Porsche 911 (996) Turbo: PH Carpool
The budget was stretched but the dream has been realised for this Carpooler and his Porsche Turbo
Car: Porsche 911 996 Turbo
Owned since: September 2014
Previously owned: BMW E46 M3 CS, BMW E92 320Ci M Sport, BMW E46 325Ci M Sport, Alfa 156 GTA, Audi A4 1.9 TDI Avant, BMW E46 M3, SEAT Leon Cupra R, Nissan 350Z, VW Golf GTI Mk2 x3, Nissan Sunny GTI, BMW E46 323Ci, VW Golf GTI Mk3, Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Astra, Austin Maestro.
Body coloured wheels are going soon
"As an estate agent there is something about the cars your fellow agents drive; most agents used to have Vectras or Focuses and so on but about 10 years back a fellow agent was driving a 996 Turbo. I've always wanted a 996 Turbo since that day and looking back, it was probably worth not much less than a house. With the beauty of depreciation, near on 10 years later I could just manage to stretch my budget to my first Porsche 911 - the Turbo!
"The private advert for this car was rubbish with dull pictures, no consistency and so on. Everything was right spec-wise though: colour, gearbox and a Porsche service history. I made a viewing and went armed to do some serious haggling as it was a stretch for me. I couldn't really fault it, from what I knew the mechanicals seemed decent also. For the bodywork they say you shouldn't buy a car in the rain... I did! At nearly full price too! No HPI, no expert opinion, private purchase, I could be in the s*** here... After some haggling we settled with a full tank, six months tax and the original exhaust thrown in. Bargain! Nice chap too - cheers Stuart."
What I wish I'd known:
"If you scan the net for 996 buying advice it is all too easy to be put off by the IMS concerns or risk of an engine rebuild due to bore score. Obviously those are avoided with the Mezger engine in the Turbo.
This view is Nick's fave
Things I love:
"I love the back end of this car, it looks seriously wide and gives it some real stance. It is such an easy car to live with and although I have it as a second car you could easily use this as a daily driver. Around town it feels cool to drive and I always have the windows down to enjoy the sound of the flat six doing its thing. Compared to other cars I've had it is so easy to drive in urban areas - both clutch and steering are light and easy.
"On the open road the acceleration is unreal! That scene from Star Wars when they engage the Millennium Falcon into hyperdrive is how this car eats up the road on full boost. Third gear from a roundabout, foot down and bang! The twin turbos snowball effective energy into sheer speed, a quick glance in the rear view shows the spoiler raised and you know if you don't back off your offering your licence to the authorities. It also handles the road really nicely too; the 4WD becomes really effective on roundabout exits and the power split to front and rear gives a go-kart type feel that reminds me of my wife's Mini Cooper S around the twists and turns."
Boost is proving addictive!
"On this car I can't stand the body-coloured wheels. I've spent some funds on the suspension so next will be the wheels in for a full refurb to original silver. I wish it had volume control for the stereo on the steering wheel, if only to make it easier to enjoy the exhaust note!"
Costs:
"This should be an interesting car to track for costs. I think I did quite well with the purchase price and the 996 Turbo seems to be appreciating at the moment, with decent mileage manuals selling really well. Fuel is pretty good really - I can average 35mpg on a long steady run if I'm frugal, hook up the turbos though and that will drop to early 20s.
"So far I've had new front coffin arms on from 9excellence in Horley, great Porsche specialist and they really do know their Turbos. I'm wanting to keep the service history full OPC and they have really knocked down their prices for 996s. £375 for a minor and £750 for a major. Some parts can be pricey but this is a Porsche and best stay on top of things to keep it mint."
Just a few months in and Nick is smitten
"Not far yet, quite early days but have some good plans to get over to the continent and look at the likes of Spa or Le Mans."
What next?
"Not selling yet, no way. What could you get for similar money that has this type of performance? I will be doing the wheels; that's next and then I quite fancy getting the brake calipers fully refurbished. I am a bit OCD with keeping on top of things so I've had both the front and rear bumpers off and a given the rads and intercoolers a good seeing too, this is great to do and also gives you some really good knowledge of your car."
Probably a stupid idea but . . . does anyone have experience of how well they hold up on track, and how rewarding they are to drive in such a fashion? Obviously it would be an expensive proposition in terms of consumables, but I would find it much easier to justify £25k on a track car that can be used all year round and fit the kids in, than an R500.
Does anyone make an aftermarket 4WD controller for these or is it a wholly mechanical setup? It would be great to switch to RWD "GT2 Mode" for entertainment purposes
and be able to switch back to 4WD for composure and stability when required.
Great choice, ive driven a handle of C4S 996's over the past 12mths and 1 Turbo and spoilt it now as it will be a Turbo that I end up buying, nice to hear of some real world costs and not the pie in the sky that often gets quoted on here
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is that I didn't love it.
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