Breaking my 911 Virginity
Discussion
So my Golf R lease runs out at the end of the year and I am already very concerned with what to replace it with?!?!?!?! starting to stop me from sleeping - LOVE the golf!... It would have been a Cayman but I do the school run so it has to be 4 seats...
Do I aim for a 997.2 C4S PDK or is something a little older a better buy... I like the idea of 4WD, unfortunately has to be auto as do lots of trips into central London...
Would like to be sub-£40k and there seem to be a few nice ones to choose from...
Your expert guidance and opinions will be most appreciated...
Do I aim for a 997.2 C4S PDK or is something a little older a better buy... I like the idea of 4WD, unfortunately has to be auto as do lots of trips into central London...
Would like to be sub-£40k and there seem to be a few nice ones to choose from...
Your expert guidance and opinions will be most appreciated...
Unless your children are in miniature format then the 997.2 rears won't exactly be roomy especially if they have plenty to take with them and I think and the Golf will feel like bus in comparison. I think the rear seats are only there in a 911 so the owner can say "I have rear seats".
As above, size of your kids will have a lot of bearing on whether a 911 is doable. As for 4 wheel drive, only buy it because you prefer the feel of how it drives (steering weight and pointiness at the front is different) and/or how it looks and because you don't mind the slight loss in straight line performance due to extra weight. Do not buy it on the misconception that somehow you're going to be faster/safer in it in bad conditions, you won't be unless you routinely drive everywhere sideways 
for those benefits you just need to put winter tyres on.
for those benefits you just need to put winter tyres on. I do the school run every day with my two boys in my 996, it is perfect for the job.
However, the key variables are the ages of your children and how tall you are!
For my circumstances my eldest is 6, and I am 6ft2, and it works fine with him behind me, and his younger brother in a larger child seat on the other side. I think by the time he is 12 or more it might be a little more snug.... but if I wasn't such a lanky git it would give more space for whoever sits behind me.
So if you are a basketball player and your kids are older teenagers, it might be a real problem! If your kids are younger, it will be fine.
However, the key variables are the ages of your children and how tall you are!
For my circumstances my eldest is 6, and I am 6ft2, and it works fine with him behind me, and his younger brother in a larger child seat on the other side. I think by the time he is 12 or more it might be a little more snug.... but if I wasn't such a lanky git it would give more space for whoever sits behind me.
So if you are a basketball player and your kids are older teenagers, it might be a real problem! If your kids are younger, it will be fine.
bigkeeko said:
Unless your children are in miniature format then the 997.2 rears won't exactly be roomy especially if they have plenty to take with them and I think and the Golf will feel like bus in comparison. I think the rear seats are only there in a 911 so the owner can say "I have rear seats".
yes, My kids are 2 and 4.
They are great in the back on booster seats and the four of us go to the pub for a slap-up meal on a Sunday in Daddy's Porsche.
Not an option in a Boxster/Cayman/Ferrari/Lambo/Aston etc
StuH said:
Plenty of room in the back of mine! 11 year old daughter is more than happy in there for school runs and longer trips as well. Even room for a 45Kg dog as well 
But the claw marks on the leather! 
I had my family try on for size the one I am buying and they all seem to fit - although they are not the tallest of people. Mrs Bills is approaching five feet (from the direction of the ground), Billette major is 5'2" and Billette minor is 5'4" (minor is younger than major hence the terminology - but she is taller, much to her older sister's chagrin).
I am 6' but they squeeze in behind me.
Billsnemesis said:
But the claw marks on the leather!
I had my family try on for size the one I am buying and they all seem to fit - although they are not the tallest of people. Mrs Bills is approaching five feet (from the direction of the ground), Billette major is 5'2" and Billette minor is 5'4" (minor is younger than major hence the terminology - but she is taller, much to her older sister's chagrin).
I am 6' but they squeeze in behind me.
No claw marks! I had a custom foam made up that fills the gap between the rear seat edge and the back of the front seat, this is then covered in a canvas cover that velcros to the centre tunnel. So he can lie down and the seats are fully protected from claws, muck and water I had my family try on for size the one I am buying and they all seem to fit - although they are not the tallest of people. Mrs Bills is approaching five feet (from the direction of the ground), Billette major is 5'2" and Billette minor is 5'4" (minor is younger than major hence the terminology - but she is taller, much to her older sister's chagrin).
I am 6' but they squeeze in behind me.
Thanks...
I'm far from being tall enough and my kids are 3 & 6 so am sure they'll be ok...
I do prefer the 'look' of the 4wd cars but wholly accept that don't make it safer... Just not sure if I should get a 2wd car as there are more to choose from and perhaps budget may get me some more car...
Is chrono pack a must or just a gimmick??? Any other must haves in the spec???
I'm far from being tall enough and my kids are 3 & 6 so am sure they'll be ok...
