Rennthusiast Radio

Nathan Merz is back on Rennthusiast Radio with Derek and Will.If you buy, sell, or even daydream about Porsches, this one is for you. We talk ownership reality, what people get wrong before they buy, and what the market is actually doing going into 2026. Nathan has been around more Porsches than most of us will see in a lifetime. He’s also one of the few people who will tell you the truth even if it hurts your feelings.What we cover: We start with the mistakes that kill Porsche ownership for first timers. Then we get into what’s hot, what’s dead, and what still feels like a deal. We also talk online auctions and how they changed pricing and behavior. We finish with a fun budget game where Nathan picks the best Porsche in a few price ranges.Topics in this episode Emotional buying and why people call for validation, not advice Buying for status, buckets vs “sofas”, and the spec trap Bring a Trailer, global demand, and why local deals feel harder 2025 market recap and why pricing stayed stronger than expected What’s moving, G body 3.2 cars, 964 demand, and the 993 “settle” trend What cooled off, longhood interest, SWB cars, 914 values, most 928s, and transaxle pricing 356 market shift, concours perfect vs driver and hot rod style builds Where to find better cars, relationships and community beat scrolling listings Budget game, Cayman R vs 981 Spyder vs 991.2 Carrera S, plus the $50k and $30k rounds Risk talk, bore scoring reality, early PDK risk, and why you need reserve moneyTimestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:52 Nathan’s quick reset from last episode 03:57 The biggest buyer mistakes Nathan sees every week 07:16 Buying for other people, spec pressure, buckets vs comfort 12:07 Online auctions and how they changed the market 19:49 The underrated truth, you can still have fun under $10k 20:14 How to actually find good cars 23:48 2025 market recap and the 2026 setup 27:21 What’s hot in air cooled 911s 29:17 The best value right now, longhood 911s 34:02 What’s soft, 914, 928, transaxle market 39:29 356 market changes and what buyers want now 44:06 Budget game, $80k to $120k 48:26 $50k to $80k, why 981 keeps winning 53:09 $30k to $50k, 996 reality and 987.2 base sweet spot 59:30 Wrap upShout outs: Watch Will’s channel, Rennthusiast on YouTube. Watch Derek's channel, ElevenAfterNine on YouTube. 11afternine@gmail.com Check out Nathan’s inventory and work at Columbia Valley Luxury Cars.

In this episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek sit down with Justin Roeser, a filmmaker, writer, and one of the most respected voices in Porsche color history. Justin is best known for his work around Moonstone, one of the rarest and most emotional Porsche colors ever produced.This episode covers:• Why certain Porsche colors make owners happier long term• How color can affect resale value without turning cars into garage art• Moonstone’s origin story and why it failed when new• Why social media changed how Porsche buyers spec cars• Paint to Sample vs standard palette, what actually makes sense• Why the 996 and early Boxster are still huge value plays• Why original paint matters less than most people think• How to chase a rare color without getting burnedIf you care about driving your Porsche, loving your Porsche, and choosing a spec you will still enjoy in 10 or 20 years, this one is for you.Guest links:Justin Roeser Porsche Moonstone featurehttps://www.porsche.com/stories/dreams/moonstone-the-rare-porsche-colour/Moonstone film by Justin Roeserhttps://youtu.be/woL2wzourIM?si=0Z4Xw9JHRBxf_WJrJustin on Instagram33bosshogIf you post about this episode, tag him. He will share it.Check out Will’s YouTube channel for in depth Porsche ownership, driving impressions, and real world updates.Check out Derek’s YouTube channel, ElevenAfterNine, for Porsche reviews, buyer advice, and long term ownership stories. 11afternine@gmail.com

Tis the season to buy Porsche stuff and feel good about it.In this Rennthusiast Radio holiday episode, Will and Derek break down your Porsche Christmas list into two clear buckets: Porsche gifts you want your significant other to buy, and Porsche upgrades you should unapologetically buy for yourself. Using real numbers and real experiences, they walk through everything from cheap stocking stuffers to serious driver-focused mods, all with a hard cap around that $1,500 mark.If you are a Porsche owner, dreamer, or you share a house with one, this episode gives you concrete gift ideas at different budgets and explains why they matter in the real world. It is also permission to treat yourself, backed by two serial Porsche owners who have tried most of this stuff the hard way.If you want your partner to “accidentally” get the hint, play this episode in the car and let Will and Derek do the talking for you. And if you are the Porsche person in the relationship, use this as your checklist before you buy anything else for the garage.Will Youtube: RennthusiastDerek Youtube: ElevenAfterNine

