£25k to spend - 996 or 997?

[Andrewwsimpson]

I'm about to buy my first Porsche having previously owned Audi TTs, BMW 330d and a range of boring sheds. 2 small kids means it it has to be a 911 (don't want a 4x4), and I want a convertible. The question is what do I spend my £25k on? A decent 996 or 997?

I'd like to get something that will hold its value well so I'm thinking a 996 Turbo convertible, but appreciate I might have to stretch to £30k. But then you can get one heck of a 997 for £30k...

[mollytherocker]

This is the classic first Porsche post now isnt it?

By the way the answer is 996 Turbo.

[chriscoates81]

You may struggle with child seats in a convertible as the angle of the seats in the back are different. Also I hope either at least one of your kids is in forward facing or you don't mind driving with your knees around your ears. My daughter fits on a rear facing seat but she's behind the passenher seat which is all the way forward.

[Andrewwsimpson]

Thanks for your replies. Didn't realise the angle of the rear seats are different in a convertible. I thought the interior width may be narrower to leave space for the folding mechanism but hadn't thought of the angle of the back. Is it noticeable?

Kids are 4 and newborn so almost booster seat and a rear facing baby seat (to start with).

Thank you for your advice.

[williamp]

Andrewwsimpson said:

Thanks for your replies. Didn't realise the angle of the rear seats are different in a convertible. I thought the interior width may be narrower to leave space for the folding mechanism but hadn't thought of the angle of the back. Is it noticeable?

Kids are 4 and newborn so almost booster seat and a rear facing baby seat (to start with).

Thank you for your advice.

4 in the back with partner, newborn in front with airbag off?.

[g7jhp]

Andrewwsimpson said:

I'm about to buy my first Porsche having previously owned Audi TTs, BMW 330d and a range of boring sheds. 2 small kids means it it has to be a 911 (don't want a 4x4), and I want a convertible. The question is what do I spend my £25k on? A decent 996 or 997?

I'd like to get something that will hold its value well so I'm thinking a 996 Turbo convertible, but appreciate I might have to stretch to £30k. But then you can get one heck of a 997 for £30k...

If you want it to hold its value I'd suggest a 996 turbo manual coupe.

[fastgerman]

g7jhp said:

Andrewwsimpson said:

I'm about to buy my first Porsche having previously owned Audi TTs, BMW 330d and a range of boring sheds. 2 small kids means it it has to be a 911 (don't want a 4x4), and I want a convertible. The question is what do I spend my £25k on? A decent 996 or 997?

I'd like to get something that will hold its value well so I'm thinking a 996 Turbo convertible, but appreciate I might have to stretch to £30k. But then you can get one heck of a 997 for £30k...

If you want it to hold its value I'd suggest a 996 turbo manual coupe.

I'd suggest a 997 C2S as they are so sexy, women will fall at your feet, servicing is cheaper than an M3 (996/997 Turbo is approx double a 997 Carrera - http://www.hartech.org/docs/service_prices_986_996... AND



or

[Johnny G Pipe]

996 interior looks dated..for now. But that yellow pixels on black look will be 'classic' soon. Ish. :-D

And 996 Turbo servicing approaching HALF the price of 997 Turbo with Porsche.. major service at OPC £750 vs £1250. Bargain, LOL. Mine's in as we speak having stripes lovingly hoovered into the carpet..

http://porscheownerservices.co.uk/servicing/?model...

[pete]

Andrewwsimpson said:

Kids are 4 and newborn so almost booster seat and a rear facing baby seat (to start with).

You will definitely struggle a little 4-up while one is in a rear facing seat, even more so in a cabrio. If you want the rear facing baby seat behind the passenger (rather than in the front passenger seat), they will need the front seat almost all the way forward, which only works if your passenger is quite short. Once your youngest is in a Group 1 seat (9-12 months up, usually) things will get much easier, as the passenger seat can be further back.

I have a 3.5 year old and a new born, and am resigned to my 996 turbo being used for Dad-and-boy days out for the next year or so. It has been brilliant for the past 2 years though, so I'm happy to wait. My advice would be to find a garage willing to let you try out the fit of your rear facing baby seat, and see if it would work logistically. Otherwise, just buy a 911 now and use it yourself for a year :-)

Pete

p.s. Buy a 996 turbo - what you lose in higher running costs, you'll gain in slower depreciation or even appreciation compared to a 997 Carrera or S.

[fastgerman]

Ladies fall at my feet:




Men want to see whats under my hood:



You decide ;-)


https://grrc.goodwood.com/breakfast-club/gallery-p...

Edited by fastgerman on Tuesday 16th December 13:20

[Magic919]

fastgerman said:

Ladies fall at my feet:

I think she was just looking for pies.

[fastgerman]

Magic919 said:

fastgerman said:

Ladies fall at my feet:

I think she was just looking for pies.

There are 2 x ladies in the back of the 997.

There isn't even a friend in the 996 turbo....

That's all you need right there.

No need for any other pro/cons analysis.

DISMISSED

[Magic919]

Now I understand. They fall at your feet during the attempt to get out.

[philcray]

I think I would be tempted to look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

it is funny how the 996 used to look a bit rubbish but is starting to look quite nice again. The c4s has to be a fairly safe bet and this looks like it might keep its value as prices start to level out...

[g7jhp]

fastgerman said:

I'd suggest a 997 C2S as they are so sexy, women will fall at your feet, servicing is cheaper than an M3 (996/997 Turbo is approx double a 997 Carrera - http://www.hartech.org/docs/service_prices_986_996... AND



or

Suggest picking two interiors which are a little closer in spec.

[fastgerman]

philcray said:

I think I would be tempted to look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

it is funny how the 996 used to look a bit rubbish but is starting to look quite nice again. The c4s has to be a fairly safe bet and this looks like it might keep its value as prices start to level out...

Mmmmm ruffled grey leather seats and a slush box

The outside looks nice though

[fastgerman]

g7jhp said:

fastgerman said:

I'd suggest a 997 C2S as they are so sexy, women will fall at your feet, servicing is cheaper than an M3 (996/997 Turbo is approx double a 997 Carrera - http://www.hartech.org/docs/service_prices_986_996... AND



or

Suggest picking two interiors which are a little closer in spec.

That looks suspiciously like a gen 2 997 NAV unit fitted to a 996....

[Andrewwsimpson]

philcray said:

I think I would be tempted to look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

it is funny how the 996 used to look a bit rubbish but is starting to look quite nice again. The c4s has to be a fairly safe bet and this looks like it might keep its value as prices start to level out...

Iike the look of this... If only it had lower miles
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[fastgerman]

Andrewwsimpson said:

philcray said:

I think I would be tempted to look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

it is funny how the 996 used to look a bit rubbish but is starting to look quite nice again. The c4s has to be a fairly safe bet and this looks like it might keep its value as prices start to level out...

Iike the look of this... If only it had lower miles
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

An alternative including 2 years warranty:

http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-customer/ipl/detail...

[Shaoxter]

philcray said:

I think I would be tempted to look at this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

it is funny how the 996 used to look a bit rubbish but is starting to look quite nice again. The c4s has to be a fairly safe bet and this looks like it might keep its value as prices start to level out...

That's waaaaay overpriced... terrible interior colour, auto, not even a PSE (which is essential IMO).