After a nice early 996, anyone help?

[Nally1704]

Can anyone out there help, I've read the reports/reviews/forums(for and against), spoke to owners and dealers and I cant shift this desire for a 996, trouble is when you really start looking and narrowing down to what you want they become hard to find!!!

Must haves are Manual, sensible miles(sub 100K), proper history and factory car without lots of bits from Halfords(ok that's harsh but you get what i mean!) upgrades are ok if factory but I'm not keen on the GT3 kits, I also prefer the black or dark(metropole I think) blue leather, paint seems predominantly Silver or Blue, both are good but I"m not keen on the Green, Burgundy, White and definitely nothing wrapped!!

In an ideal world a C2 but I'm now looking at C4's too, a C2 Coupe with Ambers could be perfect but missed a couple of those lately. Oddly I quite like the Targa's too but not a Cab

Seems to be crap from £8.5k but I'm hoping to find a good usable car for £11000 to £11500, seems to be a few about that match the description but just wondering if there are any on here waiting for a new loving home to cherish them??

[r4_rick]

good luck with your hunt, very sensible purchase imho, value only going one way, super car to drive too

[Andybeevers]

Hi; I have an 1999my 996 which may fit your bill. I was planning to sell later this year/early next, but if you are seriously looking, I could sell early. ( I am intending to retire next year)
I have owned her for nearly three years. I bought it from Paul Stephens. It was featured in 911 & Porsche World last year when they did a comparison of late air cooled v water cooled. It is a nice 3.4 with less than 90k on the clock. I have not stunted on maintenance and always used Porsche Colchester or Paul Stephens if you want to discuss, please get in touch
I will be looking for around £12k

[e8_pack]

If I was in the market for a 996 C2, a GT3 kit, phase 1 would be top of the pile! lovely looking cars!

[appletonn]

Can't help you with your search, but I've recently bought an early '98 996 C2 manual & it's refreshingly analogue to drive, with great steering.

Find a good one & they're so much 911 fun for the money imho.

Good luck with your search

[rubystone]

I also bought a '98 with ambers 3.4 cab with 57k on the clock. To echo the others, still feels like a 911, steering gives wonderful feedback and it's a nice 'together' car. I wonder whether we might see a renaissance in these cars?

[Nally1704]

Thanks all and especially Andy, I have now found and purchased a 2000 C4 Coupe Manual Silver with Black and all as factory with full main dealer history and only 3 owners. Not quite the holy grail of C2 on ambers but close enough for me with a good colour combo(imo). Let's hope ownership goes well and IF it gains a little in value so be it but ultimately I just want to enjoy!!!

[appletonn]

Nally1704 said:

Thanks all and especially Andy, I have now found and purchased a 2000 C4 Coupe Manual Silver with Black and all as factory with full main dealer history and only 3 owners. Not quite the holy grail of C2 on ambers but close enough for me with a good colour combo(imo). Let's hope ownership goes well and IF it gains a little in value so be it but ultimately I just want to enjoy!!!

We need pics, obviously!

[jonny finance]

I know of a really nice, clean C4 under covers in a barn doing nothing that will be for sale when the owner gets off his
butt and advertises it... Its got the right credentials i.e Met black with black leather, manual, full history etc. Think its done 100k but
has had all jobs done that will crop up due to mileage or age.. I have driven it and have to say they are a brilliant drive/steer and today
fabulous value for money... It is and always will be a 911 and I reckon future discussions will relate to 'do you remember when you could buy a 996 for the same price of a Fiesta??'

[appletonn]

jonny finance said:

I know of a really nice, clean C4 under covers in a barn doing nothing that will be for sale when the owner gets off his
butt and advertises it... Its got the right credentials i.e Met black with black leather, manual, full history etc. Think its done 100k but
has had all jobs done that will crop up due to mileage or age.. I have driven it and have to say they are a brilliant drive/steer and today
fabulous value for money... It is and always will be a 911 and I reckon future discussions will relate to 'do you remember when you could buy a 996 for the same price of a Fiesta??'

I didn't buy mine for any future potential investment reason, rather as I see it as the last of the analogue 911s with hydraulic PAS, cable throttle, no ESP & light at 1320kg, plus, fundamentally, it's now the only kind of 911 that I can afford to buy! Alternatively, it's the first of the 'new' water-cooled 911s that helped to rescue Porsche from potential ruin, along with the Boxster?!

That said, I think you're absolutely right in what you say, as the 964 was once at £10k & viewed as the ugly duckling of the 911 family with oil leaks galore, dodgy cylinder head to case joints, rust etc etc, whereas my old one that I sold for £16.5k 5 yrs ago, is now worth £32k!!

The 996 will always be more of a mass produced 911 than its predecessors, I think, but I certainly don't expect to lose any money on mine, if I ever had to sell it (no plans ever!) the years to come.

[36270k]

Very tempted to have a look at this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-996-CARRERA-...

[appletonn]

36270k said:

Very tempted to have a look at this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-996-CARRERA-...

Looks nice but just check EXACTLY what type of Hartech engine rebuild it has had as there are numerous versions, from a basic rebuild to the far more extensive upgrade & improve the weaknesses type of rebuild!

[was8v]

appletonn said:

I didn't buy mine for any future potential investment reason, rather as I see it as the last of the analogue 911s with hydraulic PAS, cable throttle, no ESP & light at 1320kg, plus, fundamentally, it's now the only kind of 911 that I can afford to buy!

Don't forget that the early 3.4 M96 also had a stronger IMS bearing (double row), and a better piston coating meaning they don't score the bores.