thinking about a 1998 996 Triptonic S, help please
Discussion
I am thinking about buying a 996 (1998 on an R), it is silver with grey leather int, FPSH. 49k miles.
I have heard a few stories on the forum about engine problems and that the 3.6 is much better.
I can't really stretch to a 3.6 so what do you guys think?
Also what do you think I should pay for the car?
It is a triptonic S carrera 2, what is the triptnoic box like? I am better getting the manual.
All help/advice is really appreciated.
CHeers Guys.
I have heard a few stories on the forum about engine problems and that the 3.6 is much better.
I can't really stretch to a 3.6 so what do you guys think?
Also what do you think I should pay for the car?
It is a triptonic S carrera 2, what is the triptnoic box like? I am better getting the manual.
All help/advice is really appreciated.
CHeers Guys.
I own an R reg 996C2 tiptronic , had it over 5 years now, personally done 60k miles in it , so suppose I'm qualified to answer.
Any engine problems not restricted to 3.4s, also affect 3.6s and boxster engines, no official stats but maybe as many of 3% of cars may have been affected. Also tips dont seem to feature as much as manuals, but are not immune to RMS failure.
At least 2 urban legends to note..the last real 911 was the aircooled 993 , enthusiasts dont rate the watercooled 996....and proper porsche drivers have manual gearboxes not semi-automatic slush pumpers.
Personal opinion , tips are great for everyday driving in auto mode and not too shabby for trackday driving either (in 'manual mode' ), and the 996 is faster lighter turns in quicker and much more civilised turning circle ( U turns are not 3 pointers) , quieter and the aircon (always) works....
Sounds like you need to try a few and not just settle on the first one you can have. Probably pay less than 30k for an early 3.4 but that depends on the car its mileage and condition. Bargains.
Any engine problems not restricted to 3.4s, also affect 3.6s and boxster engines, no official stats but maybe as many of 3% of cars may have been affected. Also tips dont seem to feature as much as manuals, but are not immune to RMS failure.
At least 2 urban legends to note..the last real 911 was the aircooled 993 , enthusiasts dont rate the watercooled 996....and proper porsche drivers have manual gearboxes not semi-automatic slush pumpers.
Personal opinion , tips are great for everyday driving in auto mode and not too shabby for trackday driving either (in 'manual mode' ), and the 996 is faster lighter turns in quicker and much more civilised turning circle ( U turns are not 3 pointers) , quieter and the aircon (always) works....
Sounds like you need to try a few and not just settle on the first one you can have. Probably pay less than 30k for an early 3.4 but that depends on the car its mileage and condition. Bargains.
I've driven automatics for longer than I can remember - including Porsche 928S4 auto - but I'm very pleased with the Tiptronic on my 993. I like the very quick and almost imperceptible changes in auto mode and, when I want to play, the control that the 'manual' mode gives, especially with the steering wheel 'buttons'. It's almost like a sequential gearbox, though it's obviously not quite the same thing!
It all comes down to what kind of driving you like to do and how much of it is urban crawl. I can only recommend that you try out both systems - from the comments you're likely to get on here, it's usually a matter of 'love it' or 'hate it'!
It all comes down to what kind of driving you like to do and how much of it is urban crawl. I can only recommend that you try out both systems - from the comments you're likely to get on here, it's usually a matter of 'love it' or 'hate it'!
Rear Main Seal, do a google on it , also look at Rennlist, also worth joining Porsche Club GB so you can look on their forums....as ever do plenty of research before purchase decision. The fact that you are considering going Porsche means OK you will pay for the privilege , but believe me its worth being obsessive about it. If you need more help then tell us a bit more about why you are thinking about it and what you want out of it.
David - are you keeping the Griff 500??
If not - going from that to a 996 Tip, esp. one of the early water-cooled, may be a bit underwhelming.
If you're keeping the Griff and using the Porker for city driving, then the tiptronic makes sense, there are plenty of urban drivers here who rate the system.
Otherwise (putting on my usual boring-air-cooled-git hat) a good 993 may be a better choice. More character, better (IMO) build quality, and they have the 'soul' that the TVR crew often berate Porsche for not having...
There are two downsides to the 993 - firstly the air con is weak and usually will require some attention with any car bought today, and secondly they're not that fast compared to modern machinery in a straight line.
