Bottom of the market 997

[Pentoman]

I'm after a 997, these are in budget at sub-25k. Has anyone any experience of the cars at this low end of the market? Should I run away really fast? They seem great value both privately and at dealers.

I previously wanted a Cayman until I realised I didn't fit in them so I have upped the budget. 996 is not for me either.

So I'm aiming at getting a 2005 C2 or C2s, sub 50k miles, and I'm not obsessed by options. Any problems to look out for at this mileage? Many cars have had new clutches; how much is that?


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

[MrTickle]

Looks nice and a sensible buy at that budget. Tricky to see what colour it is, being a PTS, so needs to be viewed in the flesh.

Getting a fairly basic spec C2 at that price with a lower mileage I think is the right approach.

[Lordglenmorangie]

Seeing as this is the best 911 ever made go for it

[Trev450]

An S is often regarded as the better option, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the base model you've posted up that I can see.

[Manks]

Pentoman said:

I'm after a 997, these are in budget at sub-25k. Has anyone any experience of the cars at this low end of the market? Should I run away really fast? They seem great value both privately and at dealers.

I previously wanted a Cayman until I realised I didn't fit in them so I have upped the budget. 996 is not for me either.

So I'm aiming at getting a 2005 C2 or C2s, sub 50k miles, and I'm not obsessed by options. Any problems to look out for at this mileage? Many cars have had new clutches; how much is that?


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

The paint on the bumper looks like its a different colour from the wing. The calipers are red, whereas the Carrera ones are normally black. Worth doing a thorough inspection.

[Nano2nd]

you can get a much better car than that for the money, i just sold my C2S with Porsche Warranty, high spec, new brakes, tyres etc for less than that

[type-r]

I agree - there are similar ones available with similar mileage - in terms of better model (C2S) and cheaper price and roughly similar spec.

Just depends how long you can wait. You could save £3k if you are prepared to wait up to 3 months - there usually are a few very good priced private sales.

[RiccardoG]

Looks a nice car, as mentioned above check the history on the calipers as they should be black (hopefully he just wanted them painetd red - a good 30% of the reason why I bought a S model was the red calipers!! and the Xenon lights). Front bumper could just be a reflection?

A new clutch and RMS from OPC Swindon cost the previous owner of my 997 the princely sum of £3042. It would be considerably less at a specialist, I reckon £1500 (in RMS).

[Manks]

[quote=RiccardoG]Looks a nice car, as mentioned above check the history on the calipers as they should be black [quote]

It's got "S" wheels and pipes too.

Of course it is probably kosher, but an HPI check would be a good investment.

[STiG911]

Manks said:

The paint on the bumper looks like its a different colour from the wing. The calipers are red, whereas the Carrera ones are normally black. Worth doing a thorough inspection.

It was actually possible to spec red calipers along with 19" wheels and twin tailpipes from the factory (option codes in the service book will confirm the orders)
This is quite a deal - but of course, buy on History, Condition, Spec, Miles - in that order

Edited by STiG911 on Tuesday 6th November 17:20

[Manks]

STiG911 said:

Manks said:

The paint on the bumper looks like its a different colour from the wing. The calipers are red, whereas the Carrera ones are normally black. Worth doing a thorough inspection.

It was actually possible to spec red calipers along with 19" wheels and twin tailpipes from the factory (option codes in the service book will confirm the orders)
This is quite a deal - but of course, buy on History, Condition, Spec, Miles - in that order

Edited by STiG911 on Tuesday 6th November 17:20

Cheaper to ring an "S" and put a new badge on the back to match the V5. Not that I am saying the car is anything other than straight, but when I see a base car with a lot of options from the more expensive model I ask myself why.

[STiG911]

Manks said:

Cheaper to ring an "S" and put a new badge on the back to match the V5. Not that I am saying the car is anything other than straight, but when I see a base car with a lot of options from the more expensive model I ask myself why.

I don't understand that comment - it's entirely feasible for someone to moderately spec a £58k 'base' 997 so the final price is close to or below the base price of an 'S' (A difference of about £7k). In fact, of the list provided, not many are that costly:

'Further detail and listing of optional equipment is as follows:

Gleaming, unique, special factory paint – Maserati Grigio Nuvolari, - I think this may actually be GT Silver or similar, so about £1600
Navy blue full leather interior trim, - Full leather is UK std, blue is no-cost.
Pristine 19” Carrera S wheels, - £1000
Michelin tyres (all new around 4000 miles ago),
3 spoke sports steering wheel, - £432
Electric sunroof (slide and tilt), - £864
PCM (phone and navigation), - £1783 the biggest spend.
Park-assist sensors, - £325
Top-tint windscreen, - UK std
Colour coded wheel centres, - £107
Porsche crest embossed in headrests, - £103
Brake calipers in red, - £150
Twin exhaust pipes (Carrera 2S spec)'. - £175

And as for 'ringing' there's a load of interior details in particular that would need changing, not least the fitment of a new dash owing to the 'lack' of PASM, and silver finishing round the air vents, white instrument dials - and a new bumper to remove the headlamp washers!

