Talk to me about 911's
Talk to me about 911's
Author
Discussion

AshRS250

Original Poster:

516 posts

226 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
Currently looking into cars I could replace my current with next Summer.

Initially was looking at TVR's but can't see that I'll use it that much being that they're two seaters and there's three of us (unless I went for a Cerbera, although nice cars it would be a compromise just to get into a TVR) it would defeat the object of getting a sports car if it sat in the garage majority of the time.

So i've been scouring the classifieds for a 4seater sports car and the 911 seems to fit the bill nicely, but know nothing about them. Can anyone with one or with knowledge of them give me some advice on what to look for and avoid?

Initial search has been looking at the 996 Carrera 4S but open to suggestions if there's a better alternative for similar money.


Corpulent Tosser

5,468 posts

267 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
I have a 996 Carrera, it is NOT a four seater, unless the rear seat passengers are very small children or paraplegics.

kambites

70,528 posts

243 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
If you need four seats but don't want to carry adults in the back, the 996 is an immensely compelling car at the price. Personally, I didn't like the 4 as much as the 2 but that's just personal preference.

The most widely publicised problem is the RMS/IMS issue which can be very expensive to repair, but (like most common faults) it's nowhere near as common as you'd think from reading the internet. Running costs aren't too bad, considering the kind of car, but it's not the kind of car you can expect to run on a shoestring.

If you're going to get one, get it inspected by a Porsche specialist and walk away from anything remotely dubious - there are loooads of them out there and it's a buyers market at this time of year.



I can't give you much detail, because it dropped off my shortlist fairly quickly, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon. This place is full of Porsche enthusiasts.

AshRS250

Original Poster:

516 posts

226 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
Corpulent Tosser said:
I have a 996 Carrera, it is NOT a four seater, unless the rear seat passengers are very small children or paraplegics.
The little one will only be just over 2yo and is diddy. So hopefully will fit for a while.

Xstyle

210 posts

171 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
AshRS250 said:
The little one will only be just over 2yo and is diddy. So hopefully will fit for a while.
I was the same as you Ash, just been reading and searching as much as possible in the last month!
You can get a special toddler seat from Porsche for around £300 to £400 that fits the seats perfectly.

anonymous-user

76 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
AshRS250 said:
The little one will only be just over 2yo and is diddy. So hopefully will fit for a while.
996 is perfect.

Google RMS, IMS, and bore scoring (or look at Hartech's website) and you'd end up wondering why any buys a 996. The simple fact is that *most* 996s run without these issues. So you have to make your own call there.

Alternatively look at the 996 turbo. Different engine with no problems to speak of. Very affordable ATM, almost to the point of looking undervalued.

Get an independent inspection before you buy. Peter Morgan is the usual recommendation.

LordHaveMurci

12,322 posts

191 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
My kids are 11 & 9 and fit with no problems. Great cars, amazing value ATM (after I bought mine!).

AshRS250

Original Poster:

516 posts

226 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
Quick PH search and found this . .

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Didn't even think of looking at the turbo as I thought they would be well out of my price range . . Are running costs similar to the 4S?

Xstyle

210 posts

171 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
Don't discount the 997 either. C2S is slightly cheaper than the C4S...
my initial thread was here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... my first Porsche...! 997 C4S, need your opinions!&mid=282944

RoadRaider

102 posts

184 months

Sunday 18th December 2011
quotequote all
Have a 996 C4S in black, it's an awesome car. It isn't the Turbo but it turns heads with PSE and to be fair it is a rich wholesome drive - I love it.
I drove a few cars before settling on the C4S; these included Porsche Cayman S, 993, 996 C2 and turbo; also Z3M, Z4M and an M3 (why?).
The Cayman tempted me to be honest, but I will dare to say that my daughter can sit in teh back of this and loves every minute of it - this would not have been possible in the Cayman. I read a few buyers guides, it takes a good few hours to get your head around 911/993/996/997 - before you relaise it's the same car!
I don't think I could drive anotehr car again, even my wife's A3 2.0T feels very tinny and light compared.
Read up, try them out, set your budget, go buy - one will definately turn up, you do not need to rush into buying the wrong car...I took 12 months.

