997 C2S budget?
Discussion
Hey guys,
I am seriously considering my first Porsche in the next 18 months, after a lot of reading I believe an C2S would fit my needs the best having come from RWD performance cars and it being a weekend toy.
My budget would be £25k to maybe £30k (depending on what I can get for my RX7). Having looked most cars in the this budget are 997.1's with over 60k miles. Now part of me thinks "most issues should have been fixed by now" but then I don't fancy any engine out issues such as bore scoring, I had enough issues with TVR on that front.
Any thoughts?
I am seriously considering my first Porsche in the next 18 months, after a lot of reading I believe an C2S would fit my needs the best having come from RWD performance cars and it being a weekend toy.
My budget would be £25k to maybe £30k (depending on what I can get for my RX7). Having looked most cars in the this budget are 997.1's with over 60k miles. Now part of me thinks "most issues should have been fixed by now" but then I don't fancy any engine out issues such as bore scoring, I had enough issues with TVR on that front.
Any thoughts?
Daston said:
Hey guys,
....Having looked most cars in the this budget are 997.1's with over 60k miles. Now part of me thinks "most issues should have been fixed by now" but then I don't fancy any engine out issues such as bore scoring, I had enough issues with TVR on that front.
You should really look at 997.2 than. So save a bit more, Really. ....Having looked most cars in the this budget are 997.1's with over 60k miles. Now part of me thinks "most issues should have been fixed by now" but then I don't fancy any engine out issues such as bore scoring, I had enough issues with TVR on that front.
Buy a 997.1 that you can sell on, when you want to
eg a reputable rebuilt one, or one that has been borescoped.
I sold mine in a week (997.1 3.8lt) at 70k miles because it had a clean borescope and proper service history. I had 4 separate cash offers.
your budget is right, just pick a good one. Or save more and go to a 997.2 C2
997.2 or get one with a documented rebuild from a reputable builder with evidence of piston liners being done.
My understanding from reading loads of posts from Hartech is that they believe almost every 997.1 3.8 will suffer from borescoring eventually leading to a rebuild.
or
How about saving a few grand more and getting a 996TT. Metzger engine and crazy performance.
My understanding from reading loads of posts from Hartech is that they believe almost every 997.1 3.8 will suffer from borescoring eventually leading to a rebuild.
or
How about saving a few grand more and getting a 996TT. Metzger engine and crazy performance.
Hi, I'm now well into retirement and I've had many sports cars(mostly Porsche) over the years. I've sometimes spent what I'd now call 'silly' money on what is essentially for me, a 'toy'.
I decided that I wanted to get back into a 911 without spending an excessive amount and after much thinking and searching decided to go for a Gen.1 997 coupe because they have enough modern features for me, but still have the classic 911 look and feel. Because of the bore-scoring and IMS horror stories I decided to look for a MY06 car onwards which has the larger IMS bearing and therefore less risk of IMS failure; also on my wish list was a car which ideally had an engine rebuild done by a reputable specialist with associated warranty or possibly a car which had a clean bore-scope.
After much searching I found a MY06 997 C2S coupe which had very recently had an engine rebuild done by a well known specialist and therefore under warranty; it also had excellent service/maintenance history and was in very nice cosmetic condition with less than 70k miles.
I bought the car for just under your minimum budget and I'm absolutely delighted with it.
Good luck.
I decided that I wanted to get back into a 911 without spending an excessive amount and after much thinking and searching decided to go for a Gen.1 997 coupe because they have enough modern features for me, but still have the classic 911 look and feel. Because of the bore-scoring and IMS horror stories I decided to look for a MY06 car onwards which has the larger IMS bearing and therefore less risk of IMS failure; also on my wish list was a car which ideally had an engine rebuild done by a reputable specialist with associated warranty or possibly a car which had a clean bore-scope.
After much searching I found a MY06 997 C2S coupe which had very recently had an engine rebuild done by a well known specialist and therefore under warranty; it also had excellent service/maintenance history and was in very nice cosmetic condition with less than 70k miles.
I bought the car for just under your minimum budget and I'm absolutely delighted with it.
Good luck.
