Tough decision... 996tt or x50, decision to make today!

[Adam B]

ILoveMondeo said:

Bit of a nightmare, spoke with both dealers, and still not made my mind up. I'm hopeless at this...

I must admit I'm struggling a bit with the money having seen the small gap to a 997 now.. not that I want a 997, I want a 996, but cant help thinking these are a tad steep, when there's 6-7 years between the cars (996 to 997),

I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get one, even if I decide to change in a year or two, I wont be losing that much on it (if anything if current trends persist)..

Coin toss time!

Come on then be a tosser

Either you prefer the look and fraction more purity that comes with the older car, or you prefer the round headlights, way better interior, and extra oomph (ok and 3/4 years less age) of the 997

Only you know and either way you will get a great and bloody quick car - my only advice is get a manual in a good colour

[monthefish]

popeyewhite said:

Go for a 997. The interior on those 996s must be at least..what?..13 years old!

In that case, go for a 991. The interior on a 997 didn't change throughout its life and was designed back in 2003, meaning the 997 interior is 12 years old

[popeyewhite]

monthefish said:

popeyewhite said:

Go for a 997. The interior on those 996s must be at least..what?..13 years old!

In that case, go for a 991. The interior on a 997 didn't change throughout its life and was designed back in 2003, meaning the 997 interior is 12 years old

And still a considerable step up from a 996.

[rog007]

Zyp said:

st a brick - how much?!!!

I off loaded my pristine, viola metallic x50 with 40k miles on it for £28k 4 years ago.....
Didn't realise these had appreciated by quite so much.

Interesting isn't it; a telltale sign of a growing, confident economy? Just sold my non-X50 after 4 years of ownership and doubling the miles for exactly what I paid for it. Suspect if I'd waited another 2 months I could have sold it for slightly more than I paid for it! Of course, most of what I'd like to replace it with seem to have enjoyed similar growth.

[Digga]

rog007 said:

Interesting isn't it; a telltale sign of a growing, confident economy?

That and the fact the 996t and 997t are the last cars with the Mezger engine perhaps? Looking at the prices of earlier 'interesting' 911s, the 996t does not look outlandish right now.

I'm on a similar route to the OP, albeit at an earlier (lurking, for years) stage and have a few questions:

• What are thoughts/warnings on higher mileage 996ts?
• Which specialist(s) would be best to inspect a turbo?
• Can you trust certain specialists to sell you a sorted car?

There seem to be quite a few cars about at a lower budget than OP and, for someone not looking to put too many additional annual miles onto a car, it's tempting.

(Apologies for thread hijack/tangent.)

[Adam B]

If you are in the south go to 9E for inspections on 996/997 turbos

They did a thorough job on my 997 turbo incl compression test for about £200 I think, only issue they found was some overspray on inter cooler from rear bumper repair, and a couple of tiny missing screws which were replaced for 50p

[Digga]

Adam B said:

If you are in the south go to 9E for inspections on 996/997 turbos

They did a thorough job on my 997 turbo incl compression test for about £200 I think, only issue they found was some overspray on inter cooler from rear bumper repair, and a couple of tiny missing screws which were replaced for 50p

I'm Midlands, but a lot of what's for sale is south, so that's a useful recommendation, thanks.

[davek_964]

Digga said:

I'm on a similar route to the OP, albeit at an earlier (lurking, for years) stage and have a few questions:

• What are thoughts/warnings on higher mileage 996ts?
• Which specialist(s) would be best to inspect a turbo?
• Can you trust certain specialists to sell you a sorted car?

They are generally strong cars so I don't think high mileage should be a big problem - I know one guy in the USA on Rennlist has clocked up several hundred thousand miles in his. Stuff wears with age too, and that will be common whatever the mileage is - as long as it's been maintained properly I don't think you'd have big problems due to higher mileage.

[ILoveMondeo]

I've done it!

Just put a deposit on the atlas grey car @ RPM, subject to a test drive to ensure it's not all rattley and squeaky.

They're waiting for a couple of parts for it at the moment to finish the prep work, so I'm going for the final drive and collection on the 18th.

Also, if I don't gel with the car and have to trade it in for a vantage in 6 months time I'm holding everyone here responsible!

Thanks for all your help and advice!

Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?

[Digga]

davek_964 said:

They are generally strong cars so I don't think high mileage should be a big problem - I know one guy in the USA on Rennlist has clocked up several hundred thousand miles in his. Stuff wears with age too, and that will be common whatever the mileage is - as long as it's been maintained properly I don't think you'd have big problems due to higher mileage.

So no major 'milestones' with regard to any mechanicals then? I know some cars have 'big' services around 80k mark, with stuff like cam-belts/chains and the like.

ILoveMondeo said:

I've done it!

....
Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?

Congratulations. Hope it lives up to expectations (a Vantage also came up on my radar!) and look forward to hearing all about it.

It wouldn't be 'wrong' to contact the other dealer. You never know if or when you might cross paths with the firm or the salesperson, so IMHO being straight and fair is never wasted effort.

[g7jhp]

ILoveMondeo said:

I've done it!

Just put a deposit on the atlas grey car @ RPM, subject to a test drive to ensure it's not all rattley and squeaky.

