Considering a 996 as a Weekend Car
Discussion
Hi guys, don't post much in here as I'm usually out of my depth!
I have an E92 M3 that doesnt get used much, maybe 2-3 weeks every other month as I work mainly abroad. I'll be moving back to the UK soon and commuting around 400 miles per week. The plan is to sell the M3 and buy a cheap diesel Mondeo Ghia X.
With the money left over I want to get something nice. I've tried owning normal cars (i.e. Mondeo, focus etc) as my only means of transport, but I just cant do it long term, I get the fast car itch!
Been looking at 996's and they are ridiculously good value at the moment and I have Porsche blood running in the veins (my dad owned a string of 911's including a flat nose turbo and a 944 Turbo SE, metallic rose, 250bhp, turbo decal etc. Loved that car!). Ideally I dont want to spend more than 20k at the very most and have seen some nice C4S's. The C4S really does it for me in the looks department and I've heard good things about how they drive. I've also been considering the C2's and C4's. I know the only way to find out is to go for a test drive in all of them
I'm hoping I will love it instantly because the M3, whilst an amazing car, is becoming a bit too mundane.
Is it a good idea to run one of these as a weekend car without a warranty? Ive read about the IMS and RMS issues, which worries me a little, but doesnt put me off.
Also one of the key things for me as well is depreciation. I plan on keeping it for a while and using at weekends only. What are your thoughts on depreciation? I've seen some lovely pre-facelift examples going for 12k. Surely they cant go lower? I know the 996 isnt loved by many but IMO its still a great car that will be recognised in the future as a great all rounder. I was hoping to get it on some kind of classic car policy as well.
Any thoughts or opinions welcome
I have an E92 M3 that doesnt get used much, maybe 2-3 weeks every other month as I work mainly abroad. I'll be moving back to the UK soon and commuting around 400 miles per week. The plan is to sell the M3 and buy a cheap diesel Mondeo Ghia X.
With the money left over I want to get something nice. I've tried owning normal cars (i.e. Mondeo, focus etc) as my only means of transport, but I just cant do it long term, I get the fast car itch!
Been looking at 996's and they are ridiculously good value at the moment and I have Porsche blood running in the veins (my dad owned a string of 911's including a flat nose turbo and a 944 Turbo SE, metallic rose, 250bhp, turbo decal etc. Loved that car!). Ideally I dont want to spend more than 20k at the very most and have seen some nice C4S's. The C4S really does it for me in the looks department and I've heard good things about how they drive. I've also been considering the C2's and C4's. I know the only way to find out is to go for a test drive in all of them
I'm hoping I will love it instantly because the M3, whilst an amazing car, is becoming a bit too mundane.Is it a good idea to run one of these as a weekend car without a warranty? Ive read about the IMS and RMS issues, which worries me a little, but doesnt put me off.
Also one of the key things for me as well is depreciation. I plan on keeping it for a while and using at weekends only. What are your thoughts on depreciation? I've seen some lovely pre-facelift examples going for 12k. Surely they cant go lower? I know the 996 isnt loved by many but IMO its still a great car that will be recognised in the future as a great all rounder. I was hoping to get it on some kind of classic car policy as well.
Any thoughts or opinions welcome
996s are absolutely fabulous cars, and I'm staggered how undervalued they are right now. You'll quickly see that many people on here put it down to scaremongering having blown minor statistics way out of proportion. Between my 986 and 996 I've now had Porsches for 8 years and really can't think of having anything else. Mine's not a C4S but a mate has one - a beauty with that wide body, in seal grey and sounds amazing with sports zorst
Edit: suggest you wade through the Hartech comments on this thread, and I don't think anyone would claim to know more than those guys. Should put fears to rest...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edit: suggest you wade through the Hartech comments on this thread, and I don't think anyone would claim to know more than those guys. Should put fears to rest...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by Track_Puppy on Thursday 2nd February 13:16
Give them a drive when you get back and see what you think. I like the C4S, but wouldn't want to try to get a decent one for £20k. With these older cars you don't have many warranty options. Too old for Porsche warranty and many others are worthless. Check the FAQ on here and read about Hartech.
I have no thoughts on depreciation. I get sick of reading about it on here.
Make sure you form an idea of spec. There are numerous options and no two cars seem to be alike.
I have no thoughts on depreciation. I get sick of reading about it on here.
Make sure you form an idea of spec. There are numerous options and no two cars seem to be alike.
