Realistic running costs, 996 or early 997

[TheLordJohn]

Thanks for that.
I've found, almost, the perfect one for me, but it's a 4.
Is that the end of the world....?
I'd prefer a RWD but this is a good one.

[EGTE]

I'm a C2 guy, but the C4 guys assure us there is very little difference. The weight penalty is about 60-70Kgs, I believe, so not terribly noticeable. Some even prefer a little more weight over the nose. Try it and see.

I estimate £2K per year average, significantly less if you do the work yourself. The "101 Projects" web-site/book by Pelican Parts is a fantastic resource for doing this; has saved me thousands (and I've learnt a lot about the car).

[LordHaveMurci]

EGTE said:

I'm a C2 guy, but the C4 guys assure us there is very little difference. The weight penalty is about 60-70Kgs, I believe, so not terribly noticeable. Some even prefer a little more weight over the nose. Try it and see.

I estimate £2K per year average, significantly less if you do the work yourself. The "101 Projects" web-site/book by Pelican Parts is a fantastic resource for doing this; has saved me thousands (and I've learnt a lot about the car).

This is great advice, I too am a C2 man through & through but have heard the same about C4's, apparently they use a stronger shell too, the same as the GT3's?
Another downside is the smaller boot due to front diff, this would put me off as the C2 boot is quite usable for weekends away etc.

[skinny]

3.4 has better ims bearing and less prone to bore score. The very early ones suffered cracks in the cylinder walls but this should have happened by now if it was going to. Other advantage in my book is the nicer headlights. The facelift ones work on the turbo and c4s but I prefer the early ones on the narrow car.

As for C4, 50-60kg more but in the nose where it wants it. Only 5% torque to front in normal running. Smaller boot tho, e-gas instead of cable. Wouldn't let that put you off tho

[Lastmin]

Good thread I'm looking and never considered an early 3.4 until now.

[BrotherMouzone]

Lastmin said:

Good thread I'm looking and never considered an early 3.4 until now.

Top lurking!

[Fast Bug]

I've got an early 3.4 with the cable throttle and dual row IMS. I had a big service at a good indi in January. All filters, plugs, gearbox oil, drive belt, coffin arms, thorough check over of the car from top to tail (I only bought it in Dec) and it was just over £900 which I didn't think was too bad

You might find this thread handy www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=16...

Edited by Fast Bug on Tuesday 7th March 18:32

[Sunnysider]

I bought a 997.1 with a rebuilt engine for 18.5k in October. So far the window regulators gone, a rear spring snapped on my drive (replaced both and had 4 wheel alignment) and it also needed a new starter motor.

So I've spent about 1500 quid on it so far but I'm not concerned as it's a keeper and all these things are consumables on an 11 year old car, plus the pleasure I get from driving it every day far outweighs the bills it will undoubtedly keep throwing at me.

[monthefish]

TheLordJohn said:

Thanks for that.
I've found, almost, the perfect one for me, but it's a 4.
Is that the end of the world....?
I'd prefer a RWD but this is a good one.

I'd say definitely don't discount a C4, especially now when finding good 996's is getting harder and harder.

If you've driven both back to back, and preferred the C2, fair enough, but when I was buying one I was specifically seeking a Carrera 4 as they have better weight distribution and handling balance and are quicker under most UK conditions (991 4WD version is 7 seconds quicker in a lap of around 1:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08t5Yw38Uos , and it was a similar story with 997 and 996 generations ). They are 95% RWD under normal conditions, and only send more drive to the front when the back loses grip.

I’d probably choose a C2 for a pure track machine, but in the real world with oil, water, ice, leaves, cold tires and basically the unforeseen, the C4 makes more sense as a fast road car. (it only adds 55Kg, so not even the difference between a full or empty tank of petrol).

[IknowJoseph]

I've got a 3.4 C2, also bought before I was 30.

It's my daily driver, which makes it hideously expensive: Everything on a 17 year old car can go wrong or wear out, especially if you drive it every day.

I've been out in all weathers in it and have never thought I'd needed a c4. On good tyres my car is perfectly civilised whatever the conditions.

