Get a Boxster S or Cayman S instead.

Nismo.

Work hard and get yourself a (newer) Porsche in the future.

You can't go wrong either way. As some have suggested, I would avoid the older models with the IMS issues. Have you test driven them both? It's hard not falling in love with a P car once you've driven one. I should know, I have a 981 Boxster on order. The Z is a good all around performer its affordable, decent interior quality, great styling both inside and out, and drives like a real sports car. But it leaves something to be desired once you've driven a Porsche, but that's just my opinion. You'll have a smile on your face no matter which one you end up with. But if you ask me, 911 all the way.

First off the 370 Nismo ought to be just as fast as a 996 or 997 on a straight. This is my experience at the track. I just saw the 991S in action on Saturday at Laguna Seca. I say buy the Nismo now and in 4-5 years buy the 2013 911S. This is what I am thinking myself. The car is just amazing.

Get the Used-Porsche if you have enough funds for its maintenance

:iagree:
This all the wisdom you need

Thanks all. The Porsche wouldn't really leave me in a great financial place as I would have a larger car payment the Nismo I could almost get without a loan. I just don't want to finally get the 911 and have something break and not be able to drive the car. Haven't checked on what the insurance delta either is. I'm 35 for everyone wondering.

Routine service is more expensive on the 911, but the lack of reliability issues (if you're going to drive up to or more than 100K) in the 911 make up for it compared to the relatively unreliable Z (not saying the Z is unreliable - I havnt had any issues with mine, but compared to the 911?) Also, oil changes on the 911 are a LOT less frequent than the Z's oil change intervals. The 996 is not the best looking car, but it drives great. I would choose a 997.2 over a 996 or 997.1 or a Z. There really is no substitute to a 911.

Roshdawg- I see how you resolved the issue. Lol

Zchaser, sounds like you may have answered your own question. Another reason to get the 11 Nismo vs an 05-06 Porsche is obtaining a car loan for a potential future buyer. Many financial institutions will only lend money on a 5-6 year old car, anything older than that than they will have to get a personal loan.

So lets say you get the Nismo, you have until 2016-2017 if you choose to sell, for a future buyer of your car to obtain a car loan for your car. The Porsche at this time would have to be paid cash. Or the buyer would have to acquire a personal loan from an institution, which for them would be of higher interest, assuming they can obtain a personal loan for this size. This will lower the amount of potential buyers for your car, thus diminishing it's resale value. Most car dealerships will not give you a TRUE trade in if your car is over 5-6 years old.

Get the Nismo, save some money, sell or trade it in 2016-17 and get a newer Porsche then. :tiphat:

WTF is this?

Just financial. I have always been a car guy and had some pretty cool cars in the past. The Nismo I have is great, no real complaints. Put it up against a 911, preferably a 997, and the Nismo IMO isn't even in the same league. I would drive a 911 in a second. I could afford a 911 but I do not want to be tight and worry about car payments..

I have worked here in sales for almost 4 years now and there is nothing close to the feel or character you get in a 911! It's hard to drive these every day and not own one :)

You work in a Porsche dealership? Just got a 991. My first NEW Porsche after ??? used ones!

I've owned 4 Porsches with the most recent being a 911. If your pockets are deep I would go 911 without question. It's an experience any car person should have (if they can afford it) at least once in their life time. The cars are spectacular, nothing really drives quite like them, the Porsche Club is great and can provide some things that basically no other owners club can including access to pretty much at track in the world if you like to do lapping days. Apples to apples I believe it is a dramatically better driving experience than the Nismo.

However, if one of the things you are concerned about is cost of ownership though I would seriously question whether a 911 is a good fit for you. There is no such thing as an inexpensive Porsche. Cost of service is high and cost of parts is extremely high even if you do your own maintenance. I have a lift in my garage and do almost all my own work, but you still pay a real premium for the parts, even if you know where to buy them. If you don't know where to buy them, bend over. The cars are pretty reliable in general, but if you do have an issue it can be financially devistating. For example, I lost the IMS in a 2004 Boxster S which destroyed the motor and the repair bill was $20k. Even if I had gone with a junk yard motor I was looking at $6-$10k. Luckily Porsche goodwill covered most of my cost. My next door neighbor lost his PDK tranmission and the repair part alone was $18k.

Of course you would most likely never have a major issue like that, but since you are talking an out of warranty 05/06 it would be foolish to not have a educated understanding of possible ownership costs before you jump in.

In the end anyone should consider themselves fortunate to own either car, but I think the pros and cons of each are vastly different.

Wanted a used 911 but settled for a new 2010 Nismo 3 years ago. Not disappointed at. But if i did have the big bucks i might have gone with 911.

It's surprising to see so many are in favor of the 911 on a Z forum, lots of real car guys here :tiphat:. OP, I'm not sure where you stand financially, but if you can comfortably own the 911 I think you will not regret it. But if you're on the fence about the cost of ownership then go with the Nismo. I'm not insinuating that the 911 is less reliable, because Porsche is among the best when it comes to reliability. But if you have a mechanical failure, it will definitely cost you more.