Panthro said:
What other essential options are there?
Sports Seats (IMHO), but each to their own.PCM is nice to have. Although its performance, and that of most cars on the road, will be surpassed by any modern Tom-tom unit, if you're a real man you don't often bother with sat-nav, and having the screen makes the interior look better and more modern.
Panthro said:
What are your thoughts on depreciation? I've seen some lovely pre-facelift examples going for 12k. Surely they cant go lower?
Yes they can. There are early cars on here and autotrader for sub £9k.I reckon they'll be £4-5k in a couple of years. They probably already are in the trade.
The point is, "so what" ? If you can't afford to lose a few grand on depreciation, you're probably looking at the wrong car.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
OK clarification, the thread is frankly honest about the risks - much less common than scaremongerers say - and highlights how avoidable they are. £20k would buy a LOT of very tasty 996 right now (although admittedly possibly not the right C4S), including covering all the sensible precautions. With the right peace of mind I think we all agree that 996s are stonking good value and ownership will be massively rewarding£20K is an ample budget to buy a really mint 996 C2 or C4 facelift or perhaps a more leggy C4S if you really want the widebody look. Look out for one that's already had a Hartech or Autofarm engine rebuild and then you don't need to worry about the engine horror stories.
Depreciation will continue, but should be pretty tame from this point downward. Good quality early cars ('98-'00) are still fetching £10-12K, so if you paid £20K for a mint '04 facelift car (and to be honest you'd probably get one for more like £16-18K) you can expect to get at least £10K back for it in 4 or 5 years time and quite possibly a fair bit more if you kept the mileage down and the condition mint. They are genuine bargains at the moment.
Depreciation will continue, but should be pretty tame from this point downward. Good quality early cars ('98-'00) are still fetching £10-12K, so if you paid £20K for a mint '04 facelift car (and to be honest you'd probably get one for more like £16-18K) you can expect to get at least £10K back for it in 4 or 5 years time and quite possibly a fair bit more if you kept the mileage down and the condition mint. They are genuine bargains at the moment.
I bought a 996 facelift as a weekend car 3 weeks ago. Obviously condition/sh is the most important thing but getting the right spec is part on the fun. I have PSE, Bose, traction and navigation. These are worth looking out for as these are what I wanted and to me put the icing on the cake. Enjoy the hunt!!!!!!
uktrailmonster said:
£20K is an ample budget to buy a really mint 996 C2 or C4 facelift or perhaps a more leggy C4S if you really want the widebody look. Look out for one that's already had a Hartech or Autofarm engine rebuild and then you don't need to worry about the engine horror stories.
Depreciation will continue, but should be pretty tame from this point downward. Good quality early cars ('98-'00) are still fetching £10-12K, so if you paid £20K for a mint '04 facelift car (and to be honest you'd probably get one for more like £16-18K) you can expect to get at least £10K back for it in 4 or 5 years time and quite possibly a fair bit more if you kept the mileage down and the condition mint. They are genuine bargains at the moment.
Exactly my sentiments (and - not in an optimistic way - I can't help but suspect depreciation has overshot and values might harden again)Depreciation will continue, but should be pretty tame from this point downward. Good quality early cars ('98-'00) are still fetching £10-12K, so if you paid £20K for a mint '04 facelift car (and to be honest you'd probably get one for more like £16-18K) you can expect to get at least £10K back for it in 4 or 5 years time and quite possibly a fair bit more if you kept the mileage down and the condition mint. They are genuine bargains at the moment.
Track_Puppy said:
Exactly my sentiments (and - not in an optimistic way - I can't help but suspect depreciation has overshot and values might harden again)
I think it's quite possible that prices will firm up eventually, but this will only apply to the very best examples around. But £20K will easily get you into the very best C2/C4 on the market today.C4SHONEY said:
Why not use it everyday?
I dont want to do 400 miles per week in it on the motorway and busy A roads. I'll derive no pleasure from it at all. I want to keep it for the weekend, social journies etc where I can truely enjoy it and not just worrying about getting to work on time. Ok new to the forum but have very similar budget and very similar usage profile, but it will be used on the continent, so two important questions:
1. Could I pick up a LHD 996 for similar sort of money to a RHD version and if so where am I best to start my hunt? Any tips on websites to search, as well as countries that offer better value, e.g. Is Germany better than France?
2. Very quick question, but should I be considering something other than a 996, perhaps an early 90s 911 and get myself the more classic Porsche look?
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