911 virgin needs a helping hand
Discussion
I have a 986 Boxster S. Fully loaded and beautiful in every way, it just doesn't make the earth move for me!
I've owned a Clio Williams and a TVR Chimaera before (amongst others)and whilst they were no where near the build quality of the Boxster, they gave me more day to day pleasure in all honesty.
I've always loved 911's but the 996 and 997's are out of my price range at present. I could spend £30K but ideally I would like to spend £20K and pay £10K off the mortgage!
Never owning a 911 before I would appreciate some advice. I have done some minor research and like the look of the 930 3.3 Turbos (1981-1987 I think) and the 964 and 965 turbo's. I prefer the wider body look.
Hopefully some of you can help me with a few questions;
-What are the relative merits of these models? Are they likely to be more of a 'true' porsche experience?
-Are the turbo's reliable or more prone to failure than say an SC?
-Is the G50 box a must and when where these introduced?
-Issues to look out for. I would prefer a lower mileage example, say 50-60K or below if possible. Am I better going for lower mileage or more recent vehicle?
-How good & marketable are the 'higher' mileage examples? Should I be put off with 100K+ mileage cars?
-What history is essential. A full main dealer?
-What documentation should I not buy a vehicle without?
-Any specialist inspection firms that could check out any potential purchase?
-Would you continue to service these vehicles with a main dealer or a specialist independant?
Finally where am I best sourcing a 911? I'm presently looking through top marques, this site. Any recommended dealers?
Sorry for all the questions. Anu help, gratefully received. Apologies for any typo's/spelling mistakes, it is 5am and I have just driven back from France!
Regards,
Stouffer.
I've owned a Clio Williams and a TVR Chimaera before (amongst others)and whilst they were no where near the build quality of the Boxster, they gave me more day to day pleasure in all honesty.
I've always loved 911's but the 996 and 997's are out of my price range at present. I could spend £30K but ideally I would like to spend £20K and pay £10K off the mortgage!
Never owning a 911 before I would appreciate some advice. I have done some minor research and like the look of the 930 3.3 Turbos (1981-1987 I think) and the 964 and 965 turbo's. I prefer the wider body look.
Hopefully some of you can help me with a few questions;
-What are the relative merits of these models? Are they likely to be more of a 'true' porsche experience?
-Are the turbo's reliable or more prone to failure than say an SC?
-Is the G50 box a must and when where these introduced?
-Issues to look out for. I would prefer a lower mileage example, say 50-60K or below if possible. Am I better going for lower mileage or more recent vehicle?
-How good & marketable are the 'higher' mileage examples? Should I be put off with 100K+ mileage cars?
-What history is essential. A full main dealer?
-What documentation should I not buy a vehicle without?
-Any specialist inspection firms that could check out any potential purchase?
-Would you continue to service these vehicles with a main dealer or a specialist independant?
Finally where am I best sourcing a 911? I'm presently looking through top marques, this site. Any recommended dealers?
Sorry for all the questions. Anu help, gratefully received. Apologies for any typo's/spelling mistakes, it is 5am and I have just driven back from France!
Regards,
Stouffer.
Try looking at the following car in autotrader:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/topmarques/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=PORSCHE&model=911&min_pr=15000&max_pr=25000&postcode=ba215tw&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&sort=4&search=SEARCH&start=8&distance=136&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200532202688486
If you don't mind LHD Adrian Crawford has got a nice 4 speed 930 available. Good luck.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/topmarques/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=PORSCHE&model=911&min_pr=15000&max_pr=25000&postcode=ba215tw&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&sort=4&search=SEARCH&start=8&distance=136&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200532202688486
If you don't mind LHD Adrian Crawford has got a nice 4 speed 930 available. Good luck.
