Looking to Buy my first 996
Discussion
I am looking into buying my first Porsche and looking for some freindly advice & opinions on which car out of the ones i have short listed look like a good buy. I have previously owned an Elise for 18months, drove a Boxter S for a few weeks in 2001,currently looking after a 645ci so i have a "basic" idea on rear wheel drive performance cars in aspects of driveing and running them but i have noted that some magazines and reviews call the 996 a Supercar(not simply a sportscar or coupe).I have trawled through the forums and one day i feel positive and the next negative with talk of engine failure,maintenance,servicing costs etc,etc. My budget is approx £35K,(Years OPC warranty will be also be covered if needed) i could maybe push to £40K but i would rather not.I would like to start with at least the 2001(51) facelift model,would love the C4s but i am aware it may be just out of my budget,whats the opinions on the differences between C2,C4,Tiptronic,Targa and Convertible? and is high mileage an issue when buying a Porsche.
OPC - 2 Silver 2002 C4s Tiptronic on OPC (Nottingham) for £42995 with low Mileages
Autotrader
Private 2003 Black 996 40th Aniversary 22kmiles at £31750
Philip Welch 2001 51 Seal Grey 996 28kmiles at £33995
Millbrow 2002 996 Targa Red 27kmiles at £34995
Private 2002 Yellow 996 C4s 37kmiles at £38K
Nick Whale 2002 Blue 996 C4s 28kmiles at ££39995
OPC - 2 Silver 2002 C4s Tiptronic on OPC (Nottingham) for £42995 with low Mileages
Autotrader
Private 2003 Black 996 40th Aniversary 22kmiles at £31750
Philip Welch 2001 51 Seal Grey 996 28kmiles at £33995
Millbrow 2002 996 Targa Red 27kmiles at £34995
Private 2002 Yellow 996 C4s 37kmiles at £38K
Nick Whale 2002 Blue 996 C4s 28kmiles at ££39995
Edited by Wanta996 on Wednesday 31st January 15:01
Everyone says buy on condition - apparently.....
I bought my first 996 Carrera last year, on a March 02 plate. Did it privately, got a really nice level of spec, and it had 10 months left of extended Porsche Warranty. I'd recommend getting one of these, if the car you buy hasn't got one. In fact, I'd recommend making sure it has it, before you buy it. If you buy privately, I'd make sure it has a warranty. If it doesn't I'd probably head towards an OPC or an independent.
Just don't rush. Failing that you can have mine for 35K.
I bought my first 996 Carrera last year, on a March 02 plate. Did it privately, got a really nice level of spec, and it had 10 months left of extended Porsche Warranty. I'd recommend getting one of these, if the car you buy hasn't got one. In fact, I'd recommend making sure it has it, before you buy it. If you buy privately, I'd make sure it has a warranty. If it doesn't I'd probably head towards an OPC or an independent.
Just don't rush. Failing that you can have mine for 35K.
I agree with what clarky says, but from a personal perspective, I would suggest that you should be less fixated on the C4S, and try to consider a number of other issues.
I have experience of the 996 C4s, and would advise the following.
Consider your luggare requirement, as the C4/C4s have more limited capacity than the normal 2WD.
Try the differene seats, standard and sports before you decide, as you get mixed opinions. Personally I love the sports, but it is entirely personal.
Things to watch for:
Bose Stereo, better than standard,
SatNav, always nice to have and adds to resale ability
PSE (Porsche sports Exhaust) always a nice to have. No performance benefit, but the sound, oh, the sound.
OPC Warranty --- depends on your risk apetite, but I would always have this.
Service history --- Essential. depending on the year it may have some specialists, and I am of the feeling that some specialists are better than OPC
Tiptronic: Bit polarised on this, but a personal NO-NO.
Things to check for:
Cruise control. Purely from license protection point of view.
Recent geometry check----- definite for C4/C4s as they are particularly sensitive.
Done worry about the number of owners, but for the years you are looking at, expect no more than 2-3
On the C4s, check the chin spoiler, as that regularly snags. Mine did. about £130 to replace, so no big deal.
Check the designation, C16 or C20. C20 is UK sourced and supplied through the OPC network, and normally means an extra £1-2k.
The C4S is the nuts to look at, especially the big-reds, the front scopops, and the extra width, but take a standard and a 4s out for a reasonable hack to make sure.
hope this helps
I have experience of the 996 C4s, and would advise the following.
Consider your luggare requirement, as the C4/C4s have more limited capacity than the normal 2WD.
Try the differene seats, standard and sports before you decide, as you get mixed opinions. Personally I love the sports, but it is entirely personal.
Things to watch for:
Bose Stereo, better than standard,
SatNav, always nice to have and adds to resale ability
PSE (Porsche sports Exhaust) always a nice to have. No performance benefit, but the sound, oh, the sound.
OPC Warranty --- depends on your risk apetite, but I would always have this.
Service history --- Essential. depending on the year it may have some specialists, and I am of the feeling that some specialists are better than OPC
Tiptronic: Bit polarised on this, but a personal NO-NO.
Things to check for:
Cruise control. Purely from license protection point of view.
Recent geometry check----- definite for C4/C4s as they are particularly sensitive.
Done worry about the number of owners, but for the years you are looking at, expect no more than 2-3
On the C4s, check the chin spoiler, as that regularly snags. Mine did. about £130 to replace, so no big deal.
Check the designation, C16 or C20. C20 is UK sourced and supplied through the OPC network, and normally means an extra £1-2k.