My angle is: I'm on my 3rd 993, I really rate them - every time I sell the 993 for something faster and more exciting, I end up buying another 993 between 9 months and a year later. My previous car was a Griff 500, which was fantastic. My ideal would be a 993 with Griff grunt, so that's why my current porker is getting supercharged.
If you're keeping the TVR though, this is all irrelevant, and I'd point you in the direction of the current 996-residuals threads for informed opinions on 996s.....
If not - going from that to a 996 Tip, esp. one of the early water-cooled, may be a bit underwhelming.
If you're keeping the Griff and using the Porker for city driving, then the tiptronic makes sense, there are plenty of urban drivers here who rate the system.
Otherwise (putting on my usual boring-air-cooled-git hat) a good 993 may be a better choice. More character, better (IMO) build quality, and they have the 'soul' that the TVR crew often berate Porsche for not having...
There are two downsides to the 993 - firstly the air con is weak and usually will require some attention with any car bought today, and secondly they're not that fast compared to modern machinery in a straight line.
My angle is: I'm on my 3rd 993, I really rate them - every time I sell the 993 for something faster and more exciting, I end up buying another 993 between 9 months and a year later. My previous car was a Griff 500, which was fantastic. My ideal would be a 993 with Griff grunt, so that's why my current porker is getting supercharged.
If you're keeping the TVR though, this is all irrelevant, and I'd point you in the direction of the current 996-residuals threads for informed opinions on 996s.....
Guys thats a great help,
I had a Griff 500 until recently and it was a beast, but was it an everyday car - hell no. Manick in a straight line but could not go round corners.
I am now married (!) and must find a car that myself and my WIFE can use. I am hoping that a porsche 996 ( or 993) would be reliable. I have a (said in wisper) Volvo for jobs around london, so the porker really would be a weekend car. It needs to do a lot of (high speed) motorway mileage, mostly in france.
Now tell me, do I go for a:
1)993 if so which one?
2) 996 manual
3) 996 trip
4) 996 4
I have no more than 30k to spend.
When I have purchased I'll post pics and let you know how I am getting on.
Cheers
David
I had a Griff 500 until recently and it was a beast, but was it an everyday car - hell no. Manick in a straight line but could not go round corners.
I am now married (!) and must find a car that myself and my WIFE can use. I am hoping that a porsche 996 ( or 993) would be reliable. I have a (said in wisper) Volvo for jobs around london, so the porker really would be a weekend car. It needs to do a lot of (high speed) motorway mileage, mostly in france.
Now tell me, do I go for a:
1)993 if so which one?
2) 996 manual
3) 996 trip
4) 996 4
I have no more than 30k to spend.
When I have purchased I'll post pics and let you know how I am getting on.
Cheers
David
The choice between 993 and 996 is a really personal one.
FWIW, I have had both and on balance I prefer the 993. But that it just me, and takes into account that I would use the 993 as a weekend tool and drive a Mini Cooper S during the week...
The 996 is a more "conventional" drive with its perfect air con, nice stereo and easy drive. Anyone not used to a Porsche can just jump in and drive it.
The 993 feels old and agricultural in comparison. But as a lover of all machinery, especially the kind of machines that exude a metallic, machine-like personality, this is why i prefer the 993.
If you get off on old machines and lust after Spitfires and Merlins, if you like to enjoy the engineering of metal on metal, then get a 993.
If you are used to the more modern world of electronics and plastics, smoothness and slickness of operation, then get a 996.
I love the 993 because cars are simply not built that way anymore. From the metallic click of the door handle to the way that the engine is an assorted group of pieces bolted together ( like an aircraft engine) rather than of a single metal moulding like modern cars.
The 993 had to die because it was incredibly complicated and labour intensive to build, which is another reason why I like them more.
But a 996 feels much more modern, and much more like a regular car.
You pays your money and takes your choice, as they say...
FWIW, I have had both and on balance I prefer the 993. But that it just me, and takes into account that I would use the 993 as a weekend tool and drive a Mini Cooper S during the week...
The 996 is a more "conventional" drive with its perfect air con, nice stereo and easy drive. Anyone not used to a Porsche can just jump in and drive it.
The 993 feels old and agricultural in comparison. But as a lover of all machinery, especially the kind of machines that exude a metallic, machine-like personality, this is why i prefer the 993.
If you get off on old machines and lust after Spitfires and Merlins, if you like to enjoy the engineering of metal on metal, then get a 993.
