I may need a bit of help... The Porsche 911

[Chilli]

I think I want one. However, which one? It will certainly be a 2nd hand car and it will have to be sourced in Dubai, absolute max budget of 40k sterling.
Now, my knowledge of Porsche is zero, so bear with me.
What's the difference between a Carrera and a Carrera S?
What's the model called that just has 911 on the rear?
Would you buy an older Turbo or a newer Carrera, possibly S?

I realise there are no right or wrong answers, and I'm sure I'll get a few "buy what you like best" replies, but what would you buy?

I'm currently torn between this, a Cadillac CTSV, or something with AMG on the boot. This is my 800th post on what bloody car to buy, but I think I've now narrowed it down!

[Kenzle]

Try this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=porsche+911&l=1

Edited by Kenzle on Monday 13th August 12:16

[Chilli]

Kenzle said:

Try this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=porsche+911&l=1

Edited by Kenzle on Monday 13th August 12:16

Whilst that was a really well thought out and helpful response, read my post again.

[MadMark911]

No idea what costs what in Dubai - but if it's a 997 you want - the "S" models provide more power, torque and better equipment levels for only the very smallest premium. There is also more choice as the "S" model outsold the base Carerras by about 4 to 1 ....

[RtdRacer]

MadMark911 said:

No idea what costs what in Dubai - but if it's a 997 you want - the "S" models provide more power, torque and better equipment levels for only the very smallest premium. There is also more choice as the "S" model outsold the base Carerras by about 4 to 1 ....

Ah, but right now the 996 is cheap as chips, and it's 95-105% as good as a 997. I.e. some people think the 997 is a bit better, some think it's a bit worse, but all agree they're almost identical.

I went for a two wheel drive manual 996 with the 2002 facelift (bigger engine, +20bhp) and I love it.

[Kenzle]

Chilli said:

Kenzle said:

Try this:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=porsche+911&l=1

Edited by Kenzle on Monday 13th August 12:16

Whilst that was a really well thought out and helpful response, read my post again.

Sorry, was childish I know

Seriously, I guess it comes down to whether you want a more modern feeling and looking car or an older and more powerful, exotic machine. The 997 has a more up to date interior than the 996 and slightly more power, but it costs way way more for an equivalent model. To me at least, that price differential isn't worth it. I would be looking between a nicely sorted 996 Turbo, which you can easily have for less than 40K or a low mileage 997 Carrera 4S.

[RtdRacer]

Chilli said:

I think I want one. However, which one? It will certainly be a 2nd hand car and it will have to be sourced in Dubai, absolute max budget of 40k sterling.
Now, my knowledge of Porsche is zero, so bear with me.
What's the difference between a Carrera and a Carrera S?
What's the model called that just has 911 on the rear?
Would you buy an older Turbo or a newer Carrera, possibly S?

I realise there are no right or wrong answers, and I'm sure I'll get a few "buy what you like best" replies, but what would you buy?

I'm currently torn between this, a Cadillac CTSV, or something with AMG on the boot. This is my 800th post on what bloody car to buy, but I think I've now narrowed it down!

FWIW I test drove a SL55 AMG Supercharged. Fast as hell, but totally uninvolving. I also had a look at an NSX (fab, but just toooo dated), an M5 (horrid round town) and another M3 (had 5 already). The 911 was a superb balance of bling, nice to be in, good resale, fast, but the thing that trumped it was that it was all of those things, and *really fecking good fun to drive*. Much more than any of the others with the exception of the NSX.

[uktrailmonster]

Chilli said:

I think I want one. However, which one? It will certainly be a 2nd hand car and it will have to be sourced in Dubai, absolute max budget of 40k sterling.
Now, my knowledge of Porsche is zero, so bear with me.
What's the difference between a Carrera and a Carrera S?
What's the model called that just has 911 on the rear?
Would you buy an older Turbo or a newer Carrera, possibly S?

I realise there are no right or wrong answers, and I'm sure I'll get a few "buy what you like best" replies, but what would you buy?

I'm currently torn between this, a Cadillac CTSV, or something with AMG on the boot. This is my 800th post on what bloody car to buy, but I think I've now narrowed it down!

Looking at your alternative Cadillac, I'd say you need to think more about what type of vehicle you actually want before getting into the nitty gritty of models! As you asked with £40K I would buy a 996 GT3 for performance or a 997 C2S for everyday transport. The latter would be less fun but more refined. If you like straight line Turbo power then a 996 TT should be on your list too. NOTE: No idea what prices any of these are in Dubai!

[This Is Pete]

Personally, I'd go for a 997 CS2 or CS4. Fun when you want it to be, but easily transitions into an every day car. You'll quickly find that it'll displace your "first car" into "second car" status.

Turbo would be fun, but I expect it'll be overkill for much of your activities.

