IM Roadster or a Porsche 993 Cabriolet?

I'm a newbie and have been reading many informational threads here and on Porsche forums. I have a chance to pick up a 2002 Intermeccanica Roadster with the 1776cc engine, perfect shape and very low miles for around $34K, not a great deal but an ok deal, in my opinion. So before I pull the trigger, I asked myself what else can I buy for around $35K that will give me the same or better driving/fun experience? Then the idea of a 993 Cabriolet popped up. Anybody out there have experience with both? My initial thoughts are IM is less expensive to maintain and to insure, the 993 is faster but breakdowns can be costly. Any input or thoughts would greatly be appreciated, thanks.

Harry,
I have lots of cars including a 356 Coupe and a 996 Carrera plus a few more exotic autos. (See pics in Photos section) and I can say, without any reserve, that my Speedster is the most fun you can have on wheels with your clothes (on or off). Go for the IM and you will never regret it.

An added extra is being connected with THIS group of crazies! They are the best car people I have ever run into. Just like one big, happy family.

Happy Trails,
Dusty and the Lovely Miss Sharon

Harry -

I'm guessing that you already know the answer to your question!

A lot of the SOCers on this site either had or currently have fancier, faster, more technologically advanced, or more comfortable cars. Those folks will say as Dusty, hands-down the IM (or Speedster of your choice) will give you more satisfaction and pride of ownership than many cars twice or three times the cost.

In anticipation of your wise selection of the Roadster - "Welcome to the Madness"!

Harry, where do you live and what kind of driving do you want to do? I own an IM Roadster and am very happy with it. But I use my car on the Pacific coast. The weather is perfect for a convertible with no A/C and marginal heater. I also have options when it comes to where I drive. I don't have to take freeways everywhere and there are a lot of fun twisty and scenic drives. I don't need a car that runs 80 MPH plus all day and is quiet at that speed. On the other hand, when I lived in Florida, land of heat, humidity, traffic and freeway driving, the car and I would have been miserable. The frequent rain is a problem with these cars. Even if it does not leak badly, driving in the rain is not fun. It takes a special person to appreciate these cars. The IM Roadster and the 993 Cab are really different cars. A lot of the answer to your question is about who you are and what you want. Tell us more about you and what you think you want. Hope this helps. The IM will cost ALOT less to maintain over the long run. Porsches are not inexpensive. Angela knows a lot about the real ones.

Thanks for the input.

As for myself, I live in the Pacific NW, Central Oregon to be exact, and I'm looking for a convertible to drive around during the summer. The weather here is ideal for a convertible 5-6 months out of the year. Speed isn't that important anymore, (I'm 46), but I don't want something that is slow and sluggish going up to the mountains. Also the resale value is somewhat important, wouldn't a 993 have better resale value over the IM roadster?

I would mainly use the car to go to the golf course or for a weekend cruise to the mountains, and perhaps possibly my daily driver during the summer months. My other daily driver is LX470 that is perfect here for bad weather days.

Harry

Harry, If you buy the IM right, I believe that over say a 5 year period, the IM would hold it's value as well or better than a 996 and the cost to run the IM would be nothing compared to the 996. What is the details on the IM? 1776 is a decent engine,is the trans a 3.88 or 4.12? Leather, colors,steering wheel,square weave carpet? The options are important to value the IM. IM's do not stay on the market long if priced right. Most 2002 or newer were ordered with 2110 engine and a 3.88 or 3.44 trans. This is a nice option to have and costs a lot to retrofit. Check out the cost of the maintainence on the 996. You might be shocked.

Harry-

I'm going to swim upstream here. If you have to ask a bunch of replica owners, on a site dedicated to replica 356's, if you should buy one- then you probably should just get something else. These cars aren't for everybody.

Sorry.

The IM Roadster I'm looking at has the 4.12 transmission, the engine I guess they call it "super 90", all leather, wool carpet, roll up windows, heated seats 4 wheel disc brakes, color is black with tan interior. It is very clean, looks new. I'm sure I'll like it but as I said in the previous post...what else can get for about 35K? Also are IMs really worth that much more? Or should I look at other speedster/roadster replicas (i.e. Beck) for less?

