Almost traditionally, we use the time around the turn of the year to find Porsche models for you that promise a lot of driving pleasure without losing value – sports cars for which we predict a stable and possibly even increasing value development based on our perception. Our Top 5 Porsche Investment Tips 2026 is already the fifth edition of this format.
Of course, this article is highly speculative and not investment advice! If you consider all the running costs, only very few Porsches really generate a monetary return anyway. But unlike many other hobbies, which also cost money, with sports cars there is at least a theoretical chance that there will even be a small profit left over at the end of the holding period. With that out of the way – Have fun with the Elferspot investment tips for the coming year!
Not every Porsche that has the ingredients to become a collector’s item was a sure-fire success when it was new. A good example is the Porsche Cayman R. Although it was well received at the time for its driving dynamics, it was not a real hit commercially. The power-to-weight ratio of the Cayman R with 330 hp and 1,295 kilograms was just under 4 kg/hp – the same value as the 1967 911 R. Thanks to its sports suspension and mechanical limited slip differential, it had what it took to become the darling of the masses. But nothing came of it. According to reports, only 1,621 Porsche Cayman Rs were produced.
The youngest Cayman Rs are now almost 15 years old. A lot has happened in that time. Its successor generations were given even sharper, genuine GT models with the GT4 variants. Since then, the 987 has been clearly overshadowed by its newer siblings, especially in terms of price. While the 981 and 982 Cayman GT4 were continuously available from around 90,000 euros, good Cayman R models were less than half the price.
But why actually? The design has aged superbly. Especially in Peridot Metallic, it is a real eye-catcher. In addition, the 3.4-liter engines promise realiability and there is a choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed PDK. What’s more: since 2024, prices have quietly risen back towards the original sticker price of just under 70,000 euros. And in view of the generally positive development since 2018, it seems unlikely that they will fall again. Exploding prices are also not to be expected, but value stability, garnished with plenty of driving pleasure and the knowledge that you are driving a very rare Porsche.
It was one of the most exciting athletes on four wheels at the time, was extremely successful commercially, but was not really in vogue as a used car for a long time. What would also apply to the 996 describes the history of the Porsche 914. 119,000 of the mid-engine sports car developed jointly with VW were built between 1969 and 1976, over 115,000 of which were equipped with the four-cylinder engine borrowed from VW with displacements between 1.7 and 2.0 liters.
This is how sports cars were built in the 70s! Over 50 years later, the 914 still impresses with its exciting shape, minimalist interior and great handling. © Broad Arrow
Exactly these four cylinder models are an exciting idea to buy 2026. After years of finding plenty of great vehicles for under 20,000 euros, the wind is gradually changing. Nevertheless, even freshly overhauled Porsche 914 1.7s can still be found for relatively fair prices of under 25,000 in some cases. Of course, top examples of the Porsche 914 2.0 with 100 hp cost a little more, but even here there are really good cars starting at 30,000 euros.
If you pay attention to good sheet metal substance, the 914 is an amazingly agile sports car in 70s chic. The minimalist interior still inspires today. The technology is largely robust and the VW-based engines can be coaxed into producing a few more horsepower with relatively little effort. With an unladen weight of 940 to 950 kilograms, this promises plenty of driving fun at a manageable price. And the best thing about it: there may even be a little profit left over at the end. After all, the prices of the four-cylinder 914 rose by 15 to 20 percent last year – and there is no sign of a trend reversal.
Now it gets very specific. The Porsche 997.2 Turbo appeared in model year 2009 and was built until model year 2012. In addition to the new MA1 direct-injection engine generation, the 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) was also introduced. As a result, only around 15 to 20 percent of the 5,053 500 hp 997.2 Turbo models produced were delivered with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The Porsche 997.2 Turbo with 6-speed manual gearbox is already one of the most sought-after water-cooled 911s. © ZWECK
All 911 Turbo models thereafter were only available with PDK, making the 997.2 Turbo manual transmission the last of its kind, so to speak. As a result, there have already been major price differences between models with manual transmission and PDK in recent years. While PDK models usually cost between 85,000 and 120,000 euros, manual transmission Porsche 997.2 Turbo models now tend to cost 140,000 euros.
