High mileage 997 as a daily driver
Discussion
Time for a swap around with my cars. Normally I’ve had a sensible DD and a more exotic convertible in the garage. I then feel guilty that the toy doesn’t get driven enough. So thinking laterally, why not get a a much more competent (fun) daily and a cheaper simpler toy to spanner and play with.
Thus the obvious choice is a 911 for the daily duties. A high mileage 997 fall into this category as it will minimise depreciation as I put miles on it all year round. My commute is a car friendly 35 miles of a good A road and dual carriageway. Not stop start traffic. About 10-12k miles a year.
Is this a bad idea to spend £20k down this route? I am aware of the IMS and bore scoring issues and engine rebuilds occurring well short of 100k miles but this aside, surely this is one of the few drivers cars that will take significant mileage without too much wear or bombing in value (as compared with my previous TVRs, Ferrari and Maserati history) and with reasonable servicing costs/intervals.
Thoughts and thanks in advance.
Thus the obvious choice is a 911 for the daily duties. A high mileage 997 fall into this category as it will minimise depreciation as I put miles on it all year round. My commute is a car friendly 35 miles of a good A road and dual carriageway. Not stop start traffic. About 10-12k miles a year.
Is this a bad idea to spend £20k down this route? I am aware of the IMS and bore scoring issues and engine rebuilds occurring well short of 100k miles but this aside, surely this is one of the few drivers cars that will take significant mileage without too much wear or bombing in value (as compared with my previous TVRs, Ferrari and Maserati history) and with reasonable servicing costs/intervals.
Thoughts and thanks in advance.
Edited by ric p on Wednesday 24th April 17:41
I have a 997.1 C4S as a DD, about 1000 miles a month. Great motorway cruiser.
I bought it knowing I would pile the miles on it (just passed 70,000), and that around 100k, an engine rebuild would be
more likely than not. In fact, I had this done earlier this year at Hartech, along with some other changes, and think it's ideal
for the job (apart from the fuel consumption).
Mine won't be going anywhere for a few years yet. I just need to figure out how to fund a 996 GT3 without selling it.
(edited for typo)
I bought it knowing I would pile the miles on it (just passed 70,000), and that around 100k, an engine rebuild would be
more likely than not. In fact, I had this done earlier this year at Hartech, along with some other changes, and think it's ideal
for the job (apart from the fuel consumption).
Mine won't be going anywhere for a few years yet. I just need to figure out how to fund a 996 GT3 without selling it.
(edited for typo)
I did exactly the same as you're contemplating earlier this year and bought a high mileage (146k miles) 996.2 as a DD. I do 12-15k miles per year.
Because it was high mileage no one else seemed that interested in it so I was able to get it within my budget. I looked at a few lower mileage 996s and thought about stretching the budget to a 997 but none had the appeal of the higher mileage car, which had all the big ticket items already sorted.
Because it was high mileage no one else seemed that interested in it so I was able to get it within my budget. I looked at a few lower mileage 996s and thought about stretching the budget to a 997 but none had the appeal of the higher mileage car, which had all the big ticket items already sorted.
TurboR - that is just the sort of thing I wanted to hear. Then I can talk myself into anything!
One of the reasons both the 328 and 355 went was they got to 50k+ and 40k+ Miles respectively and value / resale became an issue to others. Both were still rock solid mechanically but people just seem afraid of mileage. Odd really, as I thought that was exactly the purpose of a car.
One of the reasons both the 328 and 355 went was they got to 50k+ and 40k+ Miles respectively and value / resale became an issue to others. Both were still rock solid mechanically but people just seem afraid of mileage. Odd really, as I thought that was exactly the purpose of a car.
I bought an early 997.1 C2 3.6 two years ago with 190k miles on the clock. The engine was replaced by Porsche and had only done 100k miles.
Almost two years later I'm @ 204k miles now. It's no DD (as I don't need to commute by car), but it get's driven all year round (I switch to winter tires).
It has been super reliable and as it has been used by the previous owner as a DD at almost 20k miles/year. Hence it was very well serviced and all major parts have been replaced at least once. I took the gamble and bought it cheap. I'd rather have a well driven in car that has been serviced properly than a low mileage one that has only ever had an oil change.
