I've just bought some poverty Pork…

[Rosewood Red]

There was a sub £9k zenith blue 996 C2 with ~180k on AT around 1am this morning - I posted a reply with a link, but it vanished (I then deleted the reply as it seemed pointless). Manual coupe and the MOT history suggested it was very well looked after, only failing on things like bulbs, and highlighting advisories such as number plates and tyres. Was on questionable (997 / 987) wheels and had naff Carrera decals, but apart from that, was lovely. '98, so dual row IMSB too. It may return - Was a dealer, saying coming soon...

The cheap 986 I posted at the end of the last page is now £2.5k - offers still invited. Would be /thread if someone managed to get it for £2k!

My only question is, what's the next logical step on the ladder? Bought my 986 for £3.8k and have already put a grand into it. Will probably owe me between £5.8 - 6.5k all in once I've got it to a mechanical standard I'm happy with. I'd suggest an early 996 C2 of similar mechnaical standard would be at least twice that. Whilst the more desirable machine, not sure it's twice the car...

[bgunn]

Rosewood Red said:

There was a sub £9k zenith blue 996 C2 with ~180k on AT around 1am this morning - I posted a reply with a link, but it vanished (I then deleted the reply as it seemed pointless). Manual coupe and the MOT history suggested it was very well looked after, only failing on things like bulbs, and highlighting advisories such as number plates and tyres. Was on questionable (997 / 987) wheels and had naff Carrera decals, but apart from that, was lovely. '98, so dual row IMSB too. It may return - Was a dealer, saying coming soon...

The cheap 986 I posted at the end of the last page is now £2.5k - offers still invited. Would be /thread if someone managed to get it for £2k!

My only question is, what's the next logical step on the ladder? Bought my 986 for £3.8k and have already put a grand into it. Will probably owe me between £5.8 - 6.5k all in once I've got it to a mechanical standard I'm happy with. I'd suggest an early 996 C2 of similar mechnaical standard would be at least twice that. Whilst the more desirable machine, not sure it's twice the car...

I've done just that - gone from a 986 2.7 to an early 996 C2. I paid £11k for the 996, and it's needed some work (which I wanted to do myself, see below). Definitely not twice the car, the Boxster is a car you can really grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy driving, whereas the 996 is a bit more measured and, well, big.

I'm delighted with my choice though. The colours of the two cars were the same, Arctic silver, the Box was a year younger than the 996, but I just feel the 996 is more 'for me'. I love the analogue nature of the cable throttle, the Box was eGas, and now it's got a full complement of suspension arms (all round, everything), M030 ARBs and has been set up by CG, it's a delight.

Go in with both eyes open and you might be surprised what you find. I *loved* the Box, but it always felt like a stepping stone because I wanted the 911 - I find myself looking back at the 911 when I park up even more than I did the Box.

[Rosewood Red]

bgunn said:

I've done just that - gone from a 986 2.7 to an early 996 C2. I paid £11k for the 996, and it's needed some work (which I wanted to do myself, see below). Definitely not twice the car, the Boxster is a car you can really grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy driving, whereas the 996 is a bit more measured and, well, big.

I'm delighted with my choice though. The colours of the two cars were the same, Arctic silver, the Box was a year younger than the 996, but I just feel the 996 is more 'for me'. I love the analogue nature of the cable throttle, the Box was eGas, and now it's got a full complement of suspension arms (all round, everything), M030 ARBs and has been set up by CG, it's a delight.

Go in with both eyes open and you might be surprised what you find. I *loved* the Box, but it always felt like a stepping stone because I wanted the 911 - I find myself looking back at the 911 when I park up even more than I did the Box.

Do you have a thread for your 996? How many miles has it done and is the suspension still original (dampers / springs / top mounts) apart from the arms / ARBs?


Hope to have the below fitted over the next few weeks, before getting round to the clutch. Then it's just little niggly bits, relatively speaking, which should mostly be done for spring.



I love my 2.7 and it isn't going anywhere in the foreseeable future, but wouldn't mind adding to the fleet if the right car came up at the right time (which isn't now...)

[bgunn]

Rosewood Red said:

Do you have a thread for your 996? How many miles has it done and is the suspension still original (dampers / springs / top mounts) apart from the arms / ARBs?


Hope to have the below fitted over the next few weeks, before getting round to the clutch. Then it's just little niggly bits, relatively speaking, which should mostly be done for spring.



I love my 2.7 and it isn't going anywhere in the foreseeable future, but wouldn't mind adding to the fleet if the right car came up at the right time (which isn't now...)

