Rennteam 2.0 - EN - Forum - Re: 997 as high mileage commuter - Page1

Dec 21, 2008 1:47:10 PM

JMR: Junior; Loc: Villanova, PA , United States; Posts: 65, Gallery; Registered on: Mar 28, 2003

997 as high mileage commuter

Hi there,
I'm considering working about 95 miles away from where I live. There will be a bit of international and domestic travel required and so all in all, I'm assuming that I will have to drive about 30,000 highway miles per year.
The sensible car choice would be a bmw 5 series or an audi a6 so I looked at how much these things are worth when 3.5 year old with 100,000 miles on them and it comes to about $14,000. New, they are worth $low 50s.
So... I get to $40,000 of depreciation every 42 months. or about a grand a month.
Right now, a 25,000 miles 997 from 05/06 goes for between $45,000 and $50,000. Putting on the same mileage, after 3.5 years I have a 7 year old 997 with 120,000 miles. 964s with similar mileage get $12 t0 15,000 so I'm thinking that I can get $17,000 for a 997. Assuming I paid 47 for the car, I get to 30 grand of depreciation... add tires and maintenance which are significantly more for a 997 then a BMW or Audi and I get to roughly the same cost as the "sensible" option but at least I have a 997 when I drive vs a family mobile... I've never done very high mileages in a Porsche but I read that many people do that in Germany in particular and have not had issues...
What do you all think? Am I missing something?
JM

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Dec 21, 2008 2:33:58 PM

hinckley: Junior; Loc: Boston, MA , United States; Posts: 131, Gallery; Registered on: Jun 4, 2006; Reply to: JMR

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I'm lucky enough to own both a 911 and a 5er. But if I could only have one, it would be the BMW. Forgetting about the money issues, the BMW is a much more comfortable drive - especially for loing distances. I enjoy the 911 more for shorter trips on back roads

I'm sure others will disagree . . .

--

09 Porsche 911 Targa4S - On Order
02 Porsche 911 Targa - Retired
08 BMW 550i

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Dec 21, 2008 2:37:01 PM

easy_rider911: Rennteam VIP; Loc: London , United Kingdom; Posts: 22190, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 8, 2004; Reply to: hinckley

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I think you're making a smart move. If you are driving 190 miles round trip each weekday, you owe it to yourself to make it as enjoyable as possible and as hassle free as possible.

In terms of adding fun to this drive, why not get a Boxster S instead? Same fun, less cost.

Another tip: tyres, brake pads and servicing will be your main costs. You can cut cost on tyres by getting some Bridgestone all season tyres. They will last a lot longer than Michelin PS2s that give between 15000 to 18000 miles use. For high mileage commuting, they make a lot of sense.

--
997S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection: I love this car!!!

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Dec 21, 2008 2:46:30 PM

easy_rider911: Rennteam VIP; Loc: London , United Kingdom; Posts: 22190, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 8, 2004; Reply to: easy_rider911

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

Some useful tyre links:

page1.html

--
997S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection: I love this car!!!

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Dec 21, 2008 8:39:25 PM

Atzporsche: Rennteam VIP; Loc: Vancouver , Canada; Posts: 9118, Gallery; Registered on: Feb 7, 2005; Reply to: easy_rider911

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

Since you're member on a car enthusiast forum, i think you enjoy driving and thus you should get the 911. You have done the math, and it sounds like a smart move.

Going with a bmw 5 will always have you think what if i had a 997 right now...

Get the Porsche!!

--

2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd

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Dec 21, 2008 9:57:18 PM

JMR: Junior; Loc: Villanova, PA , United States; Posts: 65, Gallery; Registered on: Mar 28, 2003; Reply to: Atzporsche

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

Thanks to all for your input

JM

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Dec 22, 2008 11:12:08 AM

cdixon: Senior; Loc: UK , United Kingdom; Posts: 680, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 27, 2007; Reply to: JMR

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I had a 968 Club Sport as a daily drive doing a lot of miles for about a year. At that time i was a slim, fit bloke in his twenties so i did not find the car to be a compromise at all !!!

I am now a middle aged lard arse who likes his comfort ! and whilst i do occasionally use my 997 as a commuter wagon, I am not sure it is big enough for daily use. I kept my old Ford Mondeo for this purpose... Maybe this could be another option for you ? Buy the 911 and get a cheap hack for banging the miles on... That way you get to use the 911 for work when you feel like it :) Also not sure if you have another car, but IMO you need access to a 'normal' car so you can do all the tip runs and weekly food shop !!!

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Dec 22, 2008 12:54:27 PM

easy_rider911: Rennteam VIP; Loc: London , United Kingdom; Posts: 22190, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 8, 2004; Reply to: cdixon

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

BTW, if you're going to keep it for about 3 years, then why not buy a 987S or 997S which is already about 1 year old. In the USA, you get a 4 year warranty so for the 3 years that you would use it, you would have the peace of mind of the remainder of the 4 year warranty.
--
997S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen collection: I love this car!!!

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Dec 23, 2008 5:17:07 PM

MMD: Rennteam VIP; Loc: usa; Posts: 9652, Gallery; Registered on: Dec 16, 2004; Reply to: easy_rider911

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

The Porsche is a _sports_ car. It requires "work" to drive. E.g. It's a small "go-fast" car in traffic and you have to be more cautious. There are some days I'm still tired as wake up recovering from the day before. Those days there is NO way I'm driving my glove-fitting 911 to work. Instead, I have a horsepower-equipped E46M3 which announces a spacious and luxurious welcoming relief as I slide in and turn the key.

