Help with 996 purchase please

[ArmaghMan]

Looking for a bit of help from you on a potential 996 purchase.

Long story short. Spotted a Cayman i liked before Xmas, went to drive and wanted to buy but couldn't get a deal done because of my trade in.
Have now taken a deposit on my E55 and want to buy a Porsche,budget up to £15k. Car will be second car only so practicality/MPG/insurance etc. not high on my list of priorities.Car is for fun.

Liked the Cayman a lot, but now aware that I can get a 911 (996) for similar money.
As yet I'm still to drive a 996 but, i'd prefer a Tiptronic as back issues push me towards an auto. However if the auto is a total dog (like an
e 36 BMW m3) then I'd like to know?

Contrary to popular PH stereotypes I am neither a powerfully built director or a driving God. with that in mind i fancy a cabriolet, but again have never driven one. Are they a much inferior steer than a coupe? I think I might be more inclined to drive the cabriolet.

SO is a 996 Cabriolet a decent motor?

I had my eye on one which has just been sold. There is another almost identical car for sale at £1000 more but it has had the IMS replaced. Does that make it worth £1000 more.

Finally can anyone recommend a good Porsche inspection company, based in the south of England?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[shantybeater]

I would be pushing for a boxter (if you want a vert), preferably a 987.2. This will bring you PDK and a much more reliable DFI engine. Tiptronic is vastly inferior to PDK a bit like SMG/DCT in the BMW world.

[Leftfootwonder]

shantybeater said:

I would be pushing for a boxter (if you want a vert), preferably a 987.2. This will bring you PDK and a much more reliable DFI engine. Tiptronic is vastly inferior to PDK a bit like SMG/DCT in the BMW world.

What he said.

[ArmaghMan]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Driven one. Just doesnt donit for me
Lack of grunt.

[Shnozz]

I drove a 996 cabrio and Boxster S back to back at the same dealer, going back a few years now. The 996 was admittedly a couple of years older and the price was within £1k of each other. I preferred (and bought) the Boxster.

[Leftfootwonder]

ArmaghMan said:

Thanks for the replies guys.
Driven one. Just doesnt donit for me
Lack of grunt.

Are you choosing a 996 just because it's a 911? I'm probably about the get slated by all the 911 boys, but the 987 is a better steer than the 996 imo, especially as a drop-top, so don't rule out the newer and (slightly) better built car just because it's not a 911.

Just drive a few of them (when we are allowed out!) and decide what's best for you as it doesn't really matter what I or anyone else on here thinks as long as you're happy with your car.

[shantybeater]

Leftfootwonder said:

Are you choosing a 996 just because it's a 911? I'm probably about the get slated by all the 911 boys, but the 987 is a better steer than the 996 imo, especially as a drop-top, so don't rule out the newer and (slightly) better built car just because it's not a 911.

Just drive a few of them (when we are allowed out!) and decide what's best for you as it doesn't really matter what I or anyone else on here thinks as long as you're happy with your car.

Coming from a 996 owner (albeit tintop turbo) I would 100% pick a Boxter over a 911 for a vert. Try the 911, everyone has different opinions but I suspect the tiptronic will hold you back.

In contrast, If it were a manual, and you weren't bothered about having a soft top, I'd be suggesting a coupe 996 all day long.

Edited by shantybeater on Thursday 16th April 16:55

[MrBen1]

ArmaghMan said:

Thanks for the replies guys.
Driven one. Just doesnt donit for me
Lack of grunt.

Was it a Boxster S or standard one - quite a big difference in grunt. A 987.2 S is very similar on power to a 996.

[ArmaghMan]

MrBen1 said:

ArmaghMan said:

Thanks for the replies guys.
Driven one. Just doesnt donit for me
Lack of grunt.

Was it a Boxster S or standard one - quite a big difference in grunt. A 987.2 S is very similar on power to a 996.

Just looked up and they all lack a bit of torque.
231 for the Boxster, 258 for the 996.

I do like a bit of torque...tried an e46 M3 before i bought my first M5....just seemed like a slightly bigger Civic type R.

[BertBert]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Not good for a man that likes a bit of torque. That would be a 996 turbo for that I reckon!

[Mariosbt]

shantybeater said:

I would be pushing for a boxter (if you want a vert), preferably a 987.2. This will bring you PDK and a much more reliable DFI engine. Tiptronic is vastly inferior to PDK a bit like SMG/DCT in the BMW world.

Can you get a 987.2 for £15K ?