Here is my Reader's Cars thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (I know, I need to update it...)
Up until today I'm pedantic about the oil consumption and take a photograph of the reading every time I take it out of the garage and after a drive. I have virtually no oil consumption at all (0.1l / 1k miles).
I couldn't be more happy with my choice
Do it!!
Almost two years later I'm @ 204k miles now. It's no DD (as I don't need to commute by car), but it get's driven all year round (I switch to winter tires).
It has been super reliable and as it has been used by the previous owner as a DD at almost 20k miles/year. Hence it was very well serviced and all major parts have been replaced at least once. I took the gamble and bought it cheap. I'd rather have a well driven in car that has been serviced properly than a low mileage one that has only ever had an oil change.
Here is my Reader's Cars thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (I know, I need to update it...)
Up until today I'm pedantic about the oil consumption and take a photograph of the reading every time I take it out of the garage and after a drive. I have virtually no oil consumption at all (0.1l / 1k miles).
I couldn't be more happy with my choice
Do it!!
I use my 997 turbo as a daily driver, do around 14,000 miles a year in it. It makes every drive to work really enjoyable. Even now, 3 years on, I still cant wait to drive to work! The 997`s handle high mileage well, mines on 105,000 now. In the first 2 years of driving it cost me just £250 in parts, a minor service and a set of tyres. This year I had the car fully inspected and anything which needed to be replaced due to age & mileage I had done, which was top mounts, radiator consoles, brakes, rear brake pipes & some coolant pipes. So nothing major. The suspension was fully checked & tested by CG who said it was all perfectly fine.
So all in all cheap motoring.
So all in all cheap motoring.
Ric, in the interests of helping you build a strong case with the wife, I ran consecutively as a DD the following cars...
996.2 GT3 (2 years)
Ferrari 550 Maranello (4 years)
997.2 C2S (18 months)
I'd say a combined mileage of around 50,000 miles. As previous posters have said, I had no real issues with any of them...and obviously some wonderful memories that will stay with me forever.
I say go for it!
996.2 GT3 (2 years)
Ferrari 550 Maranello (4 years)
997.2 C2S (18 months)
I'd say a combined mileage of around 50,000 miles. As previous posters have said, I had no real issues with any of them...and obviously some wonderful memories that will stay with me forever.
I say go for it!
997.2 purchased at 62k in 2016 and now with 95k on the clock, top mounts and suspension refresh plus a few tyres and a service, I change the oil every 10k, very happy indeed. Without wishing to over do it I also ran a TVR Griff 500 and put 70k on the clock, very few problems, I really do believe that the more you use them they better they behave, all IMHO of course.
Paynewright said:
My last two family cars both brought new cost over £20k in depreciation over 6 years so £3k+ p.a. Thats a healthy repair fund!
I guess the 997 value will remain fairly constant over time so even if you budgeted 2k for repairs still cheaper than buying a new car.
Ian
That was exactly my logic which led me to buy the 997.I guess the 997 value will remain fairly constant over time so even if you budgeted 2k for repairs still cheaper than buying a new car.
Ian
Another issue you are likely to have read about on Porsche forums is bore scoring, which can also lead to engine failure. The extent of the problem has been exaggerated and in reality it has only affected a very small proportion of 997s; although that will be of little consolation to you if it happens to your car and you are left with a repair bill for thousands.
Bore scoring isn’t a problem for the direct fuel injection engines of the second generation Porsche 997 or for the first generation Turbos and GT models. With the first generation flat-six engines, it is most likely to occur on the 3.8 but is rare on the 3.6.
Mike
Bore scoring isn’t a problem for the direct fuel injection engines of the second generation Porsche 997 or for the first generation Turbos and GT models. With the first generation flat-six engines, it is most likely to occur on the 3.8 but is rare on the 3.6.
Mike
Mike Holmes said:
Another issue you are likely to have read about on Porsche forums is bore scoring, which can also lead to engine failure. The extent of the problem has been exaggerated and in reality it has only affected a very small proportion of 997s; although that will be of little consolation to you if it happens to your car and you are left with a repair bill for thousands.
