996 Turbo dilemma
Discussion
I am considering an upgrade from my 986S to a 996 Turbo. They seem like a decent place to put some money for some reasonably reliable and depreciation free 400hp motoring.
I saw two today at a well known Porsche specialist:
The first a pre-facelift in Forest Green with ruffled Savannah interior. It has had a (reputable) remap up to (reported) 490hp, and a new 890nm Sachs clutch fitted at the same time. It is a modded marmite colour in other words.
The second is a facelift in resale friendly silver with black leather with sports seats. It is bone stock.
Both are in pretty much perfect condition inside and out. Both have a little under 50k on the clock. The silver car is listed for 3k more than the green one.
I do love the look of the green car, but I worry that in time it will be a little too much, particularly with that interior. The silver car will be a much safer bet when it comes time to resell, but I would probably be less comfortable modifying it in my ownership since it is so original now. Bottom line is I would certainly be delighted with either, I went to see the green car thinking the silver one was a bit dull for me, but having seen them both I am totally torn.
What would you do?
I saw two today at a well known Porsche specialist:
The first a pre-facelift in Forest Green with ruffled Savannah interior. It has had a (reputable) remap up to (reported) 490hp, and a new 890nm Sachs clutch fitted at the same time. It is a modded marmite colour in other words.
The second is a facelift in resale friendly silver with black leather with sports seats. It is bone stock.
Both are in pretty much perfect condition inside and out. Both have a little under 50k on the clock. The silver car is listed for 3k more than the green one.
I do love the look of the green car, but I worry that in time it will be a little too much, particularly with that interior. The silver car will be a much safer bet when it comes time to resell, but I would probably be less comfortable modifying it in my ownership since it is so original now. Bottom line is I would certainly be delighted with either, I went to see the green car thinking the silver one was a bit dull for me, but having seen them both I am totally torn.
What would you do?
Whilst I once owned a Rainforest Green C2 996, I’d suggest a more regular coloured car without modifications is the best way forward. If you buy a modified car it’ll also cost more to insure & have a limited appeal on resale as others have said. Given the market conditions, I’m sure it’d be worth making a cheeky offer on the standard spec car to see whether they’d say yes?!
)ethomas said:
Having a look at alternatives a little bit lower in the market. I have been in touch with a private seller a good deal cheaper than the specialist prices. He is refusing to get a PPI done (at my expense), is this the massive red flag that I think it is?
I want to say "yes, of course it is" because it might be. On the other hand it depends what you've agreed with him in relation to buying it after the PPI and how much other interest he has.When I sold my Turbo S there were a few genuine enquiries and one guy wanted to organise an inspection but that was going to take a week to get round to and he wasn't committing to buying it (or pay a deposit to secure it) assuming the PPI was fine. In the end it sold easily to someone else without me having to go to the bother of fitting in with someone else's plans. There was nothing to hide with the car but the simpler the sale the better.
It is a very keenly priced car, but as well as the PPI thing, the service history is also a bit unsatisfying:
10k - 08/2004 (OPC)
28k - 01/2005 (OPC)
34k - 01/2006 (OPC)
42k - 09/2006 (OPC)
47k - 09/2007 (random used car lot)
55k - 09/2008 (specialist)
57k - 10/2009 (OPC)
65k - 04/2013 (specialist)
68k - 10/2014 (specialist)
69k - 10/2017 (specialist)
The mileage has not really changed much since 2017 when it was last serviced. For a car like this I would expect yearly servicing regardless of mileage, I accept that as a facelift it should only be every 2 years, but those two gaps between 2009 and 2014 and 2014 and 2017 put me off a bit.
On the other hand, it is 10k cheaper than the other silver car, with only 20k more miles. That is a lot of bork fund.
Definitely a difficult decision.
10k - 08/2004 (OPC)
28k - 01/2005 (OPC)
34k - 01/2006 (OPC)
42k - 09/2006 (OPC)
47k - 09/2007 (random used car lot)
55k - 09/2008 (specialist)
57k - 10/2009 (OPC)
65k - 04/2013 (specialist)
68k - 10/2014 (specialist)
69k - 10/2017 (specialist)
The mileage has not really changed much since 2017 when it was last serviced. For a car like this I would expect yearly servicing regardless of mileage, I accept that as a facelift it should only be every 2 years, but those two gaps between 2009 and 2014 and 2014 and 2017 put me off a bit.
On the other hand, it is 10k cheaper than the other silver car, with only 20k more miles. That is a lot of bork fund.
Definitely a difficult decision.
ethomas said:
bork fund...
This can be a significant item in the ownership of a turbo. They have two of everything that (eventually) requires costly maintenance; turbos, actuators, waste gates, heatshields, intercoolers etc. etc. not to mention the known (potential) gearbox weaknesses. Nothing is insurmountable, but if you are unlucky, it will be you paying for a good chunk of them if none has been attended to and you keep the car a few years. Always buy on condition and service history.ethomas said:
It is a very keenly priced car, but as well as the PPI thing, the service history is also a bit unsatisfying:
10k - 08/2004 (OPC)
28k - 01/2005 (OPC)
34k - 01/2006 (OPC)
42k - 09/2006 (OPC)
47k - 09/2007 (random used car lot)
55k - 09/2008 (specialist)
57k - 10/2009 (OPC)
65k - 04/2013 (specialist)
68k - 10/2014 (specialist)
69k - 10/2017 (specialist)
The mileage has not really changed much since 2017 when it was last serviced. For a car like this I would expect yearly servicing regardless of mileage, I accept that as a facelift it should only be every 2 years, but those two gaps between 2009 and 2014 and 2014 and 2017 put me off a bit.
On the other hand, it is 10k cheaper than the other silver car, with only 20k more miles. That is a lot of bork fund.
Definitely a difficult decision.
Check to see if it was SORN during the gaps, I see it as perfectly acceptable if 'laid up' and not actually run on old oil etc.. Mine has several gaps where it sat in a carcoon, one of which was for two years, the moment it was taken off SORN it went in for a service, i'd be suprised if buyers have an issue with this. 10k - 08/2004 (OPC)
28k - 01/2005 (OPC)
34k - 01/2006 (OPC)
42k - 09/2006 (OPC)
47k - 09/2007 (random used car lot)
55k - 09/2008 (specialist)
57k - 10/2009 (OPC)
65k - 04/2013 (specialist)
68k - 10/2014 (specialist)
69k - 10/2017 (specialist)
The mileage has not really changed much since 2017 when it was last serviced. For a car like this I would expect yearly servicing regardless of mileage, I accept that as a facelift it should only be every 2 years, but those two gaps between 2009 and 2014 and 2014 and 2017 put me off a bit.
On the other hand, it is 10k cheaper than the other silver car, with only 20k more miles. That is a lot of bork fund.
Definitely a difficult decision.
One of the service gaps was only 1k miles
Wouldn’t worry too much, I would be much more focused on service history regarding major part replacements.
As above plus discs / pads / rads and suspension bits that get worn. Easy to have a 5k bill with here cars
The green wouldn’t put me off too much, the savannah and ruffled would kill it stone dead for me - horrible
The remap could be removed and the higher spec clutch is invisible and useful
Wouldn’t worry too much, I would be much more focused on service history regarding major part replacements.
As above plus discs / pads / rads and suspension bits that get worn. Easy to have a 5k bill with here cars
The green wouldn’t put me off too much, the savannah and ruffled would kill it stone dead for me - horrible
The remap could be removed and the higher spec clutch is invisible and useful
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