[Alfisti]

Short story:

Porsche handling, cache, looks and resale vs Mustang with similar performance for half the price.

Long Story:

Always been a gear-head, owned an Alfa Giulia GTV when I was 20 years old so have somewhat been down this path. This would be a third car, decided it absolutely has to be;

- Naturally aspirated
- Convertible
- 2+2 seating for kids
- Must have some drama, loud exhaust etc

Leaves me with option of DDing an old M3 but SUPER heavy and expensive to run. Don't like the Camaro so it's down to a Stang or 911.

Narrowed it further to the following;

997 GTS or 991 'S'. 991 is the better looker IMHO but a bit ... common... so to speak. Not a fan of the 997 bumperettes or the 90's dash and centre console, but the GTS looks a bit special with the fat arse from the 4S, the Spyder wheels, 400+HP and Alcantara. GTS also comes with sport exhaust which is a must. So assume Sport+, sports exhaust and Alcantara.

Now to the stang. I have rented a few and feel the engine is absolutely sublime. Interior is modern compared to the 911 and with the optional variable exhaust it sounds mean. Would only plumb for one with PP1 with magnaride. It is some 600 pounds heavier than the 911 though, so it's never going to be as tossable.

I want the Porsche, we all want the fucking Porsche, but the price gap is quite stark. I am fiscally responsible but not afraid to take the leap, it's just a LOT of money for a weekend car.

The big issue other than cost is Toronto roads, they are absolutely abysmal in every way. Littered with pot holes and surface irregularities, ARROW straight, not a corner fucking anywhere, even in a 2 hour radius, just fucking NOTHING, i cannot emphasise how dull the roads are. So the one place the Porsche shines, hustling through a few curves, i'll never ever be able to experience it.

Caveat, never driven a GTS or a stang with PP1.

So $$$, with taxes i'm looking at just under $50K for a 2018 stang and $95K for a 2012 997 GTS. In 10 years they are worth what ..... maybe $15K and $60K?? Who knows I guess.

We all want the 911, but am I being a bit silly?

[Grumpy Old Man]

So not to dis the Mustang, they are a great car for the money and could be a lot of fun. But the reason to buy one is because you really want a Mustang. If you are doing it just for the cost saving I'm going to suggest that what you really want is the Porsche, and if you get the Mustang you'll always be looking at Porsches.

I've owned both, albeit different model years.

The Porsche has likely almost reached it's low end on depreciation.

"We all want the 911, but am I being a bit silly?" Sounds like you know the answer.

Just my two cents.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Old Man

So not to dis the Mustang, they are a great car for the money and could be a lot of fun. But the reason to buy one is because you really want a Mustang. If you are doing it just for the cost saving I'm going to suggest that what you really want is the Porsche, and if you get the Mustang you'll always be looking at Porsches.

I've owned both, albeit different model years.

The Porsche has likely almost reached it's low end on depreciation.

"We all want the 911, but am I being a bit silly?" Sounds like you know the answer.

Just my two cents.

Haven't owned a Porsche yet, but as you know I'm a Corvette guy. But I cut my teeth on mustangs....imustangs....its how I learned to love wrenching on cars. Restored my first one completely by the age of 15. I repaired/replaced everything except for paint. I've owned so many I can't count them because as soon as I would finish one, I would sell it and start another project.

Driving them only gave me a couple months of satisfaction and I found my real love was working on them.

Only the classics will recoup any money aside from the Terminator I once had and wish I had kept.

You only live once and if you can soundly afford it, get the Porsche as it sounds like that is what you want. I'm sure there have to be some weekend road trips you could take to find some nice places to put it through its paces. Maybe even a track somewhere.

Not dissing any car, but I see a stang, Camaro, or challenger on almost every street car. And the only cars that turn my head aside from corvettes and other classic cars are Porsches and other exotics.

[duder13]

Having owned a 996 and 987 Cayman, I’d probably pick a 997 over just about any sports car under $100k...but I gave my Porsches up because the backseat in a 911 is still super small, and we’re a somewhat tall family (my son is only 7.) If you need an actual backseat, I’d get a 1M or M2(C).

[ShocknAwe]

If you want a Porsche, get the Porsche.

Not a fan of mustangs. I think Chevy has the ticket right now for American performance so I'd stick with them if going domestic. Was pretty pleased with the last few Chevrolet's I've driven, interior game has stepped up in a very big way.

BUT!!!

Since the roads are arrow straight... Have you considered the "new" Audi RS3? Hard to beat that 0-60 with a few mods and a tune outside of electric supercars.

[Alfisti]

Absolutely no turbo chargers.

If i went Audi or BMW I am getting into DD territory which financially makes sense but I am looking for more of a dedicated sports car that can carry two small kids in a pinch.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Absolutely no turbo chargers.

If i went Audi or BMW I am getting into DD territory which financially makes sense but I am looking for more of a dedicated sports car that can carry two small kids in a pinch.

Then I’d get the Porsche. It’ll hold its value better, too.

If it were me, I’d save money and just get a regular 997.2 Carrera or Carrera S, but I’m partial to narrow bodies.

[RM7]

Do your kids have legs?

[Grumpy Old Man]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Do your kids have legs?

