RE: Porsche 996 Turbo: Catch it while you can
Thursday 26th March 2015
Porsche 911-land is a surreally strange world at the moment - a bit like Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, in fact. Depending on whether or not Alice has taken a nibble out of a particular model, its value can grow mushroom-like to monstrous proportions, or remain a unloved minnow.
They're not depreciating anymore!Look at 993 Turbo prices. These have long since headed to Brobdingnag, with prices well above £100K now being asked. Yet the 996 Turbo remains in purgatory. But I think there are very good reasons why that's all about to change.
And not a single IMS/RMS issue to worry aboutThe 996 Turbo was a popular choice in its day (22,062 were built) so there's a broad choice of cars out there. Your entry point is no longer below £20K, but £24,000 still seems an absolute bargain for a 2002 Turbo Tiptronic. It may have highish miles at 92K but it has a full Porsche history.
Porsche 996 Turbo: Catch it while you can
Porsche 911 bargains are becoming harder to find, but what about the 996 Turbo? Prices start at £24K...
They're not depreciating anymore!
You can already see the early signs of it happening. 996 Turbo prices bottomed out at an eye-wateringly low price of around £16K a couple of years ago, but they're now shifting - and shifting fast.
Here's why. The Turbo has been tarnished by the bristly brush of simply being a 996. After all, the water-cooled 996 engine has well-documented intermediary shaft issues, about which you'll find plenty of comment in the PH forums. But the 996 Turbo's Hans Mezger-designed engine uses the 993 crankcase - and therefore it suffers none of the regular 996's shaft woes.
So forget the curse of the fried-egg-face 996. Buyers are slowly cottoning on to the fact that the 996 Turbo is a highly desirable performance tool (fabulous 420hp engine, four-wheel drive and 0-62 in 4.2sec) that's also robust.
And not a single IMS/RMS issue to worry about
Tiptronic actually quite suits the Turbo, but often such cars are used in cities for short journeys, which isn't great news for reliability; the Turbo needs to be driven, preferably hard and often. There will always be a hardcore following for manual cars, and I'm tempted by this one at £29,925 with 71K miles on the clock and a full history.
The majority of Turbos for sale fall into the £30K-£40K bracket, where there's a rich seam of fabulous machinery up for grabs. Even at the top end, prices remain affordable. One with just 18K miles is up in the classifieds for £42,950.
My advice is to get in now, grab yourself a relatively low-mileage Turbo with crystal clear evidence of having been properly cared for, pay £30-£35K for it and have a ball. If you're also able to sit back and watch values head in the same direction as 993 Turbos, so much the better - it's surely only a matter of time.
Discussion
The 911s that have rocketed upwards tend to have at least one thing in common, rarity. The 996 era was when Porsche production expanded massively compared to 993 and earlier, so perhaps there are too many of these around.
I'd also forgotten how ghastly the 996 interior was too, it really hasn't aged well.
I'm happy to be proved wrong though.
Another ship has sailed while Mrs Gecko and I have been having sprogletts. I really wanted one of these and liked the idea of some mild tuning to see the other side of 200mph. Now alas prices will rose and I will have to go back to looking a van halls and wondering can I get a pram in that ...
Very capable, but just doesn't quite do it for me.
I'm sure it's quick and capable, but I don't really like the 996 look.
I can't stand the interior, I think it looks horrid and nasty.
The 993 Turbo on the other hand, for some reason appeals a lot.
I believe the performance is much the same? It's lighter? and it looks great. The interior also has an honest charm.
Failing that, I'd rather go the other way and pick up a 997 turbo for circa 40k.
I'm sure it's quick and capable, but I don't really like the 996 look.
I can't stand the interior, I think it looks horrid and nasty.
The 993 Turbo on the other hand, for some reason appeals a lot.
I believe the performance is much the same? It's lighter? and it looks great. The interior also has an honest charm.
Failing that, I'd rather go the other way and pick up a 997 turbo for circa 40k.
This one for me please 
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Yes it's a convertible, but black really suits the 996 and it's an X50manual with the performance upgrade.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Yes it's a convertible, but black really suits the 996 and it's an X50manual with the performance upgrade.
The 996 turbo is now price wise bottom of the value market.
A great time to buy one, is now this happened to the 930 back around pre 07.
The market was at the bottom end, under 20k now the the 930 value has shot up.
This has been all within the last ten years.
People have now missed out on one.
Look at the Boxster, another one values at the bottom.
They make a good entry level, to a Porsche for under 5k.
A great time to buy one, is now this happened to the 930 back around pre 07.
The market was at the bottom end, under 20k now the the 930 value has shot up.
This has been all within the last ten years.
People have now missed out on one.
Look at the Boxster, another one values at the bottom.
They make a good entry level, to a Porsche for under 5k.
Edited by SEE YA on Thursday 26th March 10:02
urquattroGus said:
Very capable, but just doesn't quite do it for me.
I'm sure it's quick and capable, but I don't really like the 996 look.
I can't stand the interior, I think it looks horrid and nasty.
The 993 Turbo on the other hand, for some reason appeals a lot.
I believe the performance is much the same? It's lighter? and it looks great. The interior also has an honest charm.
Failing that, I'd rather go the other way and pick up a 997 turbo for circa 40k.
My thoughts exactlyI'm sure it's quick and capable, but I don't really like the 996 look.
I can't stand the interior, I think it looks horrid and nasty.
The 993 Turbo on the other hand, for some reason appeals a lot.
I believe the performance is much the same? It's lighter? and it looks great. The interior also has an honest charm.
Failing that, I'd rather go the other way and pick up a 997 turbo for circa 40k.
Tend to disagree regarding the interior ageing badly. It never really looked very modern, just simple and purposeful. Now they are knocking on 15+ Years old the interior shouldn't look like 'latest tech' and imo has aged better than the 997.1 which is a mismash of basic versus modern:
Noooo, leave one for me.
