Turbo Kraft

Arizona's Porsche Authority

Guide to Buying Your First Used 911 Porsche Under $50k

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911 porsche

Sporting the Porsche name and flaunting everything good about German engineering, the Porsche 911 is a dream car for many. With many iterations and variations to choose from there is a Porsche 911 out there for everyone. Don’t let a budget deter you from the car of your dreams. If you’ve got under $50,000 to spend, don’t despair. Your dream car is still within reach. Here’s how to stay within your budget and make the 911 that you covet yours.

Formulate your game plan

First and foremost, picture your dream 911. What does it look like? What does it sound like? How fast does it need to be? Next, introduce more practical criteria. What is your base budget? How much time, money and skill will you need to invest to make the car more closely match your dream? What are your priorities? Is this 911 going to be your weekend warrior or your daily driver? Do you most value speed and performance, longevity or all of the above? Once you are able to identify your wish list and your top priorities you can start seriously shopping.

When purchasing your first used 911 Porsche model, look for the model and specifications that will help you realize your dream car. Thanks to Porsche constantly reimaging and updating the 911 series, there are many different variations to choose from. Porsche 911 models are incredibly varied and each is a potential treasure. The Carrera offers many different models including the standard Carrera, S model, 4, 4S, Cabriolet, Targa and Turbo. The Targa features an easily identifiable retractable roof while the Cabriolet is the convertible version.   The Carrera 4 comes with four-wheel drive and the S features seven speed shifting or a PDK clutch for more horsepower and speed.

The 911 GT3 is another example of a 911 offering and is drool worthy by most standards. The new rear wheel drive GT3 tops out at 500 horsepower and goes from zero to sixty in 3.2 seconds. The GT3 is street legal with performance that could hold up on a track. Because it is one of the most revered of the 911 series, it also comes with a hefty price tag. New GT3’s boast an MSRP of $143,600 and used cars retain a high portion of their resale value.  While a GT3 may be tempting, it is not a model that will typically fit in your $50,000 budget. The Carrera and its wide array of models will be a more budget friendly candidate.  When you decide to purchase a used 911, start by setting a realistic budget, outline what you want to change or customize and create a tentative timeline of expenses and adjustments.

Do your research

It sounds simple but many people skip this step with potentially costly consequences. Whenever you are considering purchasing a used car make sure to perform your due diligence. Check the accident and ownership history of the car. Make sure to run a history report using the verified VIN number on the vehicle. A fender bender could be forgivable but unfortunately, an accident of any kind has the potential for expensive and long term damage. A damaged frame or engine could cost you far more money than you have allocated and take all the fun out of your new found 911 ownership. If your vehicle history research turns up an accident of any kind, make sure you get the car thoroughly inspected.

Get the vehicle checked out by a professional

Part of doing your research is calling in reinforcements when needed. If you are not a highly skilled Porsche specialist, call someone who is and have that person go over the car with a discerning eye. A used 911 may have some normal wear and tear that will need to be addressed or some customizations that may be a bit more expensive to keep up. If you are on a budget make sure that the maintenance and any possible repairs are within your comfort level.

Similar to researching a used car, put in some time researching the best Porsche professional to work on your 911. You should meet with any prospective specialist and go over your short and long term plans. The Porsche expert should be knowledgeable, professional experienced. Your chosen Porsche partner can utilize his or her existing knowledge to inspect any prospective purchase. They can also help alert you to any potential trouble spots or looming repairs. Your chosen specialist should give you an estimate of cost and time needed for any repairs or customizations. Work on your dream car hand in hand with a Porsche specialist that will enjoy the project as much as you do. At TurboKraft, our Porsche specialists are skilled craftsmen that have many years of experience repairing, customizing and building Porsches from the ground up. If you can dream it, we can build it. If you are considering a used 911, let us make sure it’s the best car to fulfill your Porsche ownership dreams.

What’s It Like to Own a Porsche Long-Term?