[TheLordJohn]

I actually put 'nice' cars at the back of my mind for another 15 years or so, but as the Government seems to be doing its level best to make buying a second home, especially in the south, as hideously expensive as possible, i thought i'd go for a 911 instead...!
Probably the wrong move, but sod it.

[monthefish]

IknowJoseph said:

I've got a 3.4 C2, also bought before I was 30.

It's my daily driver, which makes it hideously expensive: Everything on a 17 year old car can go wrong or wear out, especially if you drive it every day.

I've been out in all weathers in it and have never thought I'd needed a c4. On good tyres my car is perfectly civilised whatever the conditions.

I use a 996 C4 as a daily driver and is surprisingly cheap. I don't do big mileage, and it gets serviced religiously (with little jobs attended to timeously), but looking back over a couple of years of ownership, it really hasn't cost that much to run.

[Fast Bug]

IknowJoseph said:

I've got a 3.4 C2, also bought before I was 30.

It's my daily driver, which makes it hideously expensive: Everything on a 17 year old car can go wrong or wear out, especially if you drive it every day.

I've been out in all weathers in it and have never thought I'd needed a c4. On good tyres my car is perfectly civilised whatever the conditions.

I've got a C2 and I've been out in it in all weathers and given it a proper pasting down the lanes and never felt it lacking in grip. I do have winter tyres on it though which no doubt helps, but I've only seen the t/c light flicker once or twice. Maybe I've not been trying hard enough!

[TheLordJohn]

Fast Bug said:

Maybe I've not been trying hard enough!

Yes, indeed. You'd do well to really give it the beans!
I won't accept any less than an upload and entry into the 'show us your crash pics' thread with it wrapped around a tree.

[Magic919]

I preferred the steering feel of the C2 996 over the C4S. I'm not convinced the AWD is that great on the older models. The viscous coupling isn't a patch on the later multi-plate clutch versions.

[chriscoates81]

The only time my old c2 was a bot tail happy, was when going round a roundabout in the wet and the rear tyre going on the white lines. No tc on it tho as it was a 99 plate.

[jakesmith]

I had a race against a 3.4 996 in my 997 C4S from about 20-120mph, and couldn't shake him at all, power to weight ratio must be similar. I expected to be a bit faster, but wasn't

[griffter]

I set out looking for a C2 but couldn't find a good one with the right spec, so I ended up buying a C4. No regrets. IMHO they're slightly different, not better or worse. Others have highlighted the main similarities and separations. I've had an Elise and a Boxster Spyder. I can't claim the steering on the C4 is as pure or responsive as either of those, but I can't say I've particularly noticed it isn't. Maybe I'm ham fisted but the steering is excellent - no discernable torque steer for example - and is every bit as enjoyable as the others cars I've had.

[stuckmojo]

TheLordJohn said:

I actually put 'nice' cars at the back of my mind for another 15 years or so, but as the Government seems to be doing its level best to make buying a second home, especially in the south, as hideously expensive as possible, i thought i'd go for a 911 instead...!
Probably the wrong move, but sod it.

wise man. housing in the UK is in the biggest bubble in history, especially in the South.

(however, so are classic cars, which the 996 isn't one- yet)

It'll give you more joy than spending 80% of your salary on a mortgage for 50 years.

[EGTE]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

EGTE said:

I'm a C2 guy, but the C4 guys assure us there is very little difference. The weight penalty is about 60-70Kgs, I believe, so not terribly noticeable. Some even prefer a little more weight over the nose. Try it and see.

I estimate £2K per year average, significantly less if you do the work yourself. The "101 Projects" web-site/book by Pelican Parts is a fantastic resource for doing this; has saved me thousands (and I've learnt a lot about the car).

Ohhh what book ?

Off to Google

Hi Paddy,
This is the one. Excellent resource (can buy from elsewhere):

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/MISC/...


Mine's covered in oil and all messed up from use, just as the author intended! No mechanic training whatsoever, managed jobs as big as complete suspension change thanks to this.

Cheers.
Enoy!