The Cheapest Porsche Money Can Buy In 2022

2008 Porsche Cayman

After the record-breaking success of the Boxster, it was anybody’s guess that Porsche was going to follow it up with a coupe version, and they sure did with the introduction of the Porsche Cayman S back in 2005.

The Cayman shared its chassis and engine with the Boxster, but the engine had a higher power output and the roof added more torsional rigidity, making it a sharper car overall. The Cayman S was launched with a 3.4-liter flat-six that produced 295 horsepower and was capable of hitting over 170 mph. It was a couple of years later that the base version showed up with the smaller 2.7-liter engine that pumped out 245 horsepower and, of course, a relatively lower price tag. This mid-engined two-seater was crafted to perfection - so much so that the Cayman S ended up outpacing the base 911 around the Nürburgring by a full four seconds!

The early versions are well put together and noticeably cheaper in the used car market than the facelifted 2009 versions. The primary reason is the updated drivetrain which didn’t just get the bigger engine option with more power, but it also got the first generation PDK gearbox as opposed to the seven-speed Tiptronic. However, the Tiptronic-equipped units are known to be more reliable and might be the better option for those who are afraid of massive repair bills. But, our pick of the lot would be a pre-facelift Cayman with a manual, which can be found for as low as $15,000, and that is stellar value for a thoroughbred Porsche sports car. Here’s one 2008 example that is up for sale at the time of writing and has the highest bid of just $15,000. And, this is pretty much the price range the car deals in; so, if you’re wondering, no, this isn’t a steal deal or a one-off lucky deal.

1987 Porsche 924 S

The 924 is yet another underrated icon with a Porsche badge. The entry-level Porsche was designed to replace the quirky mid-engined 914. The fact is that the 924 was intended to be a high-end VW at first. It was supposed to be a joint assignment between VW, Audi, and Porsche, but unfortunately, the other two bailed last minute, and Porsche was stuck with this front-engined four-cylinder coupe. In 1976, the Porsche 924 arrived at dealerships packing 95 horsepower which made this the first front-engined, rear-wheel-drive vehicle from Porsche although mercifully the engine got a power bump to 110 horsepower in 1977. It was also one of the cheapest Porsche cars ever made with a launch price of $9,395.

With a production run of over 150,000 examples between 1976-1988, the 924 was a sales success, but unfortunately due to its low price it is also one of the most abused Porsche models out there, and finding a well-loved example these days is very hard. In 1984, it got the newer 944’s detuned power plant with 148 horsepower and was better put together than the early 924s. You can find good examples under the $15,000 all day. These are simple cars, so there isn’t much to go wrong except for the pop-up headlights, but the biggest issue that comes as a consequence of neglect is rust. So if you want to dip your toe into the classic Porsche world, look no further than the Porsche 924 S.

2000 Porsche Boxster

Hailed as the baby 911, the Porsche Boxster is a true Porsche sports car that is now bringing mid-engined, top-down thrills to the masses. Introduced back in 1996, the original Boxster, as the name suggests, was fitted with Porsche’s signature boxer engine. The original cars powered by a 2.5-liter flat-six made just 201 horsepower and came with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Tiptronic automatic. The base engine later got updated to a 2.7-liter mill, while the introduction of the Turbo models brought a more potent 3.2-liter engine. But, more than outright power figures, the first-gen Boxster was known for its balance, thanks to its mid-engined layout and lightweight body. It also became one of the brand’s best sellers with over 120,000 copies sold over its eight-year production run thanks to its affordable price tag.

So, the immense sales success means you can get your hands on a good one for under $10,000 these days. In typical Porsche fashion, these cars are reliable for the most part, but there are some things to watch out for before you get your hands on one. IMS bearing failure is a common problem and that’s an expensive fix. Apart from that just keep an eye out for electrical problems such as malfunctioning lights and switchgear, which aren’t all that expensive to fix but can be time-consuming. All in all, you just can’t go wrong with a Boxster if you want a pocket-friendly Porsche sportscar.

