potential first Porsche classic buyer?
Discussion
Ok I've a thread running at present for a classic car search but theres a very good chance of me going for a nice 911 that would hold its value for a couple of yrs while i experienced ownership. Budget would be 25-30k and I'm looking for help and suggestions please as to which model to go for.
Aircooled would be fine but i dont want anything I'd need to deal with bodywork or rot issues. I'd also want to avoid modern engines with issues (is that the 996 model? )
Cheers and please be gentle lol
Aircooled would be fine but i dont want anything I'd need to deal with bodywork or rot issues. I'd also want to avoid modern engines with issues (is that the 996 model? )
Cheers and please be gentle lol
Wozy68 said:
993 C2 Manual. Higher mileage example with good history.
£30K will just about get you one (if one comes up). IMO its a better package than all before it, it will be cheaper to purchase, easier to live with, will not yet suffer from the rot (notice I say rot not rust) issues of the earlier cars, and it still has the old school build and feel but with the more modern suspension and all the benefits that includes.
Just spent an hr browsing and there is a mad glut of 911s from 25to 35k many of which are the more modern watercooled cars within the scary age group for potential engine issues.£30K will just about get you one (if one comes up). IMO its a better package than all before it, it will be cheaper to purchase, easier to live with, will not yet suffer from the rot (notice I say rot not rust) issues of the earlier cars, and it still has the old school build and feel but with the more modern suspension and all the benefits that includes.
Also seen some nice aircooled with higher miles obviously right at the top end of the budget. 35k in theory could be done for the right car but would eat up my insurance and what if fund thats all.
g7jhp said:
If you want to retain value I'd suggest going for a manual coupe, ideally 2wd but a 4wd may be a compromise. Higher mileage is OK, buy on condition (and history of maintenance):
I'd suggest you look at:
- 3.2 Carrera (87-89 with G50 gearbox)
- 964 C2 or C4 (89-93)
- 993 C2 or C4 (94-97)
- 996 turbo (00-05, doesn't have the n/a engine issues)
all replies very helpful thanks. There was a car i looked at today purely as its v close and the dealer is quite good at picking mint cars tbh.I'd suggest you look at:
- 3.2 Carrera (87-89 with G50 gearbox)
- 964 C2 or C4 (89-93)
- 993 C2 or C4 (94-97)
- 996 turbo (00-05, doesn't have the n/a engine issues)
http://www.thecarspecialists.com.mobi.starkwood.co...
comments anyone about this specific car at 32k?
g7jhp said:
200Plus Club said:
There was a car i looked at today purely as its v close and the dealer is quite good at picking mint cars tbh.
http://www.thecarspecialists.com.mobi.starkwood.co...
comments anyone about this specific car at 32k?
Well it looks like a Gen 1 997 C4 with the 3.6 engine, so not the 3.8 S (and later water-cooled rather than air-cooled).http://www.thecarspecialists.com.mobi.starkwood.co...
comments anyone about this specific car at 32k?
997.1 have know engine weaknesses. Some rave about the base 3.6, but the 3.8S offers better value with more power and a better spec and I'd suggest choosing the C2S to get a pure 2wd car.
In summary plenty of 997.1 available, better spec 3.8 C2S could be had for less money. If you want a 997 it's worth getting a Gen 2 car from 2009 onwards.
Orangecurry said:
stevewak said:
Get a 993. Manual, but for that price might be Targa, Cab or high miles. It won't 'rot' but might have a bit of rust in usual places and is not going to disappear in a cloud of red dust. Aircon a 'must', even if not working properly - can be fixed, at a price. Engines bulletproof. Keep £1500 back for issues such as lower cam covers or slave cylinder and immediate £500 cheap service at good indie. If you don't like it you should be able to sell it easily.
This.From your cars and history, I'm thinking you are an analogue petrolhead, not digital, and the 993 delivers in spades, and without the scary 'hidden' rust issues of the earlier cars. (Yes there are two areas of potential rust on a 993, but neither of them are eye-watering to sort out). A 996 Turbo is an intensely brilliant car, but I think you would get more out of an earlier car.
At our Goodwood circuit day last year, one lucky man who owns a 964 and a 993 brought them both - after many laps of intense fun in the 964, he took the 993 out. 'It's better... '
And I test-drove a Lotus Sunbeam many many years ago - I nearly bought it, but the brakes were awful? Probably easy to sort out, you are going to tell me
Blib said:
Yeah. It's above your stated budget.
Mission creep?
haha! my main failing is mission creep on budget ! Mission creep?
no it just caught my eye to be honest. there are a million very similar 996/997 variants for sale, all within budget, but that immediately looked good, as for price yes it would be outside the budget, but its local so i might go see what the car is actually like in the flesh.
mollytherocker said:
200Plus Club said:
Thats another gen 1 997, I thought you didnt want this era of cars? i'm going to spend all week i can see getting my head round the models before narrowing it down. older shape cars definitely float the boat more, but with the current price bubble i'm scared of buying something overpriced, under serviced and tired or rotten underneath.
mollytherocker said:
200Plus Club said:
having spent all weekend looking, frankly i dont know what exactly i want lol! so much choice around. saying that, £25-40k budget seems to bring me slap bang into the modern era cars with potential bearing or bore scoring issues, so i'd be very wary anyway.
i'm going to spend all week i can see getting my head round the models before narrowing it down. older shape cars definitely float the boat more, but with the current price bubble i'm scared of buying something overpriced, under serviced and tired or rotten underneath.
