First Porsche.. help!

[jb2]

Hi All,

I've been reading up a fair bit on this forum about buying a used Porsche 911 (996), and am still fairly confused as to what I should go for. I started looking at a Boxster, but it seems you can get an old 911 reasonably priced now so I've started looking at an old 996!

I really am pushing the budget to a max of about 27k to get an old 996, oldest 1998 (silver with a GT3 bodykit) I have found a few in this price range - one with only 40,000 miles on the clock but without an extended porsche warranty. Is this a risky buy? Is the extended warranty essential? I would get an RAC inspection on whatever one I buy anyway without doubt.

I have found a few for about 28-29k with 57k miles on the clock, and with some nice sat nav gadgets and nicer alloys, but the extra mielage (and thousand pounds) is putting me off.. I am just thinking of resale value in 20k miles/2 years ... I don't want to lose a fortune on this car, I think a 911 will be quite a safe buy if I get the right one.

Thanks

John

Edited by jb2 on Monday 5th June 13:40

[Vesuvius 996]

jb2 said:

Hi All, I've been reading up a fair bit on this forum about buying a used Porsche 911 (996), and am still fairly confused. I started looking at a Boxster, but it seems you can get an old 911 reasonably priced now so my dreams have shifted! I really am pushing the budget to a max of about 27k to get an old 996, oldest 1998 (silver with a GT3 bodykit) I have found a few in this price range - one with only 40,000 miles on the clock but without an extended porsche warranty. Is this a risky buy? YES. OPC warranty is ESSENTIAL. Sounds to me like you are in the same situation I was, and spending all the cash on the car. A new engine is £7k, new gearbox is £7k, and labour rates are £100 + per hour. Is the extended warranty essential? SAME ANSWER. I would get an RAC inspection on whatever one I buy anyway without doubt. NOT MUCH USE. NO ONE CAN TELL FROM LOOKING AT AN ENGINE IF SOMETHING BIG IS ABOUT TO LET GO, NECESSARILY. I have found a few for about 28-29k with 57k miles on the clock, and with some nice sat nav gadgets and nicer alloys, but the extra mielage (and thousand pounds) is putting me off.. I am just thinking of resale value in 20k miles/2 years ... I don't want to lose a fortune on this car, I think a 911 will be quite a safe buy if I get the right one. HIGHER MILEAGE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE OPC WARRANTY - YOU CAN EXTEND UNTIL 10 YEARS OLD/125,000 MILES. I would have about 30k for the car, but I'm 22, and the insurance is a killer IMHO YOU SHOULD BUY THE BEST CAR YOU CAN, WITH OPC WARRANTY. YOU DO NOT WANT TO END UP IN A POSITION WITH A CAR YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX. Thanks John

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 5th June 13:31

[jb2]

Thanks very much for the reply, if I were to buy one for £28,000 with 60k miles on the clock and resold it with 90k miles in 2 years .. what would you say it would be worth? The mileage concerns me a little.. (If I bought one with an OPC warranty, and kept it running)

Thanks

Edited by jb2 on Monday 5th June 13:35

[fidgits]

jb2 said:

Hi All, I've been reading up a fair bit on this forum about buying a used Porsche 911 (996), and am still fairly confused. I started looking at a Boxster, but it seems you can get an old 911 reasonably priced now so my dreams have shifted! I really am pushing the budget to a max of about 27k to get an old 996, oldest 1998 (silver with a GT3 bodykit) I have found a few in this price range - one with only 40,000 miles on the clock but without an extended porsche warranty. Is this a risky buy? Is the extended warranty essential? I would get an RAC inspection on whatever one I buy anyway without doubt. I have found a few for about 28-29k with 57k miles on the clock, and with some nice sat nav gadgets and nicer alloys, but the extra mielage (and thousand pounds) is putting me off.. I am just thinking of resale value in 20k miles/2 years ... I don't want to lose a fortune on this car, I think a 911 will be quite a safe buy if I get the right one. I would have about 30k for the car, but I'm 22, and the insurance is a killer Thanks John

That Silver 996 sounds very much like one I looked at yesterday - if it is in a small town in Wiltshire, email me


Your looking for a very similar car to me, and i'll pass on the best advice i've had on this forum (cheers ballcock), which is, there are plenty out there - take your time to find the 'right one', dont rush into it because you can afford a 911, it'll ruin the experience if you dont get a good one.

I'd reccomend holding out for one in mint condition (there are a lot of dogs out there) as they are out there, it just takes time and patience.


As for the extended warranty etc, thats a personal choice - spending 30k on a car, 100 quid on an inspection (to potentially save a 7k bill) makes a lot of sense, as for the warranty, you wont find many with them at your price point (from my experience) but once you've had the 111 OPC you could get one for 700/800...

[BliarOut]

What made you discount the Boxster S?

[verysideways]

I don't want to cast a shadow on this, but between your age and your budget and your concerns about resale, i'd say you should buy a Boxster. A 2.7 is a very nice car, a great introduction to the marque, and will always be saleable assuming you get one with leather and air and a decent colour combination. You stand to lose very little money that way (spend £20k on one - see what it's worth in 2 years time).