I don't have a thread, no. It's done just over 69k, original dampers, but new front springs (the patina is wrong for the age of the car). New front top mounts, new bump stops. M030 ARBs, with new bushes (obviously, as they're bigger than original non-sports ARBs), new rear drop links. Four new track control arms, four new diagonal links, new rear toe links, and inner and outer front tie rods; so essentially most of the moving parts are new.

Pete at CG commented that "it's essentially a new car in the suspension front, Bilstein suggest that 100k mile life is generally reasonable with springs and dampers" when he set the car up. It really does feel nice and taut, and is very refined and quiet. Today I put some Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres on the rear, which is a vast improvement also.

I've got some rear diagonal links for a Boxster (brand new TRW - I never used them) if you want them for a sane price - apologies for using this thread to pedal them!

[edh]

bgunn said:

I've done just that - gone from a 986 2.7 to an early 996 C2. I paid £11k for the 996, and it's needed some work (which I wanted to do myself, see below). Definitely not twice the car, the Boxster is a car you can really grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy driving, whereas the 996 is a bit more measured and, well, big.

I'm delighted with my choice though. The colours of the two cars were the same, Arctic silver, the Box was a year younger than the 996, but I just feel the 996 is more 'for me'. I love the analogue nature of the cable throttle, the Box was eGas, and now it's got a full complement of suspension arms (all round, everything), M030 ARBs and has been set up by CG, it's a delight.

Go in with both eyes open and you might be surprised what you find. I *loved* the Box, but it always felt like a stepping stone because I wanted the 911 - I find myself looking back at the 911 when I park up even more than I did the Box.

I changed my 986S for a 996C2 a couple of months back - it is surprising how different the cars feel to drive. I wouldn't say "big", after all it's essentially the same car in many respects, just a few mm longer. It does somehow feel more "grown up" though, and there's no contest in the looks dept.. All I miss is the Boxster induction noise.

[bgunn]

edh said:

I changed my 986S for a 996C2 a couple of months back - it is surprising how different the cars feel to drive. I wouldn't say "big", after all it's essentially the same car in many respects, just a few mm longer. It does somehow feel more "grown up" though, and there's no contest in the looks dept.. All I miss is the Boxster induction noise.

Funnily enough, the Box has a longer wheelbase than the 911 due to the position of the engine and gearbox. That weight distribution makes a big difference, and also the way the car is set up - as standard it is very very benign and quite understeery to tame that potentially lively rear end. The performance is a bit more 'accessible'

Agree about the induction noise, the 996 is much, much quieter but does howl quite well at revs. I think a slightly more open exhaust is something on the cards for mine in the future, not too raucous, but needs to 'open up' slightly more when pushing on.

[LordHaveMurci]

bgunn said:

edh said:

I changed my 986S for a 996C2 a couple of months back - it is surprising how different the cars feel to drive. I wouldn't say "big", after all it's essentially the same car in many respects, just a few mm longer. It does somehow feel more "grown up" though, and there's no contest in the looks dept.. All I miss is the Boxster induction noise.

Agree about the induction noise, the 996 is much, much quieter but does howl quite well at revs. I think a slightly more open exhaust is something on the cards for mine in the future, not too raucous, but needs to 'open up' slightly more when pushing on.

I've heard of a few people removing the Helmolz(sp) resonator from the standard 996 airbox, supposed to improve the induction noise quite a bit.

[monty999]

Like you bgunn, I too can't help looking back once parked up.. tis a very sexy looking car tho'

[weebz]

LordHaveMurci said:

bgunn said:

edh said:

I changed my 986S for a 996C2 a couple of months back - it is surprising how different the cars feel to drive. I wouldn't say "big", after all it's essentially the same car in many respects, just a few mm longer. It does somehow feel more "grown up" though, and there's no contest in the looks dept.. All I miss is the Boxster induction noise.

Agree about the induction noise, the 996 is much, much quieter but does howl quite well at revs. I think a slightly more open exhaust is something on the cards for mine in the future, not too raucous, but needs to 'open up' slightly more when pushing on.

I've heard of a few people removing the Helmolz(sp) resonator from the standard 996 airbox, supposed to improve the induction noise quite a bit.

It does make a marked improvement and it's certainly more distinctive when the variocam changes, and best of all it's a easy and cheap modification.

[edh]

LordHaveMurci said:

I've heard of a few people removing the Helmolz(sp) resonator from the standard 996 airbox, supposed to improve the induction noise quite a bit.

on my Christmas list..

