Discussion
I'm a first time poster on the Porsche forum. I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the murky world of Porsche. I've owned Several TVR's in the past. Enjoyed them all but always had a thing for a Porsche.
I have a limited budget (divorce) I've being looking but can't make my mind up on which to seriously consider. I'm looking for a weekend car and maybe something that would not be worthless in a couple of years.
Heard stores of expensive engine issues on the 987? Albeit you seems to get more bang for your buck?
Any advice to clear my head would be welcome.
Thanks.
I have a limited budget (divorce) I've being looking but can't make my mind up on which to seriously consider. I'm looking for a weekend car and maybe something that would not be worthless in a couple of years.
Heard stores of expensive engine issues on the 987? Albeit you seems to get more bang for your buck?
Any advice to clear my head would be welcome.
Thanks.
It's interesting to hear people's views. I do think that the 996 would give me greater pleasure of ownership. Would it be a good idea to join the Porsche GB club and look for someone's pride and joy when they become available?
The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
Chinski said:
It's interesting to hear people's views. I do think that the 996 would give me greater pleasure of ownership. Would it be a good idea to join the Porsche GB club and look for someone's pride and joy when they become available?
The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
You don't have to join PCGB to view cars for sale on the site. Most 996s are priced way too optimistically. Most will have been for sale for some time too. I sold my 996 cab recently. Had to drop the price to sell what was a beautiful example, with fully documented history, all the MOTs to prove the 60,000 mileage.The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
I personally prefer the 996 to that era 986 because I like its proportions.
Btw wild card here - I'm sure there's a wrapped orange 997.2 on PCGB site for about £19k. Silver originally I think. With a bit of movement on price you might get that if you stretch your budget. 51,000 miles from memory?
rubystone said:
You don't have to join PCGB to view cars for sale on the site. Most 996s are priced way too optimistically. Most will have been for sale for some time too. I sold my 996 cab recently. Had to drop the price to sell what was a beautiful example, with fully documented history, all the MOTs to prove the 60,000 mileage.
I personally prefer the 996 to that era 986 because I like its proportions.
Btw wild card here - I'm sure there's a wrapped orange 997.2 on PCGB site for about £19k. Silver originally I think. With a bit of movement on price you might get that if you stretch your budget. 51,000 miles from memory?
That's sounds interesting! I will have a look for the car this evening.. I personally prefer the 996 to that era 986 because I like its proportions.
Btw wild card here - I'm sure there's a wrapped orange 997.2 on PCGB site for about £19k. Silver originally I think. With a bit of movement on price you might get that if you stretch your budget. 51,000 miles from memory?
Chinski said:
It's interesting to hear people's views. I do think that the 996 would give me greater pleasure of ownership. Would it be a good idea to join the Porsche GB club and look for someone's pride and joy when they become available?
The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
Don't forget Ebay as well. I found mine from a dealer's advert there in March (996.1 3.4 C2 Manual, GT3 Aerokit & wheels, Sports seats, M030, FSH, good tyres and recent brake pads/discs, 76k miles). So far it hasn't cost me anything in maintenance (touch wood) beyond a service, though I did install an upgraded sump and a low temperature thermostat for track day.The 996 currently on sale on pistonheads seem expensive even with high mileage. Is there a good time to buy? Early winter always seems to be a good time?
I didn't even do a PPI as I did enough homework about these cars (PH and 911uk) and had good feeling about the seller. So there are good cars about but sometimes it's just luck. And a bit of patience.
I wanted a 911 so didn't consider Boxster/Cayman, but I agree there are a lot more nice 987s than 996s on sale at the sub-17k bracket.
Oh and CMOOSE knows his stuff.
Good luck with your search.
Portiacraft down in North London always seem to have a good turnover in early 996s. I'm in a similar position to you OP, although I haven't just been looking at Porsches. There are three indies not to far from me which also have a constant turnover of stock, some of which doesn't stay around long enough to be advertised anywhere, I popped into one of them on the way home from work last week to ask about 996s and 987s to be told about three which were due in but may already have buyers.
Edited by P5BNij on Tuesday 6th September 19:49
I faced the same choice a year ago. I looked at one or two 987s but just couldn't get excited about them. When I found the right car I opted for a 996. Yes the 987 might be objectively as good or better, albeit different, and statistically (certain iterations at least) might be more reliable. But a Porsche is an emotional purchase, not a rational one so I'd look at a few of each and go with your gut.
The 996 3.4 engine has its weaknesses, but there isn't enough data to be sure about anything. All the engines are at least 15 years old now and there's a school of thought that if the IMS bearing hasn't gone by now, it's either a good un and/or the seal has failed (which is a good thing). Not worth getting too hung up about imho. Whether you need rear seats or not, whether 911 vs Boxster matters to you and which one appeals in the flesh is much more important.
I also came from TVR and so the drama/event/occasion thing is important. Good luck with your search.