They're waiting for a couple of parts for it at the moment to finish the prep work, so I'm going for the final drive and collection on the 18th.

Also, if I don't gel with the car and have to trade it in for a vantage in 6 months time I'm holding everyone here responsible!

Thanks for all your help and advice!

Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?

Congrats. As an X50 owner I think you bought the right car. Atlas grey is stunning (and far easier to keep clean than black)!

[Adam B]

ILoveMondeo said:

Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?

Congratulations good choice

If I had called for some more details I wouldn't, if I had shown serious interest, made an offer or booked an appointment I certainly would. That said if the former situation a call would not be a negative if unnecessary.

[ILoveMondeo]

Ta, I just gave Slades a call to let them know I'd put a deposit on another car and to thank them for their time.

FWIW I was VERY impressed with them and the seriously exotic stock they had in.

If I wanted a Ferrari this time around I wouldn't hesitate at getting one from there, definitely the cleanest set of cars you'll lay eyes on.

I hope to be back there in a few years collecting something else exciting!

Will be counting the hours now until the 18th, feels like a massive relief having actually made a decision.

[neil-f]

Congrats, long wait will soon be over.
Enjoy in good health

[996TT02]

Digga said:

I'm on a similar route to the OP, albeit at an earlier (lurking, for years) stage and have a few questions:

• What are thoughts/warnings on higher mileage 996ts?
• Can you trust certain specialists to sell you a sorted car?

From what I read before I bought mine, and what I continue to read, my personal experience and that of previous owners of my car via an inspection of the service history -

These cars suffer (perhaps wrong choice of word but hey) from known common failings (another wrong one) which are nothing really major but which can happen from relatively low mileage upwards, and will continue to occur with relative regularity. These non major failings seems to happen every 30 - 40k miles.

So I'd say that unless you bought something with ridiculously low mileage like say 15k or below, mileage is not that relevant as a 40k miler is just as susceptible to these failings as an 80k miler.

On a DIY basis the cost of rectification is not that high but if you go OPC with OPC parts pricing or perhaps even certain specialists, your 25k car could easily become a 35k one over 3-5 years. Previous owner of mine had just spent 3.5k, only "major" item was clutch, others I could barely find evidence of.

Personally, I think paying a substantial premium for a low mileage car (sub 50k) is not very wise, and conversely, getting a good deal on an 80, 90k miler the opposite.

Conclusion, better to buy a car that has had a lot of this stuff sorted relatively recently irrespective of mileage, than one which is lower in mileage but has not, in which case if you are unlucky a number of bills could be round the corner.

As for buying a sorted car from a specialist - the conclusion above is to be referred to irrespective of who you buy the car from.

[mph]

Whatever the merits or otherwise of buying a low mileage car they will always be worth more when you sell them. In some case substantially more.

I've just bought a 2003 996 turbo cabriolet, one owner with 19k miles. The vendor put it through a Porsche used car inspection before I bought it and had any recommendations carried out.

Car is like new and drives as such.

[Digga]

996TT02 said:

From what I read before I bought mine, and what I continue to read, my personal experience and that of previous owners of my car via an inspection of the service history ...

Conclusion, better to buy a car that has had a lot of this stuff sorted relatively recently irrespective of mileage, than one which is lower in mileage but has not, in which case if you are unlucky a number of bills could be round the corner.

As for buying a sorted car from a specialist - the conclusion above is to be referred to irrespective of who you buy the car from.

Thanks. Very informative post.

IME with TVRs in the past, a lot of the odd/freak mechanicals were with cars that endured long (winter normally) lay-up periods and a general lack of sympathetic use. The ones used a lot, but carefully and also correctly serviced were much less random in their wear and tear and failings.

I spend a huge amount of free time dodging trees and rocks on mountain bikes. Getting another sports car scratches a definite itch but is likely (lack of injury permitting) to be a secondary pastime at best - hence my mileage will be low. A car with more miles on the clock is simply less cash tied up doing nothing whilst not in use. (I suppose the converse logic may be that a low miles car would still be very low miles and possibly worth a good deal more in future.)

[996TT02]

I suppose the main thing about low mileage and it's value is that it is not a constant... unless you don't use the car.

Assuming high-ish mileage you could say that the depreciation due to mileage has been mostly taken out of the equation.

The difference in price between a 20k miler and a 50k miler is likely to be considerable, but it's only 30k miles. 30k miles added on to 60k makes it 90k, yet that is worth what, 15%?

End of the day if you are going to use the car at all the mileage will rack up, and the hit you take will be greater, the lower you start off. Ultimately that is the buyer's business and I don't deny the attraction of a near-new vehicle hence the premium payable. My post was not about values per se, but their relation to running costs, other than depreciation, which seemed to be what Digga was after.

[Digga]

996TT02 said:

Assuming high-ish mileage you could say that the depreciation due to mileage has been mostly taken out of the equation.

Precisely. The most depreciative miles are generally at the start of the vehicle's life.

[Pepsi Max 996T]

Go on, admit it. It was the red seat belts that swayed the deal ! I'm sure you will love it as most owners do (myself included). It really is addictive but remember, you only have one licence so try to control yourself.