911 Buying Advice
Discussion
I've never looked a 911's before but after reading more and more posts on here I feel I want one now as a step up from my current E46 330.
I'm not sure really where to start. Budget of around £12k so I know I'm at the lower end of the spectrum already. I like the look of this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I'm not sure really where to start. Budget of around £12k so I know I'm at the lower end of the spectrum already. I like the look of this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
With a £12k budget you're right in 3.4 country like the one you've linked to. Personally I'd be looking for a C2 rather than a C4 but that's your call.
Worth looking at the established & reputable indies like 911 Virgin, Portiacraft etc first, be sure to have any potential purchase PPI'd if buying elsewhere.
Remember that brakes & tyres are VERY expensive so check the condition of these carefully, rad's & AC condensors are also common failures.
The 3.4 is a cracking car, had mine over 5yrs now & still loving it, enjoy hunting & good luck
This is a cab. but right on budget http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=99_P...
Worth looking at the established & reputable indies like 911 Virgin, Portiacraft etc first, be sure to have any potential purchase PPI'd if buying elsewhere.
Remember that brakes & tyres are VERY expensive so check the condition of these carefully, rad's & AC condensors are also common failures.
The 3.4 is a cracking car, had mine over 5yrs now & still loving it, enjoy hunting & good luck
This is a cab. but right on budget http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=99_P...
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Friday 13th February 14:03
Various posts from me over last couple of years having done the same...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=28&...
There's a buyers guide somewhere on PH (sure a search for 996 buyers guide will find it).
I liked the 4wd on mine and thought the convertible roof was great (sod the purists on this one - having the roof down when a fighter jet buzzed us on the roads around Snowden justified the occasional rattle).
Plenty of tiptronics at that price too if you wanted to go that route - 90% of the time I liked the autobox but it was sooooo lazy, apparently they "learn" your driving style but too much city crawling and they get stuck in granny mode. I believe the new owner unplugged the battery overnight and it was substantially better!
Great cars but unless you intend to sell after a year it's easy to get sucked in to big costs with servicing/tyres/etc...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=28&...
There's a buyers guide somewhere on PH (sure a search for 996 buyers guide will find it).
I liked the 4wd on mine and thought the convertible roof was great (sod the purists on this one - having the roof down when a fighter jet buzzed us on the roads around Snowden justified the occasional rattle).
Plenty of tiptronics at that price too if you wanted to go that route - 90% of the time I liked the autobox but it was sooooo lazy, apparently they "learn" your driving style but too much city crawling and they get stuck in granny mode. I believe the new owner unplugged the battery overnight and it was substantially better!
Great cars but unless you intend to sell after a year it's easy to get sucked in to big costs with servicing/tyres/etc...
lewisco said:
Budget of around £12k so I know I'm at the lower end of the spectrum already.
Not necessarily; it depends what you are looking for:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There is an argument to say buy the cheapest you can and simply enjoy - IMS/RMS, bore scoring etc all render these a potential cost issue if you believe the internet and don't believe the purist nonsense of non sunroof C2 manual etc - just buy what your prefer a feels right for you.
Good luck and enjoy
Good luck and enjoy
Wow, what a coincidence! I have just done this, by selling my 330i after 5 years and buying a 996.
I have bought a 3.6 C2 with full Porsche History, 85k, factory aerokit, new tyres, brakes for your budget. My car is perfect, the clutch is only 1500 miles old (RMS done too) and it drives perfectly and has been truly cared for. It also has the throttle body from the 997, aftermarket exhaust, and various upgrades for better items as the age and mileage required them for the suspension and so on. Basically mine was serviced and just ready to get in and use.
For your money, get a 3.6, but beware as so many 996s are absolute dross! There seem to be lots of overpriced 3.4s on the market that have sat there for month after month (maybe just the time of year). I didn't fancy the tiptronic or a cabrio, and the C4 seemed to maybe take some of the fun away. Be prepared for your 996 to make your 330i seem very slow and heavy indeed...
Edited for terrible spelling and a quick picture of how it is now sat on the drive as I am now into my second week into ownership. Does the school run with both kids easily, and getting 22mpg at the moment.
I have bought a 3.6 C2 with full Porsche History, 85k, factory aerokit, new tyres, brakes for your budget. My car is perfect, the clutch is only 1500 miles old (RMS done too) and it drives perfectly and has been truly cared for. It also has the throttle body from the 997, aftermarket exhaust, and various upgrades for better items as the age and mileage required them for the suspension and so on. Basically mine was serviced and just ready to get in and use.
