It's been 30 issues of Pepita Picks.

When I created this newsletter, I had one clear goal: make it light, make it entertaining. A place where the bigger problems in life don't exist. We just come here to talk cheap Porsches amongst internet friends.

This issue, though, I want to share something personal.

Last week, my dad passed away.

While there are no lessons in a moment like this, I decided to share it with you because I found a strange sense of connection when others shared their own hardships with me last week. I hope it can do the same for you if you are fighting any battles right now.

When I was a kid, my dad had a car dealership in our small town. He sold Volkswagens and Audis. Sister brands, yes, but no Porsches. Those remained in the pages of car magazines.

My dad was someone who said yes to life. He knew everyone in town. He was a hustler. When he wanted something, he always found a way to get it. The memory that comes to mind is when he bought the biggest tube TV that 80s technology could produce. It barely fit through the front door of the house. He was obsessed with that thing.

He was never irresponsible with money, but if the chance was there, he wouldn't wait. He lived by this: the moment to enjoy something is now.

It's with that same energy that I write this newsletter every week. I believe a dream can be both big and achievable now. The ambitious and the accessible aren't mutually exclusive.

It's tempting to always wait for the latest, the greatest, the perfect thing. But if we dig a little deeper, we can live fully with what's already in front of us.

Sometimes in the shape of a scratched-up used Porsche.

Change the cracked bushings later.

Enjoy it now.

There's no better time.

RF

Join the affordable 911 club for $35K

🔗 2005 997 911 Carrera 2 | Manual | Peoria, AZ | $35,000

A nice-looking 997 for only $35,000? I'm listening.

Then I see it comes with options: Sport Chrono Package Plus, PASM (Active Suspension Management), 19" Carrera S wheels, Bose sound system, 12-way power seats with memory, Bi-xenon headlights...

Having a link to the full CARFAX helps so much. These reports aren't perfect, but having the whole history of the car in front of you gives real peace of mind. (Doug & friends made this helpful video on how to read a CARFAX.)

What you can see at a glance: clean title, no accidents, many owners (says 8, probably more like 6 real ones), but regular, real maintenance along the way. Looks like the seller picked this up recently to flip it for a truck. Worth asking them straight what the story is and seeing if everything checks out.

In summary: Great-looking car, explicit history, and a killer price.

An excellent entry point to the affordable Porsche club.

Market Report

Entry-level 997.1 Carreras typically start around $38K-42K for high-mileage examples in common colors. This Midnight Blue we found a while ago comes to mind.

This over-100K-miles Seal Grey Metallic at $35K represents great value, especially considering the extra factory options included.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

The 2005 model year uses an early IMS bearing design that while mostly reliable, is not 100% bulletproof. The seller states this particular car has the later revised design, so I recommend you confirm that this is in fact the case.

Check suspension components and motor mounts for wear at this mileage. Go over any comprehensive service records to see how this car was maintained throughout its life.

Best of the Rest

These cars also passed the Pepita filter this week:

🔗 Another strong contender for the best affordable 911 this week: A 2003 996, PCA-member owned, on its second engine (replaced by a Porsche dealer, going strong for over 100K miles), complete records, options, and all under $20K.

🔗 This 2016 981 in Guards Red for only $23,500. Short description but to the point.

🔗 This 2013 981 Boxster with lots of miles (over 200K) but priced like a 987 at $17,500.

🔗 This 2008 RS Orange Limited Edition Boxster, same as the one we featured a few weeks back, but this time priced closer to market at $30,000.

Adopted Puppies

Finally, we get to debrief on what happened on Bring a Trailer.

This early 996 got the third degree in the comments section. Every bushing, every seal got under the microscope. An original Rembrandt wouldn't have gotten this level of scrutiny.

The seller did an excellent job responding to all the requests and being patient with some folks' expectations.

As you'd imagine, after seeing so. many. used. Porsches. every. week., I've developed many rules of thumb to assess prices quickly (only way to stay sane).

For most base 996s, under 100K miles, in good driver condition, I consider them a fair deal at just a hair under $30K. But when a remarkable one shows up (fancy color, bespoke options, top condition, all the above) I find it fair that it gets a $3-5K premium.

Given all the attention this car got, I worried it would fetch an astronomical price that would make people say "see, 996s are now unattainable!" Instead it landed right where my rule of thumb says it should.

Now someone gets to enjoy this beauty without breaking the bank.

Porsche Problems

See you next time with more affordable picks!

Take care,

—RF