Choose your Porsche personality

My favorite thing about Porsches is their versatility. Fast car? Sure. Daily driver? Absolutely. Outdoor equipment hauler? Slap a goofy bike rack on your Boxster and watch the community cheer with you.

Maybe it started with those iconic pictures of 911s with ski racks from the '70s, but it's defined the brand culture ever since. What a privilege it is to have a car that can be whatever you want it to be.

In a time when social media suggests the only "real" Porsche culture is GT3s and Rolexes, here's a reminder: make your Porsche fit your personality, not the other way around.

This week, three approaches to Porsche ownership:

• The stealth wealth approach (black-on-black 996.2)

• The executive approach (sophisticated 987.1)

• The poster car approach (red manual 981)

Which one speaks to you?

Onwards!

—RF

Bruce Wayne’s grocery getter

2003 996.2 Carrera | 6-speed manual | Mount Vernon, WA | Asking: $36,950

The car that Batman’s other half would be daily driving, circa 2003.

And the devil is in the details with this black-on-black 996. Normally I wouldn't have paid much attention, but the mint interior and exterior, luxury options (power seats, rooftop, color crests on wheels) make it stand out in an understated way, if that even makes sense.

The dealer mentions recent work and tires, but the description lacks depth, so make sure the complete service history of the car matches its good looks before you commit.

🔗As you wait for the Bat-Signal

Market Report

$37K puts this in premium 996 territory, competing with early 997s. But clean almost-final-year 996s with proper maintenance command higher prices. Recent fresh tires alone represent about $1,000 investment. But for this price I would only consider it it it has a long list of real preventive maintenance done recently.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

This 2003 model has the larger 3.6L engine with VarioCam Plus, new Turbo-style headlights, glovebox and smaller improvements introduced a year earlier. The failure rate of the single-row IMS bearing in a 2003 Porsche 996 Carrera is estimated to be between 8% and 10%. So address proactively if this wasn’t done already and it makes you uneasy.

Wolf in executive clothing

2007 987.1 Cayman | 6-speed manual | Puyallup, WA | Asking: $23,450

This Midnight Blue over Sand Beige Cayman continues the understated class theme from the previous pick.

The previous owner spec'd it for comfort, with heated seats, power package, Bi-Xenon headlamps among other nice touches. And there’s something I really dig about those thick tire walls around the Porsche 17-inch Boxster II wheels.

Get as much as you can of the car history from the dealer, and drive into the sunset with Porsche sports car performance wrapped in sophisticated, understated style.

🔗 A sophisticated sleeper that bites

Market Report

Uncommon color combinations have a real impact on the asking price of a Porsche. For context, a similar Ruby Red Metallic 987.1 manual sold recently for over $30K with comparable specs. That car in particular was a low-mileage example, but if you want something special, expect to stretch the budget.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

2007 987.1s use robust M97 engine with redesigned IMS bearing (sub-1% failure rate). No bore scoring with 2.7L base engine. Manual clutches typically need replacement around 60-80K miles, so factor potential clutch work into post-purchase budget if the clutch feels soft or spongy.

Wolf in racing overalls

2014 981 Cayman | 6-speed manual | Portland, OR | Asking: $39,999

No more understated looks with this one. This is the modern version of that red supercar poster hanging in your childhood bedroom.

Manual 981s are rare, and this example goes all out to fulfill the fast car fantasy, while also offering a handful of creature comforts (including what looks like Xenon lamps, which the dealer forgot to mention).

When you factor in rarity, condition, miles and presence, the asking price for this wild 981 checks out to me.

🔗 Take that poster off the wall, you got the real deal now

Market Report

We've seen PDK 981s in the low-30s throughout this newsletter. The equation here is simple: 981 + manual + low miles + looks + dealer markup = $40K. Manual transmission alone adds $3-5K over PDK examples.

What You (and Your Mechanic) Should Know

981s are bulletproof. No IMS issues, no bore scoring concerns. Water pump is the main known weak point around 60-80K miles, but otherwise these are reliable daily drivers. Budget between $600-$1200 for the eventual job.

Adopted Puppies

Porsche Problems

See you next week with more affordable picks!

Take care,

—RF