If you are used to the more modern world of electronics and plastics, smoothness and slickness of operation, then get a 996.
I love the 993 because cars are simply not built that way anymore. From the metallic click of the door handle to the way that the engine is an assorted group of pieces bolted together ( like an aircraft engine) rather than of a single metal moulding like modern cars.
The 993 had to die because it was incredibly complicated and labour intensive to build, which is another reason why I like them more.
But a 996 feels much more modern, and much more like a regular car.
You pays your money and takes your choice, as they say...
Are 996 trips really that unloved? I have seen one that is lovely, 2 owners (father and son), 49K, FPSH, just had £2,600 spent on it at the last service.
And the owner wants £27,750.
It is silver, with grey leather. The only problem I can see is that it has 17inch alloys not 18 inchers. Is that a problem for handeling or resale?
Guys, should I buy this car or not????
cheers
And the owner wants £27,750.
It is silver, with grey leather. The only problem I can see is that it has 17inch alloys not 18 inchers. Is that a problem for handeling or resale?
Guys, should I buy this car or not????
cheers
david500 said:
...The only problem I can see is that it has 17inch alloys not 18 inchers. Is that a problem for handeling or resale?
Guys, should I buy this car or not????
cheers
Porsche wouldn't sell them with 17 inch wheels if they constituted a handling problem! You can always change them later if you prefer the looks of the 18 inch wheels - they're not that expensive (but I seem to remember being surprised at the higher prices for tyres).
Sounds a very good price to me (depending on condition and mileage) - almost too good! Make sure you get an independent examination before you commit.
And did you try the Tiptronic box? I'm not sure whether you have actually sampled it yet - I love it, but not everyone does!
As you live in London a tip' is definately the way to go. Performance dif' really only noticible if you cane it in 1st gear and frankly I do this less often than the 20-60 mph sprint which is best in 2nd in a tip' which is set up to pull off in 2nd gear unless you kick down. Overall I rate the auto box in porkers quite highly. and the car is less likely to have been knacked by harsh driving.
david500 said:
Now tell me, do I go for a:
1)993 if so which one?
2) 996 manual
3) 996 trip
4) 996 4
I have no more than 30k to spend.
993 is ok, but i think quite dated. Its also less powerful and heavier than a 996. One Autocar tester I spoke with said that whilst the 993RS is a superb car, in his book the 996 was a much better car overall.
I would not bother with tiptronic as the manual is easy to use and probably easier for eventual resale.
As it is difficult to spin the wheels, even in the wet in a C2 I dont see the point in paying any extra for a 4, especially when you loose bootspace, some performance and a bit of steering feel.
try northway Porsche whom always seem to have a nice collection of slightly leggy (50k+) ex-AFN trade ins.
Bennno
The car you asked about is a good price,colour is standard, 17 inch wheels work fine.you wont notice the difference in handling for normal motoring to 18 inch and the tyres are cheaper , 18 inch wheeels look better and work well especiaaly track days, you can get a set for around £1k,they ride a bit stiffer and follow tracks 'lines'in the road a bit more , tyres more expensive. Dont know why you are thinking about resell before you buy , but at that price you will not suffer too much.
Tiptronic is fine for everyday driving, increases sense of comfort and well being, steering wheel changes are quick and seamless, women can drive it, plus it has a Jekyll & Hyde nature when you put it in manual mode and preselect 1st rather than 2nd for a standing start ( no worries about clutch replacement) . Seeing as the 996 is lighter than corresponding 993 and has more power available you are not going to lose out in performance stakes anyway.
If you want rock solid resale value and can live with LHD and hard suspension, and you value performance, the best way to spend 30k on a Porsche is to get a legendary 964RS , but its hard core petrol head material not for everyday driving ......
Tiptronic is fine for everyday driving, increases sense of comfort and well being, steering wheel changes are quick and seamless, women can drive it, plus it has a Jekyll & Hyde nature when you put it in manual mode and preselect 1st rather than 2nd for a standing start ( no worries about clutch replacement) . Seeing as the 996 is lighter than corresponding 993 and has more power available you are not going to lose out in performance stakes anyway.
If you want rock solid resale value and can live with LHD and hard suspension, and you value performance, the best way to spend 30k on a Porsche is to get a legendary 964RS , but its hard core petrol head material not for everyday driving ......
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