As you can see there are folk posting here who deal with 911s every day as well as drive them but fwiw here are some answers to your questions from personal experience with a 3.3 Turbo 2
-What are the relative merits of these models? Are they likely to be more of a 'true' porsche experience? Depends what you mean by true! Without 4wd or computers intervening, your traction control and stability management consist of hands, right foot and your backside. They're not all lethal, the Turbo 2 can cope with a lift mid-bend if you aren't already overcooked. Early 930 turbos have more lag and the brakes aren't up to the later cars but then their owners are as passionate as any and that 'character' thing holds true
-Are the turbo's reliable or more prone to failure than say an SC? Again it depends - every car is different. Key variables are how it was built, what its maintenance has been and how it's been driven. Obvious to say but if you get a good car it will be very reliable, major grief isn't compulsory...after modifying my own car in the first two years it has managed the last ten with just routine maintenance. Turbos will be more costly to maintain but it needn't be silly.
-Is the G50 box a must and when where these introduced? Part of the advice I was given by many 'experts' when looking for my car, was go for as new a car as you can afford, which means it will then have a G50
-Issues to look out for. I would prefer a lower mileage example, say 50-60K or below if possible. Am I better going for lower mileage or more recent vehicle? I wouldn't get too hung up about low mileage as long as its not galactic, since there are other factors that an inspection and test drive will show up (within limits). Before modifying my car I spent the early stages of ownership paying the price for its low mileage as bits that needed regular use to remain serviceable gave up the ghost. After it was 'sorted' in both senses, and then used regularly, it's been OK touch wood
-How good & marketable are the 'higher' mileage examples? Should I be put off with 100K+ mileage cars? No experience there (yet)
-What history is essential. A full main dealer? Most of these cars will have been serviced outside the main dealer network and that's no bad thing, as long as the necessary work has been done when required by a reputable specialist, it should be OK
-What documentation should I not buy a vehicle without? V5, HPI, inspection report, stamped service book, MoTs going way back, full file of bills would be nice, not that I got the set myself
-Any specialist inspection firms that could check out any potential purchase? Plenty including on here. Depends where you are.
-Would you continue to service these vehicles with a main dealer or a specialist independant? Personally, as I don't carry vaseline with me and want the thing looked after by people who are willing talk to me in the service bay and show me what's going wrong and why, I'd go to an independent - but my preference is Porsche parts unless it's definitely an identical component from the same manufacturing source but sold outside the network at a lower price, and there's lots of that about. If you have to go to a main dealer that 10% PCGB discount is useful but you'll still have to take your own vaseline
Good luck.
-What are the relative merits of these models? Are they likely to be more of a 'true' porsche experience? Depends what you mean by true! Without 4wd or computers intervening, your traction control and stability management consist of hands, right foot and your backside. They're not all lethal, the Turbo 2 can cope with a lift mid-bend if you aren't already overcooked. Early 930 turbos have more lag and the brakes aren't up to the later cars but then their owners are as passionate as any and that 'character' thing holds true
-Are the turbo's reliable or more prone to failure than say an SC? Again it depends - every car is different. Key variables are how it was built, what its maintenance has been and how it's been driven. Obvious to say but if you get a good car it will be very reliable, major grief isn't compulsory...after modifying my own car in the first two years it has managed the last ten with just routine maintenance. Turbos will be more costly to maintain but it needn't be silly.
-Is the G50 box a must and when where these introduced? Part of the advice I was given by many 'experts' when looking for my car, was go for as new a car as you can afford, which means it will then have a G50
-Issues to look out for. I would prefer a lower mileage example, say 50-60K or below if possible. Am I better going for lower mileage or more recent vehicle? I wouldn't get too hung up about low mileage as long as its not galactic, since there are other factors that an inspection and test drive will show up (within limits). Before modifying my car I spent the early stages of ownership paying the price for its low mileage as bits that needed regular use to remain serviceable gave up the ghost. After it was 'sorted' in both senses, and then used regularly, it's been OK touch wood
-How good & marketable are the 'higher' mileage examples? Should I be put off with 100K+ mileage cars? No experience there (yet)
-What history is essential. A full main dealer? Most of these cars will have been serviced outside the main dealer network and that's no bad thing, as long as the necessary work has been done when required by a reputable specialist, it should be OK
-What documentation should I not buy a vehicle without? V5, HPI, inspection report, stamped service book, MoTs going way back, full file of bills would be nice, not that I got the set myself
-Any specialist inspection firms that could check out any potential purchase? Plenty including on here. Depends where you are.
