[MightyMeeple]

Originally Posted by BoulderGeek

Hey, First post, if it lets me!

Thanks to WolfpackS2k for this thread. I am one of those people who has been doing this dance, going back and forth for months.

I currently have a normally aspirated base Porsche 944, with lots of suspension upgrades and everything is in pretty good trim. I can run it hard, lots of rubber o-rings and seals have been replaced in the last year. Intake, AOS, injectors, vacuum hoses, filters, fluids, etc. AC blows colder than my Volvo XC70, and the stereo is magnificent.

But, the car is 30 years old. Though I have only had it for a year, and have done a lot to it (clutch also only has 50,000 miles on it, WP and belts only 5,000), i have this unfounded fear that it will leave me sitting and that I shouldn't really trust it. i use my XC70 for Colorado snow, camping and general purpose commuting. But, I take the 944 out whenever the road conditions and task warrant it. 25 miles commute on twisty back roads, every day.

I have been test driving used 911s and Caymans in the $25K-and-less category, for about six months. If I were to get a Cayman, I am thinking it would be a 2009 Base this time next year. Drive the 944 into the summer and sell it before the snow flies. Then, be in negotiating position in the dead of winter when RWD cars aren't moving.

I am only six feet tall, but truthfully, a 911 or 944 interior, with the rear jump seats, is more useful and comfortable to me than the Cayman's firewall behind my seat. The Cayman handles great, but doesn't seem as useful, even as a commuter and not a Home Depot car. I don't need a lot of power, though a 295BHP Cayman S does feel pretty snappy, compared to my 140BHP 944.

$24,000 for a base 2009 Cayman with 265BHP. $24,000 for a 2006-08 Cayman S with potential IMS issues and older everything. Or, $19,000 for a used BRZ, and perhaps a $4000 supercharger in the future, when it gets boring?

I'll be turning 50 next year, and really want to reward myself with a nice Porsche. And then the compromises and adult reality sets in, and makes me think, "If I am mistrusting of my 944 for reliability, wouldn't a 2013/14 BRZ be better than a no-warranty Cayman?"

Welcome to the forums and for sharing your situation. My first question to you is could you sell the 944 and come out ahead (after all you've already put into the car)? If the answer is yes, then I think selling it is a no-brainer. As to what to replace it with, compelling to go either way. If you've driven a BRZ and are okay with the power, then I think it's a smarter move from a cost to own perspective. The aftermarket scene is already very good and will hopefully continue to blossom (assuming they keep making the twins), so adding performance mods is very much easier/cheaper to do than with a German car.

I'm coming up on my 3 year anniversary with my BRZ and it has been rock solid from a reliability/fun factor.