If the insurance isn't too different, spend a bit more on a Boxster S. You can pick up a very nice 'S' for not a lot more money, and i suspect the insurance will be significantly lower than the 996 with a GT3 bodykit. Again, you stand to lose less money than you would with the 996 too.

Either car should see you through to your 25th birthday, by which time you'll be wanting to buy a 996 GT3 (Mk2)

[1jeb]

Hi John

If you're going to get a 911, i would seriously recommend getting the Porsche warranty. Unless you're extending an existing one, they'll require a Porsche 111 point survey (£200?) before giving you the £750 warranty. I think there is a limit of 9 or 10yrs and 100k miles (as mentioned above).

This might sound a lot but if something goes even slightly wrong it will pay for it and the peace of mind is priceless! A simple search on here would suggest RAC warranties aren't worth contemplating. IIRC you'll need a specialist for a pre inspection survey as the RAC and AA don't do it.

Though i've never used one, independant dealers are very highly regarded here.

There seem to be lots of people on this forum with early 996s and though, as with every car, problems can occur, they enjoy thousands of trouble free miles.

A year ago i considered the newer boxster v older 996. I was put off the boxster because it wasn't a 911 and didn't get the 996 because i didn't want an old car.
This however, is pretty childish reasoning and i'm sure you'll come to a more informed decision! Have you considered a 993?

All I can say is that getting my 996 is the best thing i've ever done. You will spend a fortune on petrol....

Good luck!

[Vesuvius 996]

Good advice. Try to find one with the warranty intact - you can renew it. You'll pay a premium of a grand, maybe, but you really can't run one of these (a £70k + car remember) without a proper warranty.

Beware of SOME non OPC warranties. A while back I pulled out of doing a deal on a £50k Ferrari 456 when I found out the warranty had a claim limit of £2k (about half of one shock absorber....)

[supersport]

Vesuvius 996 said:

jb2 said: Hi All, I would have about 30k for the car, but I'm 22, and the insurance is a killer Thanks John

I would love to see your insurance quote, how many thousands?

Have you thought about buying an older car, 993 maybe??

[DasChin]

All good questions and just to let you know mine if for sale soon. Just having the wheels re furbed after le mans as well as having the stone chips tarted up at the front so she looks mint!!

looking for around 28k, has around 64k miles, full OPC SH and still has warranty on it til august 2006 which I will extend if I keep it. it is artic silver with boxster red leather, full gt3 kit and sport line split rim wheels and even 911 private plate.

very good car, clean, straight and has had all the right bits and repairs done under warranty like the RMS, new header and rad tanks and even had a new gearbox and clutch under warranty last year (june 2005)

I hear the gearbox is an area to watch on the 996 and will go with age.

onto your questions:


I really am pushing the budget to a max of about 27k to get an old 996, oldest 1998 (silver with a GT3 bodykit) I have found a few in this price range - one with only 40,000 miles on the clock but without an extended Porsche warranty. Is this a risky buy?

MAKE SURE YOU GET AN OPC WARRANTY AS IT IS A WORHTWHILE INVESTMENT. WITH THE WORK I HAVE HAD DONE OVER THIS LAST YEAR IT HAS PAID FOR ITSELF SOME 2.5 TIMES OVER. ALSO HOLDS THE VALUE OF THE CAR IMHO

Is the extended warranty essential? I would get an RAC inspection on whatever one I buy anyway without doubt.

RAC WARRANTIES AND OTHERS ARE BASED ON A PER CLAIM BASIS I THINK AND MOST TIMES THIS WILL MEAN YOU HAVE TO SHELL OUT OVER A 500 POUND JOB! MOST WARRANTY CLAIMS WILL BE ABOVE THIS $$ FIGURE.

I have found a few for about 28-29k with 57k miles on the clock, and with some nice sat nav gadgets and nicer alloys, but the extra mileage (and thousand pounds) is putting me off..

FORGET THE MILEAGE WORRIES AS THE HISORTY, CONDITION, HOW IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AFTER ARE MORE IMPORTANT. MINE HAS ALL THE GADGETS AS WELL AS PARK DISTANCE COTNROL, SUNROOF, MEMORY SEATS AS WELL AS SPORTS CHASSIS, SUSPNESION AND EXHAUST. THIS IS ALL LOTS EXTRA NEW AS IS THE SPORTS EXHAUST IF YOU LOOK INTO IT! PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS WHEN BUYING 911S WHICH IS ANNOYING AND FRUSTARTING AS DO YOUR RESEARCH PEOPLE!! A BASIC 911 WITH NO SPORTS CHASISS OR EXHAUST OR BODY KIT IS NOT THE SAME AS ONE WITH AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS!!

I am just thinking of resale value in 20k miles/2 years ... I don't want to lose a fortune on this car, I think a 911 will be quite a safe buy if I get the right one.
YOU WILL LOSE MONEY FOR SURE ON ANY CAR BUT THE BIG HIT HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IMHO. MY CAR WAS 82K NEW AT THE END OF 1998 SO OVER 8 YEARS IT HAS GONE FROM 82K TO 28K. WORK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF. I RECKON YOU WOULD LOSE 3-4K A YEAR ON A 996 DEPENDING ON MILEAGE AND CONDITION.