-Would you continue to service these vehicles with a main dealer or a specialist independant? Personally, as I don't carry vaseline with me and want the thing looked after by people who are willing talk to me in the service bay and show me what's going wrong and why, I'd go to an independent - but my preference is Porsche parts unless it's definitely an identical component from the same manufacturing source but sold outside the network at a lower price, and there's lots of that about. If you have to go to a main dealer that 10% PCGB discount is useful but you'll still have to take your own vaseline
Good luck.
Cridfords - www.cridfords.co.uk - have a 94/L 911 with 102k miles on it for £22k, and I know they will negotiate (bought from them twice)
Might seem like high mileage, but its less than 10k a year & it has a full Porsche service history.
Ro.
Might seem like high mileage, but its less than 10k a year & it has a full Porsche service history.
Ro.
Why not go and look at some cars see for your self and listen to people`s advice. Obviously most people will be biased one way or another but speaking to several people will hopefully give a rounded view.
We sell right across the board from 3.0SC / 3.2 Carrera right up to 996 and so have no particular axe to grind.
The problem is that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. It depends on your needs and personal feelings. A turbo for instance generally means for a given amount of money you`re buying the "previous" model, so unless you specifically want something the turbo gives then it may not be the answer.
A 3.2 whilst in theory a cheap car to keep on the road (although it is getting a bit old now) gives a very "agricultural" ride which may not be to everyone`s taste.
A 964 gives a modern drive on a sensible budget but would a 993 be a better buy for you ?
As with all things in life don`t worry too much what others think. It`s what you want that`s important. That said some external input can often save money or get a better experience for your money.
Your initial post would take someone over an hour to respond to properly and take up 2 pages of typing. You need verbal interaction with someone and to feel the fabric for yourself as it were to help you in your quest.
Henry
We sell right across the board from 3.0SC / 3.2 Carrera right up to 996 and so have no particular axe to grind.
The problem is that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. It depends on your needs and personal feelings. A turbo for instance generally means for a given amount of money you`re buying the "previous" model, so unless you specifically want something the turbo gives then it may not be the answer.
A 3.2 whilst in theory a cheap car to keep on the road (although it is getting a bit old now) gives a very "agricultural" ride which may not be to everyone`s taste.
A 964 gives a modern drive on a sensible budget but would a 993 be a better buy for you ?
As with all things in life don`t worry too much what others think. It`s what you want that`s important. That said some external input can often save money or get a better experience for your money.
Your initial post would take someone over an hour to respond to properly and take up 2 pages of typing. You need verbal interaction with someone and to feel the fabric for yourself as it were to help you in your quest.
Henry
For what it's worth I would advise against a turbo as your first 911, unless 996TT.
I may have missed it, but you haven't mentioned your financial expectations and/or driving habits.
From what you've said I'd recommmend a 911 Carrera SSE post 87 if possible. Forget that if you want to drive it 4 miles to work and back everyday, there's a lot of oil to get warm.
Forget mileage.
Forget colour.
Forget specification.
Forget AA/RAC checks.
Get to know a Porsche specialist, most will talk to you before you have a car. Most of them actually enjoy talking about the cars, and everyone's been in your position once.
I may have missed it, but you haven't mentioned your financial expectations and/or driving habits.
From what you've said I'd recommmend a 911 Carrera SSE post 87 if possible. Forget that if you want to drive it 4 miles to work and back everyday, there's a lot of oil to get warm.
Forget mileage.
Forget colour.
Forget specification.
Forget AA/RAC checks.
Get to know a Porsche specialist, most will talk to you before you have a car. Most of them actually enjoy talking about the cars, and everyone's been in your position once.
If its any help, my first step into 911 world was with a 1983 930. Its was immaculate and treated well and driven properly and I regret ever selling her. Its true what some might say that its not the best first car as they have a formidable reputation but speaking to loads of people you start to get into how to drive the car without killing yourself in the process. There are some good ones out there and there are some wrecks as well. If you are going down this route look for cars that have not been played with that have original spec especially wheels. There is a fantastic looking one on autotrader in Bath I think, blue with cream interior. I have a 993 now but still miss that kick up the arse when the turbo kicks in. Drive some and see how you go, I found people like Bob Watson very helpful just to chat to on the phone. Keep asking questions!!!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff