Confused but seriously interested.
Discussion
Had a test drive yesterday in a 996 (911) C2 cab and I was impressed with the ride, handling etc. I'm very confused as to the different type of variants available and the salesman put me off the Targa saying that it wasn't very good, rattled, squeaked etc. However, I just got the feeling that the salesman was selling me what he wanted to sell rather than perhaps what I wanted to buy. Here's what I'm looking for:
Pre-owned or a demonstrator (I'll never buy new again!)
Roof off or targa top.
Plenty of grunt.
Fun.
Great handling.
Not really interested in track days but enjoy "B" roads.
Purchase budget min £45k absolute max £69k.
Purchase time end July onwards.
Aniticipated mileage 10 - 12k miles per annum.
What should I be looking for and what should I be lookin out for.
Oh!, and waht's the owners club like? Is it social?
Thanks in Advance.
Pre-owned or a demonstrator (I'll never buy new again!)
Roof off or targa top.
Plenty of grunt.
Fun.
Great handling.
Not really interested in track days but enjoy "B" roads.
Purchase budget min £45k absolute max £69k.
Purchase time end July onwards.
Aniticipated mileage 10 - 12k miles per annum.
What should I be looking for and what should I be lookin out for.
Oh!, and waht's the owners club like? Is it social?
Thanks in Advance.
PCGB seems good to me. Been a member for three or four years now. I don't bother with the meetings myself but I DO go to the track days - which are excellent. They have a smashing "club" feel in comparison to other organisers (as you'd expect) and are safe to take your expensive car on...
that's quite a range in price, which means you can pretty much get anything. i would look out for the new facelift version, simply because i think they look better. there was a minor facelift around 1999 / 2000 which as far as i can tell meant clear indicator lamps. there was another facelift 2001/2002 (i think it was then anyway) where they canhed the shape of the front headlights to distinguish the front more from the boxster (i think that was pretty much the only reason). there were also a few cosmetic changes inside too, but nothing worth getting excited about. i think a glovebox was added as well, but i say that only because i can't remember whether i had one on my 99 c4. i would therefore go for the newest version of the facelift, but you will be paying more clearly. i have not driven either a c2 or a targa so canot realy comment on them - allegedly c2's are slightly quicker, but i like c4's, purely because they come standard with traction (PSM) and i don't really like the idea of lots of horses hanging out behind the back wheels as i accidently take a corner too quickly in the wet! i need computers and four wheel drive to save me from my own incompetence behind the wheel.
hope i haven't muddied the waters for you further! whatever you do get one and post the pics after!
hope i haven't muddied the waters for you further! whatever you do get one and post the pics after!
Targa is a very nice car, but really neither fish nor fowl ! It's really only a very large sunroof that is noisy when open & also obscures your rear view, doesn't have the feel of an open top at all. BUT makes cabin nice & light & also has rear hatch for added praticality.
If it was my dosh I would either go for one of the first facelift cabs (a C2 is fine) if you do want a drop top (out in from autumn 01 onwards) or a C4S which is the pick of the coupe bunch.
With the 997 out in September 996 prices are going to soften, but the there will not be a C4S or CAB at launch (cabs next year, 4S later)so will hold value slightly better.
I wouldn't spend any where near the top end of your budget at the moment unless you want to go for a 996TT or get in the queue for a 997.
TOP TIP.......buy a guide to the 996, Peter Morgan has a new ultimate guide coming out soon.It will tell you about options, spec, range, problems etc etc.
>> Edited by grant3 on Wednesday 16th June 14:16
If it was my dosh I would either go for one of the first facelift cabs (a C2 is fine) if you do want a drop top (out in from autumn 01 onwards) or a C4S which is the pick of the coupe bunch.
With the 997 out in September 996 prices are going to soften, but the there will not be a C4S or CAB at launch (cabs next year, 4S later)so will hold value slightly better.
I wouldn't spend any where near the top end of your budget at the moment unless you want to go for a 996TT or get in the queue for a 997.
TOP TIP.......buy a guide to the 996, Peter Morgan has a new ultimate guide coming out soon.It will tell you about options, spec, range, problems etc etc.
>> Edited by grant3 on Wednesday 16th June 14:16
It isn't out for a month or two, but his website is here www.petermorgan.org.uk
best of luck
best of luck
For your money (at the upper end) you can get a 1 year old C4S convert' or if you do not fancy the hard ride and extra breaks / dynamis the standard C4 Cab is an excellent all rounder and for short journeys the small rear seeats come in handy in all 996 convertibles.
Have you considered the new BMW 645 convertible ? Not my cup of tea but may be yours or is it too new ?
Have you considered the new BMW 645 convertible ? Not my cup of tea but may be yours or is it too new ?
I bought a 2002 Targa three weeks ago. Its seal grey and a beautiful thing. I spent the previous 2 months looking and trying to decide much like you which one to go for.
I went for the Targa as it is a good compromise - you do get the better looks of the tintop but a good deal of the wind in the hair feel of the cab. The cabin is really light and there are no rattles etc. Bonus is that it also weighs less than the tintop and cab.
As always, try and see as many as you can and go for best spec you can. Love the look of mine and the drive, just wish it had a bit more grunt, so if you can afford it and grunt really matters, go for a 996TT :P
Let me know what you decide.
I went for the Targa as it is a good compromise - you do get the better looks of the tintop but a good deal of the wind in the hair feel of the cab. The cabin is really light and there are no rattles etc. Bonus is that it also weighs less than the tintop and cab.
As always, try and see as many as you can and go for best spec you can. Love the look of mine and the drive, just wish it had a bit more grunt, so if you can afford it and grunt really matters, go for a 996TT :P
Let me know what you decide.
so will have to send them to your email address rather than attach them to this forum - will sort out on monday.
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