The C4S is the nuts to look at, especially the big-reds, the front scopops, and the extra width, but take a standard and a 4s out for a reasonable hack to make sure.
hope this helps
IMO the best car would be a Black 996 C2 Manual 2003/52 39k miles for £36k serviced in August and with OPC warranty until Oct 2007. It just so happens that I have one with that exact spec up for sale.
Whatever you get the warranty is essential, it allows you to drive it like you stole it with peace of mind.
Whatever you get the warranty is essential, it allows you to drive it like you stole it with peace of mind.
Buy on condition - check
Buy mine thats for sale - check
Dont get a 996, get a 993 instead - not yet
Anyway, the posts above are quite sensible, don't get fixated on an exact car/specification, buy on condition, find one that pushes your buttons and go from there. Your budget is good for a nice facelift in a good colour combo...
I prefered the drive of the C2, so its worth trying both C2 and C4 to see which you prefer.
Buy mine thats for sale - check
Dont get a 996, get a 993 instead - not yet
Anyway, the posts above are quite sensible, don't get fixated on an exact car/specification, buy on condition, find one that pushes your buttons and go from there. Your budget is good for a nice facelift in a good colour combo...
I prefered the drive of the C2, so its worth trying both C2 and C4 to see which you prefer.
Thanks for the input guys - Porsche forum seems allot more accomodating than my days on the lotus forum, LOL. While doing my research i got the following servicing costs which suprised me as to how cheap they seem - Is there hidden costs or is this a good guide line?
996
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
997
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
996
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
997
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
Edited by Wanta996 on Wednesday 31st January 15:04
Wanta996 said:
Thanks for the input guys - Porsch forum seems allot more accomodating than my days on the lotus forum, LOL. While doing my research i got the following servicing costs which suprised me as to how cheap they seem - Is there hidden costs or is this a good guide line?
996
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
997
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
996
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
997
www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/def
Them's the prices.
I always go to the OPC and ask them for the menu service at the menu price. You get 10% off for PCGB membership.
If you supply your own Mobil 1 it shaves about 100 sheets off the price as well.
I have run a 2000 996C2 from OPC with warranty and OPC servicing for two years. It has worked out cheaper than my old 330i (see my profile and blog)
Lurking Lawyer said:
Fidgits dig at 993s - check
Fidgits reference to beards/horse brasses/real ale - only a question of time
Fidgits reference to beards/horse brasses/real ale - only a question of time
Edited by Lurking Lawyer on Wednesday 31st January 14:19
hey, i only dig in response to the beardy-ones relentless disparaging of the 996... if you guys didn't keep slating the 996, I wouldn't ever pass a comment
And ive never made a horse brass comment - not once*
By the way, I have the EVO guide to buying a 996, if you send me an email through my profile i will mail you it, though it is large so make sure you have a gmail account or something.
*admittedly, only because I don't really get it
Thanks guys, your comments are most helpfull,is there a reason why the Targas & tiptronics seem to be cheaper used when the equivalent models cost more when new? Also, being a new member Fidget, i cant access the email system option yet. I plan to visit my local OPC in Glasgow this weekend although from there website - they do not have 1 996, only 997's and Boxters with the odd Touareg, sorry i mean Cayenne.
Wanta996 said:
Thanks guys, your comments are most helpfull,is there a reason why the Targas & tiptronics seem to be cheaper used when the equivalent models cost more when new? Also, being a new member Fidget, i cant access the email system option yet. I plan to visit my local OPC in Glasgow this weekend although from there website - they do not have 1 996, only 997's and Boxters with the odd Touareg, sorry i mean Cayenne.
Hi Wanta,
okay, just ping fidgits @ gmail.com and ill send you it all through.
The tips are often 'unloved' as while they are great for city and traffic driving, its not much for the enthusiast, as for the Targa, I don't know, though I have heard similar comments.
Just read fidgits Evo review (And a good review it was) on the 996 and they claim that C16 is the UK car though Woodlands input to the thread noted that C20 is the UK sourced car? Any ideas and does it really matter?
Also, so far your input has been very positive - Does this mean that there is no Engine & Clutch failures problems or is it just exagerated on some forums through disgruntled owners,LOL. I could gaurantee that 50% of Elise mk1 owners would have a head gasket story to tell as was one of the k-series engines blatant faults.
Also, so far your input has been very positive - Does this mean that there is no Engine & Clutch failures problems or is it just exagerated on some forums through disgruntled owners,LOL. I could gaurantee that 50% of Elise mk1 owners would have a head gasket story to tell as was one of the k-series engines blatant faults.
Edited by wanta996 on Wednesday 31st January 16:21
C16 is a UK car.
As for the failures. Can. Of. Worms.
The actual problems are RMS: a seal which can leak oil, generally not a huge problem as it doesnt empty the sump overnight or something, just leaves oil drops on the driveway over time. Best to get it fixed with the clutch change, as the labour is the pricey part (though a RMS is covered under the extended warranty, so free fix, and cheap clutch change if it does go)
and the other is the header tank, over time it can crack and need replacing, costs a couple hundred quid to fix.
There are stories of engine failures, but compared with TVR's Speed 6, well, no comparison really.
As for the failures. Can. Of. Worms.
The actual problems are RMS: a seal which can leak oil, generally not a huge problem as it doesnt empty the sump overnight or something, just leaves oil drops on the driveway over time. Best to get it fixed with the clutch change, as the labour is the pricey part (though a RMS is covered under the extended warranty, so free fix, and cheap clutch change if it does go)
and the other is the header tank, over time it can crack and need replacing, costs a couple hundred quid to fix.
There are stories of engine failures, but compared with TVR's Speed 6, well, no comparison really.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff