How much do I need to buy my first 911?
Discussion
Hi All,
This is my first post so be gentle...
I have always wanted a 911 and have enjoyed reading posts on this forum for a while now.
I think I am almost ready to buy my first Porsche, ideally I would like a Tiptronic Carrera 4 as my wife will be driving the 911 too also I have owned an A3 Quattro and TT Quattro and like the four wheel derivative.
I intend on keeping my first 911 for approx 2yrs then upgrading once I have some experience of Porsche ownership under my belt. For a first time buy I will want to make sure it is a sound example which I can get warranty for
The question I have is how much do I realistically need to buy a decent 996? Is £22-23k enough or do I need to save up a little more and stretch to £25k?
Also any first time buying tips would be appreciated too.
Thanks for your comments
Freshy
This is my first post so be gentle...
I have always wanted a 911 and have enjoyed reading posts on this forum for a while now.
I think I am almost ready to buy my first Porsche, ideally I would like a Tiptronic Carrera 4 as my wife will be driving the 911 too also I have owned an A3 Quattro and TT Quattro and like the four wheel derivative.
I intend on keeping my first 911 for approx 2yrs then upgrading once I have some experience of Porsche ownership under my belt. For a first time buy I will want to make sure it is a sound example which I can get warranty for
The question I have is how much do I realistically need to buy a decent 996? Is £22-23k enough or do I need to save up a little more and stretch to £25k?
Also any first time buying tips would be appreciated too.
Thanks for your comments
Freshy
Hi Freshy.
Firstly I will say - don't be so definate about what your after, this is for 2 reasons:
1. Your going to get a load of people saying you should get the 2 wheel drive manual for the 'proper' experience (they do have a point)
2. With a lower budget, you will be limited by whats on offer, so the more flexible you are, the more chance of getting a good car.
I originally was looking at 25k for a early 996 - and ended up spending less, so it can be done.
Golden rule: Buy on condition.
If you'd be happier with a higher mileage - you'll be fine at the 23k level, just be prepared to wade through a lot of rough before finding the diamond - but the same applies at the 25k level, and even the 30k level....
Have a look in the pistonheads classifieds for a car - I'd reccomend viewing a few back-to-back, just so you can compare - but be warned, you'll find you will stretch the budget if your not careful and get carried away.
If you can find one, buy one with an extended warranty - if not, once you've found 'the one' get a 111 point check at an OPC - this will point out any potential time bombs, and also allows you to purchase a warranty for 750 quid.
At your price point, DO NOT buy from a dealer, even an independent - you will end up with a dog, and sometimes their warranties arent worth the paper they are written on.
Look for a good private example - as i said, try Pistonheads classifieds, Porsche GB for sale, and good ole autotrader.
Oh, and buy on condition.
I'll warn you, you will hear a lot of horror stories about the 996 if you look for specifics, ignore them, as with all cars there are a few potential things that could go wrong - dont let the scaremongers put you off.
I wanted a 911 since i was a kid, and i can confirm that it lives up to every expectation I ever had and more...
Firstly I will say - don't be so definate about what your after, this is for 2 reasons:
1. Your going to get a load of people saying you should get the 2 wheel drive manual for the 'proper' experience (they do have a point)
2. With a lower budget, you will be limited by whats on offer, so the more flexible you are, the more chance of getting a good car.
I originally was looking at 25k for a early 996 - and ended up spending less, so it can be done.
Golden rule: Buy on condition.
If you'd be happier with a higher mileage - you'll be fine at the 23k level, just be prepared to wade through a lot of rough before finding the diamond - but the same applies at the 25k level, and even the 30k level....
Have a look in the pistonheads classifieds for a car - I'd reccomend viewing a few back-to-back, just so you can compare - but be warned, you'll find you will stretch the budget if your not careful and get carried away.
If you can find one, buy one with an extended warranty - if not, once you've found 'the one' get a 111 point check at an OPC - this will point out any potential time bombs, and also allows you to purchase a warranty for 750 quid.
At your price point, DO NOT buy from a dealer, even an independent - you will end up with a dog, and sometimes their warranties arent worth the paper they are written on.
Look for a good private example - as i said, try Pistonheads classifieds, Porsche GB for sale, and good ole autotrader.
Oh, and buy on condition.
I'll warn you, you will hear a lot of horror stories about the 996 if you look for specifics, ignore them, as with all cars there are a few potential things that could go wrong - dont let the scaremongers put you off.
I wanted a 911 since i was a kid, and i can confirm that it lives up to every expectation I ever had and more...
Edited by fidgits on Friday 29th September 09:38
Stretch to £25k+..
There's alot of raggy examples out there , and at 22/23k you're probably going to be pitching yourself at this level.
If your other half is going to be driving it , you'll want the peace of mind to know you've got a good 'un.
Your best bet is to get it checked at an official Porsche garage .. Ask for the 111 point check , and this will bring up any problems the car has . Then use this to beat the vendor over the head , get the problems sorted and put it on a Porsche warranty ..... PEACE OF MIND.
There's alot of raggy examples out there , and at 22/23k you're probably going to be pitching yourself at this level.
If your other half is going to be driving it , you'll want the peace of mind to know you've got a good 'un.
Your best bet is to get it checked at an official Porsche garage .. Ask for the 111 point check , and this will bring up any problems the car has . Then use this to beat the vendor over the head , get the problems sorted and put it on a Porsche warranty ..... PEACE OF MIND.
to get a 996 that you can warrenty for 2 years your £25 is pushing it, the 996 is getting towards 9 year old now so if a warrenty is a must for the 2 years then you need a 1999 car a least.
depending where you are there are other methods of keeping the wolf from the door www.hartech.org.uk do a good service scheme for £60 per month, I would use this if I where closer
the price between C2 & C4 is nowt & tips are good no matter what you read here.
go to a good indy or try the classifieds here, I would avoid buying from joe public or a non specilised garage unless you know what to check for. If you can get a car that has a warrenty on it already then you are half way there as it can be renewed without any checks.
