Porsche 911: Buy, Lease or Rent?

john71 on 23/05/2021 - 14:17
Last edited 23/05/2021 - 14:17

I'm not much of a car person. I consider even a Corolla a bit extravagant (and perish the thought that it should have a spoiler). Recently, just for the hell of it, I decided to rent a Porsche 911 for a few days. I'd previously driven BMWs here and there as a designated driver or rental upgrade, and wasn't expecting much of my Porsche experience beyond louder revs and lower seats.

Imagine my surprise when I found myself thoroughly enjoying my flashy new ride. The 911 is a simple car; I'm not even positive mine had cruise control. It was just so much fun zooming up and down highways and scrambling my guts round tight country corners. I reckon it's something I'd like to do on a regular basis.

The 911 seems to keeps its value well. Porsche also offers a "guaranteed future value" leasing programme - which may or may not be a rip-off. Or, of course, I could simply make do with forking over a grand every now again for a few days behind the wheel with the rental company. If I owned or leased the 911, we would have to either get rid of our existing family car (not a huge deal given I'm 15 minutes from work by public transport, plus both kids are now old enough for booster seats) or rent somewhere with enough garage space.

Has anyone here had any experience with Porsche's leasing programme? Any strong opinions one way or the other about the 911? Am I the only one to be smitten so after a few long drives?

Automotive Porsche

Comments

                      • worker on 29/05/2021 - 09:32

                        @[Deactivated]: Sure sure no problem. Oh well sucks to be you huh

                        • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2021 - 12:01

                          @worker: No, what sucks is blind ignorance.

      • montyy on 26/05/2021 - 15:29

        Agree, Cayenne just a glorified VW with a huge markup to trick the above "Once you have owned a Porsche you won’t go back" guy to write the cheque.
        The Cayenne is actually a cash cow to funnel into R&D for real Porsche race cars like the OP's 911 experience.

        But if guy is happy to pay extra for a VW with a Porsche badge and 'bells and whistles' then good for ya. Just don't pretend its anything other as everyone knows what's up and you're not fooling anyone lol

        • worker on 26/05/2021 - 16:23
          -2

          Lmao that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve read.
          Have you driven a Touareg, Q7 or a Cayenne ?
          They are a vastly different experience to drive sure they do have have similarities and are based on the same suv frame etc but a Porsche is much different to the Touareg in driving, handling and power. It’s like chalk and cheese.

          • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2021 - 19:29
            -1

            @worker: No, I'm pretty sure it's cheese and cheese. But that shitty American plastic cheese, masquerading as a nice aged Brie.

          • montyy on 26/05/2021 - 22:19

            @worker: That's the most ridiculous thing you've read? No wonder you're not aware…

            But then you go on to list 3 vehicles that share the same chassis under VW Group, which suggests to me you're more likely in denial.
            Yeah they get added bells and whistles, along with a higher price tag, to get you to hand your money over.
            Nothing wrong with your vehicle choice.

            To come on OP's post about the 911 experience which is a purpose-built, race-focused, performance car and relate that to your Porsche ownership experience is straight-up pretentious. You haven't truly experienced a Porsche!

            • worker on 27/05/2021 - 18:39

              @montyy: Lmao pretentious and denial, get a grip mate. Maybe step away from the keyboard and smell the roses.
              I simply shared my experience with Porsche ownership and the cons that some people commented on and debunked them.

              • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2021 - 10:02

                @worker: But you own a VW with a Porsche badge? How is that Porsche ownership?

                • worker on 29/05/2021 - 09:31

                  @[Deactivated]: It’s amazing. Unlike you stuck with your shitty car in shitty vic

                  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2021 - 12:07

                    @worker: It's not amazing though, is it? It's a semi luxury, semi sport SUV, without off road capability. A Range Rover sport is better at luxury, and can actually go offroad. An X5 is cheaper, faster, more economical and more luxurious. A GLE Merc is way better at luxury, and has a much more complaint ride. A Tesla Model X is way faster and much more comfortable. A Tourag is the same car, but cheaper. An Audi Q7 is the same car, but cheaper. Maybe the Cayenne is the best handling mid sized SUV. But if you're after handling, surely you'd buy a sedan or a wagon? For Cayenne money you could get yourself into an E43 Merc which would run rings around it on the road.