2004 Porsche Cayenne

At the turn of the 21st century, Porsche dropped a bombshell called the Cayenne, which quickly became one of the most heavily criticized vehicles at the time because it was an SUV made by the makers of the 911. It gave Porsche purists and enthusiasts nightmares for days until it became Porsche’s success story. Ferdinand Piech, VW Group’s boss was so sure of this SUV that Porsche’s LMP1 car was canceled at the time and that budget was relocated for the Cayenne which made Porsche fans furious because the Le Mans is Porsche’s turf.

The Porsche Cayenne was based on VW’s PL71 platform that underpinned the Audi Q7 and Toureg. However, Porsche went to great lengths and heavily modified the platform. This gave rise to the 9PA chassis designation that was bespoke to the Cayenne and included its engine, electronics, and suspension tuning. And, to no ones surprise, once journalists and magazines got their hands on one for testing, they loved it to bits because it was a spacious and practical 4x4 like other SUVs, but it simply destroyed them in the dynamics department.

The first-gen Cayenne sold from 2003 to 2010 was indeed a remarkable car, except for its looks, and managed to sell over 95,000 examples. It now offers exceptional value in the used car market provided you know what to look for.

The air suspension was a remarkable piece of tech offered as an option throughout the range except for the Turbo that got it as standard. It was self-leveling and adjusting, and a key factor in transforming the vehicle’s dynamics. The 4.5-liter V-8 dry-sump port-injection engine that produced 335 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque is a reliable gas-guzzling unit that comes mated to a seven-speed Tiptronic transmission - a standard VW affair at the time and is reliable for the most part. The dry-sump setup was a result of Porsche’s racing know-how, but as it turns out, is well suited for off-road use. The Air suspension was one of the better ones from the VW stable, but they do suffer from air pump failures, especially older cars; so the regular suspension might be a wiser choice for your wallet. The first-gen Cayenne with its price around the $10k mark is a lot of car for your money.

1985 Porsche 944 Coupe

The best way to describe the Porsche 944 coupe would be to call it a slightly improved and upmarket version of the 924. Originally intended to replace the 924 in the Porsche line-up, it ended up being sold alongside the 924 for a couple of years. The 944 got a new, Porsche-built 2.5-liter Inline-four with a 144-horsepower, which was a significant upgrade over its predecessor’s Audi-sourced 2.0-liter unit.

The Porsche 944 was a 924 dialed up to eleven - a true Porsche and not just a dressed-up VW. It was regarded as one of the best handling cars by critics around the world, thanks to the transaxle design which lent it a 51:49 weight distribution. Even with the lack of power, it was a thoroughly enjoyable car and came into its own on a twisty stretch of tarmac.

But, the 944 faced a similar fate to the 924. The model was produced in large numbers and is available for throwaway prices, so, finding a clean example might be a challenge. The more sought-after Turbo and S2 models have started to go up in value. The 944 S2 is a special car because it had a 3.0-liter inline-four with 208 horsepower, making it the largest gasoline-powered inline-four engine ever to be used in a production car. But, for under $10,000 the 944 coupe represents incredible value, and for that, you get a genuine Porsche sports car which can be used as a daily driver, something that can’t be said for most cars from this era which makes this one of the best Porsche’s for enthusiasts on a budget.

FAQs

What is the least expensive Porsche

The least expensive new Porsche currently on sale is the 2022 Porsche Macan with a starting price of $57,500.

What are the cheapest Porsches

The used car lots have plenty of cheap Porsches in-store, the cheapest of which include the early examples of the Porsche 924 and 944 which can be had for as low as $5,000, and first-generation examples of the Porsche Cayenne which can be had for around $10,000.

Is a Porsche Boxster a good first car?

The Porsche Boxster is one of the best entries into the world of Porsches, and in extension, sports cars. Early first-gen examples can be had for around $10,000 and are relatively cheap to run and maintain.

What year is the cheapest Porsche?

High mileage examples of Porsche 944 manufactured between 1985 and 1987 can be had for just under $6,000.

What is the cheapest Porsche 2020?

The cheapest new Porsche as of 2020 was the Porsche Macan with a starting price of $54,900.

What is a poor man’s Porsche?

At the time of launch, the Porsche Boxster was dubbed the "poor man’s Porsche" because it was the cheapest new Porsche at the time.

Which Porsche model is the cheapest?

The 2022 Porsche Macan is currently the cheapest Porsche on sale and carries a starting of $57,500.