The Porsche market feels broken right now. Prices are out of sync, good cars are scarce, sellers are glued to Bring a Trailer numbers, and honest driver-grade examples have all but vanished. In this episode, Derek and Will talk through why the hunt feels exhausting, what’s changed, and how real buyers are struggling in today’s Porsche world.If you enjoy the show, hit subscribe on our YouTube channel.Check out Will’s videos at Rennthusiast.Watch Derek’s reviews and stories at ElevenAfterNine.And browse our full library of Porsche episodes anytime.

Thinking about a Porsche and stuck between a base car and an S badge? This episode is for you.Will and Derek break down what actually separates Porsche base models from S models, going past forum noise and badge ego. If you have ever heard “you only buy a base because you can’t afford an S,” you will want to hear this.In this episode you’ll hear: – Why Porsche created base and S trims in the first place – How the split goes all the way back to early 356 and long-hood 911s – Real differences in power, torque, brakes, wheels, and cooling between base and S – Why older, lower horsepower cars benefit more from the S upgrade – How modern turbo motors shrink the gap between base and S – Why a base 997, 991, 986/987 Boxster, or 981/718 can feel closer to an “old school” Porsche – How S models can be too fast to enjoy on real roads – Why the base often lets you use more of the rev range and more of the chassis – When an S absolutely makes sense for track use, canyons, or big straight roads – How this plays out with 991.2 vs 992, Carrera T, and air-cooled vs water-cooled cars – Practical advice for first-time buyers and repeat Porsche ownersWill talks through his own journey from “unapologetic S snob” to someone who now respects base cars in a serious way. Derek argues that many experienced drivers quietly prefer the base, and that real driver engagement lives in the cars everyone overlooks.If you are cross-shopping: – Base vs S 911 (997, 991, 992) – Base vs S Boxster or Cayman – Base vs S Macan or Cayenneyou will get clear, honest guidance on what actually matters and what is marketing.Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Rennthusiast Radio 01:00 Why base vs S feels like Boxster vs 911 03:00 History of base vs S from 356 to modern cars 06:30 Psychology, pricing, and how Porsche moves you up the ladder 10:30 “Embrace the base or say yes to the S” 13:00 Real power, torque, and brake differences 18:00 Will’s S snob phase and what changed 24:00 Air-cooled vs water-cooled: why S matters more in old cars 29:00 Why base feels more like a classic Porsche on real roads 35:00 991.2 Carrera S vs 992 Carrera T back to back 40:00 Tunes, torque, and modern turbo tricks 44:00 Practical buying advice: who should pick base, who should pick S 50:00 Listener challenge: defend your side in the commentsWatch Will’s builds and ownership stories on the Rennthusiast YouTube channel.Watch Derek’s reviews and road trips on ElevenAfterNine.Listen to Rennthusiast Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps.Tell us in the comments what you own, base or S, and whether we got this right or completely wrong.

You bought a Porsche because you want a car that feels alive on the road. This episode gives you a simple plan to turn that car into a true driver focused machine. Will and Derek break down the upgrades that matter, the ones that do nothing, and the traps new owners fall into when they start buying parts before they even drive the car.You will hear what actually improves feel, control, and confidence across multiple generations of 911, Boxster, and Cayman. No hype, no wasted money, just real experience from two guys who have owned and driven these cars for years.In this episode you will learn: • When to use PPF, when to skip ceramic, and how to protect your paint the right way • Which exhaust changes add character without making the car miserable • Why a short shift kit and fresh bushings can transform older gearboxes • How to clean and service the pedal box for a better clutch feel • What steering wheels work on older cars, and why some modern swaps fit and others do not • How PIWIS steering profiles change the feel of newer cars • Why Michelin PS4S tires are the best all round choice • Why old rubber with “good tread” is still unsafe • How suspension fades over time and why fresh dampers can bring a tired car back to life • When corner balancing and a proper alignment change the way the car responds • Simple seat repairs that make the car feel new againIf you want sharper shifts, better turn in, more grip, and a cleaner connection to the chassis, this guide gives you a clear path. Follow these steps before you spend big money on unnecessary mods.Hosted by Will from Rennthusiast and Derek from ElevenAfterNine. Subscribe for more Porsche reviews, ownership stories, and weekly podcast episodes.

