Owning a sports car with a name like Porsche is about one-fourth of the American Dream. In fact, it has led many people, in the midst of a mid-life crisis, to break their banks in an attempt to reach out and grab that dream before their time is up. What if you didn’t have to mortgage your house and go into massive debt to own one of these beauties? Here are some helpful, money-saving tips on how to purchase your Porsche 911 dream car for under $50,000.
Get a strategy in place.
Don’t go into the car market empty-handed or empty-headed. You need a plan. What does your dream car look like? How does it sound? How fast do you want it to go? Get that image solidified in your head so no one can take it away from you with fast sales talk.Next, take a look at your budget. How much time, money and energy are you willing to invest in this car? Be realistic. Making a plan that you have no intentions of following is just daydreaming. What will you have to do to get the Porsche of your dreams? Are you willing to do it?
Also, think about how you intend to use the car. Will you drive it to work? Will you just use it for vacations and holidays? Is it something you plan to keep tucked away and use only for car shows? After you have answered these questions, identified your priorities, and taken stock of your resources, you will have enough of a plan to start car shopping.
Stick with your strategy.
As you begin shopping for used Porsche 911s, you will be tempted to change the criteria you began looking for and settling for something that is there in front of you. Resist that temptation. Porsche has different versions of the 911 series that you will be able to find your dream car if you stick with your strategy. For instance, the Carrera Targa comes with a retractable roof, and the Cabriolet is the convertible 911. The Carrera 4 is a four-wheel drive, and the 4S has seven-speed shifting or a PDK clutch, giving it greater speed and horsepower. There are many options to choose from.Then there is the 911 GT3. The newest model of the GT3 has rear-wheel drive and 500 horsepower, taking you from zero to sixty in just 3.2 seconds. This is a vehicle that is still street legal but could tear up the racetrack. The GT3, coming in at about $143,600 will not fit your $50k budget, although it is one of the most sought-after Porsche models. However, the Carrera, a more modest Porsche model will fit your budget. Find the aspects of the car you like and look at the versions of Porsche 911 to get the closest match. From there, you can add customization and adjustments to make it into your dream car.
Do your homework.
Too many people think they know enough about cars and skip the research step. There is always more to learn and helpful pieces of information to pick up. Get a history report by running the verified VIN number on the vehicle you are considering purchasing. Find out how well the Porsche has been maintained. Be wary of cars that have spent a lot of time in repair shops. Check the status of its IMS Bearing (which could be a big deal if it has not been replaced). Hidden damage to the engine or the frame could be a sign of a lemon that will cost you far more than you can afford just to keep it running.Get the car inspected.
If you want to be sure the car is a good investment, get it looked over by a professional. If you skip this step and something comes up a few weeks or months later, you will only have yourself to blame. Also, there is a difference between a car mechanic and a Porsche specialist. Porsche vehicles have their own unique quirks to them that a standard auto mechanic may not be trained to see. If you are willing to pay $50,000 for a car, you should be willing to pay a bit more to make sure you know any potential issues that may come up with it.Not only can Porsche specialists be helpful in finding issues with the car you are considering purchasing, but they may also be able to fix the problem and quote you a price. Even if they do not come up with anything for the used 911 other than the usual wear and tear, the Porsche specialist is the type of person you want to get to do your regular maintenance on your vehicle. It is a good thing to make that connection early in your time as a Porsche owner.
Some dreams are worth having come true. If you can safely find $50,000, shopping around Porsche 911s can bring your dream to life, making you the next Porsche sports car owner.
Image source: Porsche.com
Tags: Auto industry , Buying Guide