The 996 3.4 engine has its weaknesses, but there isn't enough data to be sure about anything. All the engines are at least 15 years old now and there's a school of thought that if the IMS bearing hasn't gone by now, it's either a good un and/or the seal has failed (which is a good thing). Not worth getting too hung up about imho. Whether you need rear seats or not, whether 911 vs Boxster matters to you and which one appeals in the flesh is much more important.
I also came from TVR and so the drama/event/occasion thing is important. Good luck with your search.
Edited by griffter on Wednesday 7th September 07:24
griffter said:
I faced the same choice a year ago. I looked at one or two 987s but just couldn't get excited about them. When I found the right car I opted for a 996. Yes the 987 might be objectively as good or better, albeit different, and statistically (certain iterations at least) might be more reliable. But a Porsche is an emotional purchase, not a rational one so I'd look at a few of each and go with your gut.
The 996 3.4 engine has its weaknesses, but there isn't enough data to be sure about anything. All the engines are at leastthe 15 years old now and there's a school of thought that if the IMS bearing hasn't gone by now, it's either a good un and/or the seal has failed (which is a good thing). Not worth getting too hung up about imho. Whether you need rear seats or not, whether 911 vs Boxster matters to you and which one appeals in the flesh is much more important.
I also came from TVR and so the drama/event/occasion thing is important. Good luck with your search.
Thank you. Sound advice. Thanks to all for all the advice and experience.The 996 3.4 engine has its weaknesses, but there isn't enough data to be sure about anything. All the engines are at leastthe 15 years old now and there's a school of thought that if the IMS bearing hasn't gone by now, it's either a good un and/or the seal has failed (which is a good thing). Not worth getting too hung up about imho. Whether you need rear seats or not, whether 911 vs Boxster matters to you and which one appeals in the flesh is much more important.
I also came from TVR and so the drama/event/occasion thing is important. Good luck with your search.
Edited by griffter on Wednesday 7th September 07:24
The quest starts to find a good 996. Thanks again.
I was looking at a 911 (996/997) but after a recent test drive in a 2011 987 2.9 im smitten,what a lovey place to be and of course drive.I did have a look around a couple of 997`s also for sale but the 987 felt nimble and plenty fast enough for me.
If its a 911 you really want then good luck and im sure you will find your dream car but i was hung up on getting a 911 and have now done a complete u turn forsaking the extra seats for the newer more agile car (of course im no expert but just saying how i felt)
If its a 911 you really want then good luck and im sure you will find your dream car but i was hung up on getting a 911 and have now done a complete u turn forsaking the extra seats for the newer more agile car (of course im no expert but just saying how i felt)
I was convinced I wanted a 996 C4S to get back into a Porsche after moving from a 986S to an Elise. The wide body, red rear panel - it just looks so right. Drove a few, and liked it but it didn't click for me. Interior felt dated and some of the bills in the history files were eye watering - which makes sense given you'll potentially be looking at big jobs like suspension replacement etc. Got put off by the potentially wallet buggering ongoing maintenance and the fact that for my £20k budget I probably wasn't spending enough (probably nowehere near enough now)
Thought about a 987S given I'd liked the 986S so test drove one and fell back in love with it. Went for a very low miles 3.2 as less scary failures likely (bore scoring) and have absolutely loved it. Interior is a nicer place to be (IMO) than the 996 - and I'd never use either to the limit of their performance to tell which is ultimately the better car.
"Not a 911". Bothered. 987S is a better car than I'll ever be a driver.
Will be sad to see it going soon
Thought about a 987S given I'd liked the 986S so test drove one and fell back in love with it. Went for a very low miles 3.2 as less scary failures likely (bore scoring) and have absolutely loved it. Interior is a nicer place to be (IMO) than the 996 - and I'd never use either to the limit of their performance to tell which is ultimately the better car.
"Not a 911". Bothered. 987S is a better car than I'll ever be a driver.
Will be sad to see it going soon
rubystone said:
You don't have to join PCGB to view cars for sale on the site. Most 996s are priced way too optimistically. Most will have been for sale for some time too. I sold my 996 cab recently. Had to drop the price to sell what was a beautiful example, with fully documented history, all the MOTs to prove the 60,000 mileage.
I personally prefer the 996 to that era 986 because I like its proportions.
Btw wild card here - I'm sure there's a wrapped orange 997.2 on PCGB site for about £19k. Silver originally I think. With a bit of movement on price you might get that if you stretch your budget. 51,000 miles from memory?
How optimistic are the traders I guess it's down to the car and how long the car has been available. I guess the orange car has been sold? I personally prefer the 996 to that era 986 because I like its proportions.
Btw wild card here - I'm sure there's a wrapped orange 997.2 on PCGB site for about £19k. Silver originally I think. With a bit of movement on price you might get that if you stretch your budget. 51,000 miles from memory?
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