Max Newman

I was chatting with Jamie Tyler recently, sales legend at Paragon Porsche. We were talking about my cars, trends in the used Porsche market, and the idea of ‘post-pandemic euphoria’ which was seen following the Great Depression in the US during the 1920s.

That sentiment may account for some of the price buoyancy and sales activity we witnessed in 2021, and certainly accounts for the decisions I’ve made. My 991.1 C2S purchase in September 2020 was the result of a commitment I made to myself during the depths of the first lockdown. And it’s a good job that

I followed it through, because I probably couldn’t afford it right now.

The subsequent sale of the 997 was by no means a certainty. But after nearly a decade in my care I was happy to move it on and try something new. The buoyant market in summer 2021 helped to ease the inevitable pain – as did the 991.

The 991 is fantastic, but it’s almost too fast on the road sometimes. One of the things I enjoyed about the 997 was the level of performance available – something in the region of 340bhp in my C2 with the Paragon remap, IPD plenum and so on. It’s perfectly suited to my local roads. I felt you could really enjoy the engine through its entire rev-range without going ridiculously fast. The 991 at 395bhp sometimes feels on the wrong side of that.

I don’t think it’s the PDK shifting adding to the impression of speed which makes the difference, either. I enjoyed a great blast back from the gym in our BMW 335i a few days ago. I was in Sport mode and using the paddles on the ZF eightspeed auto box. It has a “mere” 302bhp but again it could be driven hard and very enjoyably, without appearing antisocial.

I didn’t plan on buying a Macan in late summer this year, although I’ve wanted one for many years. Following the sale of the 997 I set out to buy a 4x4 for the winter (a Skoda Yeti in fact), but having realised that everything is expensive I thought I may as well go big and get what I really want. Those buying trends again. I’m pleased with it, even though it’s a diesel. At least it’s a six-cylinder diesel.

Adding the Macan enables me to represent Team Porsche with even greater regularity, which in turn has made me wonder if I could justify a slightly less-usable 911. Should I perhaps have kept the 997? I don’t think so, but I still dream of owning a 993C2 or 997.1 GT3. However, each time I think about spending any money I find myself reverting to the quintessential 911 all-rounders. The 991.1 C2S fits the bill perfectly. A 991 GT3 with folding seats and no cage could be the answer, but remains beyond my reach.

Porsche Centre Leeds lent me a 718 Boxster S 2.5 for a week in September. It opened my eyes to the brilliance of the Boxster package, and introduced me to the joys of open air motoring. I enjoyed it so much that I wonder if I should sell the 991 while the market remains strong, if I can secure an order on a new Boxster GTS 4.0? Heresy in these hallowed pages, I hear you cry! An older Boxster to replace the BMW 335i instead, perhaps…?