[Chrisp5782]

RiccardoG said:

Looks a nice car, as mentioned above check the history on the calipers as they should be black (hopefully he just wanted them painetd red - a good 30% of the reason why I bought a S model was the red calipers!! and the Xenon lights). Front bumper could just be a reflection?

A new clutch and RMS from OPC Swindon cost the previous owner of my 997 the princely sum of £3042. It would be considerably less at a specialist, I reckon £1500 (in RMS).

Red calipers are a cost option.

[leemanning]

I wouldn't be put off to be honest, it's just the value of these cars now.

I sold my 2005 Carrera S last year for £26k and it was spot on. There are of course going to be some lemons out there, but that's the same with any car.

Just do your homework and you'll find plenty of decent cars at what seems like bargain prices!

[Vroomer]

MrTickle said:

Tricky to see what colour it is, being a PTS, so needs to be viewed in the flesh.

Definitely. Looks like a sort of pinky bronze – not very nice in the pics.

[Manks]

STiG911 said:

I don't understand that comment - it's entirely feasible for someone to moderately spec a £58k 'base' 997 so the final price is close to or below the base price of an 'S' (A difference of about £7k). In fact, of the list provided, not many are that costly:

'Further detail and listing of optional equipment is as follows:

Gleaming, unique, special factory paint – Maserati Grigio Nuvolari, - I think this may actually be GT Silver or similar, so about £1600
Navy blue full leather interior trim, - Full leather is UK std, blue is no-cost.
Pristine 19” Carrera S wheels, - £1000
Michelin tyres (all new around 4000 miles ago),
3 spoke sports steering wheel, - £432
Electric sunroof (slide and tilt), - £864
PCM (phone and navigation), - £1783 the biggest spend.
Park-assist sensors, - £325
Top-tint windscreen, - UK std
Colour coded wheel centres, - £107
Porsche crest embossed in headrests, - £103
Brake calipers in red, - £150
Twin exhaust pipes (Carrera 2S spec)'. - £175

And as for 'ringing' there's a load of interior details in particular that would need changing, not least the fitment of a new dash owing to the 'lack' of PASM, and silver finishing round the air vents, white instrument dials - and a new bumper to remove the headlamp washers!

I wasn't being entirely serious. But when I see a car that has lots of features of a more expensive model it takes me back to when I was younger and used to know villains who were ringing motors. They would often be selling cars that appeared exceptionally good value because they were clearly of a higher spec than the V5 and badge on the back said they should be. The reason obviously was because they had nicked a higher spec car than the one they had the V5 for. Often newer too.

But as I said, I am not suggesting that the car above is anything other than kosher.

[Pentoman]

Thanks for the input, I'll post back when I have purchased (assuming something doesn't prevent me.. again)

I assumed the 19" wheels, red callipers and twin pipes were all bodged on by an owner. Glad to see they are factory options - it means they will at least be decent quality.

[Nattyboy888]

I'm in the Same boat as the OP.. Fingers crossed - there's a nice speed yellow carerra specd up a bit on auto trader which I hope to look at soon. Wondering if the 40bhp is really going to be that noticeable ?

[Wozy68]

Nattyboy888 said:

I'm in the Same boat as the OP.. Fingers crossed - there's a nice speed yellow carerra specd up a bit on auto trader which I hope to look at soon. Wondering if the 40bhp is really going to be that noticeable ?

I've been told that those in the know recon the base model 997 running on 18" wheels is the better 911 in the real world, bit like every 911 before it then.
If and when I head for a later model that's what I'll be looking for anyway.

[Pentoman]

Original advert gone... Never mind.

This is near me, and viewed through RGA specialist, who I assume are a trustworthy bunch?

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


PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA 2S 2005 (£22,500)
Beautiful metallic black porsche 911 Carrera s 3.8,with almost every option-the usual satellite navigation, extended black leather,Alcantara headlining,Bose sound system,hard back 2 stage heated sports seats,sports exhaust,cruise control,suspension setting for firmer ride,63000 miles,can be viewed at RGA porsche by appointment,Bob at RGA has looked after this car and a 996 Targa before it for me,it is a truly beautiful car.

Not sure what 'hard back sports seats' (sounds painful) and 'suspension setting for firmer ride' (hopefully just PASM) mean.



Edit: I don't understand why some S cars have matching size exhaust pipes, and some have cheesy one-big-one-small differently sized exhaust pipes? Anything to do with sports exhaust option?

Edited by Pentoman on Thursday 8th November 08:09