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Long-term Porsche ownership photo

Owning a Porsche

Let’s be honest, owning a Porsche is fun.  Porsche is iconic and a brand that symbolizes speed, luxury, and craftsmanship.  Owning a Porsche for any length of time gives you an opportunity to invest in an incredible vehicle and get to know your Porsche inside and out.  Whether you own an original Porsche 911, that may come with oversteering challenges and a soulful air cooled engine or a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo designed for sheer speed and horsepower, every day you own and enjoy your Porsche is a day you become more invested in it.  A Porsche, is like any other car in that it requires time, attention and maintenance.  For such high performing vehicles, these items can actually be even more important.  That is why when you are shopping for your dream car, you need to consider the long-term benefits and expenses. Here’s a Porsche 911 buying guide if you are planning to own one.

Cost of Owning a Porsche

When evaluating the cost of Porsche ownership, you need to take into consideration insurance and maintenance costs as well as additional expenses for any restoration or customizations.  Part of enjoying your luxury car or racing monster is not stressing over unexpected costs hitting your bank account.  A good example of an expense you can plan for in advance is insurance.  Insurance costs are typically impacted by the value, type, and safety features of a vehicle.  Newer Porsche’s safety features such as like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and airbags in every conceivable place.  These safety features are helpful but don’t change the fact that Porsche’s are sports cars, with a long lineage of racing and made for speed.  The sheer value of a Porsche along with the sports car categorization will keep your insurance costs high.   The appraised value of your vehicle will also directly impact your insurance premiums.  The difference between insuring a $50,000 car versus a $500,000 car is substantial.  It is very easy to work with an insurance agent in advance to get quotes for premiums on any vehicle you are considering.  With this small bit of preplanning you can have a clearer picture of vehicle ownership expenses.

Porsche maintenance is another critical component to long term ownership.  All of the things Porsche is known for such as quality, efficiency and speed become non-existent if your vehicle doesn’t receive the regular care and maintenance it needs.  Given the wide range of Porsche’s available, from an original Porsche 911 to a 2017 Porsche Cayenne your maintenance schedule and servicing needs to be vehicle and owner specific.  If you use your Cayenne primarily for driving the kids to school your maintenance needs will be substantially different than if you drive your GT3 at top speeds around the track.  Oil changes are a must, as are filters and fluids.  You also need to keep your tires, powertrain and engine all in pristine condition.  Neglecting maintenance can result in expensive repairs and rob you of the joy of your Porsche’s optimum performance.  While Porsche gives maintenance schedule guidelines, you should work with a Porsche professional that will learn about you as well as your car and give you individualized recommendations to improve and maintain performance.

Last but certainly not least, you need to consider the costs of restoration and / or customization of your Porsche.  If you purchase a classic Porsche like an early 911 or Targa you may be looking at some specialized restoration items.  Similarly, if you are considering purchasing a Porsche but need a different spoiler, paint job or even engine you should price these items out in advance.  Custom work can be a simple as adding unique rims or as complicated as building a completely new engine.  Specialty Porsche shops, like ours, can make this happen but any change to the vehicle will factor in to the overall costs of ownership.

While all the items above take into consideration the costs of long term Porsche ownership, they don’t touch on the most important thing: the benefits.  As a Porsche owner, you will get to experience sheer speed and craftsmanship.  Porsches are coveted by owners and enthusiasts alike.  When you own a Porsche you are able to claim a piece of the brand and prestige that comes with it.  If brand names don’t mean anything to you, you can still celebrate the speed and history of your vehicle and enjoy the street legal racing roots that Porsches bring to the table.  When you purchase a Porsche and make a long term ownership commitment you are able to invest in your vehicle, craft it to your liking, and be challenged to make it the very best it can be.

Porsche Ownership: We Can Help

If you have your eye on a Porsche or have already purchased your dream vehicle, contact TurboKraft to get the most out of Porsche ownership.  If you can dream it, we can make it happen.  Whether you need a customized maintenance schedule or a complete restoration, we are here to make the most of your Porsche owning experience.