I too bought a 997.1 c2s with a re-built engine 15k miles ago. Work done by a previous owner under warranty with receipts for £14k at Porsche Wilmslow. Upgraded ims was fitted so that worry is behind me. I've had a low temp thermostat fitted & religiously warm the engine before giving it the beans.
Carried out some mods and decided its a keeper.
Great cars for the money.
Carried out some mods and decided its a keeper.
Great cars for the money.
nunpuncher said:
997.2 or get one with a documented rebuild from a reputable builder with evidence of piston liners being done.
My understanding from reading loads of posts from Hartech is that they believe almost every 997.1 3.8 will suffer from borescoring eventually leading to a rebuild.
or
How about saving a few grand more and getting a 996TT. Metzger engine and crazy performance.
from what I have read and understood, they expect most 997s to require a rebuild past the 100K mark if you want them to perform as per factory spec. So there is that, also. My understanding from reading loads of posts from Hartech is that they believe almost every 997.1 3.8 will suffer from borescoring eventually leading to a rebuild.
or
How about saving a few grand more and getting a 996TT. Metzger engine and crazy performance.
If you can't stretch the budget get a 987.2 Boxster or Cayman. If you can wait a little longer or stretch get a gen 2 997 but they are a lot more TBH.
I did greatly prefer my 997 to any of my Boxsters, much more powerful & phenominal grip, would love to have a go in it now 3 years on TBH, haven't missed any of my 4 Boxsters in that way
I did greatly prefer my 997 to any of my Boxsters, much more powerful & phenominal grip, would love to have a go in it now 3 years on TBH, haven't missed any of my 4 Boxsters in that way
Was in exactly the same boat. Piece of mind and a 997.2 was 5-10k out of budget so looked at a few 997.1s, then had the favoured one PPId and bore scoped by one of the reputable Porsche independents. 2006 MY as well so the larger IMS (and checked the engine numbers).All clear and love the car to pieces but nearly 70k on the clock and would be lying if it still doesn't feel like having the sword of Damoclese (aka bore score/IMS failure and a 10k engine bill) having over it. Ultimately that's why the cars are such good value and for under 25k I have an S with al the toys...
If you can afford £12k down the line then it’s less of an issue, you pay for the car in stages kind of and then it has a fresh engine when the work is done. Makes more sense if it’s a ‘keeper’ I guess.
What is not so good is if you buy it for a year or two to scratch an itch and have to stump up during that.
What is not so good is if you buy it for a year or two to scratch an itch and have to stump up during that.
jakesmith said:
If you can't stretch the budget get a 987.2 Boxster or Cayman. If you can wait a little longer or stretch get a gen 2 997 but they are a lot more TBH.
I did greatly prefer my 997 to any of my Boxsters, much more powerful & phenominal grip, would love to have a go in it now 3 years on TBH, haven't missed any of my 4 Boxsters in that way
As nice as the Caymans are they only have 2 seats, I quite like the idea that the family can fit in the 911 and attend race meets/shows etc. I did greatly prefer my 997 to any of my Boxsters, much more powerful & phenominal grip, would love to have a go in it now 3 years on TBH, haven't missed any of my 4 Boxsters in that way
Turns out I have just managed to get a promotion at work so the budget may get increased to possibly 997.2 levels
Daston said:
As nice as the Caymans are they only have 2 seats, I quite like the idea that the family can fit in the 911 and attend race meets/shows etc.
Turns out I have just managed to get a promotion at work so the budget may get increased to possibly 997.2 levels
Congratulations, and with an economic situation that simply screams 'plain sailing ahead' there is no better way to invest your increased salary in a sports car!! LOL only kidding mate enjoy it. I wouldn't bank on anyone wanting to go in the back though, the seats really are only suitable for a gym bagTurns out I have just managed to get a promotion at work so the budget may get increased to possibly 997.2 levels
jakesmith said:
Congratulations, and with an economic situation that simply screams 'plain sailing ahead' there is no better way to invest your increased salary in a sports car!! LOL only kidding mate enjoy it. I wouldn't bank on anyone wanting to go in the back though, the seats really are only suitable for a gym bag
Lol you should see the rear seats in the RX7, the 911 looks like a maybach in comparison! Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff