For the past year I've been lucky enough to drive or ride in a lot of cars that I'd heavily considered for purchase. They were the new STI, the new Golf R, the new Mustang GT with Recaros and Performance Pack, an e92 M3, a new Stingray Vette and finally a 911.
Coming from the E46 M3, there really weren't many cars that are out there that offer as raw of an experience that are as daily driving friendly and fun as that car. Knowing how hard that balance is to find, I stopped looking at what Japan offers after sampling the newest example of the STi (just not that good in 2015). I even looked at the BRZ, but couldn't deal with the power level for what I want.
My final choice came down to a Golf R or a Mustang with PP and Recaros. Both were near or over $40k new and both will be worth $25k in 3-4 years. Both are very quick and composed with nicely built interiors and catchy trim. Both respond insanely well to modifications.
It was this choice that kept me awake at night because I knew I wanted something fast, but I also knew that each had slight downsides. The Golf R isn't the most attractive car. The Mustang isn't the most practical car.
Then I looked at depreciation on these $40k cars and determined that waiting 3-4 years would allow me to snag them up around $25k. Insane value for that price.
In the meantime, I decided to see what the cash could buy me and with depreciation in mind, I picked up a 2008 Carrera with 26k miles on it. It's a 6 speed manual, black on black coupe. Bose stereo, HID lighting, Navigation, power sport seats are the only options.
I got Porsches own 3/36k mile aftermarket warranty on the car on the less than 1% chance of an IMS blowing on me. I got all service records since this was a vehicle purchased and serviced entirely through the Porsche dealer.
So far I have driven the car almost 2k miles and it's by far the purest sports car I've owned to date. Since depreciation has already taken the majority of its steep toll, I won't be losing my butt on this car 3-4 years from now, and with the new Porsche cars coming with turbos and the next 911 potentially being a hybrid, this could be a nice traditional 911 to have in the garage.
I don't plan on modifying this car that much, as Porsche aftermarket part prices are insane. I refuse to pay close to $8k for an exhaust system/tune for gains that may or may not actually exist (dynos vary).
This means that this journal will be more about the trips and journey taken with the car, rather than the parts du jour. And now the pictures.
Album:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskrraCoT
When I picked the car up:
Simple interior:
Before putting on the clear side lenses:
After:
