Is it possible to buy a descent 996 for £12,000i just

Is it possible to buy a descent 996 for £12,000i just

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Discussion

stuckmojo

2,979 posts

188 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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Just my 2p on the whole inspection process: For a 10k car, I don't think it's worth spending a grand or so in inspecting it as nobody will be able to tell whether the engine is going to go bang or not.

Spend the same money on a new IMS, oil filter, plugs, thermostat and a few oil changes.

The rest - suspension, brake pads, discs and so on you can see yourself.

Those cars don't really rust so, other than the lump at the back there isn't much to go wrong (and on an early 3.4 the engine durability is industry average).

For the purpose of balance, I would definitely get someone to inspect a Turbo or something more exotic/expensive.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
stuckmojo said:
Just my 2p on the whole inspection process: For a 10k car, I don't think it's worth spending a grand or so in inspecting it as nobody will be able to tell whether the engine is going to go bang or not.

Spend the same money on a new IMS, oil filter, plugs, thermostat and a few oil changes.

The rest - suspension, brake pads, discs and so on you can see yourself.

Those cars don't really rust so, other than the lump at the back there isn't much to go wrong (and on an early 3.4 the engine durability is industry average).

For the purpose of balance, I would definitely get someone to inspect a Turbo or something more exotic/expensive.
The chap I posted about charges about £400. I agree you can inspect yourself but I'm bound to miss something and on a 996 you could easily spend £400 plus rectifying a minor fault. Feedback on the forums seem v positive with all posters that used him having trouble free motoring.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yep, I understand that. I really want to find a car that has had the IMS/RMS already done. As far as the bores cracking, it's a risk on any 996 but the % of failures (from what I have read) seem quite low. A Hartech rebuilt car would be best but they seem pretty rare.

jonny996

2,616 posts

217 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
I would say the early/ cheaper 996’s are going through a bit of a revival, you used to see a fair amount of factory original, sub 80,000 milers with good service history for £12K . Now all you see in that price range are the ones that have zero spent on them by their current owners with blacked out windows or after market wheels.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
jonny996 said:
I would say the early/ cheaper 996’s are going through a bit of a revival, you used to see a fair amount of factory original, sub 80,000 milers with good service history for £12K . Now all you see in that price range are the ones that have zero spent on them by their current owners with blacked out windows or after market wheels.
I presume you own one judging by your username? Whilst we all like to talk up the price of our cars (I've done it in the past) I still think the 996 is at rock bottom. They will certainly start increasing in value but not for a few years yet IMO (when numbers start to dwindle, e36 M3 as an example). Here are a few from the PH classifieds:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

jonny996

2,616 posts

217 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
St John Smythe said:
jonny996 said:
I would say the early/ cheaper 996’s are going through a bit of a revival, you used to see a fair amount of factory original, sub 80,000 milers with good service history for £12K . Now all you see in that price range are the ones that have zero spent on them by their current owners with blacked out windows or after market wheels.
I presume you own one judging by your username? Whilst we all like to talk up the price of our cars (I've done it in the past) I still think the 996 is at rock bottom. They will certainly start increasing in value but not for a few years yet IMO (when numbers start to dwindle, e36 M3 as an example). Here are a few from the PH classifieds:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
I used to own one & I am now looking to get back into one so i am not talking up the prices, the cheaper the better for me. I am a fussy person and take a synical view of most things, for the ones you list:
First cat, hate people trying to say only done XXX miles, them to read thats on the second engine, so total is yyy
Second car, as per my post. Why is it on 997 wheels?
third car, if CD cartridge is only £50, go and replace it then. shows no love for the car.
I know we are taling 14 year old cars but I am looking for one that has had the same love from its owner as they give to their kids.

mollytherocker

14,366 posts

209 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
St John Smythe said:
The chap I posted about charges about £400. I agree you can inspect yourself but I'm bound to miss something and on a 996 you could easily spend £400 plus rectifying a minor fault. Feedback on the forums seem v positive with all posters that used him having trouble free motoring.
Just remember that youre not spending £400 to guarantee a good car, only to inspect one and report on its condition. How many inspections will you need before you happen on the good one? If an inspection finds £1000 of remedial work, will you buy?

