Chapter 1 · Buying your first Porsche · by HBi Auto
Buying a 959, Carrera GT & 918
Porsche's hypercars: one generation each, and each one changed the company.
Every so often Porsche builds a car to show what is possible. The 959 (1987–1988) was the most advanced car of its time, with twin turbos and computer-controlled all-wheel drive. The Carrera GT (2004–2006) has a V10 born for Le Mans and a six-speed manual. The 918 Spyder (2014–2015) is a plug-in hybrid with nearly 900 horsepower.
These cars are bought on provenance, originality and service history. Only a handful of shops are equipped to inspect them properly.
918 Spyder2014–2015median $2,900,0009 salesOpen ›
9591987–1988 (8 more in 1992–1993)4 sales on recordOpen ›
Carrera GT2004–200615 sales on recordOpen ›959, Carrera GT & 918 sales per year
VIN-checked US sales recorded on 911 Tracker per year, as of Oct 30, 2026. Hover a bar for the median price that year (shown with 5 or more sales). 2026 is the year to date.
Show as a table
| Year | Sales | Median sale |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | too few |
| 2021 | 1 | too few |
| 2022 | 12 | $1,774,000 |
| 2023 | 1 | too few |
| 2024 | 2 | too few |
| 2025 | 9 | $1,921,000 |
| 2026 | 2 | too few |
What to look for
Records
Every service, every owner, every repair. Gaps cost more on these cars than on any other Porsche.
Tires and fluids by age
Low-mile cars still need time-based service.
The buying process
Find and price it
Compare the car with what the same model actually sold for, adjusted for miles, options and records.
Ask the right questions
Who serviced it, why it is for sale, any accidents or paintwork, and can you see every record before you travel.
Inspect it
A specialist pre-purchase inspection, paid by you, reported to you.
Agree the deal
Price, what is fixed before delivery, deposit terms and a written bill of sale.
Pay safely and ship it
Wire only to a verified account, never on instructions that arrive by email alone. Ship enclosed for anything rare or valuable.
Written by the 911 Buyers and HBi Auto team in Mocksville, NC. Market numbers come from 911 Tracker's VIN-checked US sales and say what they are based on; maintenance intervals say where each one comes from. This course is general information, not an inspection, an appraisal or legal or tax advice.