Discussion
I have been offered a 2003 36k coupe, for £27k though this is negotiable . The car has a nice spec including full Porsche fitted aero kit, tiptronic, crested fully electric seats, full leather interior, rear parking sensors etc. seal grey with black interior. Full OPC service history.
I had ,admittedly, a short test drive and it was very fast, stable and quiet but I wasn't overly impressed. I currently have a 996 C4S Cab with a nice spec including a sports exhaust. The cost to change would be in the region of £8K.
The Turbo is a stunningly good looking car with mega performance but whilst my heart says go for it my head says why, when could I use all that power, the car is annoyingly quiet, and the £8K difference will pay for a full rebuild when the time comes.
What to do? FIIK, I have until Monday to decide.....
I had ,admittedly, a short test drive and it was very fast, stable and quiet but I wasn't overly impressed. I currently have a 996 C4S Cab with a nice spec including a sports exhaust. The cost to change would be in the region of £8K.
The Turbo is a stunningly good looking car with mega performance but whilst my heart says go for it my head says why, when could I use all that power, the car is annoyingly quiet, and the £8K difference will pay for a full rebuild when the time comes.
What to do? FIIK, I have until Monday to decide.....
Hi OP,
Why is your heart saying go for it when you weren't overly impressed with it? True you won't learn much on a short test drive, but if it's not a definite "Yes" then maybe don't bother? Why do you want a turbo, is it just the looks and the on paper performance? Your head is telling you to keep the money in case of possible future expenses on your car, but maybe your head is saying this because your heart really isn't taken with the turbo.
I have a x50 manual, and it is astounding, the noise is pretty awesome with it's Tubi exhaust, the acceleration is breathtaking and truly exciting, and the car steers rides and handles sublimely. You really have to hang on when the turbos spool up and the effect on passengers is always hilarious, I love it! But on my first drive I don't think I got it barely on boost because I was slightly intimidated by it so it probably drove no different to a C4S, maybe that is what happened to you leading to an underwhelming test drive. Ask the owner to take you out instead and show you a little of what it can do. (If you aren't impressed with the performance it could be down on power which is not uncommon as hoses and joins in the turbo system can develop leaks, turbo actuators get stuck on little-used cars, and other age related things can deteriorate.) Then work out how much more it will cost you to run and maintain, think about getting it inspected properly as the repair bills can be a bit more than a C4S. It's a great colour (I'm biased) and the mileage is good, do a bit of soul searching as it could be a good opportunity if the car is straight and the price can be negotiated down like you say. Go for it if you really do want what the turbo offers, or if you want to tick it off your bucket list. But maybe also think about a newer normally aspirated version of what you have if that floats your boat better.
Hope this helps, all the best with it
Why is your heart saying go for it when you weren't overly impressed with it? True you won't learn much on a short test drive, but if it's not a definite "Yes" then maybe don't bother? Why do you want a turbo, is it just the looks and the on paper performance? Your head is telling you to keep the money in case of possible future expenses on your car, but maybe your head is saying this because your heart really isn't taken with the turbo.
I have a x50 manual, and it is astounding, the noise is pretty awesome with it's Tubi exhaust, the acceleration is breathtaking and truly exciting, and the car steers rides and handles sublimely. You really have to hang on when the turbos spool up and the effect on passengers is always hilarious, I love it! But on my first drive I don't think I got it barely on boost because I was slightly intimidated by it so it probably drove no different to a C4S, maybe that is what happened to you leading to an underwhelming test drive. Ask the owner to take you out instead and show you a little of what it can do. (If you aren't impressed with the performance it could be down on power which is not uncommon as hoses and joins in the turbo system can develop leaks, turbo actuators get stuck on little-used cars, and other age related things can deteriorate.) Then work out how much more it will cost you to run and maintain, think about getting it inspected properly as the repair bills can be a bit more than a C4S. It's a great colour (I'm biased) and the mileage is good, do a bit of soul searching as it could be a good opportunity if the car is straight and the price can be negotiated down like you say. Go for it if you really do want what the turbo offers, or if you want to tick it off your bucket list. But maybe also think about a newer normally aspirated version of what you have if that floats your boat better.
Hope this helps, all the best with it
IMI A said:
I'd agree stick not twist. Your c4S with sports exhaust will be missed with turbos sounding worse than vacuum cleaner.
Fastest Dyson you will ever see though!!! Mine has a Ti exhaust and sports cats and everyone loves it, they say the best thing is it doesnt sound like a Porsche !!!Well I spoke to the seller and turned the car down. A number of factors really, didn't want Tiptronic, lack of a sports exhaust and I don't want to spend the money for an after market one, don't need the superb power of the Turbo as I prefer to ring the neck of mine (more fun IMO) finally I love my C4S and have convinced myself I have saved £8K lol
The car is a fantastic example and for about £27k it will make someone very happy....
Thanks everyone for your posts.....
The car is a fantastic example and for about £27k it will make someone very happy....
Thanks everyone for your posts.....
Budweiser said:
I have been offered a 2003 36k coupe, for £27k though this is negotiable . The car has a nice spec including full Porsche fitted aero kit, tiptronic, crested fully electric seats, full leather interior, rear parking sensors etc. seal grey with black interior. Full OPC service history.
I had ,admittedly, a short test drive and it was very fast, stable and quiet but I wasn't overly impressed. I currently have a 996 C4S Cab with a nice spec including a sports exhaust. The cost to change would be in the region of £8K.
The Turbo is a stunningly good looking car with mega performance but whilst my heart says go for it my head says why, when could I use all that power, the car is annoyingly quiet, and the £8K difference will pay for a full rebuild when the time comes.
What to do? FIIK, I have until Monday to decide.....
Think you answered your own question,stay with your c4s,996 turbo engine alone is why i chose the turbo.I had ,admittedly, a short test drive and it was very fast, stable and quiet but I wasn't overly impressed. I currently have a 996 C4S Cab with a nice spec including a sports exhaust. The cost to change would be in the region of £8K.
The Turbo is a stunningly good looking car with mega performance but whilst my heart says go for it my head says why, when could I use all that power, the car is annoyingly quiet, and the £8K difference will pay for a full rebuild when the time comes.
What to do? FIIK, I have until Monday to decide.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-pYen94aPc
Edited by 911rob on Wednesday 8th January 21:14
It is good to see someone doing what is right for them! I was in a quandry - the usual $s versus Turbo. I chose the Turbo and bought a manual X50 ,low mileage example. Wouldn't swap it for anything right now - still on cloud 9 - 18 months after purchase.
The C4S is a nice car - the broad turbo-body sets it off nicely. Enjoy yours for many more years.
The C4S is a nice car - the broad turbo-body sets it off nicely. Enjoy yours for many more years.
Had it been a manual? I understand why people want/have the Turbo I'm just more at home with the N/A. I've just got home from a 50 mile drive and loved every minute of it. I have the budget for. Gen 2 997 S but just don't see the point for me but I never say never (ok I just did but you know what I mean). Have a good weekend all....
I used to have a c4s 996 And looked at the turbo variant. I felt that the TT was a bit underwhelming, as in it had one trick (albeit a good one) - its straight line grunt. At the end of the day it didn't feel enough of a step up. I loved the 996 c4s I had, one of the best looking cars on the road, but You probably appreciate this already but any 996 now feels archaic particularly in terms of the interior. My advice would be to get into any 997 and a TT if you have the money. Also watch out with any 996tt- almost invariably they have been "tuned" or otherwise pi..Ed about with.
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