Why You Can’t Pull the Trigger on a Used Porsche
About this episode
Deciding between a brand-new sports car with a warranty and a 10-to-15-year-old Porsche is a classic enthusiast dilemma. Host Derek tackles a listener's hesitation to pull the trigger on a used Porsche, comparing it to modern rivals like the BMW M2 and Toyota Supra. By breaking down the realities of depreciation curves, the concept of "free miles," and the peace of mind that comes with documented maintenance on older models, Derek explains why the older German sports car often makes the most financial and emotional sense.
Buying a Porsche is the ultimate enthusiast dream, but let’s be honest: when it comes down to actually signing the paperwork on a 10, 15, or 20-year-old German sports car, absolute panic sets in.
In this episode, we address a brilliant question from viewer Twingo Ease that hits right at the heart of the enthusiast struggle: How do you justify spending $50k to $80k on an older Porsche when that exact same money can buy you a brand-new, highly reliable sports car with a factory warranty?
Before you run down to the dealership to buy a new BMW M2 or Toyota Supra, we need to talk about the brutal financial reality of absolute dollars, depreciation curves, and what happens after a car drops off the depreciation cliff. We’re breaking down the data, looking at the hard numbers, and giving you the honest truth about what you're actually paying for.
Stop waiting for life to begin. Get out and drive.
CHAPTERS
0:00 The question I could not stop thinking about
1:30 By the way, I have two YouTube channels
3:00 Why this is a completely rational question to ask
5:00 The honest part, the M2 and Supra hold their value
7:00 Where BMW really bleeds, the M3 and the M5
9:00 Why absolute dollars still favor a used Porsche
11:00 Free miles and why I stopped fearing the odometer
13:00 But Derek, a new car comes with a warranty
14:30 CPO, the best of both worlds
16:00 Reliability is really a maintenance history question
18:00 The part a spreadsheet cannot measure
20:00 Bertie, my 1972 911, and why she is still my favorite
22:00 The manual problem nobody wants to talk about
23:30 I drove my brother's 2026 M3
26:00 Just get off the bench and drive
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Are you sitting on the fence trying to decide between a brand-new driver's car and an older Porsche? Do you agree with the data on the absolute dollar depreciation, or does the safety net of a warranty still win you over? Drop a comment below—I read and try to respond to every single one!
#Porsche #Porsche911 #BMW #ToyotaSupra #CarBuyingAdvice #ElevenAfterNine #GetOutAndDrive
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Renault Twingo
"...nt or another. This question comes in from a user Twingo Ease and it was a question that really hit me and..."
The Renault Twingo is a very small, affordable hatchback car made by the French company Renault. It is designed primarily for driving and parking in tight city spaces while maximizing interior room.
The Renault Twingo is a popular French city car renowned for its clever, space-efficient design and quirky styling, particularly in its first generation launched in the 1990s. It is celebrated by car enthusiasts for its charm, sliding rear seats, and cheerful personality.
Porsche
"because I think we've all been there when we were looking at some of these older porches and whether to add them to our garage."
A famous German car company known for making some of the best-handling and most iconic sports cars in the world.
Porsche is a legendary German sports car manufacturer famous for rear-engine and mid-engine designs, particularly the iconic 911. The brand is highly regarded for its engineering precision, racing heritage, and driver-focused dynamics.
BMW M2
"I mean, that sounds kind of insane when you can head down to your BMW dealership or your Toyota dealership and get yourself a brand new M2 for like $70,000..."
A small, very fast two-door car made by BMW that is highly prized by driving enthusiasts for being fun and nimble.
The BMW M2 is a high-performance compact coupe featuring a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout powered by a turbocharged inline-six engine. It is celebrated by enthusiasts as the spiritual successor to classic, agile BMW sports cars of the past.
BMW M3
"...and M3 for $80,000, or even a Supra. And they're all fantastic cars. And why wouldn't you go that way?"
A high-performance, faster version of BMW's popular sedan, designed to be both a practical daily driver and a track-capable sports car.
The BMW M3 is the benchmark high-performance sports sedan, featuring powerful engines, upgraded suspension, and aggressive styling derived from the standard 3 Series. It has historically defined the everyday-usable performance car segment.
Toyota Supra
"...and M3 for $80,000, or even a Supra. And they're all fantastic cars. And why wouldn't you go that way?"
A famous Japanese sports car known for its speed and sleek styling, with the newest version sharing many parts with BMW.
The Toyota Supra is a legendary sports car nameplate revived in collaboration with BMW, featuring a turbocharged inline-six engine, rear-wheel drive, and a highly rigid chassis. It is highly regarded for its tuning potential and sharp handling.
Toyota Crown
"...ute best. But I have to hand the Toyota Supra the crown. It only loses about 36% over five years and the ..."
The Toyota Crown is a premium, larger-sized car made by the Japanese company Toyota. The modern version sits slightly higher off the ground than a normal sedan, offering a comfortable ride and a hybrid engine for better fuel efficiency.