I have got to thinking that stuff like this is actually a very canny way of buying a car, say 25 - 30 grand, a combination of finance and cash, say £500 a month on a loan over four years plus my old car.
Obviously it wont be cheap to run but it needn't be ruinous, assuming it doesn't break spectacularly and just needs consumables and servicing.
Run it for four years, once you have paid the loan off you have paid perhaps £1500 in interest, hopefully it will have increased in value by that much, but critically it wont have depreciated, I assume based on current trends, it isn't like you can get any other 911 turbo for 25 grand of any description. insurance isn't too horrendous, VED will be what £280 ?, Cant imagine fuel will be any worse than my 350Z.
Its a 430 bhp, 4WD savings plan !
I have got to thinking that stuff like this is actually a very canny way of buying a car, say 25 - 30 grand, a combination of finance and cash, say £500 a month on a loan over four years plus my old car.
Obviously it wont be cheap to run but it needn't be ruinous, assuming it doesn't break spectacularly and just needs consumables and servicing.
Run it for four years, once you have paid the loan off you have paid perhaps £1500 in interest, hopefully it will have increased in value by that much, but critically it wont have depreciated, I assume based on current trends, it isn't like you can get any other 911 turbo for 25 grand of any description. insurance isn't too horrendous, VED will be what £280 ?, Cant imagine fuel will be any worse than my 350Z.
Its a 430 bhp, 4WD savings plan !
An excuse, here's my slate grey (2002) 996 turbo (X50) manual with black leather. Still loving it after 3 years of ownership!
The performance is light years ahead of my previous 3.2 Carrera's or 993 C4. It's all round ability is disguised by the thump in the back it gives you when you put your foot down. The wet weather performance is amazing. Inside it's a nice place to be, you do feel like a fighter pilot. A genuine all weather supercar.
The performance is light years ahead of my previous 3.2 Carrera's or 993 C4. It's all round ability is disguised by the thump in the back it gives you when you put your foot down. The wet weather performance is amazing. Inside it's a nice place to be, you do feel like a fighter pilot. A genuine all weather supercar.
GTEYE said:
The 911s that have rocketed upwards tend to have at least one thing in common, rarity. The 996 era was when Porsche production expanded massively compared to 993 and earlier, so perhaps there are too many of these around.
I'd also forgotten how ghastly the 996 interior was too, it really hasn't aged well.
I'm happy to be proved wrong though.
I would tend to agree, they were an absolute bargain and prices have hardened up. However, the used performance/classic car market is just getting too hot with alot of hype being whipped up and people looking to cash in.I'd also forgotten how ghastly the 996 interior was too, it really hasn't aged well.
I'm happy to be proved wrong though.
The 996 Turbo doesnt have the low production numbers of a 993 and isnt old enough to have many rotted or crashed to dwindle the numbers like a 930.
Buy one to have fun, but dont expect it to rocket in value any time soon.
Awful, horrid well overpriced cars that are past their peak in terms of performance, reliability, looks etc 
Now get the hell away from the classifieds and stop telling everyone else about the bloody performance bargain of the decade
Looked at these very very seriously but have to conclude that living where I do (muddiest darkest shropshire) and not having spare space for a garage queen, allied with the fact my wife has to use my car aswell and loathes Porsche with a passion, means I'm unfortunately looking elsewhere now. Real shame as these still look bloody brilliant imo and just do everything......
Now get the hell away from the classifieds and stop telling everyone else about the bloody performance bargain of the decade
Looked at these very very seriously but have to conclude that living where I do (muddiest darkest shropshire) and not having spare space for a garage queen, allied with the fact my wife has to use my car aswell and loathes Porsche with a passion, means I'm unfortunately looking elsewhere now. Real shame as these still look bloody brilliant imo and just do everything......
J4CKO said:
Noooo, leave one for me.
I have got to thinking that stuff like this is actually a very canny way of buying a car, say 25 - 30 grand, a combination of finance and cash, say £500 a month on a loan over four years plus my old car.
Obviously it wont be cheap to run but it needn't be ruinous, assuming it doesn't break spectacularly and just needs consumables and servicing.
Run it for four years, once you have paid the loan off you have paid perhaps £1500 in interest, hopefully it will have increased in value by that much, but critically it wont have depreciated, I assume based on current trends, it isn't like you can get any other 911 turbo for 25 grand of any description. insurance isn't too horrendous, VED will be what £280 ?, Cant imagine fuel will be any worse than my 350Z.
Its a 430 bhp, 4WD savings plan !
This was me 2.5 years ago, man maths told me it's like a fun savings account. I have now ploughed money each month (which would otherwise be spent on rubbish) into a car I love owning, at the end of it I can cash out if want. If the values stay the same it makes no difference, I still win. If they go through the floor I've had the chance to drive a 911T and can put it down to cash well spent on a hobby I have got to thinking that stuff like this is actually a very canny way of buying a car, say 25 - 30 grand, a combination of finance and cash, say £500 a month on a loan over four years plus my old car.
Obviously it wont be cheap to run but it needn't be ruinous, assuming it doesn't break spectacularly and just needs consumables and servicing.
Run it for four years, once you have paid the loan off you have paid perhaps £1500 in interest, hopefully it will have increased in value by that much, but critically it wont have depreciated, I assume based on current trends, it isn't like you can get any other 911 turbo for 25 grand of any description. insurance isn't too horrendous, VED will be what £280 ?, Cant imagine fuel will be any worse than my 350Z.
Its a 430 bhp, 4WD savings plan !
Sadly had to mothball mine a year or so ago due to personal circumstances, but she's sat in a carcoon waiting for me....she'll be out in the next month or so
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff