996 C4S purchase

[Phil-68]

Budflicker said:

Hang in there, there are good ones out there; here are some pics of mine to keep your interest up.

Wow, that looks beautiful. Is that at 911 Virgin's premises? And was that how they'd got it ready for viewing/sale?

[Budflicker]

It is indeed at their premises and that was on the day i collected it, to be fair it was also the 1st time i saw it as well, I paid my deposit over the phone on the understanding that if i wasn't happy that the car was as good as described upon collection they would refund the deposit and pay my train fare home.

That wasn't needed as the car was exactly as described and i went home in it with a large grin all the way.

[Phil-68]

Superb, that's more like it.

I had a lengthy chat with Tom this morning, he certainly knows his stuff and I would be happy to buy from them from what I've seen and heard so far.

[Rob996]

I bought my C2 from Tom. Fantastic car wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. Very relaxed with a it's up to you if you want the car car approach. Very refreshing in this must do it now world.

[Roberty]

Mine at the dealer and then in the New Forest on the way home 2 and a bit years ago, thought I'd have it 18 months, 2 years then move it on, love it way too much so she's staying with me a while longer yet.

Mechanically spot on but cosmetically There are a number of stone chips up front, bumper and bonnet. Thought I'd take care of them at some point but to be honest they don't bother me and the front is so prone they'd only come back so I'd rather spend the money on keeping it in perfect mechanical condition.

[grumpynuts]

Keep searching, there's one out there with your name on, you just have to find it. If a car has been sold a number of times via the OPC network, it will have had a lot of paintwork done. They re spray everything that has a small blemish on, it's how they operate. It doesn't mean there's a bad car underneath, but as we all know , some paintjobs are better than others.
You could try logging your interest in a C4S with specialists ,like RPM Technik, or Dove House,etc, as they will often have customers who are thinking of selling,and if they have a potential buyer lined up, they will persuade the current owner to sell. Are you registered on 911uk? If not, get yourself on there, and put a wanted ad up.It's great forum for 911's and many are sold from there. A mate got a corker of a 51k mile Arctic Silver 4S, with massive spec off a private seller. The ad was only up for 5 days before I put him onto it.
Good luck with your search, it'll be worth the wait. Mine is arctic silver with black interior, sports seats, and a rorty exhaust,you have good taste wanting the same spec.

[pmac32]

[pmac32]

Looks like I sold mine today.
63,000 miles. Hardback sports seats, switchable pse, new coffin arms in last two months along with service. Full history mainly main dealer. Keep looking. There will be one for you and great cars.

[Roberty]

pmac32 said:

Looks like I sold mine today.
63,000 miles. Hardback sports seats, switchable pse, new coffin arms in last two months along with service. Full history mainly main dealer. Keep looking. There will be one for you and great cars.

As this is very similar to mine in mileage and spec, if not colour do you mind me asking what you sold it for, ball park?

Seems such a massive range of prices against these cars in the classifieds it's hard to know what they are really selling for.

[pmac32]

Roberty said:

As this is very similar to mine in mileage and spec, if not colour do you mind me asking what you sold it for, ball park?

Seems such a massive range of prices against these cars in the classifieds it's hard to know what they are really selling for.

Sold it for £20,000 to a private buyer. Recently had all coffin arms replaced and four wheel alignment, new discs, pads and brake lines. New Porsche switchable exhaust (the seems had split on the old boxes). I have owned it five years and bought it with 29,000 miles. It's been well serviced with services at least once a year with all recipes to prove. Front bumper does have the usual stone chips which I was going to get sorted if I kept it. I'm already questioning if I've done the correct thing in selling, it's been a great car to own and I'll be having to put a fairly substantial (to me anyway) amount towards the £20,000 to get into something else which I'll be happy with.

[Roberty]

pmac32 said:

Roberty said:

As this is very similar to mine in mileage and spec, if not colour do you mind me asking what you sold it for, ball park?

Seems such a massive range of prices against these cars in the classifieds it's hard to know what they are really selling for.

Sold it for £20,000 to a private buyer. Recently had all coffin arms replaced and four wheel alignment, new discs, pads and brake lines. New Porsche switchable exhaust (the seems had split on the old boxes). I have owned it five years and bought it with 29,000 miles. It's been well serviced with services at least once a year with all recipes to prove. Front bumper does have the usual stone chips which I was going to get sorted if I kept it. I'm already questioning if I've done the correct thing in selling, it's been a great car to own and I'll be having to put a fairly substantial (to me anyway) amount towards the £20,000 to get into something else which I'll be happy with.

Thanks, that's about what I paid for mine about 2.5 years and 10k miles ago. Good to know I probably haven't lost anything but I don't think I could part with it for that.

What can you possibly replace it with for the money?

[pmac32]

Nothing that really interests me. There aren't many cars out there this side of £70 k that I'd be happy to change it for. I'm no doubt in the minority but I like the look of the 996. The 997 doesn't do it for me with the exception of the GT3 and the turbo models. I can't afford a GT3 so I've been looking at a 997 turbo for around £50k. Is the newer turbo worth the extra £30.k ? Should I stick with the 996 c4s?