I personnaly do not have a opc warrenty it is now nearly £900 a year. this is money i would rather spend on full servicing. but its your choice,,
as for milage do not get to stuck up in the idea the lowest is the best, these cars are not like the run of the mill audi's you have had before, go for one that has all the bill's full service history again it does not have to be OPC indys are more caring.
visit these websites to get a feel for what to expect to pay
www.911virgin.co.uk
www.rsjsportscars.co.uk
www.camtune.co.uk
depending where you are there are other methods of keeping the wolf from the door www.hartech.org.uk do a good service scheme for £60 per month, I would use this if I where closer
the price between C2 & C4 is nowt & tips are good no matter what you read here.
go to a good indy or try the classifieds here, I would avoid buying from joe public or a non specilised garage unless you know what to check for. If you can get a car that has a warrenty on it already then you are half way there as it can be renewed without any checks.
I personnaly do not have a opc warrenty it is now nearly £900 a year. this is money i would rather spend on full servicing. but its your choice,,
as for milage do not get to stuck up in the idea the lowest is the best, these cars are not like the run of the mill audi's you have had before, go for one that has all the bill's full service history again it does not have to be OPC indys are more caring.
visit these websites to get a feel for what to expect to pay
www.911virgin.co.uk
www.rsjsportscars.co.uk
www.camtune.co.uk
WOW! Thanks for all your quick replies this is nothing like the Audi/BMW forums I'm used to.
The point I am getting here is that I need to stretch a little more to £25k+.
I think I will wait until early next year and then start looking seriously.
Thanks again for your comments... watch this space I will be back soon.
Freshy
The point I am getting here is that I need to stretch a little more to £25k+.
I think I will wait until early next year and then start looking seriously.
Thanks again for your comments... watch this space I will be back soon.
Freshy
Depending on where you are, pop down to 911virgin (just outside London) for a chat. You'll see a big variety of cars from old 70s to brand new 997s and everything in between. Run by a true Porsche nut (Henry) who is happy to have a long chat and give you some genuine advice/thoughts without a major sales pitch.
Not affiliated but a mate got very good service.
Happy hunting.
Not affiliated but a mate got very good service.
Happy hunting.
I wouldnt say that Freshy - just look at cars, say, under 26k - be patient and picky, you'll get a good one!
And although this wont go down well - you'll find quite a lot of tip's on the market, simply because they dont sell as easily as the manual - so you may be able to barter down the price...
After recently buying a 996, i really would say dont put off the search, you might just miss a gem! Where are you located by the way? you might have a couple of locals that can help with the search?
And although this wont go down well - you'll find quite a lot of tip's on the market, simply because they dont sell as easily as the manual - so you may be able to barter down the price...
After recently buying a 996, i really would say dont put off the search, you might just miss a gem! Where are you located by the way? you might have a couple of locals that can help with the search?
I'm near Slough and have popped into RSJ Sports for a look around but nothing there in my price range.
Might just go see Henry at 911virgin next weekend I didn't realise they were that close to me.
Although I have seen the car below in the Autotrader which looks interesting...
1999 PORSCHE 911 2dr Tiptronic S [996] Carrera Coupe
46,000 miles, Ocean blue with grey leather. PAS, Rear wiper, Drivers airbag,
Passenger airbag, ABS, Central locking.tracker, FSH, doctor owner. £22,995
Does being a Doctor make a difference!!??
Might just go see Henry at 911virgin next weekend I didn't realise they were that close to me.
Although I have seen the car below in the Autotrader which looks interesting...
1999 PORSCHE 911 2dr Tiptronic S [996] Carrera Coupe
46,000 miles, Ocean blue with grey leather. PAS, Rear wiper, Drivers airbag,
Passenger airbag, ABS, Central locking.tracker, FSH, doctor owner. £22,995
Does being a Doctor make a difference!!??
freshy said:
I'm near Slough and have popped into RSJ Sports for a look around but nothing there in my price range.
Might just go see Henry at 911virgin next weekend I didn't realise they were that close to me.
Although I have seen the car below in the Autotrader which looks interesting...
1999 PORSCHE 911 2dr Tiptronic S [996] Carrera Coupe
46,000 miles, Ocean blue with grey leather. PAS, Rear wiper, Drivers airbag,
Passenger airbag, ABS, Central locking.tracker, FSH, doctor owner. £22,995
Does being a Doctor make a difference!!??
Might just go see Henry at 911virgin next weekend I didn't realise they were that close to me.
Although I have seen the car below in the Autotrader which looks interesting...
1999 PORSCHE 911 2dr Tiptronic S [996] Carrera Coupe
46,000 miles, Ocean blue with grey leather. PAS, Rear wiper, Drivers airbag,
Passenger airbag, ABS, Central locking.tracker, FSH, doctor owner. £22,995
Does being a Doctor make a difference!!??
I suppose that depends on what his doctorate is in?
seriously i think he put that to try and suggest he is respectable and trustworthy etc..
But where you are you should be able to find some good examples locally - although that one seems cheap for age/mileage, so be prepared to crawl all over it.
FULL SERVICE HISTORY IS A MUST - should be 1 year/12k - check when the brakes were last done (that'll cost you 1k).
Edited by fidgits on Friday 29th September 11:27
Hartech produce a free buyer's guide which may be of some help: www.hartech.org.uk/buyers.html
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