              • montyy on 01/06/2021 - 11:41

                @worker: Your ownership and cons have nothing to do with a 911. More to do with a VW.

                But you've paid your dues for the VW+badging so nothing wrong with flaunting it a little I suppose. Its the least (most?) you could do with that 'Porsche'.

  • trapper on 25/05/2021 - 14:10
    +1

    Go take a Tesla for a test drive ;)

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 14:50
      -1

      It's odd that you even consider porsche and tesla in the same bracket

      Porsche is a car with decades of engineering, tesla is a computer on wheels (i love tesla mind you).

      But its just a fact.

      • trapper on 25/05/2021 - 16:03

        It's odd that you even consider porsche and tesla in the same bracket

        It's odd that you think I said that.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 22:34

          Not a problem

  • macrocephalic on 25/05/2021 - 14:49
    +1

    If you want to drive on the road then don't buy a supercar - it's fun now but you'll pretty soon tire of anything remotely legal on the roads and that will lead to either regret, or loss of license. If you're sure you want to own then get something small and nimble, like an MX5, and consider how you can enjoy more exciting driving in a safe environment. I say this as someone who's been riding motorcycles for most of his adult life; the temptation is always there and I've lost my license once (years ago).

  • mightyfes on 25/05/2021 - 15:35
    +1

    Everybody knows tesla is the new midlife crisis car.

    Also, do as you please, you'll have to live with your choices the people here won't feel it in their wallet.

  • humanpiranha on 25/05/2021 - 16:06
    +3

    Test drive a Tesla at your local sales centre and see what you think.
    No aggressive sales tactics or anything like that, just a 30-60 min test drive and have a chat about any Q's you got with them and thats about it.

    If you want speed, try out the performance model 3. Otherwise Long Range model if you want some more practicality, you can always add an acceleration booster after purchasing long range version that makes it faster (but not quite as fast as the performance)

  • cashless on 25/05/2021 - 16:11
    +1

    Buy, Lease or Rent?

    Avoid

  • ImpulseMan on 25/05/2021 - 16:14
    +2

    Buy buy buy.

    They hold their value well.

    They are a great daily drive and weekend drive.

    But, you can 90% of the experience in a 718 s Cayman as well. They keep up on corners to the gt3 but get demolished on the straight. They don’t hold their value but you can get a depreciated on on good value.

    I disagree with the comments on the older porsches it is not the same drive experience. If you have not driven old cars before don’t go there unless you experience it. I think the older Porsche’s are better suited to someone who is looking for a second Porsche as a collector model that mostly collects dust.

    The waitlist for the new gt3 is like 2 years at the moment and you can’t even get on it unless you own an older gt3 apparently. Crazy…

  • soaringphoenix on 25/05/2021 - 16:33
    +2

    Hi OP,

    What is your budget?

    To be honest, the GT3 is great, but if you are after driving thrills, I'd suggest you splash out the extra dough for the GT2 RS.

    Here's a nice clean example:

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2018-porsche-911-gt…

    The other option, if you had a little bit more room in the budget, would be a lightly used Ferrari 488.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2020-ferrari-488-pi…

    Although a tad more pricey, you will appreciate the extra ooomph over the boxsters and caymans being recommended above. Thank me later when you're blasting up the old pacific highway and leaving MX5s in your rear view mirror.

    • john71 on 25/05/2021 - 23:05
      +2

      You sound pretty serious about burning rubber!

      Thanks for the links. I'd have to sell my kids to afford those - and that would get me into all sorts of strife with the missus.