[Chilli]

Apologies, I was very vague. I want something refined, and not a hardcore track weapon. The fastest car I've owned is a 330ci...and an R1! I want one that is a doodle to drive, is auto, and will be used for the daily commute, maybe the odd track appearance. I'd rather have electric seats and parking sensors rather than 15 different sports modes. I like modern cars and really just wanted to know what the major differences were between the models within my budget.
As an example, I've seen one that has "911" on the boot. Is this a higher or lower spec that a Carera or the S?

[This Is Pete]

I could well be wrong here, but the "911" badges might well indicate anniversary edition cars (40th anniversary in 2004 for example). From a few minutes of Google huntering, that's all I came up with.

For your stated needs, the CS2 or CS4 will be eminently suitable.

[Chilli]

This Is Pete said:

I could well be wrong here, but the "911" badges might well indicate anniversary edition cars (40th anniversary in 2004 for example). From a few minutes of Google huntering, that's all I came up with.

For your stated needs, the CS2 or CS4 will be eminently suitable.

Ah, ok. So this could be a better spec, and therefore command a bit of a premium?

[gsewell]

I don't know about older models, but the current 911 shows that the "911" badge is a zero cost option at purchase time. It just leaves people guessing which one you bought!

[Chilli]

gsewell said:

I don't know about older models, but the current 911 shows that the "911" badge is a zero cost option at purchase time. It just leaves people guessing which one you bought!

Huh, so it's just an option then. That helps! Cheers.

[Aitchman]

Hi Chilli, you are sourcing your car in Dubai so I assume you live there? I have lived there for 5 years and would advise that due to the harsh climate, you should buy the newest car you can. Your budget of £40k translates to about AED240K. This should buy you a nice gen2 997 which should still be under warranty. Most 997s are purchased by expats and are well looked after at this age by Al Nabooda, the main dealer. You should be able to find a car with reasonable mileage which will have a good spec as most come here this way and will almost certainly be a PDK car. You can check Al Nabooda used cars to see what they have and haggle the hell out of them (speak to Zaher) or look at the free-ads website (www.dubizzle.com). There are 2 excellent specilaists in Dubai, House of Cars and Alex Renner Motors who for a reasonable fee will check out any car for you as an alternative to Al Nabooda. They may also have customers who are looking to sell their cars. Make sure you buy a car with GCC (Gulf Countries) Spec which will be a given if purchasing from the main dealer.

Hope that helps and happy hunting!

[Chilli]

Aitchman said:

Hi Chilli, you are sourcing your car in Dubai so I assume you live there? I have lived there for 5 years and would advise that due to the harsh climate, you should buy the newest car you can. Your budget of £40k translates to about AED240K. This should buy you a nice gen2 997 which should still be under warranty. Most 997s are purchased by expats and are well looked after at this age by Al Nabooda, the main dealer. You should be able to find a car with reasonable mileage which will have a good spec as most come here this way and will almost certainly be a PDK car. You can check Al Nabooda used cars to see what they have and haggle the hell out of them (speak to Zaher) or look at the free-ads website (www.dubizzle.com). There are 2 excellent specilaists in Dubai, House of Cars and Alex Renner Motors who for a reasonable fee will check out any car for you as an alternative to Al Nabooda. They may also have customers who are looking to sell their cars. Make sure you buy a car with GCC (Gulf Countries) Spec which will be a given if purchasing from the main dealer.

Hope that helps and happy hunting!

Many thanks....erm, what is PDK?

[anonymous-user]

PDK is an auto box

[christer]

Troll without google is still a troll.

Imho

[Chilli]

christer said:

Troll without google is still a troll.

Imho

That's it? That's your contribution? To suggest I have been trolling PH for nearly 100 months? Brilliant work.

[J-P]

Chilli said:

I think I want one. However, which one? It will certainly be a 2nd hand car and it will have to be sourced in Dubai, absolute max budget of 40k sterling.
Now, my knowledge of Porsche is zero, so bear with me.
What's the difference between a Carrera and a Carrera S?
Not much. A bit of extra horsepower, nicer kit and active dampers IIRC although this may be for gen1 cars only!
What's the model called that just has 911 on the rear?
You can have just 911 on any model, it's a t-equipment thing, so you can change your car to add this if it's something you want
Would you buy an older Turbo or a newer Carrera, possibly S?
For me a newer Carrera because I like NA cars but an older Turbo is probably better value

I realise there are no right or wrong answers, and I'm sure I'll get a few "buy what you like best" replies, but what would you buy?

I'm currently torn between this, a Cadillac CTSV, or something with AMG on the boot. This is my 800th post on what bloody car to buy, but I think I've now narrowed it down!

For £40k, I'd get a 996 GT3, I reckon. Excellent value and sounds incredible - also good for the odd track day!