996 for 11k including piece of mind - can it be done?!?

[mikeyr]

I'm looking for a car to run for 6-12 months and enjoy before returning to the normal world of cheap runarounds.

Seen plenty of 911s on the web under the 10k mark but ideally want one that has been well looked after, recently serviced and with a full MOT. Effectively I'm looking for hassle free motoring for a year! There does seem to be reasonable amount of evidence that the 3.4 is prone to major issues and I'm worried how easy that will be to spot when buying.

Am concerned that buying privately could turn into a pricey option but I can't see anything within my range at the major Independents (those that I've googled anyway.)

So am I better off being "sensible by looking for a boxster and saving some cash?

Thoughts welcome!

[mollytherocker]

It depends on your attitude towards risk and whether you can afford the worst case scenario. Don't forget other maintenance costs too.

But 11k must be near the bottom of the pile?

[edc]

On the poverty pork thread a chap just bought a very tidy looking 911 for £7.2k!

[mikeyr]

Fascinating response cmoose, lots of detail... Shame hartech haven't got any for sale at moment. I've heard them, 911 virgin, not sure if anywhere else worth checking?

[996TT02]

For a short termer (but long enough to pop surprises, as your intentions seem to be) I would buy anything but a n/a 996 or Boxster.

Why bother? In reality you don't really even want to go down the Porsche route.

Just a little example - my Turbo was (is) a good 'un. An honest well looked after car.

But the radiators gave up, no way of telling what state they are in without removing the bumper, (try explain that to a vendor...) and even if you did, unless they were actually leaking, which you would notice just by seeing the drips, no way of telling when they will let go.

Short story - shopping around and 100% DIY, £950+ for parts including the non-OEM aircon condensers. Non DIY, OPC? 2 grand? Dunno.

Reparing a puncture, one rear P Zero showing split sidewall. No way of telling when the tyre is inflated. In fact I am still running it.

But new tyres bought, full set, as fronts unevenly worn, MOT advisory in the past, so might as well. Another near-enough grand.

Oh, and indicator stalk gave up. Whole assy needs replacing. 200 quid for the part alone.

I have not had this car for a year, mileage is reasonable (<60k) and the above has nothing at all to do with the n/a 996 "troubles".

Must also mention that less than 500 miles before the car was sold to me, previous owner spent 3.5k on clutch, turbo, and other bits.

So, do you still want a medium-term 996 (or any other Porsche?)

[996TT02]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Well, for starters I hope so - in the sense that I don't wish for any further surprises; but other than that it's not a scenario - it's reality.

However, the items mentioned are but a miniscule fraction of the parts that make up the car, and hence, things that can go wrong, so I am realistic.

I failed to mention the rear discs because I knew about these when I bought the car, and one other thing - the rear spoiler rams, one is weeping slightly.

Will eventually DIY the ram, but if not, I read on here that the bill to replace at OPC can be quite shocking.

A 996 for around a year? I think it would make more sense to just drop off a couple of grand at the nearest charity!

[996TT02]

I agree with you of course, but the OP stated that he wanted something "to run for 6-12 months and enjoy" and "hassle free motoring".

I can't guarantee that. Can anyone? So, I can't recommend a 996. Perhaps a nice and well researched SC/3.2 would fit the bill better. Buy wisely and make money, or at least, not be out of pocket one year down the line.

[Dave Thornton]

If you really want a 911 with £11k, buy one for £8k and use the £3k in repairs. At the end of the year you should get £8k back.

[stuckmojo]

I bought my sub-£9k 3.4 Carrera 2 a year ago and put 16,000 miles on it.

I did upgrade the bearing and thermostat. (£580 all in)

Other than that:

2 front tyres (Falken - 200£ for both)

Major service at OPC 395£ including oil and all

Nothing else.

It's a fantastic car and I will never sell it. Screw depreciation, I am moving to Singapore in November but the car will go in storage for when I'm back.

My 2p is "do it"!

[angrybob]

I bought a 03 996 recently with a rebuilt engine for 15k.

My costs so far are:
- PSE Relay £40 normally £70 (ebay)
- 4 P-Zeros as no one seems to sell a car with good tyres - £650
- Stupid headlight washer cap (£40) (ebay)
- Lots of wax and polish
- Headlight restoration + clearcoat £60
- Carrera badge £20
- Chipex kit £45, still evaluating if its any good.

Apart from any annoying engine whine (which looking at other 996s they sound the same, been gathering recordings!) it all seems good so far and I drive it like an everyday car.

Enthusiast prices require 'enthusiasm' when dipping your hand in your wallet...

Edited by angrybob on Sunday 26th May 12:20

[Terminator X]

3.4 less prone to issues than 3.8, isn't that what the Hartech chap said? In any event it seems you have a 1 in 20 chance of getting a car that may have bore scoring etc, low odds imho. M3 has vanos problems, RS6 has DRS problems etc etc. Just buy and enjoy

TX.

[steve singh]

Terminator X said:

3.4 less prone to issues than 3.8, isn't that what the Hartech chap said? In any event it seems you have a 1 in 20 chance of getting a car that may have bore scoring etc, low odds imho. M3 has vanos problems, RS6 has DRS problems etc etc. Just buy and enjoy

TX.

E36 m3 had vanos issues, not the e46 m3?

[Steviesam]

Well, I know that the miles are high, but if I wanted a hassle free year of motoring out of a 996, I would buy this http://911uk.com/ads_item.php?id=4363

That car has had more pampering than anything, EVER. Hartech have looked after it for years, and its on the warranty plan.

This is unlikely to cost much/anything for a years motoring, except the usual consumables.

[Terminator X]

steve singh said:

E36 m3 had vanos issues, not the e46 m3?

Perhaps it was the M5 then albeit E46 M3 has some sort of expensive to fix boot problem? Point is most performance cars seem to have "issues".

TX.

[Slobberchops]

Thing is, I have had my 996.2 for less than a year and spent quite a bit bringing it up to perfect condition, but now I crave more power. Dread to think how much I'd lose if I sold it.

[steve singh]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Indeed and the rear subframe is covered by bmw for 10 years FOC...irrespective of service history (but obviously don't go to a dealer with suspension mods!)

[mikeyr]

THis looks nice, think mainly because it comes with a 36 month warranty but that puts price nicely over my original budget (£12200). Know nothing about the williams group though... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Alternatively this one at Portiacraft looks decent and seems to meet criteria although again I'm pushing budget! They also seem to have rather marmite feedback on the web.
http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=01_P...

[Steviesam]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Here is another.

"Don't go swimming with your wellies on"

[Fatboy]

Steviesam said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Here is another.

"Don't go swimming with your wellies on"

Don't eat yellow snow

[bigee]

Fatboy said:

Steviesam said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Here is another.

"Don't go swimming with your wellies on"

Don't eat yellow snow

Buy what YOU like....