3.4l 996 or 3.6l 'facelift'??
Discussion
Just supposing I was in the market for a 996.
I need to get an X-reg or newer. Is it worth the extra few £k to get the 'facelift' 3.6l (20 hp, stiffer chassis etc)
OR, as I suspect, its just more of a depreciation hit to take in three years?
I like the look of both cars, so looks isn't an issue.
I need to get an X-reg or newer. Is it worth the extra few £k to get the 'facelift' 3.6l (20 hp, stiffer chassis etc)
OR, as I suspect, its just more of a depreciation hit to take in three years?
I like the look of both cars, so looks isn't an issue.
The 3.6 is a better car in a lot of ways. I have owned both & while the 3.6 isn't a massive improvement in any particular area, its obvious they have gone over the car & improved many areas.
The 3.6 is a little punchier mid-range & is more refined - I just found it a better car all round compared to my 3.4
The 3.6 is a little punchier mid-range & is more refined - I just found it a better car all round compared to my 3.4
verysideways said:
Come on John, this is an easy one... Car has to be X reg or newer (for your number plate) so get a Mk1 GT3.
The end.
Not too many X reg Mk1's (I have looked!!)
I don't really want to spend more than £40k of the banks money (I actually want to spend much less, as I really enjoyed my 964 and would gladly have another, or a 993, or an early 996 - all less than £30k - leaving some more mods)
Plus I have 2 kids, which make GT3 owneship awkward at this time.
You are correct, the facelift will take a little bit more of a depreciation hit simply because it is younger and higher priced.
The 3.6l does have a little more punch mid-range, but it is also a little heavier going into bends....but overall not a huge performance difference.
If you are not bothered by looks then maybe be choosy about the individual car. Because the 996 was more modern and produced in higher numbers it attracted a lot of people who wouldn't have gone for a 993 - i.e. people buying for badge, alongside the traditional porsche enthusiasts. That means there are a lot of cars out there which were run as company cars etc and treated more like a mondeo than a porsche, so are very "tatty" - this is one of the main reasons for the apparently low prices of the 996 - how well they have been looked after. So you might be able to get a facelift for good money, but would you be better spending the time and hunting down a prime example of a 3.4 for the same money?
The 3.6l does have a little more punch mid-range, but it is also a little heavier going into bends....but overall not a huge performance difference.
If you are not bothered by looks then maybe be choosy about the individual car. Because the 996 was more modern and produced in higher numbers it attracted a lot of people who wouldn't have gone for a 993 - i.e. people buying for badge, alongside the traditional porsche enthusiasts. That means there are a lot of cars out there which were run as company cars etc and treated more like a mondeo than a porsche, so are very "tatty" - this is one of the main reasons for the apparently low prices of the 996 - how well they have been looked after. So you might be able to get a facelift for good money, but would you be better spending the time and hunting down a prime example of a 3.4 for the same money?
I know this isn't exactly what you want, but have a look at the C2 targa on www.911sport.co.uk
It's a customer's car, up for £44995, but I know it'll come for 42 to you (if it miraculously appeared in a Total 911 article).
It's a customer's car, up for £44995, but I know it'll come for 42 to you (if it miraculously appeared in a Total 911 article).
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