I stuck my two late teens in the back of my 996 one night, and drove a couple of other young adults 70 miles in the back of the 996. Were they comfortable, hell no. Get the Porsche!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Rmtt

I'm sure there have to be some weekend road trips you could take to find some nice places to put it through its paces. Maybe even a track somewhere.

Not dissing any car, but I see a stang, Camaro, or challenger on almost every street car. And the only cars that turn my head aside from corvettes and other classic cars are Porsches and other exotics.

To be clear no, there is absolutely nowhere for a drive. I mean absolutely, categorically nowhere.

And your second point is why i am leaning 911.

Originally Posted by duder13

If it were me, I’d save money and just get a regular 997.2 Carrera or Carrera S, but I’m partial to narrow bodies.

If that's the case i'd get the 991 as i feel it is a cleaner looking vehicle with a far superior base interior.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Old Man

I stuck my two late teens in the back of my 996 one night, and drove a couple of other young adults 70 miles in the back of the 996. Were they comfortable, hell no. Get the Porsche!

LOL my 7 year old was struggling behind me in a rented Mustang, he managed though.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

To be clear no, there is absolutely nowhere for a drive. I mean absolutely, categorically nowhere.

And your second point is why i am leaning 911.



If that's the case i'd get the 991 as i feel it is a cleaner looking vehicle with a far superior base interior.

I disagree. I never liked the jump to the more luxurious interior of the 991. The 997 was the last somewhat simple 911 interior, and the 997 has hydraulic steering and is a little smaller, too, which I prefer.

[ShocknAwe]

Definitely get the Porsche then.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by duder13

I disagree. I never liked the jump to the more luxurious interior of the 991. The 997 was the last somewhat simple 911 interior, and the 997 has hydraulic steering and is a little smaller, too, which I prefer.

I was referring to the base 997, that's a GTS interior which i do like as i think the Alcantara really adds something. The base interior has large gaps, looks really clunky IMHO.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I was referring to the base 997, that's a GTS interior which i do like as i think the Alcantara really adds something. The base interior has large gaps, looks really clunky IMHO.

Man, we couldn't be more different, I guess. I can't stand Alcantara, myself. I switched the pic of the interior to a different version earlier, but maybe it didn't stick.

If you get the full leather interior in a base 997.2 model, it looks good and clean IMO.

Now, the 996 interior on the other hand, is the worst looking 911 interior of all time, but I managed.

[Rk-d]

This one is not even close. The 997 is really the last 911 that has a reasonably small body. It is a great driving car - still has an analog feel, but with real power. It has real finesse - great feedback and a nice responsive engine.The 997 GTS is the sweet spot of the range and will probably appreciate in value at some point in the future. In comparison, the 991 is much bigger feeling and more numb. Of the water cooled era, the 997 is my favorite. I actually prefer the interior to the 991 (when optioned out). The GTS is a special car.

The Mustang is a Mustang. Fine car, but a dime a dozen. If you have to ask...

[Grumpy Old Man]

Originally Posted by duder13

Man, we couldn't be more different, I guess. I can't stand Alcantara, myself. I switched the pic of the interior to a different version earlier, but maybe it didn't stick.

If you get the full leather interior in a base 997.2 model, it looks good and clean IMO.

Now, the 996 interior on the other hand, is the worst looking 911 interior of all time, but I managed.

Yup, that and the fried egg headlights, I couldn't live with it.

[Grumpy Old Man]

[QUOTE=Alfisti;25150097]To be clear no, there is absolutely nowhere for a drive. I mean absolutely, categorically nowhere.

And your second point is why i am leaning 911.

There are a bunch of places to go within a reasonable drive in the GTA....if you reach out to some of the Z4M guys they do a couple of cruises a year, Forks of the Credit, Muskoka, Niagara. They also usually post the maps and routes they take if you want to do the trip solo.

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthr...ght=GTA+cruise

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...500000002&z=12

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Old Man

Yup, that and the fried egg headlights, I couldn't live with it.

Yeah, not a fan of the fried egg headlights, but I had a 996.2 with the Turbo headlights, which I don’t mind. Despite the interior, the 996.2 GT3 has being tempting me lately.

[RM7]

Ford has only started to get it right with the Mustang PP2 IMO, that is finally getting the reviews of "planted" and "precise" and so on. Everything up to that has been somewhat of a joke with the tire sizes and suspension they spec. Driver's car: PP2/SS 1LE, other iterations mixing automatics, skinny wheels and subpar suspension are far less desirable from a driving standpoint. Given how small the porsche backseat is though, if you are at all a "medium" sized adult with the seat in a normal position, I just can't see any space existing behind the seat for legs to dangle for the rear Px, more of a shelf to put a few groceries or a box. Lots of good drivers cars out there though, maybe a loaded SS sedan?

[m3bs]

Always been a German car guy, owned 3 Porsches, many BMWs, countless VWs. Drove a new GT350 last week on some mountain roads, and I have to say I was impressed. More than $50K, but still a lot less than the GTS, and it would have a warranty. Something to consider given Porsche service/repair costs. GTS won't hold value like a GT3.

As for driving it, Toronto isn't far from CTMP. I managed to get in a few laps there riding in a GT4 last month. That's really the only way to enjoy modern sports cars. Using anywhere close to the car's potential on the street is just too risky.

[jeff113]

A GT350 would be the logical choice, but he said it must be a convertible.