In this episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Derek and Will dive into one of the longest-running debates in Porsche ownership: Coupe vs. Targa vs. Cabriolet.Will is a lifelong coupe guy who’s suddenly catching Targa fever, while Derek argues for the open-top experience. Together they cover:How each 911 body style drives across generationsCommon failure points and maintenance costsWhy coupes always seem to hold more valueThe truth about leaky Targas and flexy CabsWhich models are the best buys todayYou’ll also hear stories from real 911 ownership, from 993s and G-bodies to Boxsters and 996 Cabs, plus a few tangents about teenage stereos and subwoofers.If you’re shopping for your first 911 or just want to understand what makes each roof style unique, this episode is for you.Subscribe on YouTube and follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

This week, Will and Derek dig into YOUR questions in our first-ever listener Q&A episode — covering everything from whether you can actually trust an old 911 on a long trip… to which air-cooled 911 is the smartest buy under $100K. In this episode:Can you trust an air-cooled 911 to take your kid on a road trip — or are you asking for trouble?Do you really need a fire extinguisher in the car? What actually causes those classic Porsche fires?The right way to store your 911 for winter (battery tender, fuel stabilizer, starting it monthly — or not?)What’s the best first air-cooled 911 for under $100K if you already own a modern GT car?Will & Derek’s backstory — how we met, what we do for a living, and how Rennthusiast Radio started.The Safari 911 debate: still cool or completely played out?This episode is built entirely from listener questions — so thank you to everyone who sent one in. If you want us to do another, drop your next question in the comments below. We’ll pick our favorites for the next Q&A episode. Listen on audio: Rennthusiast Radio — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your shows. Watch more from us:Will’s channel → @RennthusiastDerek’s channel → @ElevenAfterNine Chapters / Topics: 00:00 – Why this episode is different 01:20 – Can you trust an old 911 on a road trip? 04:51 – Air-cooled vs. water-cooled reliability 07:28 – Fire risk in classic Porsches: myth vs. reality 09:29 – How to store / winterize your 911 properly 12:39 – Best first air-cooled 911 under $100K 15:11 – Who are Will & Derek? 18:54 – How the podcast started 31:22 – Our global audience 33:02 – The Safari 911 debate Your Turn: What should we talk about next time? Drop your question or topic idea in the comments!#Porsche #AirCooled911 #RennthusiastRadio #PorschePodcast #Classic911 #Porsche911 #PorscheLife #PorscheCommunity #PorscheOwnership #ElevenAfterNine #Rennthusiast #PorscheTalk #CarPodcast #PorscheFans #PorscheAddict #PorscheStories #PorscheRestoration #PorscheCollector #PorscheLove #PorscheDriver #PorscheNation

In this week’s episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek go head-to-head on the 992.1 Carrera T. Will actually owned one—specced it, drove it, and sold it after only a few thousand miles. Derek’s driven several 992s and just dropped a full review on his channel, ElevenAfterNine, comparing the modern T to his 1972 911 T.Is the Carrera T a genuine driver’s car built for purists, or a marketing exercise in nostalgia? We dig into:- Will’s real-world ownership experience—why it didn’t live up to the hype- How the modern T compares to earlier generations (991.2 T, 911 E/S)- Rear-axle steering, manual gearbox feel, and the “purity paradox”- What Porsche got right—and what makes it feel a little too digital- Will’s latest garage shake-up and his growing itch for another air-cooled 911If you’re considering a Carrera T—or just love hearing two longtime Porsche addicts argue their way to the truth—this one’s for you.Watch Derek’s full Carrera T review on ElevenAfterNine:https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNineWatch Will’s 992 T playlist:https://www.youtube.com/@TheRennthusiastTell us in the comments: Is the Carrera T Porsche’s best modern driver’s car… or just a clever upsell?#Porsche #CarreraT #Porsche911 #992CarreraT #RennthusiastRadio #ElevenAfterNine #TheRennthusiast #PorschePodcast #PorscheCommunity #PorscheLife #PorschePassion #PorscheFans #PorscheLove #PorscheAddict #911T #PorscheTalk #SportsCarCulture #PorscheReview #CarPodcast #PorscheDebate