Compared with over 21,000 Porsche 997.1 Turbo sold, the 997.2 Turbo is already rare. If we now assume that fewer than 1,000 manuals were sold in total, it is unlikely that the price trend will be reversed. For fans of the 911 Turbo, the Porsche 997.2 Turbo manual could therefore not only be an incredibly fast super sports car, but possibly even a good Porsche investment.
Many connoisseurs will probably now say: “Wait a minute, the Porsche 911 T in particular has lost value in recent years. How can that be a worthwhile Porsche investment?” Well, there are two sides to every coin. It is true that the Porsche 911 T has lost market value in all engine variants since 2023. However, this is not because the cars at the lower end of the scale have become significantly cheaper. Instead, some of these models have considerably lower prices at the top end, meaning that the price corridor has narrowed overall.
The Porsche 911 T used to be the entry-level 911. Today, it stands for one of the purist air-cooled experiences that can be had for under 100,000 euros. Sofia Monaco Plant, Sports Car Plant & STAS Motors
This means that both restored and well-preserved, unrestored 911 T are available for around 80,000 euros – even with matching numbers! However – and this should be expressly mentioned here – a high degree of expertise is required to correctly assess the actual value of the vehicle in question. But the chances of finding an original 911 for a reasonable price as a great driver are currently better than they have been for a long time.
If you find a really good car in this market situation, such a Porsche investment could pay off in the medium term. In stock transactions, one would probably speak of “buy the dip”. It is undisputed that such a tactic has risks. However, stock market legends such as Warren Buffett have made a large part of their fortune by buying when others were afraid and sold their investments. So it could be a good opportunity for anyone who is planning to drive their potential classic for a few years anyway…
Last but not least, we come to a car that can probably best be described as a “classic investment” within this selection – the Porsche 997 GT2. Even as a new car, it was a dream that very few people could afford. From model year 2008, Porsche offered the 530 hp uber-911 at a price of 189,496 euros. The Stuttgart-based company sold a total of 1,242 of these ground-to-ground rockets that had become cars.
This category of vehicle is naturally predestined as an investment tip. The GT2 is no exception. Since 2019, there haven’t really been any models offered below its original sticker price. Since then, the GT2 has seen a constant upward trend with a return of around three to five percent per year – just like a good bond. There are currently no signs that this trend will stop.
What makes the Porsche 997 GT2 doubly interesting is that the mileage does not have an extreme influence on the price. If you have your eye on one of the exclusive turbo 911s with over 20,000 kilometers, you can enjoy it for a few thousand kilometers with a clear conscience, without the resale value suffering. This makes the GT2 a doubly safe investment – return on investment and driving pleasure almost guaranteed!
It is no coincidence that two Porsche 911s from the 997 series are represented in this selection. At present, it can be said that the 997 is a red-hot stock on the Porsche market – almost regardless of the model. Given the age of these models, this is hardly surprising. The so-called “trough” is usually between 10 and 20 years of age. This refers to the period in which the respective model has the lowest value. Same applies to the Cayman. The market for air-cooled Porsches has been extremely volatile in recent years, though.
But in the end, all this is just an afterthought anyway. Stability of value should be no more than a decision-making aid. As soon as the intention to make a profit becomes the main motif for buying a Porsche, you are treading on thin ice. Of course, a tense look at the theoretical portfolio value can also be exciting. But it is unlikely to offer any more emotion than the real experience with the vehicle and, ideally, like-minded people.
A Porsche is first and foremost an automobile and not a stock. So enjoy your vehicles, create experiences and share them with people you like.
Richard Lindhorst, Elferspot
Richard Lindhorst is the editor-in-chief of Elferspot.com and has been writing about the world of the Porsche 911, its derivatives, and all other sports cars from Zuffenhausen for years. He has been driving Porsches since 2011 and works on them himself.
Do you have a tip for a story or just want to get in touch with Richard?
Do you have a tip for a story or just want to get in touch with Richard?
Your message has been sent.
Elferspot magazine
Get in and get started
New here? Sign up now for free!
You are a car dealer?
Find out more about selling as a car dealer
Get in and get started
Forgot your password? Reset password
New here? Sign up now for free!
1972 
1971 
1971 