As Stan said, these cars aren't for everyone. A 993 Cabrio will likely be faster, handle better, be more comfortable, and go largely unnoticed in a parking lot. A Speedster or Roadster will look like a classic, require some sacrifices in comfort and refinement (like the originals, but not as much), and generate a conversation with strangers wherever you go. Part of the reason we love these cars is precisely because they are relatively crude and you are close to the machinery. You find yourself looking for excuses to drive anywhere - or driving nowhere in particular - simply because the simplicity and, yes, crudeness, takes you back to when travel had an element of adventure.

I love my Beck, and strongly recommend it as the best mid-priced value - but I am hardly impartial. Henry's cars (IMs) are considerably pricier, but also have a measure of sophistication above the others. Beck doesn't yet (but will, for the patient) have a model with roll-up windows, and, by your questions, I would think that would be a benefit of an IM that you might want. If I'm wrong, contact Carey Hines and spec out a new Beck for that price.

As a daily driver, the 993 is probably a better choice. The very things that make it a better choice for daily use make it a poorer one for an adult toy. For pure, unadulterated fun, I know which one I'd choose.

PS - Yes, the 993 will be faster than a 1776cc IM, but the sensation might be less entertaining. Are you after outright speed, or outright fun?

PPS - The 993 is a great car - the Speedster/Roadster is a hobby. Dusty is right. If you're after a hobby, it's hard to beat this one. Ok, I'll shut up now.

Harry -

It wouldn't be that much fun to pull into the golf/country club and park your 993 along with all the other 993's in the parking lot.

Drive up in your IM Roadster and I guarantee you'll be stopped for comments 2 or 3 times before you've even pulled your clubs out of the car!

You already know the answer to your question without a bunch of us knuckleheads on this site telling ya!

Go for it, Harry!!!!

Harry,

You might have misunderstood my post. I have an Intermeccanica, which I ordered new as a complete car (less drive-train) in 2005. Before that I had a JPS built in 2002. Before that, I had a "brand X" I bought on ebay.

I am not impartial. The Intermeccanica is on a completely different plane than either of the other two cars. It's exactly what I want, and scratches an itch that nothing else ever could. Dealing with Henry was the most pleasurable business experience I've ever had, and continues to be 3 years after the sale. Intermeccanica's are worth every penny, IMHO.

However- as I've said on many occasions, an air-cooled replica is not like a modern car. There are compromises that need to be made, compromises that most people never think of before they buy. If you are not mechanical, or don't like tinkering and improving your car- a replica just isn't a good fit.

A replica is a custom car- an excellent choice for a hobby car, to be used for special occasions. There are guys running around in replicas as their daily drivers- they live in California or Texas. The rest of us have them as a second or third car.

If you can live with something else- a Miata, or Corvette, or 350Z, or 993/6/7 cab, then you really aren't a good candidate for this whole thing. If nothing else will do, then buy the best replica you can afford (which would be an Intermeccanica, in just about everybody's opinion). Don't try to do this thing half way, or on the cheap- you'll only end up doing it twice (or three times, as it were...). This whole thing's a hobby, and a way of life- a sickness that has captured my imagination and clouded my judgment for nearly a decade. If you haven't caught the bug yet, I'd take your $35K, and by the best 911 you can afford.

Seriously.

FWIW - Stan knows of what he speaks,I second his motion!!

Ditto.

Very informative Stan, thanks.

Uh, I don't really have a horse in this race since I am getting my first 356 replica shortly. That said, imho a 911 (or 993, or any variant) is equally comfortable as a weekend cruiser, an autocrosser, a daily driver, whatever...I don't think you can really make the comparison with one of these replicars (which I love already).

think about a C6 Corvette too,you can buy one for $35k nothing will pass you if you don't want it too, and....it's fiberglass!
:)