£33k - Which Car/Porsche?

[manracer]

I am going insane fellow PHer's

Before COVID I had a tesla model 3 SR+ but then moved to permanent WFH so sold the car.

I now have up to £33k to spend on a car. I will maybe drive the 10 miles in to Manchester 1 day every 2 to 3 weeks and even if i was, economy isn't important. I've realised were all going EV eventually so I want one last bit of fun for maybe 12 to 24 months. I mostly will drive it alone or with the Mrs. The infant has grown up and has his own car. She has an evoque 5 door so that can be used for tip runs/IKEA trips etc

I have up to 33k to spend. Nearly bought a m240i in the perfect spec until I noticed it didn't have cruise or LIM and don't want to retrofit. I nearly bought a M4 until the dealer said it needed to go to BMW for repairs that he wouldn't elaborate on.

I've looked at so far: Mustang v8, C43 AMG, M3, RS3, F type etc. the list goes on... But now I think I'd like to finally buy a car as its taking over my life just looking at Autotrader etc. The Mrs, son and mates are all refusing to speak about cars any more haha.

Anyway, I used to have a 2004 986 Boxster S and loved it, but back then (10 years ago) I didn't have the funds to maintain it really so sold it after 6 months.

Now I see what appear to be decent 997 and 981 Porsches in budget. I can also now afford to maintain them so that's one less thing to worry about.

A friend had a 981 S and I liked that a lot. Though I also like the thought of a nice 997. Id consider a 981 Boxster, but not 997.

Can anyone offer any advice other than what I've seen so far? Which engine/years to avoid, what is a must have spec item? To me, PASM, Bose, xenon lights, switchable exhaust maybe and heated seats. Id like Bluetooth audio but not sure if any will have that, certainly not the 997s. Is the 718 2.0 that bad? Is the 2.7 in the 981 to be avoided? Id like to have best engine I can afford, in a car that has been maintained.

Here are some I've looked at so far:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109127...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110148...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...

[Trevor555]

Difficult choice, they all look like nice cars.

The first one has very dark interior pics, might be hiding a heavily marked interior.

Please keep us updated with your buying journey.

[Pistonheader101]

Have you tried the 340i?

[manracer]

Pistonheader101 said:

Have you tried the 340i?

Yes, father in law had one new (briefly before it was stolen), it was nice, but I wanted something a little more special.

[Dimebars]

manracer said:

but I wanted something a little more special.

Find the best 911 you can for the money you have in that case

[Ash_]

For that money, I'd forget Porsche (strange to hear from a Porsche owner, I know) and get an Evora.

[manracer]

Ash_ said:

For that money, I'd forget Porsche (strange to hear from a Porsche owner, I know) and get an Evora.

TBH I did look at them, but, at 6 foot 2 with a bad back and a dodgy right knee, I just thought they were a little too low

[ZX10R NIN]

manracer said:

TBH I did look at them, but, at 6 foot 2 with a bad back and a dodgy right knee, I just thought they were a little too low

I'd have said the Evora but with what you've said then it would be a 997 Carrera:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084...

996 Turbo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...

My leftfield pick is the Corvette C6 Z06 you're looking at GT3 handling with Turbo levels of power:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

[Panamax]

At that price point I'd have thought a 981S should fit your situation nicely without having to buy too old an old car (i.e. 997).

IIRC there are essentially no engine issues with 981 at all.

[manracer]

ZX10R NIN said:

manracer said:

TBH I did look at them, but, at 6 foot 2 with a bad back and a dodgy right knee, I just thought they were a little too low

I'd have said the Evora but with what you've said then it would be a 997 Carrera:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107084...

996 Turbo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...

My leftfield pick is the Corvette C6 Z06 you're looking at GT3 handling with Turbo levels of power:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108015...

Mr ZX10R NIN, I was waiting for you to come along

The 997 I have looked at already and the 996 turbo is something I hadnt considered, I just think its a distance from me which isnt an issue unless I have issues.

Z06 yeah, Im not sold on LHD in the UK.

Got me thinking about 996 turbos now.... what could go wrong

[manracer]

Panamax said:

At that price point I'd have thought a 981S should fit your situation nicely without having to buy too old an old car (i.e. 997).

