I am looking to buy a used 911 Cabriolet with automatic (tiptronic) trans. between 2001 and 2014 ( I have 25-32k to spend. I want under 40k in mileage.am I on target? Is there something to know re: AWD vs rear wheel drive? Is the awe much safer? more cost involved?

You should be able to buy up to around a 2006-08 for that kind of money. Just a fyi, a four wheel drive car is no safer than a two wheel drive. 4 wheel drive is a performance option, NOT a safety point. More people are led to believe (re: jeep owners) this line with fatal consequences. Go for the 2 wheel drive model with 3 pedals on the floor, otherwise it's not a Porsche and you'll never know what driving is all about.

Thank you Smitty, and all who answered my questions. I am new to this forum.

I haven't seen anything newer than 2002 for that kind of money and under 40k in mileage. It would be nice though!

I would opt for 2002 or newer. This is the 3.6 liter engine. Unless you find a PDK trans. Stick with the stick (6 speed). For safety, go to a driving school. No high performance driving on the street. My preference is a higher miles with major service performed. Pay me know or pay me later. Clutch, brakes, fluids. A 911 is not going to fall apart at 100 K miles or 200 K. I have seen 964 motors in race cars for over 10 years performing, winning races. Select your 911 with thoughts of what parts it will need and when. 30k mile car 10 years old in my mind has been abused.. Sitting in a garage collecting dust. Fluids, oils, grease need to circulate. This is my opinion based on my experience of driving a 911 every day since 1987. And, 16 years on the track. Enjoy!

thank you for that answer. I appreciate your insight. is the 2002 a 964 model? what year did the body model change?

Don't be scared of higher miles in a 911. They are built to be used and to last. I had one with over 200,000 miles and it drove just fine. You may get a better car if you buy newer and higher miles. I typically aim for 10,000 miles per year cars when I buy, so I would look for a 2006-2007 with around 60,000 miles if I had your budget. In my area, you'd probably struggle to find a decent car with only 40,000 within your budget. Re the AWD / RWD choice, the RWD is lighter and sportier to drive. The AWD car has a smaller front luggage compartment. The Tiptronic auto is not a very engaging drive. Better to find more money and look for a PDK auto or buy a stick shift car like Smitty says. I've owned around 10 911's from 1972 to 2009 model years, and the Tiptronic cars was always the least driven and soonest to be sold.

is there any work (for my wife to do) with the PDK system? I drive a stick but my wife might need to drive this car too.

PDK is an automatic transmission found in all 2014 911's.Including the GT3. I rode in one at Chuckwalla Raceway in CA. And, have scene them in the some Cayman models. Superior to the Tiptronic. Both automatics transmissions can be used as fully automatic. If your wife needs automatic, she needs automatic. PDK, has several sport modes for performance driving and or racing. Also, my preference is for a coupe with a sun roof. Interior stays cleaner. Less maintenance issues with sun roof. Coupe holds it's value. Remember this is an investment. 911's will use parts but, hold their value. I figure plus or minus 5% from the purchase price at time of sale to another individual. I enjoyed my 993 for 9 years. Sold it for 900 dollars less than I paid for it. It had 145K miles. The car is displayed on Wiki as an example of the 1995-993, 911. Clean oil, low engine operating temps. The 911's keep running.

The 964 engine is a dry sump engine, no oil pan. Airplane type engine that relies on oil pressure pulling oil from an oil tank. Gravity feed oil pan does not work well under high G's off camber road racing courses such as a banked oval. If your not racing or plan to race an oil pan will work fine for your applications. 964 engine was the 964 C2 911. 90 to 94. The bottom end of the 964 lives on in the 993 engine 95-98 air cooled engines. The 964 bottom end can be found in 996 & 997 Twin Turbos, GT3 and GT2 up to I believe 2011. These cars also have the G-50 gear box which is better suited to high horse power.

Thank you sir.

Stick with 2002 or newer 911 (996 model). Older models are more prone to IMS and RMS issues. I owned a 2002 and there was some sign of oil leaks related to RMS but never turned into an issue. Mine was a cabriolet with 6-speed MT. I would recommend a coupe and 6-speed MT. The soft top will be a major item to fix both mechanically and the top itself. I would shop for a higher mileage 997.1 (2005+) which may still fit your budget. My recommendation is to get a newer Porsche if you could. I know Porsche tried hard to fix the notorious IMS and RMS issues in the 997. I do not care for Tiptronics which is really an automatic transmission with paddles. PDK equipped 911 is not within your budget which is a superior auto- manual transmission. Similar to Audi DSG, PDK is a dual clutch manual transmission without the clutch floor pedal. The onboard computer either shifts gear automatically (in auto mode) or when you press the paddles to shift (in manual mode). I love PDK in my 981 Boxster. Good luck.

Buy It... Be Mindful... Be Handy... Be Ready for Anything when owning a Porsche! JBDP of Competition Motors Hollywood llc

hello I'm looking to find built in phone for my car Carrera 4s (996) can any one help me thank you