I do prefer the 'look' of the 4wd cars but wholly accept that don't make it safer... Just not sure if I should get a 2wd car as there are more to choose from and perhaps budget may get me some more car...
Is chrono pack a must or just a gimmick??? Any other must haves in the spec???
jamiesim said:
Thanks...
I'm far from being tall enough and my kids are 3 & 6 so am sure they'll be ok...
I do prefer the 'look' of the 4wd cars but wholly accept that don't make it safer... Just not sure if I should get a 2wd car as there are more to choose from and perhaps budget may get me some more car...
Is chrono pack a must or just a gimmick??? Any other must haves in the spec???
I went for a manual 4s (2006 997) as mines a DD that I wanted to use all year round, and I've never regretted it. Good traction in the snow and slush in the winter. Back end looks great and you get the bose and lots of leather etc, it's a lovely package.I'm far from being tall enough and my kids are 3 & 6 so am sure they'll be ok...
I do prefer the 'look' of the 4wd cars but wholly accept that don't make it safer... Just not sure if I should get a 2wd car as there are more to choose from and perhaps budget may get me some more car...
Is chrono pack a must or just a gimmick??? Any other must haves in the spec???
I'd go OPC personally, the warrantee saved my arse on an engine rebuild, with no quibbles and great service.
richardrsc said:
I went for a manual 4s (2006 997) as mines a DD that I wanted to use all year round
Without trying to sound like a broken record, for clarity for anyone considering a purchase of a 996 or 997.1 in the future, this is not a reason to buy a 4 unless you habitually drive sideways on the road while DDing. The marketing around 4s appears to work phenomenally well 
Do it. This is the time to do this not later when they get bigger. I got 997 GTS4 last year & my 6 yr old loves it. His mates love it too.
He can sit in back no issue even falls asleep sometimes. I have full Recaro booster. and fyi ive put other child seats in as well like maxi cosi. the base of the rear seat comes out to create more room. its quite easy to do.
However u will miss the practicality of a normal car if you dont have one in the family.
I over analysed about options frankly. My advice is get the best S or 4S condition example/ age/ mileage ideally with warranty from OPC and in a good colour u can get for your desired budget. I'd look for one with new Tyres, good brakes/discs, clean service history with 2 years until next service as this obviously impact value.
PDK is great IMO.
Mario149 said:
Without trying to sound like a broken record, for clarity for anyone considering a purchase of a 996 or 997.1 in the future, this is not a reason to buy a 4 unless you habitually drive sideways on the road while DDing. The marketing around 4s appears to work phenomenally well
Well given I lived on a close on a steep hill that had a tendency to get horribly icy (not a gritted area), which most cars couldn't even make it up, I was pretty happy with it... Are you suggesting that a 4wd has no advantages over a 2wd in ice and snow?
richardrsc said:
Well given I lived on a close on a steep hill that had a tendency to get horribly icy (not a gritted area), which most cars couldn't even make it up, I was pretty happy with it...
Are you suggesting that a 4wd has no advantages over a 2wd in ice and snow?
On summer tyres yes. Experience with my 996 C4S in the winter suggested any advantage on snow/ice was negligible on summer tyres and certainly not a reason to go down the C4 route (which has other good, non weather related reasons to be chosen). Either was dangerous. If you're driving on snow/ice you need winters full stop. Stick winters on a C2 and it'll run rings around a C4 on summers in those conditions. Are you suggesting that a 4wd has no advantages over a 2wd in ice and snow?
StuH said:
Billsnemesis said:
But the claw marks on the leather!
I had my family try on for size the one I am buying and they all seem to fit - although they are not the tallest of people. Mrs Bills is approaching five feet (from the direction of the ground), Billette major is 5'2" and Billette minor is 5'4" (minor is younger than major hence the terminology - but she is taller, much to her older sister's chagrin).
I am 6' but they squeeze in behind me.
No claw marks! I had a custom foam made up that fills the gap between the rear seat edge and the back of the front seat, this is then covered in a canvas cover that velcros to the centre tunnel. So he can lie down and the seats are fully protected from claws, muck and water I had my family try on for size the one I am buying and they all seem to fit - although they are not the tallest of people. Mrs Bills is approaching five feet (from the direction of the ground), Billette major is 5'2" and Billette minor is 5'4" (minor is younger than major hence the terminology - but she is taller, much to her older sister's chagrin).
I am 6' but they squeeze in behind me.
Drove over 3hrs in my 996 (C2 manual Coupe) with my 12yr old lad & lanky 15yr old daughter in the back recently.
Did the school run most days for several years in it, even had my spaniel in the front footwell a number of times.
Personally don't see the point of C4's unless it's for the looks, then again I don't see the point of Cab's & can only just see the point of auto 911's so just ignore me!
Did the school run most days for several years in it, even had my spaniel in the front footwell a number of times.
Personally don't see the point of C4's unless it's for the looks, then again I don't see the point of Cab's & can only just see the point of auto 911's so just ignore me!
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