The Toyota Crown is one of Toyota's longest-running nameplates, historically serving as a premium luxury sedan in Japan before transitioning into a global high-riding sedan and crossover lineup. It is discussed for its unique fastback styling, hybrid powertrains, and its role as an upscale alternative to traditional sedans.
BMW M5
"Unfortunately, the M5 loses about 60% of its value over the course of five years, which can be seen in some of the most recent online auctions where you can get what amounts to a very newish BMW M5 for like 20 something thousand dollars."
A large, luxurious four-door BMW sedan that has an incredibly powerful engine, making it as fast as a supercar while still being comfortable for families.
The BMW M5 is a flagship high-performance mid-size sedan, combining executive luxury with supercar-level acceleration and handling, often utilizing twin-turbocharged V8 engines and advanced all-wheel-drive systems.
Porsche 911 (997)
"If you're looking at say a 997, a 981, a 991, that depreciation has already taken its toll."
A version of the famous Porsche 911 sports car built in the mid-2000s to early 2010s, loved by enthusiasts for its classic look and great steering feel.
The Porsche 911 (997) is the sixth generation of the iconic rear-engine sports car, powered by a flat-six engine. It is highly regarded for returning to classic round headlights and offering a highly mechanical, hydraulic-steering driving experience.
Porsche Boxster/Cayman (981)
"If you're looking at say a 997, a 981, a 991, that depreciation has already taken its toll."
A mid-engine two-seater sports car from Porsche built in the mid-2010s, famous for its incredible balance and sweet-sounding six-cylinder engine.
The Porsche Boxster/Cayman (981) is a mid-engine sports car generation powered by a naturally aspirated flat-six engine. It is highly praised for its near-perfect weight distribution and for being the last generation to feature non-turbocharged six-cylinder engines across the standard lineup.
depreciation cliff
"Someone's already eaten that they've gone off the depreciation cliff and that car has stabilized in almost every conceivable option..."
The steep drop in value that a brand-new car experiences during its first few years of ownership.
The depreciation cliff refers to the period in a new vehicle's lifespan, typically the first 3 to 5 years, where its market value drops most rapidly before stabilizing.
free miles
"But if a car has say 40,000, 45,000 miles on it, those are free miles. Those are miles that you can take on that car up to 70, 80,000 miles."
The idea of buying a used car that has already lost most of its value, meaning you can drive it and add miles without losing much more money when you sell it.
An enthusiast concept referring to driving a depreciated, stable-value car where adding moderate mileage does not significantly lower its resale value.
CPO program
"Of course, I'd probably put up against that the CPO program from a Porsche dealer where they might be selling a car that's five or six or seven years old, but it does have an extended warranty."
A program where a car dealership inspects a used car thoroughly and sells it with an official factory warranty, making it safer to buy than a regular used car.
Certified Pre-Owned program; a manufacturer-backed inspection and warranty system for used vehicles, offering buyers near-new car peace of mind on older models.
IMS bearing
"The IMS bearing taken care of by Ellen engineering, bore scoring checked, oil changes, marked down and on a maintenance schedule."
A small metal part inside certain older Porsche engines that can fail without warning, completely destroying the engine.
Intermediate Shaft bearing; a component in Porsche M96 and early M97 engines that supports the shaft driving the camshafts, notorious for catastrophic failure if its factory lubrication seals degrade.
LN Engineering
"The IMS bearing taken care of by Ellen engineering, bore scoring checked, oil changes, marked down and on a maintenance schedule."
A company that makes high-quality replacement parts to fix the known engine problems in older Porsches.
An aftermarket automotive engineering firm specializing in performance upgrades and preventative maintenance solutions for Porsche engines, most famous for their patented IMS bearing retrofit kits.
cylinder bore scoring
"The IMS bearing taken care of by Ellen engineering, bore scoring checked, oil changes, marked down and on a maintenance schedule."
A serious engine problem where the moving parts inside the engine scratch the cylinder walls, causing the engine to burn oil and eventually break down.
A mechanical wear issue where the piston skirt scratches the cylinder wall, leading to oil consumption, ticking noises, and eventual engine failure, particularly common in cold-climate M97 Porsche engines.
air-oil separator
"The right kind of oil being used, air oil separators done, all these little things add up."
A part that filters oil mist out of the air inside the engine so the engine doesn't accidentally burn its own oil.
A crankcase ventilation component that separates oil vapor from air before routing the air back into the intake manifold, preventing oil from entering the combustion chamber.
analog driving feel
"...the more of that vaunted analog that everyone is chasing, you find that the further you go back in the Porsche brand and the newer cars are just more digital."
A car that feels mechanical and connected to the road, where the driver does all the work without computers stepping in to help.
A driving dynamic characterized by direct mechanical connections (like hydraulic steering, manual gearboxes, and physical throttles) without excessive electronic intervention or driver aids.
Lotus
"And this goes for Porsche. It goes for BMW. Lotus. all the cars that are within the last five years or so post COVID."