[ArmaghMan]

Thanks everyone who has contributed.
Will have to have a serious think

[Bullet-Proof_Biscuit]

Auto cab 996s go for about £9/10k mainly because they're auto cabs.. For 15k you will probably get an as new 10k miler lol

[ArmaghMan]

Bullet-Proof_Biscuit said:

Auto cab 996s go for about £9/10k mainly because they're auto cabs.. For 15k you will probably get an as new 10k miler lol

See, this is what I wanted.
Why do you say that.?

Are they really terrible?
If so is it the drive/structural rigidity/too much engine for the chassis?
Is it the gearbox?

Don't really care if it doesn't handle like its on rails. I'm coming from an E55 AMG which i much prefer to either of my 2 M5's. Had a good drive in a caterham and that sort of roadholding/cornering/etc holds no appeal.

Is the 996 tip cab an absolute pup or is it just not as good fun as a manual coupe?

[skinny]

They are fine if that's what you're after. It's just not what most people want as it's not as sharp or dynamic as a manual coupe. But to waft about in enjoying the sun on your head and a 300bhp flat 6 behind you it's just fine. With the added bonus of being the cheapest variant.
In particular, the C4S is quite a nice version

[ScienceTeacher]

I’ve owned, first a C2 manual coupe, then a C2 manual convertible; and now a 996T manual coupe. The cab was excellent and it was very sporty. I also back the manual thing. I understand why you want a 911. My car just provided more space when touring than a Boxster. Currently, I think Caymans are great and the 4.0 GTS is perhaps the best car on sale. It has a bit of space behind the seats etc too.
I’d go for the car I had: 996.1 with amber lenses and 17” wheels. I also like the latter 996.2 cars with the sharp 18” wheels. For me, polar silver with metropole leather and hood is fantastic. I had the LTT fitted at Hartech and it was on their scheme. Lovely cars, but know that you might have to rebuild the engine.

Edited by ScienceTeacher on Saturday 18th April 08:25

[MrC986]

I’ve owned both Boxster S (an earlier one) as well as several 996 (not Cabs). I found the Boxster had surprisingly good luggage space although the rear boot did get warm given the proximity to the engine. The Boxster was a good car & I had it as my daily for a while. The trade off is age vs practicality & driver feel. The 911 will always be considered for many the better car although you’ll get a newer Boxster for the £s. I also think 996 Cabs aren’t as sought after & hence appear to be better value than the coupes.

I’d also say that if the OP has a back issue, that an extended test in the car is essential as I found the seats in the 996 & early Boxster (all “sports seats” btw) gave me back ache on long journeys & I ended up changing the seats to deal with this.

Finally, if it’s to be a Porsche, get a pre-purchase inspection carried out as even normal things like air con rads, brakes and suspension parts quickly build up & that’s before you get the engine checked out properly & thoroughly check the maintenance history/MOT history online.

[ArmaghMan]

Hi all,
Anyone able to recommend a Porsche inspection in the South of England/ Kent area?
Much appreciated

[Bullet-Proof_Biscuit]

ArmaghMan said:

See, this is what I wanted.
Why do you say that.?

Are they really terrible?
If so is it the drive/structural rigidity/too much engine for the chassis?
Is it the gearbox?
Don't really care if it doesn't handle like its on rails. I'm coming from an E55 AMG which i much prefer to either of my 2 M5's. Had a good drive in a caterham and that sort of roadholding/cornering/etc holds no appeal.
Is the 996 tip cab an absolute pup or is it just not as good fun as a manual coupe?

Lol apologies I came across rude. They are absolutely totally fine, I only meant the cabrio body does not have the shape of the hard top, which people prefer, same for the gearbox (722.6 from daimler/chrysler 2000 era), hence the apparent cheapness. The only suggestion I would make is to avoid a 3.6 auto, as they (autos) pull away in second and this high load low rpm scenario (read low oil pressure, high piston side loading) is believed to be the prevailing cause of scoring the bores, which is not unknown on the M96/7 family engine, and specifically more common to the larger displacement variants (3.6L M96 & 3.8L M97). Though to be fair an auto cab is WAY more likely to have had a gentler life than a manual coupe..

Also you'll probably find a squeak going over low speed bumps, where the chassis twists and the cabrio seals are dry (silicone grease the seals), same as common to 986, no problem just saying silicone the rubber.

Also also weren't the cabs & autos a more expensive option originally? So they probably have higher specced interiors, hifi,etc etc.

Beers!
HH

Edited by Bullet-Proof_Biscuit on Monday 20th April 18:10

[STiG911]

ArmaghMan said:

Hi all,
Anyone able to recommend a Porsche inspection in the South of England/ Kent area?
Much appreciated

Phil Raby - https://philipraby.co.uk/
He'll either be able to do it, or know someone closer who can.