[Roberty]

pmac32 said:

Nothing that really interests me. There aren't many cars out there this side of £70 k that I'd be happy to change it for. I'm no doubt in the minority but I like the look of the 996. The 997 doesn't do it for me with the exception of the GT3 and the turbo models. I can't afford a GT3 so I've been looking at a 997 turbo for around £50k. Is the newer turbo worth the extra £30.k ? Should I stick with the 996 c4s?

I'm with you on that, the 997 Carrera just doesn't do it for me, I thought about it for a while then a couple of friends got them.

I've driven their 997c2S's a far bit and I can't notice the additional power at all and find the steering lacking weight.

And despite the interior of the 996 getting a fair bit of flack for how dated it appears, the 997's interior is no better and just seems cheap and plasticky.

The 997 S can do some fun things out of damp and wet corners/roundabouts that the C4S just never does, but I can see that being fun right up until it ends in tears.

I prefer the look of the 996 C4S, the handling and the interior over a 997 Carrera S.



A Turbo, now that could get my attention but an extra £30k is a whole heap of money and for that I'd say you need to really want one?

For me it's V8 vantage +£15k or Audi R8 +£20/25k and I'm not sure that I really want either of them enough to part with the C4S

Edited by Roberty on Sunday 1st May 21:44

[INWB]

pmac32 said:

Sold it for £20,000 to a private buyer. Recently had all coffin arms replaced and four wheel alignment, new discs, pads and brake lines. New Porsche switchable exhaust (the seems had split on the old boxes). I have owned it five years and bought it with 29,000 miles. It's been well serviced with services at least once a year with all recipes to prove. Front bumper does have the usual stone chips which I was going to get sorted if I kept it. I'm already questioning if I've done the correct thing in selling, it's been a great car to own and I'll be having to put a fairly substantial (to me anyway) amount towards the £20,000 to get into something else which I'll be happy with.

That seems cheap based on the ones I looked at for that sort of money. What was the body work and interior like?

[harleywilma]

pmac32 said:

Nothing that really interests me. There aren't many cars out there this side of £70 k that I'd be happy to change it for. I'm no doubt in the minority but I like the look of the 996. The 997 doesn't do it for me with the exception of the GT3 and the turbo models. I can't afford a GT3 so I've been looking at a 997 turbo for around £50k. Is the newer turbo worth the extra £30.k ? Should I stick with the 996 c4s?

Errr wouldn't that mean you have to have a 997 not withstanding the 997 doesn't do it for you?

[Roberty]

harleywilma said:

pmac32 said:

Nothing that really interests me. There aren't many cars out there this side of £70 k that I'd be happy to change it for. I'm no doubt in the minority but I like the look of the 996. The 997 doesn't do it for me with the exception of the GT3 and the turbo models. I can't afford a GT3 so I've been looking at a 997 turbo for around £50k. Is the newer turbo worth the extra £30.k ? Should I stick with the 996 c4s?

Errr wouldn't that mean you have to have a 997 not withstanding the 997 doesn't do it for you?

Maybe you need to re-read the posters statement on 997's!

pmac32 said:

The 997 doesn't do it for me with the exception of the GT3 and the turbo models.

There is a world of difference between a 997 Carrera and a 997 Turbo

[rallyeman]

Phil-68 said:

Urban said:

Hi Phil-68. We are thinking of selling our 59k mile 2002 996 C4S manual, black with cream leather.
Don't want to upset forum rules but you can pm me
Nick

Edited by Urban on Monday 25th April 22:23

Thanks Nick,
We prefer silver or grey but I'll give you a shout if we can't find anything.

Phil

PM sent Urban

[rallyeman]

Looking for a C4S now. Cash waiting

[harleywilma]

Roberty said:

There is a world of difference between a 997 Carrera and a 997 Turbo

But doesn't it share the same plasticky interior,and the same body apart from some large holes in the arches and rear spoiler...and its also a mark997

Edited by harleywilma on Monday 2nd May 18:52

Edited by harleywilma on Monday 2nd May 19:02

[Roberty]

harleywilma said:

Roberty said:

There is a world of difference between a 997 Carrera and a 997 Turbo

But doesn't it share the same plasticky interior,and the same body apart from some large holes in the arches and rear spoiler...and its also a mark997

Edited by harleywilma on Monday 2nd May 18:52

Edited by harleywilma on Monday 2nd May 19:02

It does indeed, but it was me that had an issue with the 997 interior and not the poster who has just sold his car and is thinking of buying a 997turbo.

And yes there is a world of difference between a 997 Carrera S and a Turbo beyond the vents and the big rear wing.

The power and delivery are on another level, traction and handling are well beyond the Carrera S and the experience is something entirely different.

My issue with the 997 Carrera S or 4S is that it just doesn't move things on from what I already have with the 996Carrera 4S so why would I sell my car to replace it with something that gives me no tangible improvement or a different dynamic experience? The interior is Ok, yes plasticky but the 996 interior is too in places but with a 996 C4S you get a lot more leather as standard as I believe you do in a 996/7 Turbo too.

The 996 C4S shares the same front and rear bumpers as the Turbo which IMHO looks far better than a 997 which even in wide body C4S form doesn't have the butcher/meaner look of the Turbo.

If I didn't have a 996 C4S then even despite my misgivings about the interior I would be looking for a 997 C4S, ideally one that had been spec' d with plenty of addional leather.