 

The Ultimate Porsche 911 Buying Guide

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Porsche 911 photo
When You Find a Porsche 911 for Sale

If you are shopping for a Porsche 911, finding one for sale shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.  Finding the perfect 911 is the hard part.  The Porsche 911 is an icon for a legendary brand and the initial design was magic, that just got better over time.  The 911 gives many options and variations to choose from.  The first step to finding your dream car is identifying which qualities in a 911 are most important to you.  Are you shopping for sheer speed?  Do you need something powerful but luxurious?  Are you looking for a perfect blend of performance and comfort or does your heart desire the fastest vehicle possible?  The first step to purchasing your perfect Porsche car is to narrow down your wants and preferences and prioritize the items most important to you.

Used Porsche 911 Buying Guide

You need to consider all aspects of your potential Porsche 911 including these three possible deal breakers: age, trim, and engine.

When looking at a used Porsche 911, you need to consider the innovations and changes that have come over time.  The oldest 911’s will come with more challenging steering and air cooled engines.  The newer 911’s reflect the benefit of improvements and technology and are produced with more power and lighter weight materials.  Not everyone is a fan of the new and improved models as they also come with water cooling systems and technology that can handle the challenge of driving for you.  An additional consideration with an older 911 is the cost of any necessary restoration.  While we have a team of Porsche specialists that can restore any 911 to its original glory, you should consider the time and financial investment needed prior to purchasing any vehicle. In addition tho this facts, it should be oil leak free.

The trim varies greatly throughout the Porsche 911’s history.  The Carrera, Targa, Turbo and GT3 are the 4 major trims available for various 911’s.  The Carrera is considered the base model while today’s Targa comes with a retractable, partially removable roof.  The Turbo is a faster version of the base model and the GT3 is geared towards racing.  The GT3 may not be the fastest variation on a straightaway but it built for speed and handling on a track.  There are dozens of additional offshoots from these four primary categories.

The next consideration is the engine of your dreams.  The Porsche 911 simply outdoes itself in offering a huge range of options, horsepower and torque.  A Carrera or Targa 4 engine comes equipped with a 3.4 liter flat 6 engine that gives up to 350 horsepower and 287lb per foot torque.  Meanwhile, a wide range of 911’s such as the Carrera S, Targa S, and Turbo S utilize a 3.8 liter flat 6 engine with more maximum horsepower and torque.  If that’s just not enough you can look into the GT3 RS and its 4 liter flat 6 engine that comes with a maximum 500 horsepower and 338 lbs per foot torque.

Vehicle specs aside there are some other important things to keep in mind when choosing the used 911 of your dreams.  First and foremost, you need to buy the Porsche you want.  Everyone will have an opinion.  Porsche’s history and offerings are too plentiful for everyone to agree on which model is the best one.  Don’t be swayed by your buddies, your coworkers or resale considerations.  At the end of the day, people buy Porsche’s for the sheer pleasure they bring.  Make sure you are buying the 911 that best suits you and makes your inner child giddy with joy.

Professional Guidance in Buying a Porsche 911

You have many avenues available to you when looking at buying a used Porsche 911.  Our favorite choice is an Official Porsche Center (OPC).  These centers sell cars that are held to Porsche standards and include a two-year warranty.  This gives you some protection in the event there are unforeseen issues.  You can also purchase your 911 from an auction but it is hard to vet the vehicle and its history.  This can be a much more challenging proposition that comes with the possibility of expensive repairs.  Private dealers can also be a good way to purchase.  Private dealers should offer a discounted price but quality cars priced well will usually go fast.  If you decide to use a private dealer you should always be prepared to get the vehicle checked out prior to completing the purchase.  Contact our experts at TurboKraft and allow us to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle.  We can give you an honest assessment of the vehicles condition and estimate costs for any immediate issues that need to be addressed.  We can also give you an estimate for any restoration or customization services required to make the vehicle absolutely perfect.  When it comes to your future Porsche 911 don’t settle: consult with experts, do your research, and with our help you can easily buy or create the perfect 911 for you.

Contact our Porsche experts at TurboKraft and allow us to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle.  We can give you an honest assessment of the vehicles condition and estimate costs for any immediate issues that need to be addressed.  We can also give you an estimate for any restoration or customization services required to make the vehicle absolutely perfect.  When it comes to your future Porsche 911 don’t settle: consult with experts, do your research, and with our help you can easily buy or create the perfect 911 for you.