A (nice to have) 911 problem...
Discussion
Hello everyone - long time skulker, novice poster etc etc - I call upon your collective wisdom.
I'm intending on popping my 911 cherry this year and I'm stuck with what I think are 5 options for doing it - thus this post...budget up to 40k at an absolute puuuuush.
Option 1 - 996 C2 to C4S
Love the shape and like the idea that it's been around a while, it's got some character in my eyes albeit I know the pitfalls of IMS etc. Would buy at a level that I'd cope with a rebuild if it came along and would get it inspected before purchase (applies to all options obviously).
Option 2 - 997.1
Kind of the same as option 1 as far as the risk element but probably more sorted, easy to live with car? Less interesting for me though, barely notice 997s as they drive by...but driving would be different of course.
Option 3
Same as 1 and 2 but proactively hunt out a car with rebuilt engine to mitigate nightmares.
Option 4 - 997.2
Much less risk, but bigger outlay, boggo spec and chunkier depreciation. Better car though?
Option 5 - 996 Turbo
Pushes my budget but I'm expecting these to go up in value a fair bit. I also know I should expect to fork out 2/3 grand a year to maintain so would probably be depreciation free rather than money making but this is my dream car.
Any thoughts? I'll probably go on the advice of my old man ultimately - he's the voice of reason. But the wife has said I can do this so not arguing.
Cheers guys.
I'm intending on popping my 911 cherry this year and I'm stuck with what I think are 5 options for doing it - thus this post...budget up to 40k at an absolute puuuuush.
Option 1 - 996 C2 to C4S
Love the shape and like the idea that it's been around a while, it's got some character in my eyes albeit I know the pitfalls of IMS etc. Would buy at a level that I'd cope with a rebuild if it came along and would get it inspected before purchase (applies to all options obviously).
Option 2 - 997.1
Kind of the same as option 1 as far as the risk element but probably more sorted, easy to live with car? Less interesting for me though, barely notice 997s as they drive by...but driving would be different of course.
Option 3
Same as 1 and 2 but proactively hunt out a car with rebuilt engine to mitigate nightmares.
Option 4 - 997.2
Much less risk, but bigger outlay, boggo spec and chunkier depreciation. Better car though?
Option 5 - 996 Turbo
Pushes my budget but I'm expecting these to go up in value a fair bit. I also know I should expect to fork out 2/3 grand a year to maintain so would probably be depreciation free rather than money making but this is my dream car.
Any thoughts? I'll probably go on the advice of my old man ultimately - he's the voice of reason. But the wife has said I can do this so not arguing.
Cheers guys.
Have you driven any of the above? Might be worth driving a few to see which sits right. I was in a similar position to you last year (albeit with a smaller budget). Drove a 996 turbo which was an absolute rocket ship, but settled on a C4s with much lower mileage, better condition history etc.
Like you say nice problem to have, so take your time and enjoy the selection process as much as the eventual ownership.
Like you say nice problem to have, so take your time and enjoy the selection process as much as the eventual ownership.
jamieledz said:
Have you driven any of the above? Might be worth driving a few to see which sits right. I was in a similar position to you last year (albeit with a smaller budget). Drove a 996 turbo which was an absolute rocket ship, but settled on a C4s with much lower mileage, better condition history etc.
Like you say nice problem to have, so take your time and enjoy the selection process as much as the eventual ownership.
Great point - and no, yet to get the process started... your reply gives me great motivation though - thanks!Like you say nice problem to have, so take your time and enjoy the selection process as much as the eventual ownership.
997.2 the obvious best buy....last of the 'smaller and more analogue' 911s with hydraulic steering.
Virtually bomb proof engines and good looks have largely stabilised residuals for the right spec and mileage cars. To degree the sweetspot GTS high prices has also helped.
Really is a no brainer.
Virtually bomb proof engines and good looks have largely stabilised residuals for the right spec and mileage cars. To degree the sweetspot GTS high prices has also helped.
Really is a no brainer.
eltax91 said:
Currently crawling over the classifieds (with half your budget) and trying to convince myself the bork risk is nothing and the early 996 will be fine. 
Ha! I know the feeling. I've got a local specialist round the corner who I'm going to get prices for for a rebuild should the worst happen. And something like this just seems very tempting.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
av185 said:
997.2 the obvious best buy....last of the 'smaller and more analogue' 911s with hydraulic steering.
Virtually bomb proof engines and good looks have largely stabilised residuals for the right spec and mileage cars. To degree the sweetspot GTS high prices has also helped.
Really is a no brainer.
You make a strong point! I'd struggle to get more than a Carrera S though - still worth going top end given it's not exactly "special" (although will be to me of course!)Virtually bomb proof engines and good looks have largely stabilised residuals for the right spec and mileage cars. To degree the sweetspot GTS high prices has also helped.
Really is a no brainer.
neilrjones said:
eltax91 said:
Currently crawling over the classifieds (with half your budget) and trying to convince myself the bork risk is nothing and the early 996 will be fine.
Ha! I know the feeling. I've got a local specialist round the corner who I'm going to get prices for for a rebuild should the worst happen. And something like this just seems very tempting.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
That link is sorely tempting! Although have you read poppopbangbang's thread in readers cars? He'd have you believe an early 3.4 is the least likely to suffer IMS borkage
neilrjones said:
You make a strong point! I'd struggle to get more than a Carrera S though - still worth going top end given it's not exactly "special" (although will be to me of course!)
The point is it'll be special to you & you're buying it for you so if a Carrera S fits the bill then that's the one to go for.ZX10R NIN said:
The point is it'll be special to you & you're buying it for you so if a Carrera S fits the bill then that's the one to go for.
Sorry, that wasn't my point - it was to do with the stable residuals of the 997.2 justifying a bigger wedge. Anything with "911" in it with my name on the V5 will make me a very happy bunny!997.2 2S (unbiased of course 
)
Yes it's a higher initial outlay but the prices have been very firm so I'd don't think you'd lose too much in terms of depreciation and you can sleep easy at night. Mine was bought at 49k miles for £35k, it has PSE, paddle shift wheel, sport chrono plus, Bose and a bunch of other options so there will be some nice ones within your budget!
Compared to the 996 4S I had before, it's a huge leap forward - much quicker, PDK million times better than Tiptronic, more refined (in a good way), nice toys with useable satnav. Only downsides are less steering feel and noise, even with a H&S centre silencer bypass and PSE it's not as nice/growly.
)Yes it's a higher initial outlay but the prices have been very firm so I'd don't think you'd lose too much in terms of depreciation and you can sleep easy at night. Mine was bought at 49k miles for £35k, it has PSE, paddle shift wheel, sport chrono plus, Bose and a bunch of other options so there will be some nice ones within your budget!
Compared to the 996 4S I had before, it's a huge leap forward - much quicker, PDK million times better than Tiptronic, more refined (in a good way), nice toys with useable satnav. Only downsides are less steering feel and noise, even with a H&S centre silencer bypass and PSE it's not as nice/growly.
Shaoxter said:
997.2 2S (unbiased of course )
Yes it's a higher initial outlay but the prices have been very firm so I'd don't think you'd lose too much in terms of depreciation and you can sleep easy at night. Mine was bought at 49k miles for £35k, it has PSE, paddle shift wheel, sport chrono plus, Bose and a bunch of other options so there will be some nice ones within your budget!
Compared to the 996 4S I had before, it's a huge leap forward - much quicker, PDK million times better than Tiptronic, more refined (in a good way), nice toys with useable satnav. Only downsides are less steering feel and noise, even with a H&S centre silencer bypass and PSE it's not as nice/growly.
That all sounds v convincing but I'll need to listen to to those pipes - the sound is really important to me! I'm sure it's all relative though )Yes it's a higher initial outlay but the prices have been very firm so I'd don't think you'd lose too much in terms of depreciation and you can sleep easy at night. Mine was bought at 49k miles for £35k, it has PSE, paddle shift wheel, sport chrono plus, Bose and a bunch of other options so there will be some nice ones within your budget!
Compared to the 996 4S I had before, it's a huge leap forward - much quicker, PDK million times better than Tiptronic, more refined (in a good way), nice toys with useable satnav. Only downsides are less steering feel and noise, even with a H&S centre silencer bypass and PSE it's not as nice/growly.
The Crack Fox said:
eltax91 said:
neilrjones said:
eltax91 said:
Currently crawling over the classifieds (with half your budget) and trying to convince myself the bork risk is nothing and the early 996 will be fine.
Ha! I know the feeling. I've got a local specialist round the corner who I'm going to get prices for for a rebuild should the worst happen. And something like this just seems very tempting.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
That link is sorely tempting! Although have you read poppopbangbang's thread in readers cars? He'd have you believe an early 3.4 is the least likely to suffer IMS borkage
Still tempted...
Email me the name of the specialist please mate? I might pop down there when I buy one, get an inspection done so they can scare the s
t out of me. eltax91 said:
From the research I've done, I think we are talking £5k for a rebuild.
That link is sorely tempting! Although have you read poppopbangbang's thread in readers cars? He'd have you believe an early 3.4 is the least likely to suffer IMS borkage
Rebuilds can cost FROM £5k, a full Hartech rebuild can be around £12k. The chances of needing one are much slimmer than the internet would have you believe though. That link is sorely tempting! Although have you read poppopbangbang's thread in readers cars? He'd have you believe an early 3.4 is the least likely to suffer IMS borkage
Yes, earlier 3.4's had a more reliable IMSB, also less likely to suffer from bore score & benefit from cable throttle.
Funny how many positive articles are starting to appear about 996's now after years of being scorned...
996 C4S for me. The wide body and the full width reflector make it unique in the range and it looks superb from the rear, and it's classic yet modern enough. I don't have one, but I'm in the market at the end of this year and these are very much on my radar.
Ignore the scare stories, any issues would have manifested by now and the fixes aren't that expensive in the scheme of things. If you're buying at 80k miles for example, budget for a new clutch anyway and get the other jobs done at the same time.
ETA: I'd say the 997.1 would be the higher risk purchase than the 996
Ignore the scare stories, any issues would have manifested by now and the fixes aren't that expensive in the scheme of things. If you're buying at 80k miles for example, budget for a new clutch anyway and get the other jobs done at the same time.
ETA: I'd say the 997.1 would be the higher risk purchase than the 996
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