  • Shunto on 25/05/2021 - 16:36

    This doesn't answer your question at all, but maybe try a spirited drive in something like a toyota 86. Just a tight around corners and not fast enough to risk losing your license after 3 months.

    From a financial point of view it makes way more sense as well

  • ghostkkz on 25/05/2021 - 16:55
    +2

    Rent a Yaris GR and consider this over a Porsche 911 which cost around $230k. The $170k you save from owning the Toyota combined with 5 year unlimited km warranty just gives you peace of mind. Run the car really hard on race tracks without worrying about repairs.. (just don't crash it..)

    Spend the $170k on Racing tyres, Race Track entry fees, Racing safety wears etc…. you can enjoy the car a lot more in race tracks than on road conditions… plus once you got bored of this you can sell it back on the market for around $30k… much more sensible.

    https://www.toyota.com.au/gr-yaris/prices

    • john71 on 25/05/2021 - 23:07
      +1

      Didn't even realise the Yaris came in a sporty model. I've generally rented them to putter up and down New Zealand. Well then - the things you learn!

      I appreciate the tip. Thanks.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 23:10
        +2

        The Yaris GR isn't a Yaris in anything other than name. It doesn't even share a Yaris chassis. It's literally a rally homologation special. It'll probably appreciate in the next few years, like all other homologation specials.

      • ghostkkz on 25/05/2021 - 23:34

        Do a YouTube search about Yaris GR Rallye it not only keeps up well and can overtake porsche gt3 on the Nurburgring laps.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 23:08

      A 911 is more like $300k on the road.

    • hyc on 27/05/2021 - 14:32

      I think all factory warranties have the terms of motorsport. So if you used the car for any motorsport activities, they can decline the claim.

  • Save Medicare on 25/05/2021 - 18:40
    +1

    Try lotus Elise and mazda mx5 and see if they scratch the itch

  • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 20:26
    +1

    Insurance for a Panamera GT 4 is over $4k per year for a rating 1 driver with clean record and 10+ years driving experience. And most major insurance company like RACQ, Suncorp and Allianz won't even insure it, had to go through a broker. I can only imagine it'd be more for a 911 for the same driver. 4-5 years insurance = brand new Corolla.
    Minor service can cost 1k+, major service 3k+(brake fluid, spark plug, etc)
    If you are happy with above, while 992 is definitely a step up from 991 in most perspective, they do sound SHIT(expect GT3). Sound from a sport car is always as important as performance, IMHO. Therefore, I'd recommend test driving a naturally aspirated 991, 997 or even 718 GT4(saves about $100k and keeps value better than non-GT 911) if you don't need the 2 extra seats before making the decision.

  • diguinBR on 25/05/2021 - 21:32
    +1

    If u want something sport, but with space for the kids, why don’t you look for an Audi RS7?
    0-100 3.6 sec
    porsche 911 0-100 3.6 sec
    and you still have space for the kids

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2021 - 23:10
      +3

      Maybe he doesn't like understeer?

  • eunnip on 25/05/2021 - 21:48
    +1

    My only advice would be to consider if it got scratched, dented or someone crashed into it, would your insurance/financials be ok? If so, I'd say go for it.

  • MrFrugalSpend on 25/05/2021 - 22:23
    +1

    There not the prettiest things vs the 911, but occasionally deals come up on things like the Panamera:

    E.g. this one sold for less than $60K for a Turbo S this month - https://www.grays.com/lot/0001-10093404/motor-vehiclesmotor-… - i.e. the really fast one at the top end of the range which goes like the clappers - but also I note OP seemed to think 'kids old enough for booster seats' somehow meant a 911 was okay as a car choice :-/ err…no, you probably still need ability for your kids to be in the car for many years yet if they are in booster seats!! surely work is not the only place you drive and this is a cross over between a sports car and a family car:

    might satisfy your porsche need and still qualify as a family car for a much smaller budget to avoid renting a space for the car. It had tempted me when I watched the auction.