Its confusing if you are new to this stuff as there are many models and sub models! Its hard to advise on the 996 to 997.1 era (Non GT3/GT2/Turbo) models as there are few real facts around and most on here cant agree either!i'm going to spend all week i can see getting my head round the models before narrowing it down. older shape cars definitely float the boat more, but with the current price bubble i'm scared of buying something overpriced, under serviced and tired or rotten underneath.
Research the subject on these engines and make your own mind up. There are upgrades and ways to limit the risk of failures but all come with a cost.
But then again, air cooled cars are now old and could easily cost the same or more in other costs!
Its a minefield really, but its fun negotiating your way through and you can definitely win!
What I think we can say, is that if you want a 'drive and go' 911 with relatively low maintenence costs, you probably want a gen 2 997. These start at 30k for a miley one.
douglasgdmw said:
I know that this may add further confusion to your search but have you thought looking beyond the 911.
For your budget you could get:
Excellent 968 Club Sport/Sport: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Manual 928: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Boxster Spyder (if you are quick - although grab a low mileage one rather than the 30k miles ones up for sale).
I have already did the classic 911 (964 Targa) and although the car was great and loved it, got a bit fed up with those unexpected bills that need to get rectified. If it was my only sports car then I would have kept it but did not justify the money vs miles.
George
no it would have to be a 911 shape for me i'm afraid, the 928/944/968 and boxter dont do it for me. the Cayman does look nice however. For your budget you could get:
Excellent 968 Club Sport/Sport: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Manual 928: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Boxster Spyder (if you are quick - although grab a low mileage one rather than the 30k miles ones up for sale).
I have already did the classic 911 (964 Targa) and although the car was great and loved it, got a bit fed up with those unexpected bills that need to get rectified. If it was my only sports car then I would have kept it but did not justify the money vs miles.
George
Edited by douglasgdmw on Monday 2nd March 13:06
Edited by douglasgdmw on Monday 2nd March 13:08
g7jhp said:
Well it cuts it down from a lot of other variables if you decide you want a coupe, manual etc.
I'd then go and try an a couple of aircooled cars and a couple of watercooled cars. You'll soon know whether you enjoy the feel of older cars or need something newer.
Might be a good idea to try to get to a Porsche owners club meeting and get a passenger ride (as cars might be in better condition).
It's never easy for someone if like the OP they come in wanting a 911 but don't know which one.
its another good point. Its got to be manual and coupe and 2wd, that much i know. And thats about it so far. The budget wouldn't allow for anything that needed major work so it would hopefully be checked over if need be by a specialist. Its a minefield tbh and thankfully I'm in no rush.I'd then go and try an a couple of aircooled cars and a couple of watercooled cars. You'll soon know whether you enjoy the feel of older cars or need something newer.
Might be a good idea to try to get to a Porsche owners club meeting and get a passenger ride (as cars might be in better condition).
It's never easy for someone if like the OP they come in wanting a 911 but don't know which one.
bigunit00 said:
That looked great until i saw the interior :-) bit too light for my taste. Looks good value though and they are doing the bearing upgrade!Would people be happy thats the end of the issue if its done ?
BertBert said:
g7jhp said:
BertBert said:
g7jhp said:
All I'd suggest if it's a weekend car is naturally aspirated 2wd manual coupe is the way to go - 3.2, 964, 993, 997.2 (or 996 turbo with 4wd if it's a 996).
But that's such a huge range of different driving experiences. Now you have bto go and test drive loads to see what you actually like!I'd then go and try an a couple of aircooled cars and a couple of watercooled cars. You'll soon know whether you enjoy the feel of older cars or need something newer.
Might be a good idea to try to get to a Porsche owners club meeting and get a passenger ride (as cars might be in better condition).
It's never easy for someone if like the OP they come in wanting a 911 but don't know which one.
Bert
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
There is some apparently choice cars around within budget.
There is some apparently choice cars around within budget.
Orangecurry said:
200Plus Club said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
There is some apparently choice cars around within budget.
As you've linked to a 964C4...There is some apparently choice cars around within budget.
You may or may not know that the AWD system changed significantly between the 964 and the 993.
DYOR as they say, but AFAIK the 964 features a proper three-diff system, with a 31/69 split ? derived from the 959.
The 993 has two diffs and a VC in the middle, which transfers a minimum 5% to the front, but after one of the rears starts to slip will transfer more to the front.
So you'll need even moree test drives?
Digitalize said:
I don't understand how you can be wanting a 'classic' Porsche yet are considering a watercooled model?
no am just floating options at the minute. the budget seemed to slap bang me in the scary world of "classics" that might need just as much spending on them again as all the restored type cars are rocketing up. having been looking for a week now it looks like i need to do more research on the 993 964 models in addition to the classics. seen a few nice looking cars on't net but would have to go to see in the flesh or drive now. Gassing Station | Porsche Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff