What 911 for £40k?

[shiversaint]

I'm looking to get into a 911. But I'm struggling to decide what to go for.

Ideally, I sit at around £40k - but there are several permutations at this level - a very good 996 turbo vs a very scrappy 997 turbo, good 997 C4S etc etc.

I don't actually mind which flavour - I do just want to aim for something that is the best balance of usability, performance and value in this segment. It will likely be a third car.

I would prefer a wider body style if possible, I think the looks are just so much better. Budget creep for 50k can't happen, sorry, because I'm going all cash and this is my limit.

[jamesbilluk]

For me, it would have to be the 996 Turbo.

[CharlieDeltaTango]

996 Turbo would be my immediate answer but realistically I'd say a Gen 2 997 C2S.

Best mix of 911 size, reliability with the DFi and the PCM2 makes it feel more modern inside.

[Belle427]

As above really, the 996 Turbo has the most appeal for me if you can stomach the headlights but the newer 997 probably makes more sense.

[ZX10R NIN]

Gen2 997 Carrera S would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306188...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

[maz8062]

I’ll go against the grain and suggest a 991.1. The 996 Turbo will appreciate in value over time but the upkeep of those cars is expensive, very expensive and not for the faint hearted. 997.2 is effectively a 997.1 with a different engine and gearbox, ICE, but underneath it’s still a 997 which is an updated version of the 996. The 991 took the game on even if the engine is similar to that in the 997.2.

You pays your money…

[Canon_Fodder]

OP it's your 3rd car but you want 'usability'?

Could you not take one of the others to Tesco?

[N111BJG]

Canon_Fodder said:

OP it's your 3rd car but you want 'usability'?

Could you not take one of the others to Tesco?

I often take my 911 to do the food shop

[Bp8575]

Depends what you want out of the car. I had a 997.2 3.6 without sports exhaust. I have to say that, whilst it was a lovely car, a nice place to be etc, I think you would have to be pushing very hard to make your hairs stand on end. If you want an “event” when you get in the car, at low speeds, the 997.2 might not be the best for it. Might be better with a sports exhaust but it didn’t really do it for me

[b19rak]

I’ve got my lovely 2008 997.2 C2S for sale if you’re interest. Lovely example with massive history and no expense spared. Drop me a PM if interested.

[davek_964]

Bp8575 said:

Depends what you want out of the car. I had a 997.2 3.6 without sports exhaust. I have to say that, whilst it was a lovely car, a nice place to be etc, I think you would have to be pushing very hard to make your hairs stand on end. If you want an “event” when you get in the car, at low speeds, the 997.2 might not be the best for it. Might be better with a sports exhaust but it didn’t really do it for me

Yep - I had a 996 turbo - very fast, but one of the dullest cars I've ever owned.

[therams]

997.2 4s would be where my money is going, although you might need £42k or £44k to get into one

RSJ and Cameron Sports Cars both have stock of things in this range

[rotaryjam]

Bp8575 said:

Depends what you want out of the car. I had a 997.2 3.6 without sports exhaust. I have to say that, whilst it was a lovely car, a nice place to be etc, I think you would have to be pushing very hard to make your hairs stand on end. If you want an “event” when you get in the car, at low speeds, the 997.2 might not be the best for it. Might be better with a sports exhaust but it didn’t really do it for me

Have yo agree, I had a 997.1 3.6 and expected something magnificent based on all I'd heard, I was thoroughly underwhelmed! Good all round cars for sure but don't expect it to be an amazing, visceral experience. They are just too refine in every way to be fun unless your doing above legal speeds IMO. Sound far too quiet with a standard exhaust too.

[cerb4.5lee]

rotaryjam said:

Bp8575 said:

Depends what you want out of the car. I had a 997.2 3.6 without sports exhaust. I have to say that, whilst it was a lovely car, a nice place to be etc, I think you would have to be pushing very hard to make your hairs stand on end. If you want an “event” when you get in the car, at low speeds, the 997.2 might not be the best for it. Might be better with a sports exhaust but it didn’t really do it for me

Have yo agree, I had a 997.1 3.6 and expected something magnificent based on all I'd heard, I was thoroughly underwhelmed! Good all round cars for sure but don't expect it to be an amazing, visceral experience. They are just too refine in every way to be fun unless your doing above legal speeds IMO. Sound far too quiet with a standard exhaust too.

I felt similar with the 991.2(with the sports exhaust) that I drove as well. Don't get me wrong it was a nice car, but it didn't make me "want" a 911 though. The trouble with most of the 911s for me is that they are built to be a usable daily drivers, but the problem with that is you don't get offered much excitement in return though.

[Pouhon]

cerb4.5lee said:

I felt similar with the 991.2(with the sports exhaust) that I drove as well. Don't get me wrong it was a nice car, but it didn't make me "want" a 911 though. The trouble with most of the 911s for me is that they are built to be a usable daily drivers, but the problem with that is you don't get offered much excitement in return though.

I had the exact same experience.
I was convinced that i wanted a 991.2. Extended test drive left me underwhelmed. It was very good. Had an excellent gear change. And I am sure would have been very useable. But as a third/fourth car, for fun and special occasions, it just seemed like a (very nice) normal car

[Hants PHer]

cerb4.5lee said:

I felt similar with the 991.2(with the sports exhaust) that I drove as well. Don't get me wrong it was a nice car, but it didn't make me "want" a 911 though. The trouble with most of the 911s for me is that they are built to be a usable daily drivers, but the problem with that is you don't get offered much excitement in return though.

I tend to agree. I had a 997.2 (C2) and, while it was an interesting car for a while, I remained underwhelmed. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I felt the car was rather compromised. Too civilised at legal speeds to be involving, yet far too much road noise for long trips. Not really all that fast in a straight line either. Neither raw nor luxurious, and didn't even sound that great. I didn't even think it was terribly well built either, with many underbody fixings crumbling away, for example.

I decided to go air cooled for the authentic Porsche experience. Big mistake. Just about everything on my 1995 Carrera 993 needed replacing apart from the engine and gearbox, and every Porsche specialist charged like a wounded bull.

They tell me that a Cayman or Boxster is 90% of the 911 goodness for half the cost so perhaps that's where I'll go.

[cayman-black]

I,ve had a Cayman boring as hell and not in any way a 911 but don't make the mistake that they are built proof they are not.

[maz8062]

When I first bought my 997.1 C2 it didn’t excite me at all. I drove it 200 miles back to London from Leeds and only “got it” 150 miles into the journey. The challenge with them is that they take a while to warm up - a short test drive is not enough. The manual gearbox oil needs to be warm for changes to be seamless; you need to wait for the oil to reach operating temps before pushing it; it shakes, rattles and with the 2wd versions, the front is quite light and the back end is moving all the time. But when the car is ready and you floor it, there are very few cars like it, if any. The faster you go the better the car becomes; the steering, gearbox, suspension, but one has to be patient.

[shiversaint]

Canon_Fodder said:

OP it's your 3rd car but you want 'usability'?

Could you not take one of the others to Tesco?

I shop at waitrose darling.

Usability as in, I don't want a track focused or aimed car. I am very unlikely to track it.

[guyvert1]

ZX10R NIN said:

Gen2 997 Carrera S would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306188...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305277...

This ... Best all rounder