RE: The £10K Porsche 911(996). Why wouldn't you?

[nouze]

Wills2 said:

Out of interest, what do you drive?

thats neither here nor there,no?

[Mastodon2]

I've never disliked the looks of 911s, but sometimes I think they look a bit plain. The one in the article is stunning though, I even like the interior!

[kainedog]

i dont like the headlights and love 964s but have a budget of 12k and im torn between elise s2, 996, zm3coupe or e46 m3 (so common though), ive heard ruomours on engine issues on 70k plus pre 01 996s are these true?

[thoasha]

kainedog said:

i dont like the headlights and love 964s but have a budget of 12k and im torn between elise s2, 996, zm3coupe or e46 m3 (so common though), ive heard ruomours on engine issues on 70k plus pre 01 996s are these true?

The engine issues are real enough and, as highlighted previously, it can be a gamble if your budget is low (i.e. just enough to pay the windscreen price). The older 3.2 Carrera's (1983ish to 1989)are almost bullet proof enginewise, but a lot of people can't live with the old style interiors and lack of refinement etc. Rust (yip even though body was galvanised) was also an issue on the 3.2's. However, on your list is the Z3 M Coupe. I've owned one of these and loved it. As you say M3's a bit common so here's something with similar characteristics but so much more individual. Drawback - only two seats As with all similar M3's and Z3 M's good service history along with proof that the vanos unit has been attended to is crucial

[Hellbound]

nouze said:

Hellbound said:

I'm sorry, but until you actually ride her you'll never know.

I guess whatever floats ur boat, in my case monobrow and moustache are a nono

You have no sense of humor.

[highmaintenance]

Hellbound said:
I know cabbys aren't really a PHers first choice, but the opportunity of getting a bargain is hard to pass up. Even if it could turn out to be extremely dodgy...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C230998
You have to fly to Romania and hand over £9k,,,,ermm no thanks


I used to own that car and before me it was owned by Daniel Graig's (James Bond) Personal trainer,(who traded it for a Cayenne)
i sold it to a local guy who had it a year and then traded for an X5 at a local dealer,it was then sold on by the dealer (friend of mine) It had a great spec and it was in Superb condition, Had a Hard Top when i sold it.

[Wills2]

nouze said:

Wills2 said:

Out of interest, what do you drive?

thats neither here nor there,no?

Well it might give us an insight into what you do find attractive, other than your repressed desire for your mates wife.

Edited by Wills2 on Sunday 7th August 11:56

[thewheelman]

P4ROT said:

Really nice- the c4s is the pick of the bunch (but twice the price )

Go for the C2, much more fun!

[thewheelman]

Great car for the money, although i haven't liked any Porsches since the 993, i just prefer the styling of older models. Probably already said here, but the 996 looks too similar from the front to the Boxster. I guess that could be one of the reasons why the 996 doesn't hold its value as well.

[NJH]

You just have to love the interweb. I don't think any model of 911 has been as slagged off on Porsche forums as the 996, much of it personal opinion masquerading as fact as is the way with these things. Likewise the mythology surronding the older models and there bullet proof nature, yeah right bullet proof until you need a top end rebuild or drop several K on rust repairs etc. etc. The easiest way to look at the comparative costs in a more factual way is to look at the warranty plan costs of a well known specialist such as Hartech. Currently he has the 996 & boxster down at the same monthly rate as the bogo 8v 944, the 3.2 he has down at another 50% on top again and the much vaunted on the interweb 964 gets the top cost rate.

[Vron]

Plug550 said:

sday12 said:

Q: Why wouldn't you?

A:Because you really want a 993/7 and can't.

I've just recently changed my 993 for a 996 C4, and would be delighted to enlighten you.

Cheaper, faster, better equiped, more agile and far more sure footed. Bit more room in the back as well. Recently gave a lift to my 6'2" son who was able to squeeze into the back. I ended up with a better car and ten grand in my pocket - go figure!

Exactly.

I had a 997 for a week as a loan car and although I could easily buy one it didn't wow me enough to change. I've had my black savannah auto (yes the kiss of death to most) for just coming up to 5 years. Had a very nice 200 mile jaunt in it this weekend and its a fabulous car.

People slag off the 996 interior but come on - the 993 whilst lovely on the outside is extremely extremely dated on the inside.

[nobodyknows]

Vron said:

Plug550 said:

sday12 said:

Q: Why wouldn't you?

A:Because you really want a 993/7 and can't.

I've just recently changed my 993 for a 996 C4, and would be delighted to enlighten you.

Cheaper, faster, better equiped, more agile and far more sure footed. Bit more room in the back as well. Recently gave a lift to my 6'2" son who was able to squeeze into the back. I ended up with a better car and ten grand in my pocket - go figure!