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
jonny996 said:
St John Smythe said:
jonny996 said:
I would say the early/ cheaper 996’s are going through a bit of a revival, you used to see a fair amount of factory original, sub 80,000 milers with good service history for £12K . Now all you see in that price range are the ones that have zero spent on them by their current owners with blacked out windows or after market wheels.
I presume you own one judging by your username? Whilst we all like to talk up the price of our cars (I've done it in the past) I still think the 996 is at rock bottom. They will certainly start increasing in value but not for a few years yet IMO (when numbers start to dwindle, e36 M3 as an example). Here are a few from the PH classifieds:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
I used to own one & I am now looking to get back into one so i am not talking up the prices, the cheaper the better for me. I am a fussy person and take a synical view of most things, for the ones you list:
First cat, hate people trying to say only done XXX miles, them to read thats on the second engine, so total is yyy
Second car, as per my post. Why is it on 997 wheels?
third car, if CD cartridge is only £50, go and replace it then. shows no love for the car.
I know we are taling 14 year old cars but I am looking for one that has had the same love from its owner as they give to their kids.
They were just a few examples from the classifieds. There is a thread running on 911uk.com about 12k 996s, the consensus from owners on there is that 12k is a very good budget for one. Have a read - http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=96491.

anonymous-user

54 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
mollytherocker said:
St John Smythe said:
The chap I posted about charges about £400. I agree you can inspect yourself but I'm bound to miss something and on a 996 you could easily spend £400 plus rectifying a minor fault. Feedback on the forums seem v positive with all posters that used him having trouble free motoring.
Just remember that youre not spending £400 to guarantee a good car, only to inspect one and report on its condition. How many inspections will you need before you happen on the good one? If an inspection finds £1000 of remedial work, will you buy?
I've owned a lot of cars so feel comfortable spotting a lemon. However, I'd happily pay £400 for that guy to inspect as he looks at them day in day out so will probably spot stuff I wouldn't. If the inspection spots 1k worth of work needing doing then at least I would know before buying and can come to an agreement with the seller on price.

skinny

5,269 posts

235 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
I'd want to do a PPI before buying unless it was on something like the Hartech maintenance progrm. Ideally split costs half and half with the seller, shows you're both genuine.

abby030976

33 posts

117 months

Monday 29th September 2014
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Totally agree, living in cloud cuckooland asking the seller to contribute.

993944

65 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Yes you can pick up a very good 996 for 12K or less if you know what you're doing. I bought an early 3.4 in a private deal that cost me £600 more than the previous chap had paid to have the engine rebuilt..... His bill started with a 9 and so did my purchase price...and it isn't mint green with savannah leather.

When considering a 996 I knew i wanted a C2 and for me I was only going to buy a Harteched or similar full engine rebuild car.....yes, lots will run and run without going pop yada yada yada. The internet/forums has helped depress prices with these cars- perfect for me! but no doubt some go bang- mine did.
I needed to spend a grand on the car, aircon pipe leak/ aircon condenser/ silensers shagged so popped sone danks sports boxes on.

So i have a car with fully stamped up service book with reams of bills that reads like War & Peace that stands me about 11.5K. Which has to be bloody cheap for what it is.

Truthfully, Ive owned 3.2s, a 964, a 993 and a couple of front engined Porkers,and the best 'drive' is the 996 for me.

mollytherocker

14,366 posts

209 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
993944 said:
Yes you can pick up a very good 996 for 12K or less if you know what you're doing. I bought an early 3.4 in a private deal that cost me £600 more than the previous chap had paid to have the engine rebuilt..... His bill started with a 9 and so did my purchase price...and it isn't mint green with savannah leather.

When considering a 996 I knew i wanted a C2 and for me I was only going to buy a Harteched or similar full engine rebuild car.....yes, lots will run and run without going pop yada yada yada. The internet/forums has helped depress prices with these cars- perfect for me! but no doubt some go bang- mine did.
I needed to spend a grand on the car, aircon pipe leak/ aircon condenser/ silensers shagged so popped sone danks sports boxes on.

So i have a car with fully stamped up service book with reams of bills that reads like War & Peace that stands me about 11.5K. Which has to be bloody cheap for what it is.

Truthfully, Ive owned 3.2s, a 964, a 993 and a couple of front engined Porkers,and the best 'drive' is the 996 for me.
Great story! Just to be clear, at the same price would you have a 996C2 over a 993C2?

Paul O

2,721 posts

183 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
A friend of mine has bought one a year ago for less than £8k. Still going strong. Running report going here:

www.project3000.co.uk.

So yes, you definitely can do it! smile

993944

65 posts

180 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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mollytherocker said:
Great story! Just to be clear, at the same price would you have a 996C2 over a 993C2?
The 996 is the better car - what does that mean? who knows! It's lighter, more powerful, handles better, probably more economical to run (certainly to routine service)....remember when it was launched- the journos loved it and raved about it. I loved my previous 911s, no question - wish I could have afforded to keep hold of one of them for sure, but the 996C2 suits me just dandy.