IIRC there are essentially no engine issues with 981 at all.

Is that so with the 981 and lack of engine issues?

I do like the 981S the most, if im honest with myself.

[ZX10R NIN]

manracer said:

Mr ZX10R NIN, I was waiting for you to come along

The 997 I have looked at already and the 996 turbo is something I hadnt considered, I just think its a distance from me which isnt an issue unless I have issues.

Z06 yeah, Im not sold on LHD in the UK.

Got me thinking about 996 turbos now.... what could go wrong

Glad I didn't disappoint.

Not a lot to go wrong they're pretty robust, if it's far away why not get it inspected first & go from there.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274939848929?hash=item4...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194488314669?hash=item2...

With no IMS/Bore Score issues they're a safer bet engine wise, but being older may mean a little more tlc is required but with lower depreciation you could offset some of that.

[nunpuncher]

The main thing with 996T is the coolant pipes. they're bonded at the ends and go as they age so need pinned/welded which is an engine out job. Many will have already had them fixed by now.

The one I had the gearbox was also on the way out which was a potential £4k-£6k rebuild I was told. The turbos are also exposed to a lot of road grime and heat cycles which can lead to issues. So although the mezger engines are generally a lot stronger than the NA engines of the same era the turbo's do have extra mechanical bits that can fail.

You'll know this from your 986 days but any Porsche potentially has 4 figure bills, it's just the way it is.

Personally I'd probably go for a 996t if you can find a decent condition manual for £33k nowadays. Easier to stick a bluetooth headunit in than the newer cars (which will all feel dated now anyway) and has a proper old school analogue feel to it meaning you'll probably want to keep it alongside any future EV.

[easywelsh]

I am just about to list my 911 C2S on Collecting cars...

Gutted I am getting rid to be honest, the brand gets under your skin. It is going to be missed for sure.
Had Audi S5 before and as good as a car it was, it was just a really nice fast car.

Porsche and the whole brand is special.

[Heathwood]

Might be slightly tight budget wise but if you can stomach the relative impracticality (and if you’re looking at Boxsters I guess you can), then how about an R8 v8?

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of those cars you have listed, I'd go for the silver 911. This one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109127...

Reasons for my choice

- 911s a bit more special than Caymans
- 911s are manual, more involving to drive than the PDK Caymans

A few red flags with the black 911

- Low price
- The dealer doesn't have a landline number
- The dealer doesn't have a website
- The dealer is based in Birmingham
- Streetview of the dealer https://www.google.com/maps/place/Christopher+Chub...
- Are they really a dealer or a car repair centre?
- Only have three cars in stock, the other two are a Toyota Yaris and a Citroen C1

On the plus side, the black one has an extensive and quite enthusiatic sounding write-up. Also they have good reviews on Autotrader and Google Maps. I mean, it might be ok. Perhaps I'm being paranoid.

If you contrast with Highline Autos, selling the silver 911, they have a landline number, website, and their other stock is inkeeping with the 911, e.g. C63 AMG, Audi RS5, Volvo X90, another 911, Audi TT, etc. Even their cheapest car on sale is a nice looking Volvo XC70. They are based just south of Oxford, which is an inherently less dodgy part of the world.


Alternatively, why not double your cylinder count and have a look at this Aston Martin DB9?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109046...

[manracer]

Some good insight.

DB9 is an option, is a vantage a no go? I prefer the looks personally.

R8, hmmm, I can't help but think that a used R8 in good condition at my price point is unlikely.

[Panamax]

manracer said:

Is that so with the 981 and lack of engine issues?

I do like the 981S the most, if im honest with myself.

It's only some early 3.4 engines in the old model that attracted attention. The updated direct injection 3.4 (used in 981) has been, for practical purposes, problem free and you should be able to buy with confidence.

[AJB88]

manracer said:

Is that so with the 981 and lack of engine issues?

I do like the 981S the most, if im honest with myself.

I had a 2015 981 Cayman S ran Stage 2 tune on it as well, approx 365ps it was a dream loved the car, had 0 issues. Took it up the NC500 from MK and also went to Ferrari factory in Italy.