    • john71 on 25/05/2021 - 23:11

      Thanks for the detailed reply. I'm not all that fussy about brands; it's more about the whiz-bang driving experience. The 911 happened to call to me in a way that friends' BMWs never did. A second-hand Panamera may well be the way to go. But at this stage, I think I'll stick to renting.

  • john71 on 25/05/2021 - 22:44
    +3

    Hi everyone.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my original post. Clearly, many people here hold strong, informed opinions about luxury cars and mid-life crises. :)

    In the clarity of day, I'd have a hard time justifying an outright purchase. I'm not exactly swimming in lucre - but the loss of international travel has given me a little more spare cash than I'm used to. I'm getting older, my family is being looked after, so I figure it's proper and reasonable to spoil myself. A six-digit sports car may not be quite the right way, however.

    Some have asked me where I rented the vehicle. I don't want to come across as a shill for any particular business - especially one with which I've only had a single, albeit good, transaction - so please forgive me for offering only the Google search term "rent Porsche [your city name]". The firms that come up on top are the ones that have bothered with SEO and rent luxury cars for a living. Just be sure to insist on seeing all the fine print before signing up. The excess can be huge and it's well worth reserving with a fancy credit card to cover it.

    • Commander Shepard on 26/05/2021 - 14:19
      +2

      Hopefully you can find something good that doesn't make you lose a tonne of money when international travel returns.

      As you mentioned. Since your not travelling overseas, you now want to buy a new toy to keep you busy. And a lot of other people are doing the same. (myself included).

      You don't want to overspend on a car that the price is already heavily inflated due to COVID (2-5 year old cars selling for new prices etc). Then you risk losing a tonne as soon as it travel opens back up again and the market is swamped with cars.

  • NopeNopeNope on 26/05/2021 - 09:54

    @john71 which rental company did you go with and what was the cost?

  • Shark on 26/05/2021 - 11:31
    +1

    Love my Porsches as well. I've got an '87 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 G50 and an '88 Porsche 928 S4. I see you drove a 997.1 cab. Consider a 997.2 but paying $$ ($150K'sish), PDK etc rather than a tip. A manual always a safer bet for future resale value. 996 really back in vogue now after people overcoming the fried eggs, and only going up in $. Anything aircooled has gone ballistic. A 996 or 997 coupe is a pretty safe bet on getting your money back or more in 5+ years time and heaps of fun in the meantime. Consider the usual caveats of IMS and bore scoring on the 996 and 997.1 respectively and a PPI advised. I'm around the same age hovering around the bit 5 0 mark and have been enjoying my Porsches for the past 13 years. Enjoy life and what makes you happy.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 26/05/2021 - 12:54
    +2

    Just do it, you only live once. I used to think the same way, except I'm into AMGs….

  • bin555 on 26/05/2021 - 13:58

    Just curious how much was it to rent it?
    Also, how much it cost to lease or buy as well.

  • acersaurus on 26/05/2021 - 15:50
    -2

    I would consider buying a racing game, Xbox One X and high quality 75 inch TV instead. Some games have realistic physics engines. No it's not quite the same but it's a lot cheaper and will mean your life is kept simpler.

    • montyy on 26/05/2021 - 15:57
      +3

      Hmmm I've heard this applies to using your right/left hand instead of the real thing as well

  • MynyMouqe on 26/05/2021 - 19:38
    -1

    Go and test drive a Tesla Model 3 - you'll soon be converted.

  • Orico on 26/05/2021 - 22:52
    +1

    I rented a Lamborghini for my birthday and that thing gave me a new sense of thrill but driving in Sydney was scary as hell. Too many narrow roads and pot holes. The habibs kept asking me to rev it when I was at the lights and driving through 'The Area'.

    • andresampras on 27/05/2021 - 12:14

      is 'The Area' = Burwood Road?

      • Orico on 27/05/2021 - 12:26
        +1

        https://imgur.com/scds4t9

        +/- 1km buffer around the border. You know you're in the area when you see: I don't want to get banned

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