Alright everyone, without going into the boring details, I am now to a point in my life that I can afford to purchase a bad-*** car - in other words something German. So, confessing to not be fully up-to-speed on the pros and cons of each brand, what are your opinions of Porsche vs. Audi vs. BMW vs. MB? Honestly, which way should I go?

 

You will probably not be surprised, but most people on this forum will probably advise you to get a Porsche.
However, what's truly right for you depends a lot of what you want, and how much you want to spend. You can buy equivalent performance to a Prosche elsewhere for less, but I think the extra money is worth it.

Some points: I have a standard (read "bottom on the line") 911 Carrera (320 HP), which is my daily driver and grocery getter. It is most satisfying car I have ever owned (and I've owned a ton of different performance cars) by a wide margin. It is far from the fastest I've owned, in fact I don't consider it really "fast" compared to what is out of the street, but has incredible poise, perfect driver communication and response, and intuitive layout on all controls, buttons, etc.: just the perfect driver'car. The back seat is useful for kids and groceries, but otherwise worthless: if you need four full-size seats, then unless is a SUV, it won't be a Porsche. You have to spend serious money to get a really fast Carrera (Turbo or GT3), but again, its worth it.

And a final thought: none of the cars you mention is particularly tolerant of neglect of maintenance. Whatever bad things one can say about American cars, most will take incredible neglect in stride for tens of thousands of miles with little complaint. Porsches, in particular, are very durable if maintained well, but you can ruin them quickly through neglect.

 

Thanks for the info Lee. Yeah, I completely understand that most people on this forum will be pro Porsche, but i also believe those same folks will be straight-up honest about both the pros and cons of Porsche - much like you did. THAT is exactly what i'm looking for as i make my evaluations, because you know it's always just the pros at the dealership.

So if i might ask, what type of information got you over the hump to decide to buy a Porsche for the first time? You mention how satisfying it is, but also how much it needs attention and that it might not be so completely reliable.

 

I bought the Porsche basically because: a) I finally had the money for a new one, after paying for three extended college educations, b) a dealership finally opened up a reasonable distance from me - prior to that I had to drive about 30 miles, now its only 2, c) I was tired of Audis - nothing against them (my S4 was very powerful and really a bargain at $55k) but they feel heavy to me when I drive them, probably because they are.

 

I agree with the other Lee on the forum .My 1999 Porsche is my go do stuff car and it has been perfect. The Porsches are reliable and well built carsand very satifying to drive. In my humble opinion they are not that quick. You will be beaten my Corvettes (ugh) and Mustangs even stage 1 (lets not talk about stage 3's). I almost lose a drag with a 1936 Ford 3 window coupe with a crate motor . He was embarrassed he lost i was reliefed. if there had been a corner it would not even been close.

They are very ususable great daily drivers that have enough trunk space you can take trips. My recommendations on yearsfrom going fromgood to better choices are:

1994 or earlier-I would not buy one of these they beat you to death and are not that fast and their handling can bite the unsuspecting..\

1995-1998- This is the 993 version and last of the air cooled engines. Liked by Porsche people because of the looks. 286 hp. They in the cab version have alot of flexure.

1999-2001- first of the water cooled engines, little better refinement handlesa little better than a 993 but these cars are generally equivalent. This variant is called a 996. If you are buying a cab I would not go any older than a 1999 because of the automatic top and cover feature. hp is 296!

2002-2004- still a 996 but they increased hp to 325. The engine also added varible valve lift to the existing varible valve timing. This makes the car feel more like a small V8. The cab has a glass window. You will see a big price increase from a 2001 996 to a 2002 996. That is why

2005- this is called the 997 variant of the 911. A great looking car and more like the appearance of the 993 but upgraded. The base 911 is about the same engine but the 911S is more hp about 355 and a awesome car to drive. The car has been improved in some many modest ways that when added up give a better feel. As an example the 6 speed manual is a shorter more precise throw. Now you are getting into more bucks.

Bottom line:
If money matters 1999-2001. $32k- 45K. If you go go a little more the 2002-2004 is a better car. 2005 you better talk to your wife not me. The 997 variant feels better but strangly it does not make the 996 unsatisfying to drive, a little dated on the chasis but it does not bother me and these type of things typically do.

If you are going into GT3 or so type of bucks then their are other brands you may want to look at. The ford GT is the most impressive car I have ever driven. It has awesome performance but they cost.The Ferrari's areexpensive but great supercars and have more soul than Porsche, well better everything except stamina. If you really want to go cheap and smoke most people on corners (maybe everybody) get a Lotus Elise. They have small engines but with the low weight you can keep up with all corvettes except for the Z06. It will also outrun the base Porsche in a drag but that is not the point, it is the handling. I have never driven a car like the lotus. it is hard core all of the way. It would be a difficult car to use as a evereyday driver. Gas milage is about 26-38 mpg. it enver costs me more than $14 to fill it and i giggle all the way home

Hope that helps.

Good luck on what ever you chose.

Lee