[gemini]

New one on Facebook group
2001 Boxster s 3.2 6 speed manual for sale. Only 1 previous owner and 28000 miles from new. Silver with hard and soft top, red leather interior, requires recommissioning after being stored since 2012. Currently a non starter due to flat battery and suspected immobiliser fault. £6250

[delays]

gemini said:

New one on Facebook group
2001 Boxster s 3.2 6 speed manual for sale. Only 1 previous owner and 28000 miles from new. Silver with hard and soft top, red leather interior, requires recommissioning after being stored since 2012. Currently a non starter due to flat battery and suspected immobiliser fault. £6250

Which FB group?

Very keen to find out more, either by PM or on here.

[snotrag]

Saw that post earlier, I'll try find it. Car is absolutely perfect spec - pre face-lift 3.2, Boxster red interior with extended leather and sports seats.

[gemini]

Porsche owners UK

[Rosewood Red]

Or as an alternative:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

2001 S. 59k, two owners, new hood with glass rear screen, £5k.

Fit new AC condensers and tyres, then enjoy

[M3333]

bgunn said:

I've done just that - gone from a 986 2.7 to an early 996 C2. I paid £11k for the 996, and it's needed some work (which I wanted to do myself, see below). Definitely not twice the car, the Boxster is a car you can really grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy driving, whereas the 996 is a bit more measured and, well, big.

I'm delighted with my choice though. The colours of the two cars were the same, Arctic silver, the Box was a year younger than the 996, but I just feel the 996 is more 'for me'. I love the analogue nature of the cable throttle, the Box was eGas, and now it's got a full complement of suspension arms (all round, everything), M030 ARBs and has been set up by CG, it's a delight.

Go in with both eyes open and you might be surprised what you find. I *loved* the Box, but it always felt like a stepping stone because I wanted the 911 - I find myself looking back at the 911 when I park up even more than I did the Box.

I went exactly the other way, had a very late 996 in Cobalt Blue, was a special order car. I felt like I had to drive it right on the edge to get any excitement at all from it, sold it, banked some money and bought a late 986s which has a brilliant spec, have had a lot more fun in it and the noise is a lot nicer, I then parked an e92 M3 next to it.

Good luck with your 911, be interesting to see how you get on, good luck.

[ATM]

Rosewood Red said:

Or as an alternative:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

2001 S. 59k, two owners, new hood with glass rear screen, £5k.

Fit new AC condensers and tyres, then enjoy

Looks beige. I think they call it meridian. I couldn't live with beige.

[delays]

gemini said:

Porsche owners UK

Thanks for that. I've joined the group as a member but I can't see the post, so I can only imagine it's gone.

Rosewood Red said:

Or as an alternative:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

2001 S. 59k, two owners, new hood with glass rear screen, £5k.

Fit new AC condensers and tyres, then enjoy

I keep returning to this ad and I do like the look of it. That said, 4 quality new tyres and new condensers add, what, £1k+ to the price before you even kick off, unless you can do the condensers yourself.

[Phunk]

delays said:

gemini said:

Porsche owners UK

Thanks for that. I've joined the group as a member but I can't see the post, so I can only imagine it's gone.

Rosewood Red said:

Or as an alternative:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

2001 S. 59k, two owners, new hood with glass rear screen, £5k.

Fit new AC condensers and tyres, then enjoy

I keep returning to this ad and I do like the look of it. That said, 4 quality new tyres and new condensers add, what, £1k+ to the price before you even kick off, unless you can do the condensers yourself.

I bought two condensers for £80 new, fitted them myself in less than a hour. Even a local independent won't charge much.

Also a chance that one of the air Con pipes that run underneath the car have been pinched by incorrect jacking (quite common)

[ATM]

Phunk said:

delays said:

gemini said:

Porsche owners UK

Thanks for that. I've joined the group as a member but I can't see the post, so I can only imagine it's gone.

Rosewood Red said:

Or as an alternative:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

2001 S. 59k, two owners, new hood with glass rear screen, £5k.

Fit new AC condensers and tyres, then enjoy

I keep returning to this ad and I do like the look of it. That said, 4 quality new tyres and new condensers add, what, £1k+ to the price before you even kick off, unless you can do the condensers yourself.

I bought two condensers for £80 new, fitted them myself in less than a hour. Even a local independent won't charge much.

Also a chance that one of the air Con pipes that run underneath the car have been pinched by incorrect jacking (quite common)

Or just leave the condensers and try to live without air con. You can probably get tyres for about 600 - 700 quid.