsche race cars from the last 60's on up still had water cooled heads. Everyone who I have known who has a 993 loves their car, but they complain about the issues they have with it.

I think the Cayman looks better than the 993 and having the warranty is like icing on the cake!

**BiggerTwin** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

What is the best depreciating asset?

Might I suggest a nice municipal bond fund returning 5.5% tax free? If you are concerned about what your car will be worth in 7-10 years you really shouldn't be looking at a Porsche but should buy a Subaru and invest the difference in something that appreciates. A car is an EXPENSE, not an ASSET. If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Alan

**zedd06** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /> What is the best depreciating asset?<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" />Might I suggest a nice municipal bond fund returning 5.5% tax free? If you are concerned about what your car will be worth in 7-10 years you really shouldn't be looking at a Porsche but should buy a Subaru and invest the difference in something that appreciates. A car is an EXPENSE, not an ASSET. If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Alan

funny...I actually own a subaru.

Maybe a better term would be a 'marketablenoninvestment property'.

Myfinancially analysis on most majorpurchases is why I can afford it.
</blockquote>