Tino

1,948 posts

305 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
The C4S and Turbo share some of the cooling, suspension and brake parts, so these tend to be more expensive.
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better), suspension and cooling.
The turbo also has its issues, so don't be led to believe that it's all plain sailing from them. I have heard several people report very expensive turbocharger corrosion issues, but you are getting extremely good value for money on them.
You can add a yearly Porsche warranty for peace of mind, but thats over a grand, and the car needs to be completely stock, and serviced by the OPC network.
Whatever you get, take someone along who knows what they are looking at, and if you decide to buy, get an inspection done

cragswinter

21,429 posts

218 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Tino said:
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better
confused

AshRS250

Original Poster:

516 posts

226 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. Seems i've got quite abit of research to do and to get myself on some test drives.

How friendly and accomodating are Porsche Dealerships??

Also is this the best place to find info on the cars or is there any decent dedicated Forums worth joining?

Tino

1,948 posts

305 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
cragswinter said:
Tino said:
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better
confused
I meant that the C4S has the braking system from the turbo, which in therory should be better than those of a non C4S.
People often comment on how they are hard, and don't inspire confidence.
I think its great to drive a car that isn't over servoed, but i'm used to driving cars without one at all.

gadgetJunky72

154 posts

198 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
AshRS250 said:
Thanks for the replies. Seems i've got quite abit of research to do and to get myself on some test drives.

How friendly and accomodating are Porsche Dealerships??

Also is this the best place to find info on the cars or is there any decent dedicated Forums worth joining?
911uk is another great forum. You get the odd weird comment between this forum and that one, but I've been a member of both for a few years now and find both to be friendly and helpful forums to visit.

Callughan

6,312 posts

214 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Tino said:
cragswinter said:
Tino said:
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better
confused
I meant that the C4S has the braking system from the turbo, which in therory should be better than those of a non C4S.
People often comment on how they are hard, and don't inspire confidence.
I think its great to drive a car that isn't over servoed, but i'm used to driving cars without one at all.
Scary to think how the turbo stopped with those brakes I sometime struggled when I had the C4S

gadgetJunky72

154 posts

198 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
Callughan said:
Tino said:
cragswinter said:
Tino said:
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better
confused
I meant that the C4S has the braking system from the turbo, which in therory should be better than those of a non C4S.
People often comment on how they are hard, and don't inspire confidence.
I think its great to drive a car that isn't over servoed, but i'm used to driving cars without one at all.
Scary to think how the turbo stopped with those brakes I sometime struggled when I had the C4S
these are also the brakes used on the 997 "S" models, right?

Callughan

6,312 posts

214 months

Monday 19th December 2011
quotequote all
gadgetJunky72 said:
Callughan said:
Tino said:
cragswinter said:
Tino said:
On the plus side, it has great brakes(well, OK not great, but better
confused
I meant that the C4S has the braking system from the turbo, which in therory should be better than those of a non C4S.
People often comment on how they are hard, and don't inspire confidence.
I think its great to drive a car that isn't over servoed, but i'm used to driving cars without one at all.
Scary to think how the turbo stopped with those brakes I sometime struggled when I had the C4S
these are also the brakes used on the 997 "S" models, right?
Similar different software

Wouldn't call a 911 a family car but have had four girls in my car, so useful when needs bebiggrin

Tino

1,948 posts

305 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011
quotequote all
Callughan said:
Scary to think how the turbo stopped with those brakes I sometime struggled when I had the C4S
Had?
I've obviously missed your new purchase

J-P

4,421 posts

228 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011
quotequote all
AshRS250 said:
Corpulent Tosser said:
I have a 996 Carrera, it is NOT a four seater, unless the rear seat passengers are very small children or paraplegics.
The little one will only be just over 2yo and is diddy. So hopefully will fit for a while.
The little one will be fine in the back for ages. Mine are 4 and 5 and I reckon will fit in the back until they are about 10/11 years old. There's not a huge amount of space but it's really headroom that's the issue I could sit behind myself for a short journey if there was more headroom! I use mine as a family car - we do shopping in it (surprising how much space there is in the front boot). There's a decent space behind the rear seats for more soft stuff. Kids fit in it no problem and plenty of room up front for me and the Mrs!