Which Porsche Model Do I Want?

As I’ve mentioned on the blog recently, my Swift Sport was delivered in October. I really enjoy the Swift Sport and plan to keep driving it for a while, but at the same time, my goal to purchase a Porsche is still very much alive.

However, just saying “buy a Porsche” is simple, but there are so many models and trims, and over the past few years, the Porsche model I want has kept changing.

This Porsche blog started because I loved the Panamera. Back then, my goal was to buy a Panamera GTS someday.

That’s because I hadn’t driven any Porsche other than the Panamera, so it was all I knew about the brand. Plus, I was drawn to the Panamera’s tagline at the time:

“A car worthy of a life’s champion, delivering Porsche’s unique thrilling drive and comfort.”

A life’s champion… I want to be a life’s champion too… (Too simplistic, I know, lol)

Also, I occasionally saw a Panamera GTS nearby, and its engine sound was amazing, always driving with the rear spoiler deployed—it looked so cool. I admired it and thought, “I want to drive that Panamera GTS too.”

After starting the blog, I was fortunate to have more opportunities to drive various Porsche models. The next Porsche I wanted after the Panamera was the Cayman.

When I borrowed a 718 Cayman as a loaner and drove it on the Royu Driveway, I was impressed by how enjoyable, high-performing, and easy to drive it was.

At that time, I was terrible at driving manuals and was struggling with my husband’s MT 981 Boxster GTS, so it was my first real experience of the fun of a mid-engine Porsche, and I was hooked.

Later, after a certain event, I made up my mind, bought a manual car (a BMW 320i), and drove it daily. Eventually, I got good enough to drive the MT Boxster GTS. Then I discovered the joy of open-top driving and the amazing engine sound, and thought:

“If I buy a Porsche myself, it has to be a convertible!”

At that time, the model I wanted was the 911 Targa.

While the 911 Cabriolet or Boxster are the usual open models, I was captivated by the rarity of the Targa—hardly ever seen on the streets—and the beautiful design of the Targa bar. I hadn’t driven a Targa yet, but more than how it drove, I simply thought, “I want that cool open-top Targa.”

Maybe influenced by Momoe Yamaguchi’s songs, I also started thinking vaguely, “If a woman drives it, maybe a bright red Porsche would be perfect.”

But on the other hand, I thought, “The Targa is insanely expensive… If I were to buy new, I probably wouldn’t even get a chance.” It felt too unrealistic for me.

The Greatness of the Porsche 911

Later, I drove an MT GT3 and went through a phase of thinking, “Ah, maybe the Panamera is best after all…” Then, when the 992-generation 911 Cabriolet came to our home, my feelings shifted strongly toward the 911.

I was genuinely amazed by the 911’s chassis, driving presence, and the high performance of the base model.

At that time, I also started noticing female drivers behind the wheel of 911s everywhere, and my admiration grew: “Women driving 911s look so cool!”

Alright, if I buy one someday, it’ll be a red 911! Not an S or 4S, the base model is more than enough for me!

That’s what I decided. (I’m really easily influenced, huh…)

Then, by chance, a reader invited me to drive their 991 base model 911 on the Royu Driveway.

And the body color was red.

When I first saw it, it was so beautiful that I blurted out, “Please keep it until I can buy one in a few years.”

The naturally aspirated engine in the early 991 911 felt great, and even models without the sport exhaust had a rich, satisfying engine sound.

…but for someone like me who isn’t confident in driving, the base 991 early model 911 with almost no options was quite challenging to drive.

Especially on the tight corners of the Royu Driveway, I realized that the driver needs a certain level of skill.

Our 992 model has a stiff suspension, feels incredibly solid for a Cabriolet, has minimal body roll, and great road contact. Even I can drive it so comfortably that I fool myself into thinking, “I’ve gotten better at driving.” But the 991 early base model, while having excellent performance, still leaves room for the driver’s skill to influence the driving experience.

So, for someone like me who lacks confidence, the early 991 base model felt a bit too difficult. Then I had the chance to test drive a Panamera Turbo SE Hybrid.

…Writing this, I realize how lucky I am to regularly get to drive so many different Porsches. I’m truly grateful.

Back to the Panamera Turbo SE Hybrid—it was by far my favorite Panamera to date.

It barely rolls in corners, the electric motor gives it quick initial acceleration, it feels stable, and I could trust the car 100% while driving. It’s nimble in corners but still has the Panamera’s characteristic solid feel when starting off.

This test drive made me think, “For an amateur like me, a Porsche with high stability, all-wheel drive, and plenty of suspension options is probably the best fit.”

When I shared this with my husband, he said:

Yeah, I think a Porsche loaded with driving options like PDCC and PCCB—super stable, minimal roll, comfortable ride—is surprisingly the best fit.
Since you’re not going to race on circuits or compete for lap times, you don’t need a GT3 that sacrifices street comfort, and you don’t do long tours, so GTS isn’t necessary either.
You want smooth street ride, solid road contact, relaxed cruising on the highway, but when you step on it, it’s insanely fast.
That points to the 911 Turbo S. If you’re going to add options to a 4S, why not just go all the way to the Turbo S? The Turbo models are clearly in a different league.
And with a Turbo, you don’t have to worry about NA engines, so prices won’t skyrocket like the early 991s. Sounds good, right?

That might be true. A red Turbo S, huh…

Buying new with options would top 30 million yen, which is impossible for me. So maybe a used 991 Turbo S would be better? Just as I was thinking that, my husband sent me a link to a used car listing.

He said, “This one’s really good!”

*Car Sensor “Porsche 911”

Total payment 14 million yen… But influenced by my husband and his friends, my sense of price has numbed, and I started thinking, “Hey, maybe I can do this in a few years?”

Even though I’m the type to hesitate over buying a 3,900 yen shirt at Uniqlo that’s not on sale… (LOL)

But now I have a clearer idea of how much I need, how much to save for a down payment, and what monthly payments might look like. I’m not buying yet, but it’s exciting.

And since I still have plenty of time, I can enjoy worrying and debating to my heart’s content.

I’m sure that the time spent wondering, “What should I get? This one? That one?” is probably the most fun part.

I’m 39 now, and I want to buy by around 45. I’ll keep working toward it!