What is the Best Driver's Porsche?
Updated: Mar 29, 2020
According to the Panelists at The Best All-Around Porsche Seminar at Scottsdale 2020 the Carrera T is the best driver’s Porsche just as the Porsche RS America was in its day. Both cars share similar traits: minimal options and driver aids, manual transmission and special sportier suspension.
Limited volume is also a characteristic of both cars. There were only 701 RS Americas produced and less than 600 Carrera T’s. The focus is a no frills, driving experience machine that is not for everyone.
The panelist making this claim was Rob Sass, Editor-in-Chief of Porsche Panorama magazine.
The sweet spot of the Carrera T is one that is minimally optioned in a unique color with a manual transmission. A unique color is one that is defined as anything other than the black, white, silver or red that 80% of Porsches are spec’d in. The problem with the Carrera T is that it didn’t have great demand so dealers starting loading the car with the luxury options that they are sell the car. The problem is that this goes contrary to the being of a Carrera T that is supposed to be a lightweight bare-bones 911 for those who desire the true Porsche driving experience.
The 1993 and 1994 Porsche 964 RS America was the air-cooled Porsche counterpoint. They both derive from the 1973 Porsche 911 RS 2.7 but these have become out of reach of the average collector with a good model at $400,000 and an excellent model at $600,000 plus.
A RS America built on the 964 platform is the most recent air-cooled model built as a driver’s car. Offered in four basic colors (red, white, black, silver) and two optional colors (midnight blue and yellow) the car epitomized a low spec lightweight driver’s car. Only four options were available. One is a driving option, limited slip differential while they other are basic comfort items: radio, air conditioning and sunroof.
Prices are also very similar for the Carrera T and RS America. A recent look at AutoTrader and iSeecars.com has models for sale from $85,000 - $105,000.
What’s your poison, a water-cooled Porsche Carrera T or air-cooled RS America?
Other "Best Of" Articles of Interest
The Best All-Around Air-Cooled Porsche: https://www.airbrigade.com/post/the-best-all-around-air-cooled-porsche
The Best All-Around Porsche: https://www.airbrigade.com/post/the-best-all-around-porsche
Tags: Porsche Driver's Car, Porsche Carrera T, Porsche RS America
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