Bore scoring isn’t a problem for the direct fuel injection engines of the second generation Porsche 997 or for the first generation Turbos and GT models. With the first generation flat-six engines, it is most likely to occur on the 3.8 but is rare on the 3.6.
Mike
Although the OP’s £20k budget is unlikely to secure a gen 2. Bore scoring isn’t a problem for the direct fuel injection engines of the second generation Porsche 997 or for the first generation Turbos and GT models. With the first generation flat-six engines, it is most likely to occur on the 3.8 but is rare on the 3.6.
Mike
My 996 has been a daily driver for 11 years... bought on 57k, now on 172k.
They are great daily drivers - as well as being fabulous to drive, they are very practical. MIne's been a motorway hack, an urban commuter and a B road thrasher during it's time with me.
Never had an engine issues with mine, but you will need to be prepared for the inevitable bills if you're going to cover 10k/yr or so over a decent number of years... I budget £2k/yr. A good year might be £1k, but a bad year could be £4k! Stuff will start to need replacing as you pass through 80-100k, and after that you're on your way to Triggers Broom... I just had my 2nd pair of radiators, for example (last pair replaced c.80k miles), and I've had a most of the suspension parts (ex spring/shocks) replaced more than once (important if you want the car to feel good to drive).
They aren't cheap to maintain if you pile the miles on, but they are always fabulous to drive.
They are great daily drivers - as well as being fabulous to drive, they are very practical. MIne's been a motorway hack, an urban commuter and a B road thrasher during it's time with me.
Never had an engine issues with mine, but you will need to be prepared for the inevitable bills if you're going to cover 10k/yr or so over a decent number of years... I budget £2k/yr. A good year might be £1k, but a bad year could be £4k! Stuff will start to need replacing as you pass through 80-100k, and after that you're on your way to Triggers Broom... I just had my 2nd pair of radiators, for example (last pair replaced c.80k miles), and I've had a most of the suspension parts (ex spring/shocks) replaced more than once (important if you want the car to feel good to drive).
They aren't cheap to maintain if you pile the miles on, but they are always fabulous to drive.
Chris Stott said:
My 996 has been a daily driver for 11 years... bought on 57k, now on 172k.
They are great daily drivers - as well as being fabulous to drive, they are very practical. MIne's been a motorway hack, an urban commuter and a B road thrasher during it's time with me.
Never had an engine issues with mine, but you will need to be prepared for the inevitable bills if you're going to cover 10k/yr or so over a decent number of years... I budget £2k/yr. A good year might be £1k, but a bad year could be £4k! Stuff will start to need replacing as you pass through 80-100k, and after that you're on your way to Triggers Broom... I just had my 2nd pair of radiators, for example (last pair replaced c.80k miles), and I've had a most of the suspension parts (ex spring/shocks) replaced more than once (important if you want the car to feel good to drive).
They aren't cheap to maintain if you pile the miles on, but they are always fabulous to drive.
Spot on advice and great to hear that a car is being enjoyed to the max. They are great daily drivers - as well as being fabulous to drive, they are very practical. MIne's been a motorway hack, an urban commuter and a B road thrasher during it's time with me.
Never had an engine issues with mine, but you will need to be prepared for the inevitable bills if you're going to cover 10k/yr or so over a decent number of years... I budget £2k/yr. A good year might be £1k, but a bad year could be £4k! Stuff will start to need replacing as you pass through 80-100k, and after that you're on your way to Triggers Broom... I just had my 2nd pair of radiators, for example (last pair replaced c.80k miles), and I've had a most of the suspension parts (ex spring/shocks) replaced more than once (important if you want the car to feel good to drive).
They aren't cheap to maintain if you pile the miles on, but they are always fabulous to drive.
I used my 997 gts as a daily for 2 years without complaint. I do shift work so regular 4am starts and bar 2 occurrences of a transmission warning messages in the last month which did not impact the performance and seem to be spurious no complaints from me. Now have a 991 4s which is far more refined, this is both good and bad depending on what driving mood you are in!
Ps if anyone is looking at black gts cab on atrader etc, pm me for useful info...
Ps if anyone is looking at black gts cab on atrader etc, pm me for useful info...
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