decoding 911's for numpties..
Discussion
well me actually...
I'm half thinking about a 911 at the moment in the 35-35k bracket. to replace the Tiv and the Discovery (Van) nothing wrong with those to other than both of them only have 2 seats, so everytime we go somewhere with missus and the sprog (3YO) we end up going in the wifies old shed....
So a 911 which in theory should have enough room for the 3 of us for a couple of years seams like a possibility, masser 3200/4200 is another option but telephone number sized bills if/when they go wrong...
So as I know next to nothing about 911's can some one elighten me...
I think im looking at 996's the later water cooled cars with the better interior sort of 98 - 02 vintage....
( i think the one i really want is the last of old shape 993 TT - but the sensible hat says a later base model)
so, have i got the right model designation..
and then what versions are any good what should i look out for....
what about
Carrera what does that bit need
Cabriolet, i quite like wind in the hair but wife hates it and does a chop top ruin the handling..
carrera 4 does it need 4x4, or is it just somthing else to go wrong..
tiptronic is it any good its auto after all, should I ignore it in favour of manual or is it worth a try..
ANy info at all on options / model upgrades and what to look out for would be great
cheers
Graham
I'm half thinking about a 911 at the moment in the 35-35k bracket. to replace the Tiv and the Discovery (Van) nothing wrong with those to other than both of them only have 2 seats, so everytime we go somewhere with missus and the sprog (3YO) we end up going in the wifies old shed....
So a 911 which in theory should have enough room for the 3 of us for a couple of years seams like a possibility, masser 3200/4200 is another option but telephone number sized bills if/when they go wrong...
So as I know next to nothing about 911's can some one elighten me...
I think im looking at 996's the later water cooled cars with the better interior sort of 98 - 02 vintage....
( i think the one i really want is the last of old shape 993 TT - but the sensible hat says a later base model)
so, have i got the right model designation..
and then what versions are any good what should i look out for....
what about
Carrera what does that bit need
Cabriolet, i quite like wind in the hair but wife hates it and does a chop top ruin the handling..
carrera 4 does it need 4x4, or is it just somthing else to go wrong..
tiptronic is it any good its auto after all, should I ignore it in favour of manual or is it worth a try..
ANy info at all on options / model upgrades and what to look out for would be great
cheers
Graham
You're probably going to get a lot of replies pleading with / ordering you to go for the 993. But I've never owned one, so all I can tell you about is the 996.
£35k will get you a good 2000ish 3.4, but if you can stretch that little bit further, you should try and get a 3.6. They came out in time for the 51 plates and are easily distinguished by their headlight design. Porsche made the front look different to the Boxster by ditching the 'fried egg' design of the earlier cars. The engines have an extra 20bhp and the interiors get a mild makeover too.
Carrera 2 v Carrera 4 is another choice that provokes plenty of debate on here, but if I've read correctly, the cars are more neutrally handling than the older models and you might not need the added weight of 4wd. The front boot space is also eaten into by all the gubbings of the drive shafts and stuff.
I can't really talk about Tiptronics, having only ever driven the manual.
I don't have kids yet, but spacewise, the cabs seem to be really compromised in the back, the rear seat backs being more upright than the coupe's. Reports suggest the cars handle nearly as well as the fixed heads though.
In my opinion, 18" wheels look a bit better, sports exhausts sound a lot better ( especially if you're used to TVRs) and try and get one with a sound pack (the standard speakers are rubbish).
Oh, and make sure you get a Porsche extended warranty. I'll leave it to someone else to tell you about rear main seals.
Good luck and happy hunting.
£35k will get you a good 2000ish 3.4, but if you can stretch that little bit further, you should try and get a 3.6. They came out in time for the 51 plates and are easily distinguished by their headlight design. Porsche made the front look different to the Boxster by ditching the 'fried egg' design of the earlier cars. The engines have an extra 20bhp and the interiors get a mild makeover too.
Carrera 2 v Carrera 4 is another choice that provokes plenty of debate on here, but if I've read correctly, the cars are more neutrally handling than the older models and you might not need the added weight of 4wd. The front boot space is also eaten into by all the gubbings of the drive shafts and stuff.
I can't really talk about Tiptronics, having only ever driven the manual.
I don't have kids yet, but spacewise, the cabs seem to be really compromised in the back, the rear seat backs being more upright than the coupe's. Reports suggest the cars handle nearly as well as the fixed heads though.
In my opinion, 18" wheels look a bit better, sports exhausts sound a lot better ( especially if you're used to TVRs) and try and get one with a sound pack (the standard speakers are rubbish).
Oh, and make sure you get a Porsche extended warranty. I'll leave it to someone else to tell you about rear main seals.
Good luck and happy hunting.
pistol pete said:
... Have you spoken to Henry-f (911Virgin)?? last time I looked at his stock list he'd be worth a trip to see I would have thought.
