Early 991 potential purchase

[gibbon]

Hello, I am contemplating getting back into a Porsche. I had a lovely 996 c2 some 6 or 7 years ago, and wonderful swb '67 before that. Since then I've had a couple of Aston Martin Vantages, which i have loved, but i think i would like something a little more practical in which to take the dog, bikes on roof, leave sat outside my house etc etc.

I am struggling to come up with something better for an all round yet fun sports car than a 911 again, i have slight concerns over it feeling special enough since the Astons, but hopefully the tech, dynamics and practically should make up for that.

I think im looking around £50k ish, which puts me at late 997s or an early 991 c2s. I suspect the 991c2s is the way to go. Any tips for spec? Anything to look out for when looking? Any known issues yet (please no bore scoring!)?

Many thanks in advance

[RT964]

For me, key options would be PASM and Sports Exhaust.

Beyond that, it's purely personal choice ... PDK or Manual ? Sunroof ? Bose is always nice to have, 18 way memory seats like-wise. I've got the LED lights on my '64 plate GTS and they are amazing, but not sure if they were an option from the start (someone will be along shortly to answer that question !).

Do it, you won't be disappointed.

[Maxym]

Another vote for PASM. Otherwise go for the practical stuff you'd find on a Golf GTI. Anything fancy on top will be a bonus.

[PS2018]

Do we really think PASM is necessary above the standard traction control? I wouldn’t dismiss a nice example that doesn’t have it. From what I read, PTV is certainly unnecessary.

[Twinfan]

PASM is active suspension and is definitely worth having.

[PS2018]

Ah gotcha, didn’t know that - is it standard on S/GTS ?

[Twinfan]

Standard on the GTS for sure, not sure if it was on the S. I don't think so.

[n12maser]

doesn't PASM also lower the car 1cm, or is that only on later models?

so you get a better stance too.

[So]

gibbon said:

Hello, I am contemplating getting back into a Porsche. I had a lovely 996 c2 some 6 or 7 years ago, and wonderful swb '67 before that. Since then I've had a couple of Aston Martin Vantages, which i have loved, but i think i would like something a little more practical in which to take the dog, bikes on roof, leave sat outside my house etc etc.

I am struggling to come up with something better for an all round yet fun sports car than a 911 again, i have slight concerns over it feeling special enough since the Astons, but hopefully the tech, dynamics and practically should make up for that.

I think im looking around £50k ish, which puts me at late 997s or an early 991 c2s. I suspect the 991c2s is the way to go. Any tips for spec? Anything to look out for when looking? Any known issues yet (please no bore scoring!)?

Many thanks in advance

I'd rather have a 997 than a 991. I had one of the first 991s and it was poorly built. The second one wasn't, but it was dull. I could have been in any German car at normal speeds. Too much refinement and electronic steering.

[PPPMAT]

PASM is standard on 991 s and works well. PSE is down to taste on 991 to me but better on the 997. I would go Pdk on a 991 as the manual isn’t the best although by no means bad at all.

Late 997 or early 991 is down to taste - looks etc. The interior and tech is a step above in a 991. A good low miler 991 s will be closer to £60k than £50k though. Can’t go wrong with either

[PS2018]

I drove a manual 991.1 and I found all the gear shifts 1 through 7 up and down absolutely fine, the only time I had to give it a bit of extra care/thought was changing down from 6th to 5th, no risk of getting 7th but a small risk of hooking 3rd.
Never drove on a track though so maybe fast changes near red line are a different story?

[RT964]

Twinfan said:

Standard on the GTS for sure, not sure if it was on the S. I don't think so.

Standard on the GTS, optional on the S, but the majority will have it specified.

[RPTIME00]

n12maser said:

doesn't PASM also lower the car 1cm, or is that only on later models?

so you get a better stance too.

I believe thats Sports PASM.

[Gus265]

I had a bog standard very early 991 3.4 Carrera manual - no frills and I sold it for £50k last November. I'd had it 3 years and paid £58k so was happy with that. Brilliant car (and I think looked the part!). I had no problems with the manual box which was excellent. 7th gear just is a learning exercise but not difficult. I have 2 kids so it was pretty practical too. Sunroof also brilliant. My only regret was not fitting the sports exhaust. I think its a much prettier car than the 997 - lower roof and wider.

[PS2018]

@gus265 - That’s a nice car and it held value well over 3 years - what mileage did the car have from purchase to sale?

[Gus265]

PS2018 said:

@gus265 - That’s a nice car and it held value well over 3 years - what mileage did the car have from purchase to sale?

Thanks - bought it with 18k on the clock and about 25k when I sold it - didn't use it as much as I wanted to! Car went down in value initially and then seemed to go back up (the new 991.2 turbo engine influence?) so realised I could get out of it quite cheaply, so I did!

[foresterlad]

I currently run a 991.1S and much prefer it to the 3.4 C2 since the increased torque provides significant gains in the mid range.
Having said that both cars are excellent daily drivers, but the C2 works best between 5-7500rpm which is difficult on todays roads