--
2007 Turbo

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Jan 21, 2009 10:06:18 PM

stickyshift: Newbie; Loc: Chicago, IL; Posts: 7, Gallery; Registered on: Nov 21, 2006; Reply to: MMD

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

My 997 C2s is my daily driver, wind, snow, rain, or shine. My commute is 115 miles each way, so I put on around 30,000 miles/year, too.

It's great fun, and with snow tires it handles just fine (and I live in Chicago!). That being said, it requires more attention to drive than my previous cars (Audi S4, Mazda RX-8).

I drive stick to help keep me alert and engaged during the long hours on the road!

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Jan 21, 2009 11:56:48 PM

Le Chef: Veteran; Loc: Chicago , United States; Posts: 1059, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 3, 2003; Reply to: stickyshift

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I think some of it comes down to whether you enjoy the driving part or not.

If all you want to do is switch off on your commute then something relaxing like a Mercedes E-class with a BlueTec diesel engine and awd might be a really good option. And the latest generation BMW diesels are fabulous. The 335d and 535d turbo-diesels are really exceptional and in Europe often preferred over the gasoline equivalents.

If on the other hand you like being "awake" for the whole commute and enjoy connecting with the car, then get the Porsche.

--
997S Cab Seal Gray

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Jan 26, 2009 4:24:40 AM

equ: Newbie; Loc: ny, ny; Posts: 6, Gallery; Registered on: May 22, 2005; Reply to: Le Chef

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I have a cayman S and a 330i (have also had a range of 3er's, a 5er, s4 etc)... The 997 is quieter and more comfy than a cayman, but for these purposes, so is the 5-series than the 3. I don't commute to work, but if I did, I'd be crazy to do it in the cayman, practically a go-cart... It's not suited to the long slog as much as the bmw, might be fun once in a while, but it is important to keep the experience special... Split the tools, I say. Or if you have to have one car, go with m3/s4.

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Jan 28, 2009 2:40:33 AM

pnoble: Co-Pilot; Loc: Short Hills, NJ , United States; Posts: 231, Gallery; Registered on: Sep 18, 2004; Reply to: equ

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I drove my first 997s, stick, to work for four years and 50K milesand each day was joy. I now drive a 997.2 4S, stick, under the same conditions.

It really does depend on whether you really enjoy the process of driving and practically speaking whether your commute is stop and go or not.

Here in the North East US driving is relatively easy and stressless and driving a 911 24/7/52 is just fine, 2 or 4, so long as you use winter tires in the winter. Commuting into central London each day, I'm not sure I could sustain the same argument.

--
997 C4S FL

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Jan 28, 2009 7:39:59 AM

Mikla: Veteran; Loc: Spain , Spain; Posts: 1009, Gallery; Registered on: May 9, 2004; Reply to: pnoble

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I used to drive my 997 on a daily basis, and I even used a 996 GT3 Clubsport wirh the airbag deactivation to bring my little daughter. I cannot state how much joy did that bring to me!

Go for it!

--

Mikla

997 Turbo

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Feb 1, 2009 4:36:17 PM

MMD: Rennteam VIP; Loc: usa; Posts: 9652, Gallery; Registered on: Dec 16, 2004; Reply to: pnoble

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

pnoble:

Here in the North East US driving is relatively easy and stressless and driving a 911 24/7/52 is just fine,[edited] Commuting into central London each day, I'm not sure I could sustain the same argument.

--
997 C4S FL

Agreed x100. Carrera, Boxster, Cayman are meant for the open road. When I see these cars in commuter traffic it makes me wonder why those drivers don't have second cars. I'm exaggerating somewhat, but these cars aren't meant for congested cities. Of course I'm 40-something now; if I were back in my 20s I'd probably find this observation absurd. Smiley

--
2007 997 Turbo

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Feb 1, 2009 7:50:07 PM

Le Chef: Veteran; Loc: Chicago , United States; Posts: 1059, Gallery; Registered on: Jul 3, 2003; Reply to: MMD

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I drive my car virtually every day to and from work and I'm well north of my 20's. The car is perfectly comfortable with the exception of the inevitable winter pot holes you get in the Midwest.

I can't see why I would want a second car. My wife has hers and I have mine. A third car would only mean not enjoying the 911. Even in slow moving traffic with a lot of clutch pumping I would far sooner drive the 911 than some vanilla autobox.

--
997S Cab Seal Gray

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Feb 1, 2009 7:56:52 PM

SoCal Alan: Rennteam VIP; Loc: Orange County , United States; Posts: 7268, Gallery; Registered on: Mar 6, 2004; Reply to: Le Chef

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

Life is too short to not want to drive the 911 everyday, unless there is some practical reason not to (like I'm taking more than one co-worker to lunch). Or, I have to park in a 'questionable' part of town. Just drive it.
--

2005 997S Blk/Blk

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Feb 1, 2009 10:12:17 PM

pnoble: Co-Pilot; Loc: Short Hills, NJ , United States; Posts: 231, Gallery; Registered on: Sep 18, 2004; Reply to: SoCal Alan

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

My sentiment entirely, Alan.

It brings to mind the old joke: how do you fit four elephants in a VW bug.....two in the front, two in the back.

I never cease to be amazed by how much I can fit in my 911 if I need to. Even my grown, tall daughters on occasion though extracting them from the rear can be a bit challenging!

--
997 C4S FL

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Feb 2, 2009 3:31:12 AM

Elijah997: Newbie; Loc: london , United Kingdom; Posts: 28, Gallery; Registered on: Feb 1, 2009; Reply to: pnoble

Re: 997 as high mileage commuter

I would get an A4 and a nice 987S. Best of both worlds. And no reason you can't split the mileage! I certainly would. Or if you want to be even more of an "enthusiast" perhaps a 3 series and an older air cooled car for the weekend and the odd commute.

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