For your money, get a 3.6, but beware as so many 996s are absolute dross! There seem to be lots of overpriced 3.4s on the market that have sat there for month after month (maybe just the time of year). I didn't fancy the tiptronic or a cabrio, and the C4 seemed to maybe take some of the fun away. Be prepared for your 996 to make your 330i seem very slow and heavy indeed...
Edited for terrible spelling and a quick picture of how it is now sat on the drive as I am now into my second week into ownership. Does the school run with both kids easily, and getting 22mpg at the moment.
Edited by LotusAlfaV6bloke on Sunday 15th February 12:29
Edited by LotusAlfaV6bloke on Sunday 15th February 12:32
Edited by LotusAlfaV6bloke on Sunday 15th February 12:34
Marc p said:
Personally, I'd look for an immaculate Boxter/968/944 rather than a ropey (runt of the litter) 996 C2.
The 996 c2 manual is far from the runt of the litter, sometimes less is more.An immaculate car is just superficial at this age and can be made to look very average with a key scratch, two scuffed alloys and a parking dink - that is with daily use.
Owner of a c2 manual, it's not super car but for the price at the moment these cars are amazing value for money.
Plenty of poverty Pork threads in here, so have a good read. Understand the potential problems and usual consumables. Neither of my 996s ever suffered a catastrophic failure.
As someone else said, there are some real dogs out there. Try to see a few to gauge condition. You could find a decent 996 for that budget.
As someone else said, there are some real dogs out there. Try to see a few to gauge condition. You could find a decent 996 for that budget.
My thread on the subject is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My advice (FWIW) - there are many, many, dogs out there but some really nice cars too. Go and look at lots because then you'll develop your spidey sense. History is vital - try and get one that's been serviced every 12 months regardless of mileage. There will be some at £10k that will be loads better than others at £13k.
All that being said, two weeks into my 996 owning experience, I'm absolutely loving it!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My advice (FWIW) - there are many, many, dogs out there but some really nice cars too. Go and look at lots because then you'll develop your spidey sense. History is vital - try and get one that's been serviced every 12 months regardless of mileage. There will be some at £10k that will be loads better than others at £13k.
All that being said, two weeks into my 996 owning experience, I'm absolutely loving it!
Marc p said:
Personally, I'd look for an immaculate Boxter/968/944 rather than a ropey (runt of the litter) 996 C2.
Ignore the naysayers.I'd go for a nice facelift 996 C2 coupe with manual box.
Unloved 911's have a habit of coming back into fashion, look at old SC's or leaky 964 C2's.
Some lucky people on this thread. A good 996 has to be the bargain of the moment. If I hadn't been wanting a roadster/cabrio I'd have bought one in place of my SL (wouldn't have a 911 as a convertible)
Key things when I was looking- recent coffin arms, brakes and A/C work (radiators etc).
Less of a worry were the self destructing engines as I'd have had borescope inspection done before purchase.
I almost bought a car which was on the Hartech plan for just over 10 grand. Such an awesome car for the money. Doubt I'll get in before the supply of good one dries up and the prices rise to reflect the true value of these cars.
Key things when I was looking- recent coffin arms, brakes and A/C work (radiators etc).
Less of a worry were the self destructing engines as I'd have had borescope inspection done before purchase.
I almost bought a car which was on the Hartech plan for just over 10 grand. Such an awesome car for the money. Doubt I'll get in before the supply of good one dries up and the prices rise to reflect the true value of these cars.
LotusAlfaV6bloke said:
... It also has the throttle body from the 997, aftermarket exhaust, and various upgrades for better items as the age and mileage required them for the suspension and so on.
The 3.6 996 and 997 throttle body are the same size. The next size up is ~82mm and normally found on the GT3. LotusAlfaV6bloke said:
My fault for typing faster than thinking. I was referring to the IPD/TB/exhaust replacement the previous owner did. Still has the standard airbox though, which I believe can be preferable.
Whether it makes any real difference aside the noise, I can't tell you!
Not quite the same car (Boxster) but I dyno tested a larger throttle body and plenum (home brew using OE parts) and did show some minor gains. Whether it makes any real difference aside the noise, I can't tell you!
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