Aggressive Bidding on BaT Adds a Porsche 993 to an Air-Cooled Porsche Fleet
Air Brigade took a field trip this past week to drive with member and friend, Michael to pick up his “new” Porsche 993 4S Coupe in Durham, North Carolina. This car was purchased a week earlier on Bring-a-Trailer with an aggressive bidding strategy that avoided the $500 or $1,000 increments and went big with bids to what the car was worth to win it, and drop off the maybe-win bidders.
Michael is well known in Porsche circles for his Porsche 356’s but this was going to be the first “modern” air-cooled Porsche as Air Brigade describes the 964 and 993 models of air-cooled Porsches. Michael noted in the BaT timeline his desire to acquire a 993 as being a nice continuation in his collection of two Porsche 356’s, a 1973 911T and modern water-cooled 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S.
A Porsche 993 Coupe being the last of the air-cooled Porsches provides the perfect transition from early Porsches to the newest technologically-advanced Porsches.
Michael had been on the look-out for a 993 with a particular interest in trying out a purchase on Bring-a-Trailer. Michael was a disciplined bidder, setting a target and sticking to it until the right one came along at the right price. Michael had lost out on several earlier 993’s, but as I said he was patient and waited for the right one at the right price.
This 1997 993 4S came online and ticked all the boxes; the right color, a two-owner car, manual, low miles for its age and well taken care of. It had the added benefit that Michael actually knew the seller, a 356 owner and known Porsche fan, and former Porsche salesman at Southpoint Porsche.
There are many strategies to bidding; you can bid in the smallest minimum bids inching up to the final bid, or you stamp the bidding with authority, bidding in strong increments indicating that you are in it to win it.
Michael chose the latter approach as the auction entered its final seven minutes and Michael jumped the bid from $125,000 to $142,00 in a single $17,000 jump. Rather than think he would get it for a “deal”, Michael bid up to the range where he thought the car would sell. This drops all the less serious buyers who are only hoping for a deal.
The competitive bids resorted to $1,000 increments, but Michael wanted the car and knew what it was worth so he countered twice with bids of $5,000 to seal the deal. The car was Michael’s.
Michael invited Air Brigade to join him in picking up the car and bring it back to his Asheville home. It was a four-hour drive one-way, eight hours roundtrip but the long day in the saddle was made easier by traveling in Michael’s 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S. Air Brigade also owns a 2009 Porsche 997 Turbo so this was a good chance to experience a more modern 992 Turbo.
How could we pass up the chance for this driving excursion?
The drive to Durham was a great way to learn more about Michael’s Porsche life. As with many owners it started early in life with a father who was also a Porsche “nut”, and to this day has his own fleet of Porsches. Michael started his Porsche quest with a 356 that continues today with a cab and a coupe in his garage. He really enjoys the visceral driving experience of the early Porsches, but as you can see with his expanding Porsche fleet, he respects the Porsches with modern driving conveniences.
On the way home Michael drove the 993 while Air Brigade piloted the Turbo S. Halfway home Michael offered to switch cars, but Air Brigade was enjoying the comforts and conveniences of a modern Porsche after six hours in a car so we remained in the comfort of the red and black leather 18-way ventilated leather seats of the Turbo S.
Air Brigade enjoys the visceral driving experience of an early Porsche, but sometimes you just want the comfort of a modern Grand Touring Porsche.
Bring-a-Trailer Listing for 1997 Porsche 993 4S Coupe: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-porsche-911-carrera-4s-63/