Mk1 Focus RS for a Porsche?

[the benno]

I currently have a very very nice Mk1 Focus RS !
But I have a real hankering for a Porsche ! I’ve never owned one before and it’s really a box I’d like to tick.
With the sale of the RS I’d be working with a £30-£33k budget so looking at 981 Boxster or cayman S !
I do have a provisional buyer for the RS, but I just can’t find the push I need to actually let it go !
I think what’s holding me back is that the RS is a REALLY good one and should surely appreciate and a 981 will probably depreciate !!
That said life is short and how long should I hang on ?
I’d like to have a few year’s experiencing a Porsche before the powers that be make it more and more difficult to own that type of car !!
Help me

[ITP]

Don’t get a 981. Put a just few k more in and get a 997.2 carrera manual.

[Coxey]

ITP said:

Don’t get a 981. Put a just few k more in and get a 997.2 carrera manual.

100% agree with this.

[Belle427]

I always wonder with RS cars that seem to be mad appreciation wise when you actually decide to let them go?
Are people really paying the premiums they bring?
Leaving them sat in the garage is a total waste really but we have all done it to a certain extent.
Id maybe wait to see if something interesting like a 996 Turbo will creep into budget this year.

[the benno]

Yeah 996 Turbos are not too far away to be honest, but the 20yr old Porsche and potential for huge bills scares me a bit

[keo]

Lotus Elise don’t really depreciate it that is a big concern. Way more fun than a Porsche as well…

[Belle427]

The Elise is certainly one of the best drivers cars out there but can be tricky to live with.
No creature comforts, difficult to get in and out with the roof on, a bit rattly but if you can live with that.
If you did fancy one then look for a Supercharged model as they add another level of excitement which is a bit lacking in the N/A cars.
I think a good Cayman S would suit though but do your research on the engine problems with the earlier cars.

[sherman]

the benno said:

Yeah 996 Turbos are not too far away to be honest, but the 20yr old Porsche and potential for huge bills scares me a bit

I would think a Mk1 RS has the potential to throw up scary bills too.

[the benno]

Not quite in the same league I don’t think

sherman said:

I would think a Mk1 RS has the potential to throw up scary bills too.

[Jamescrs]

sherman said:

I would think a Mk1 RS has the potential to throw up scary bills too.

I've owned both a Mk1 Focus RS and a Boxster and Porsche bils are in a different league to a Mk1 Focus RS.

As I have owned both I would much rather have the Mk1 Focus RS back over a Boxster or Cayman, the 911 may be a different matter however.

[the benno]

Blimey that’s interesting! The Mk1 FRS are great cars but I want to do a few euro road trips and I just don’t fancy it in the RS

Jamescrs said:

I've owned both a Mk1 Focus RS and a Boxster and Porsche bils are in a different league to a Mk1 Focus RS.

As I have owned both I would much rather have the Mk1 Focus RS back over a Boxster or Cayman, the 911 may be a different matter however.

[the-norseman]

I loved my 981 Cayman S although I upgraded the power to GTS +10%.

[braddo]

OP, have you driven a Porsche before?

If you like the Focus RS, the more modern cars like the 981 might feel a bit numb and aloof/boring. The most depreciation-proof cars near your budget will be the 987 Cayman R (high miler) and 997.2 Carrera 2. 987 Boxster Sypder as well, albeit £40k and might be too noisy for long road trips.

Maybe considering hiring something to get a taste?

You can hire a new 718 Boxster from Hertz in London - 2 days minimum at around £300 per day.

https://www.hertzdreamcollection.co.uk/reservation...

At the other end of the scale, try an older Boxster from here:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1284662


If you want to stick to the budget, consider a leftfield option - Lotus Europa!

Turbocharged Vauxhall engine, lower sills and more interior trim, so more 'mini-GT' spec.





https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1377510

[the benno]

Yes luckily enough I have a very close friend who is a serial Porsche owner and so far I have driven a Cayman R (loved this and nearly bought it off him a few years ago for £25k but it’s a cat d and the same car is currently still for sale on AT * new owner )
GT4 , 981 Spyder , 911 turbo s, GT4RS yep all
Owned by the same guy at various times.
And yes I do agree, a CR or 987 Spyder could fit the bill and I could probably stretch the budget a bit more.
Never driven a 981 BS but I have been a passenger in one, maybe I’m getting old but I quite liked the smooth comfortableness of it.
I think I just need to get the RS sold and go from there, I do fancy a change and variety is the spice of life as they say.
I really don’t fancy a lotus at all for some reason, although I’ve never driven one

braddo said:

OP, have you driven a Porsche before?

If you like the Focus RS, the more modern cars like the 981 might feel a bit numb and aloof/boring. The most depreciation-proof cars near your budget will be the 987 Cayman R (high miler) and 997.2 Carrera 2. 987 Boxster Sypder as well, albeit £40k and might be too noisy for long road trips.

Maybe considering hiring something to get a taste?

You can hire a new 718 Boxster from Hertz in London - 2 days minimum at around £300 per day.

https://www.hertzdreamcollection.co.uk/reservation...

At the other end of the scale, try an older Boxster from here:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1284662


If you want to stick to the budget, consider a leftfield option - Lotus Europa!

Turbocharged Vauxhall engine, lower sills and more interior trim, so more 'mini-GT' spec.





https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1377510

Edited by the benno on Monday 29th January 22:11

[Discombobulate]

ITP said:

Don’t get a 981. Put a just few k more in and get a 997.2 carrera manual.

Just be prepared for some big bills. If it hasn’t had it done already a 997 of this vintage will need coolant pipes, exhaust fittings, brake lines (possibly) etc. Add in brakes and it can easily get to 4K +

[Belle427]

Discombobulate said:

ITP said:

Don’t get a 981. Put a just few k more in and get a 997.2 carrera manual.

Just be prepared for some big bills. If it hasn’t had it done already a 997 of this vintage will need coolant pipes, exhaust fittings, brake lines (possibly) etc. Add in brakes and it can easily get to 4K +

They are the kind of cars you can buy with all this work done if your patient so its not all doom and gloom, they dont come up very often though when ive looked at the market.
Granted brakes etc are expensive but try and buy clever and you should be ok.
Avoiding the troublesome engines would be my main concern.

[braddo]

Discombobulate said:

Just be prepared for some big bills. If it hasn’t had it done already a 997 of this vintage will need coolant pipes, exhaust fittings, brake lines (possibly) etc. Add in brakes and it can easily get to 4K +

It would be very rare to require all that work at once. But owners shouldn't be surprised that every time a car goes in for a service, there will be something that needs doing (or is worth doing while there) to keep on top of maintenance.