A British car company famous for making very light, simple, and great-handling sports cars.
Lotus is a British sports car manufacturer renowned for its philosophy of extreme lightweight engineering and exceptional handling characteristics.
NVH
"They're missing NVH. They're missing the feel of the road through the steering wheel, their feel of the road through the seat of your pants."
A term car makers use to describe how quiet and smooth a car is. High NVH means you feel and hear the road more; low NVH means a quiet, isolated ride.
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness; an industry metric measuring the level of auditory and tactile feedback transmitted into the passenger cabin.
Porsche 944
"...my Porsche journey has taken me from mid 80s, 911s in transaxle cars like 944s and 924s..."
A classic, wedge-shaped Porsche from the 1980s with its engine in the front and pop-up headlights, known for handling corners beautifully.
The Porsche 944 is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car produced from 1982 to 1991, featuring a transaxle layout for near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution and exceptional handling.
Porsche 924
"...my Porsche journey has taken me from mid 80s, 911s in transaxle cars like 944s and 924s..."
An affordable, classic Porsche from the 70s and 80s that helped introduce front-engine designs to the brand.
The Porsche 924 is an entry-level sports car produced from 1976 to 1988, which pioneered the front-engine, water-cooled transaxle layout for the brand, originally designed as a joint project with Volkswagen.
Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
"...back to the late 70s with 930 turbos and into the 90s with 993s and even to the 2000 teens with 991s..."
A legendary, very fast version of the classic Porsche 911 from the 70s and 80s, known for its massive rear wing and challenging handling.
The internal designation for the turbocharged Porsche 911 produced from 1975 to 1989, famous for its dramatic 'whale tail' spoiler, wide rear arches, and demanding handling characteristics that earned it the nickname 'Widowmaker.'
Porsche Boxster (987)
"...to the early 2000s with a number of 987 Boxsters and Boxster Ss back to the late 70s..."
A two-seat convertible Porsche from the mid-2000s to early 2010s that has its engine in the middle of the car for perfect balance.
The Porsche Boxster (987) is the second generation of Porsche's mid-engine roadster (2005-2012), which refined the styling and interior of the original Boxster while offering improved handling and power.
hydraulic power steering
"But if I can derive more pleasure and fun from it, then I'm all about that life, whether it's from the hydraulic steering or even the early E-pass stuff from Porsche..."
A system that uses fluid pressure to make turning the steering wheel easier, which drivers love because it lets them feel the texture of the road.
A steering assist system that uses pressurized hydraulic fluid driven by an engine accessory belt, highly praised by enthusiasts for transmitting detailed road feedback to the steering wheel.
EPAS
"But if I can derive more pleasure and fun from it, then I'm all about that life, whether it's from the hydraulic steering or even the early E-pass stuff from Porsche..."
A modern steering system powered by an electric motor that makes the car easier to steer but can make the steering wheel feel numb or like a video game.
Electric Power Assisted Steering; a system that uses an electric motor instead of a hydraulic pump to assist steering, improving fuel efficiency but often criticized for reducing road feel.
Porsche 911 Carrera T
"...you know, buy a GT3 or get a Carrera T, which is $150, $160,000. And, you know, many other brands are just doing away entirely with it."
A special version of the Porsche 911 that strips out heavy luxury items to make the car lighter, louder, and more fun to drive with a manual stick shift.
The Porsche 911 Carrera T is a lightweight, enthusiast-focused variant of the 911 designed to offer a purer driving experience, featuring reduced sound deadening, a standard manual transmission, and mechanical performance upgrades.
Porsche Carrera T
"...k type of mentality, you know, buy a GT3 or get a Carrera T, which is $150, $160,000. And, you know, many oth..."
BMW E46
"...thing that really bothered me because I've driven E46 M3s, E36 M3s. I mean, that steering was brilliant..."
The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car made by BMW, available as a sedan, wagon, or coupe. It is designed to be comfortable for daily driving while offering a sporty and responsive feel when steering.
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car that has long defined the sport sedan segment with its balance of luxury, practicality, and sharp handling. It is often discussed as a benchmark for steering feel and chassis dynamics, particularly older generations like the E36 and E46.
naturally aspirated engine
"You can have your normally aspirated motor. You can rev it up to 7,075 and listen to it sing."
An engine that breathes air normally without using a turbocharger or supercharger to force extra air in, making the engine feel very responsive and smooth.
An internal combustion engine that relies on atmospheric pressure for its air intake rather than forced induction (like a turbocharger or supercharger), offering linear power delivery and sharp throttle response.
deviated stitching
"...and somehow valuing myself based on the things I have and look at my Porsche with my deviated stitching. And there's a lot of D bags."
A fancy option where the thread used to sew the leather seats and dashboard is a different, bright color to stand out.
A premium Porsche interior option where the stitching on leather surfaces is in a contrasting color to the leather itself, highly prized by collectors and customizers.
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