996 - just been to look at my first one

[redgriff500]

Well just got back from seeing a local 1998 car.

103k, FSH, up at £10,500

Badly resprayed nose (loads of overspray) and loads of marks (bigger than stonechips) on it so would need respraying again.
Scuff on rear 1/4 about 16" long
Badly kerbed wheels
Barium tyres on the back
The grey leather seats had lost their colour (looked worn) even on the back seats
The exhaust rattled (loose baffles ?)
Two obvious oil leaks that had been leaking for years under the engine

The owner clearly knew nothing about cars as he was encouraging me to thrash it from cold

I wouldn't give £7k for it.

I'm quite shocked how bad (even a cheap) 996 can be.

It actually drove OK but I only went around the local urban roads as I knew I wasn't going to buy it.

[Martian O]

So why waste time driving it if you knew you weren't going to buy it?

[monthefish]

redgriff500 said:

but I only went around the local urban roads as I knew I wasn't going to buy it.

Did you tell the vendor that before you drove it?

[redgriff500]

Martian O said:

So why waste time driving it if you knew you weren't going to buy it?

Because I haven't driven one before - I might have fallen in love or I might have hated it.

[redgriff500]

monthefish said:

redgriff500 said:

but I only went around the local urban roads as I knew I wasn't going to buy it.

Did you tell the vendor that before you drove it?

No but if he'd been honest with his description I wouldn't have wasted my time going to look at it.

[monthefish]

redgriff500 said:

monthefish said:

redgriff500 said:

but I only went ar
ound the local urban roads as I knew I wasn't going to buy it.

Did you tell the vendor that before you drove it?

No but if he'd been honest with his description I wouldn't have wasted my time going to look at it.

So a 'revenge' drive then...

[monthefish]

redgriff500 said:

Martian O said:

So why waste time driving it if you knew you weren't going to buy it?

Because I haven't driven one before - I might have fallen in love or I might have hated it.

But you wouldn't have bought that one, so I thing it was a bit unfair taking a drive in it.

[Actus Reus]

In fairness it's good to get a frame of reference - part and parcel of buying and selling cars I'd say. I don't think the OP took the mickey - just a quick run to see how it felt.

[neilcoker]

its best to drive as many as possible so you can have a comparisson well done for walking away good luck with next viewing, and remember if its cheap theres a reason,,,, you just have to find it

[redgriff500]

monthefish said:

So a 'revenge' drive then...

Quite the opposite I suspect it was the first time the car was allowed to warm up !

[F3RNANDO]

Actually... I always advise to go and see as many cars as you before you buy, especially if you are inexperienced... so that you get a feel for what condition is out there at what price so that you get a feeling for when to walk and when to buy.

This does just demonstrate that although there are cheap 996 out there - they are likely to be dogs and priced accordingly..........I'm sure there are bargains but usually you get what you pay for and a good 911 that you would be proud of is still not cheap.

[Martian O]

But driving a dicky one sporting budget tyres may have put you off for life!

[redgriff500]

Martian O said:

But driving a dicky one sporting budget tyres may have put you off for life!

I'll admit I'm not smitten.

The one that's caught my eye is 100 miles away and I'm wondering if it's likely to be worth the trip.

A dealer 20 miles away has what seems like a nice car at £15k and I'm wondering whether to see that.

[F3RNANDO]

redgriff500 said:

Martian O said:

But driving a dicky one sporting budget tyres may have put you off for life!

I'll admit I'm not smitten.

The one that's caught my eye is 100 miles away and I'm wondering if it's likely to be worth the trip.

A dealer 20 miles away has what seems like a nice car at £15k and I'm wondering whether to see that.

What can you afford??
A nice car or a cheap Porsche?

[Pugley]

To give you an idea if its worth looking at, a good indicator of how well it may have been maintained is to ask if all old MOTs, service record and receipts for service/parts have been retained.

If nothing available - its probably sh 1t

[redgriff500]

F3RNANDO said:

redgriff500 said:

Martian O said:

But driving a dicky one sporting budget tyres may have put you off for life!

I'll admit I'm not smitten.

The one that's caught my eye is 100 miles away and I'm wondering if it's likely to be worth the trip.

A dealer 20 miles away has what seems like a nice car at £15k and I'm wondering whether to see that.

What can you afford??
A nice car or a cheap Porsche?

I used to earn good money so I could afford a new one out of my savings.

BUT I now don't, so am unwilling to lose more money than is necessary.

I also do very few miles so find it hard to justify spending too much.

[TROOPER88]

OP: What part of the Country are you in?

If local I do not mind you having a look at mine if you want to know how they drive etc

Mine is a 99 C4 Manual

[redgriff500]

TROOPER88 said:

OP: What part of the Country are you in?

If local I do not mind you having a look at mine if you want to know how they drive etc

Mine is a 99 C4 Manual

Hi, Thanks but Birmingham

[gibbon]

I bought a c2 996 facelift a year ago, i saw plenty of dogs and payed a bit more for a good one in the end. Although lower after a year, a good one should still sell for a fair price.

[redgriff500]

Pugley said:

To give you an idea if its worth looking at, a good indicator of how well it may have been maintained is to ask if all old MOTs, service record and receipts for service/parts have been retained.

If nothing available - its probably sh 1t

Oh I wouldn't consider one without paperwork.

This one had plenty - just it needed more money spending in the last 2 yrs than had been.