Thoughts on these 2

[Zanderman]

Morning All,

After a few months of messing about I have settled on getting myself a 997. On missing out on a private sale yesterday (honestly, amazing deal!!) I wanted to see peoples thoughts were on these 2 and the associated dealers. Also do you think I should go down the OPC 111 point check and warranty route? (anyone know how much they cost these days?)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I love the colour combo of these 2 and like the idea of 4wd on the C4S (as we have nothing but stty weather!) but also love the white with the X51 upgrade!

So, any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

[g7jhp]

I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car.

[Trev450]

The first dealer have an excellent reputation - I have no personal knowledge of the second.

Both look to be nice, clean cars, but white would be easier to resell than Guards. That said, the above advice is the best.

[hondansx]

Yep, both look nice but i wouldn't touch a Gen 1 myself.

If you're dead set, you want an OPC warranty or ideally a car which has the necessary changes made to the engine.

Also, the difference in the Gen 2 is more that a set of flashy DRLs, it is a much better car.

[Zanderman]

Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!!

[Trev450]

Zanderman said:

Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!!

If your heart/budget is set on a Gen 1, then go for a 111 point check (around £230 plus anything that they find that needs replacing), plus a major service on top, and then the warranty which is around £1100 per annum. Alternatively, have a boroscope done prior to purchase to gauge for any bore scoring, and then keep an emergency fund just in case.

[Ravi355]

g7jhp said:

I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car.

Is there a significant difference in a Gen 2 car?

[g7jhp]

Ravi355 said:

g7jhp said:

I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car.

Is there a significant difference in a Gen 2 car?

The Gen 2 cars (2009 model year) got a new direct injection engine. The Carrera S power is 380bhp and the PDK twin-clutch auto was introduced. There are other detail changes such as new rear lights etc.

[g7jhp]

Zanderman said:

Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!!

If you're looking for a manual 997.1 C2S at circa £33k, but don't want to stretch to 997.2 C2S (and 997.1 turbo would enter into the equation) have you considered a 996 turbo?

This looks nice at £32k and there are fewer good manual 996 turbo.



If you really can't do a 996 turbo I'd go for the 997.2 C2S for peace of mind (if the 997.1 C2S engine lets go you'll be paying more than £10k).

[Zanderman]

As much as I admire the 996 Turbo I really dont want to go for a 11+ year old car. I am struggling with a 7 year old car to be fair.........

[mollytherocker]

What about a Cayman S with a DFI then?

[Zanderman]

Hadnt really considered a Cayman as the 911 is what I am hankering after.

I have heard amazing things about the Cayman though. Just worried that if I got one I would spend all my time wishing I was surrounded by a 911!

Not getting very good support for the 997 gen 1, are they really that bad??

mollytherocker said:

What about a Cayman S with a DFI then?

[g7jhp]

Zanderman said:

As much as I admire the 996 Turbo I really dont want to go for a 11+ year old car. I am struggling with a 7 year old car to be fair.........

You're worried about buying a car on age, but you'll still buy a car which has a documented engine issue?

[Zanderman]

No necessarily, just dont want a 996. Had one and want to move forward, trying to get the newest car my budget will allow.

As for the engine problems - if I got a 111 point check and warranty wouldn't it be covered if something went wrong?

g7jhp said:

You're worried about buying a car on age, but you'll still buy a car which has a documented engine issue?

[Trev450]

Zanderman said:

As for the engine problems - if I got a 111 point check and warranty wouldn't it be covered if something went wrong?

You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty.

[Zanderman]

I had the warranty on my 996 and it was worth all the extra hassle for a good nights sleep!

Trev450 said:

You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty.

[Trev450]

Zanderman said:

I had the warranty on my 996 and it was worth all the extra hassle for a good nights sleep!

Trev450 said:

You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty.

I think you've answered your own question then.

[hondansx]

I know it sounds a bit negative on the Gen 1, but do you really want the engine issues hanging over your head every time you go to start it up?

So for me, if it is a Gen 1 car it has to come with a full OPC warranty. However, in my eyes, the Gen 2 looks so much 'fresher' with the DRLs and LED rear lights. It also rides and handles noticeably better.

If you're willing to compromise, you can get in a Gen 2 for under £38k, even from an OPC - i've just looked! The compromise involves either high mileage or non S; something i'd rather do personally.

Do the man maths and make it work - just don't use Porsche for finance as they are quite expensive.

Here are two good value Carreras with nice spec (Sport Chrono, etc.).

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

And to stretch the man maths...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[Zanderman]

Does the same thing apply to gen 1 as gen 2 i.e. the S variant is the one to go for? If I was going to stretch to £37/£38k then I might as well wait and go to £41k for an S variant.

Like I say though things get really complicate because we are then into R8/4.7 Vantage/GTR/997 Turbo territory and then we have even more worries!!

I have set myself an early £30'sk limit and have to stick to it, it has already crept up from mid £20's so cant spend anymore as this will be a third car.

hondansx said:

I know it sounds a bit negative on the Gen 1, but do you really want the engine issues hanging over your head every time you go to start it up?

So for me, if it is a Gen 1 car it has to come with a full OPC warranty. However, in my eyes, the Gen 2 looks so much 'fresher' with the DRLs and LED rear lights. It also rides and handles noticeably better.

If you're willing to compromise, you can get in a Gen 2 for under £38k, even from an OPC - i've just looked! The compromise involves either high mileage or non S; something i'd rather do personally.

Do the man maths and make it work - just don't use Porsche for finance as they are quite expensive.

Here are two good value Carreras with nice spec (Sport Chrono, etc.).

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

And to stretch the man maths...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[ArcticGT3]

I know it's already been mentioned and dismissed but at that budget and for a 3rd car my money would go on a 996TT.

Mechanicals are bullet proof in comparison to the 7.1 and residually it'll do way, way better. I get the fact the looks aren't to everyone's tastes but they're really starting to look very good now. Saw a bog standard Silver TT on the M6 the other day, couldn't believe how small and "Porsche like" it looked.