Exactly.

I had a 997 for a week as a loan car and although I could easily buy one it didn't wow me enough to change. I've had my black savannah auto (yes the kiss of death to most) for just coming up to 5 years. Had a very nice 200 mile jaunt in it this weekend and its a fabulous car.

People slag off the 996 interior but come on - the 993 whilst lovely on the outside is extremely extremely dated on the inside.

I very nearly bought a 3.2 about 12 years ago & didn't, I then very nearly bought a 993 about 9 years ago but frankly the interior was a joke & I couldn't justify spending what was then £35k on such a dated car. Finally bought my 996 2 years ago & no regrets, financilly either of the others may have been a better option though.

[thewheelman]

NJH said:

You just have to love the interweb. I don't think any model of 911 has been as slagged off on Porsche forums as the 996, much of it personal opinion masquerading as fact as is the way with these things. Likewise the mythology surronding the older models and there bullet proof nature, yeah right bullet proof until you need a top end rebuild or drop several K on rust repairs etc. etc. The easiest way to look at the comparative costs in a more factual way is to look at the warranty plan costs of a well known specialist such as Hartech. Currently he has the 996 & boxster down at the same monthly rate as the bogo 8v 944, the 3.2 he has down at another 50% on top again and the much vaunted on the interweb 964 gets the top cost rate.

Logically the 964 would be more costlty for parts etc, they were built in fewer numbers compared to the 996. Yet i've never had a single problem with my 964 RS, that said, you don't buy a Porsche to be frugal. As for people saying the 993 has a dated interior etc, they were a superior build quality to the 996 by some way.

[Vron]

The quality may have been better but even so still a dated interior by the 996 standards with that radio / heater arrangement side by side and the gap where the dash / gaiter console meet.

[Hellbound]

But isn't comparing a 993 to a 996 the same as comparing a classic car to a modern one? Each having their pluses and minuses.

[thewheelman]

Vron said:

The quality may have been better but even so still a dated interior by the 996 standards with that radio / heater arrangement side by side and the gap where the dash / gaiter console meet.

Granted, the newer car's interior is a nicer place to be, for luxury. But maybe i'm on my own here, but i like Porsches to be basic inside. I don't think a sat nav & all the goodies would look at home in a 993 or a 964. My friend has a 944 with a brown velour interior, & i think there's something cool about that.....

[Hellbound]

thewheelman said:

Granted, the newer car's interior is a nicer place to be, for luxury. But maybe i'm on my own here, but i like Porsches to be basic inside. I don't think a sat nav & all the goodies would look at home in a 993 or a 964. My friend has a 944 with a brown velour interior, & i think there's something cool about that.....

You're not alone. I've got my daily tdi beater for 'modern'. I for one would prefer sitting in this;





So it's still the 993 for me.

Also I think the 996's bubbly/curvy interior is looking very 90's, especially in garishly contrasting hues. Modern 997's have gone back to straight lines.

Edited by Hellbound on Sunday 7th August 18:11

[Vron]

Hellbound said:

But isn't comparing a 993 to a 996 the same as comparing a classic car to a modern one? Each having their pluses and minuses.

Agreed - I was answering the post about 'you want a 993 / 997 but can't' which is a pathetic presumption that anyone owning a 996 can't afford a 993 or 997 when it may be a simple as they prefer the 996, some of us even deliberately searched out a Savannah interior .

[thewheelman]

Hellbound said:

thewheelman said:

Granted, the newer car's interior is a nicer place to be, for luxury. But maybe i'm on my own here, but i like Porsches to be basic inside. I don't think a sat nav & all the goodies would look at home in a 993 or a 964. My friend has a 944 with a brown velour interior, & i think there's something cool about that.....

You're not alone. I've got my daily tdi beater for 'modern'. I for one would prefer sitting in this;





So it's still the 993 for me.

Also I think the 996's bubbly/curvy interior is looking very 90's, especially in garishly contrasting hues. Modern 997's have gone back to straight lines.

Edited by Hellbound on Sunday 7th August 18:11

In my eyes, that is the perfect Porsche interior

[thewheelman]

Vron said:

Hellbound said:

But isn't comparing a 993 to a 996 the same as comparing a classic car to a modern one? Each having their pluses and minuses.

Agreed - I was answering the post about 'you want a 993 / 997 but can't' which is a pathetic presumption that anyone owning a 996 can't afford a 993 or 997 when it may be a simple as they prefer the 996, some of us even deliberately searched out a Savannah interior .

I think you've both hit the nail on the head. The 996 is too modern for my tastes, still a perfectly good car, as it's a 911, no doubt the benchmark in its class.