Pete
yep i've browsed his stock list... he has a very nice 97 with a gt3 body kit on it
although his prices seem a lot more than the motors on autotrader which presumerably reflects their prep and warranty ?? some nice motors on rsj sportscars too.. i suppose i'd better research the dealers as we'll 
maybe i could tie up a nex motor with a britcar 24 drive... Hi there, 
Good reply by gmk666 says it all really.
However, seats in the Cab are the same as the coupe. Fine for a 3 year old.
The only compromise of the Cab is the looks, but worth it if you're used to the wind in your hair.
I looked at the 3200 GT too, loved the design, but the horror stories of running costs put me off
Give a Cab a try, probably get a good price this time of year.
Good reply by gmk666 says it all really.
However, seats in the Cab are the same as the coupe. Fine for a 3 year old.
The only compromise of the Cab is the looks, but worth it if you're used to the wind in your hair.
I looked at the 3200 GT too, loved the design, but the horror stories of running costs put me off
Give a Cab a try, probably get a good price this time of year.
verysideways said:
Yep, I have dealt with RSJ and Northways a few times now and can recommend both.
I too can recommend Northways. Bought my C2S from them a few months back and they're top guys.
www.northway.co.uk
Coincidentally, Ray Northway was very complimentary about RSJ too!
Hi Graham,
I was in similar situation recently. Sold my TVR Tamora and bought 1st 911. See my profile and you can read my first post, which says what i think of the new car
I bought mine private, a 2001 996 C4, with loads of extra's - Aerokit, 18" Turbo wheels, PCM (Sat Nav & Phone), Carbon dash, parking sensors and much more.
What i didn't realise until i really checked, was that i could buy a car private and still get 'very good' finance deals. I now use an independent company to get my finance. So i sold my TVR through a TVR dealer, then went and bought the private car with the finance i got.
This was a much better way of buying a car, as i got more money for the TVR, and got a blinding deal on the 911 as i didn't have to pay the extra 20% that dealers add (no offence to any dealers, i am fully aware that buying through dealers can often offer better protection).
But the best thing was that the 911 had Porsche extended waranty, so i am 100% covered for any unexpected problems with the car. The car has only done 22,000 miles with full OPC history. Siimilar cars with higher mileage and lower spec were selling for £40k plus, mine was under £40k.
I can't comment on the 993's, although they sound a little more like the TVR, which was what i was trying to get away from. After 2 Elise's and a TVR, i wanted a more normal car, but still quick and handles well.
The 3.4 is lighter than the 3.6, so the speeds are almost the same. You'd have to really thrash it hard to notice the difference 0-60, but mid range the 3.4's are a little slower. And maybe a few mph slower top end.
But i must admit, the boot space on the C4 is shocking, even worse than the TVR! But hey, you've always got 2 back seats to put the shopping on
If you need the number of my contact for finance, send me an email.
But just buy the car...i'm trying to talk everyone i know in to buying one...you can take risks you wouldn't dare in the TVR...and still come out alive the other side
>> Edited by tvr-to-911 on Friday 6th January 22:01
>> Edited by tvr-to-911 on Friday 6th January 22:01
I was in similar situation recently. Sold my TVR Tamora and bought 1st 911. See my profile and you can read my first post, which says what i think of the new car
I bought mine private, a 2001 996 C4, with loads of extra's - Aerokit, 18" Turbo wheels, PCM (Sat Nav & Phone), Carbon dash, parking sensors and much more.
What i didn't realise until i really checked, was that i could buy a car private and still get 'very good' finance deals. I now use an independent company to get my finance. So i sold my TVR through a TVR dealer, then went and bought the private car with the finance i got.
This was a much better way of buying a car, as i got more money for the TVR, and got a blinding deal on the 911 as i didn't have to pay the extra 20% that dealers add (no offence to any dealers, i am fully aware that buying through dealers can often offer better protection).
But the best thing was that the 911 had Porsche extended waranty, so i am 100% covered for any unexpected problems with the car. The car has only done 22,000 miles with full OPC history. Siimilar cars with higher mileage and lower spec were selling for £40k plus, mine was under £40k.
I can't comment on the 993's, although they sound a little more like the TVR, which was what i was trying to get away from. After 2 Elise's and a TVR, i wanted a more normal car, but still quick and handles well.
The 3.4 is lighter than the 3.6, so the speeds are almost the same. You'd have to really thrash it hard to notice the difference 0-60, but mid range the 3.4's are a little slower. And maybe a few mph slower top end.
But i must admit, the boot space on the C4 is shocking, even worse than the TVR! But hey, you've always got 2 back seats to put the shopping on
If you need the number of my contact for finance, send me an email.
But just buy the car...i'm trying to talk everyone i know in to buying one...you can take risks you wouldn't dare in the TVR...and still come out alive the other side
>> Edited by tvr-to-911 on Friday 6th January 22:01
>> Edited by tvr-to-911 on Friday 6th January 22:01
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