Modify Old Porsche or Buy New One

You Can’t Go Wrong

Bluntly put, there is something beautiful about every 911 made. Many people save up for the car of their dreams and when the time comes to purchase said car, there are often mixed feelings about what is best. The good news is you can’t go wrong, but the decision can be tough. It’s all about what you want, so let’s start there.

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911 Reasons

911s mean something different to everyone and that’s where your journey begins. Was Porsche something you loved as a child or is it a means for you to explore the world of high-performance motoring? Are you a weekend racer or a dedicated track day nut case? Step 1 is to identify what you want your dream 911 to do and then consider your options.

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>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

The Casual Enthusiast

The casual enthusiast is someone who loves Porsche, but isn’t looking to break the Nurburgring record and couldn’t care less about who is first at the local club races. In fact, what the heck is club racing anyway? 911s are all about embodying life accomplishments. For this person, an immaculate classic is recommended. You skip the hassle of modern technology and diluted driving experience in favor of the purity of an early generation classic. If you don’t care about podium level performance and you’re interested in the driving experience I’m going to be frank: modern 911s can’t replicate what the originals did. Raw, visceral and rewarding at low speeds these cars are all about involving the driver from the moment the clutch is released.

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>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

Weekend Dabbler

Weekend dabblers are guys who are a mix between casual enthusiasts and people who might want to explore the limits of their 911. Not racers, but not quite careless about the untapped performance their rear-engine beast. This is where you can get away with an older 911 or a newer 911 so long as it doesn’t overheat and have core running problems. Modern cars will be better in this regard, but you can still track a lightly modified 911 without any major problems provided you go over the fundamental basics: cooling, brake pads, tires, etc.

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>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

Race Car / Road Car, but Mostly Race Car

If you’re a racer first who just happens to daily his track toy, then you’re going to want to keep your options open. This is where we begin to tiptoe into the grey area of what a 911 represents. If you have the money this is where any generation GT3 makes the most sense (and arguably why they were invented in the first place). Avoid old cars as the performance you’re looking for isn’t going to be accessible for cheap. Used 996s and 997 Carrera S are the perfect fit for this buyer. There’s a plentiful aftermarket with plenty of ceiling room should you want to go full tilt and start racing at an amateur level. 

>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

Walter Rohrl is my Spirit Animal / What is a Road Car?

If you only care about racing and the Porsche 911 means nothing to you but Le Mans, scorched tires and speed, then a 991 or later is suitable if you’re trying to get into something like Time Attack or NASA class racing. Sure, vintage 911s are fantastic to drive and even quick on the race track, but advancements in suspension geometry and technology will have the vintage guys crying rivers if you know how to drive. At the very least they will have to work incredibly hard to keep up as Porsche have really developed this car in an exponential rate of progress over the years. Chassis stiffness in even the best flat-6 monsters of old pale by comparison to what is available now. If speed is the only thing you’re after then it’s a no brainer: buy modern or cut a rather big check to build a classic to its full potential.

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>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

A Note on Racing

While a modern 911 might be the best choice from a mechanical/technological standpoint there are many ways to enjoy the challenge of a Porsche on the race track. Vintage racing is at an all-time high in the United States with many classes available from NASA to VARA if you want to get out and enjoy the race track. Many second-hand options are available from racers either getting out of the sport or moving up in class. Don’t exclude the possibility of buying a used racing car even if you value technology and what is cutting edge. You might be surprised at how good a 914-6 can be or even a spec Boxster. Porsche has many options for drivers which is why they are so loved around the world. Know what you want from a 911 and the brand will cater to you like no other. After all, isn’t that why we love them so much? Thanks for reading.

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>>Join the conversation on which type of Porsche 911 is right for you right here in Rennlist.com.

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