Just looked at a 996, need some advice

Just looked at a 996, need some advice

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fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
Sorry to pop back with more questions, but i've just been to look at a 996 and have a couple of Q's..


Firstly, its a 99 C2 in Ocean blue, 50k, FSH*, reasonable condition.

*the history has one little omission, which is one stamp missing, but he has a reciept from when he bought the car saying it was serviced..
It seemed fine, bodywork not bad, couple of parking dents, couple of scratches, all in all was ok.
One front indicator had condensation in.
Down side is no Trip computer or Traction, but the uprated CD player (single though), had a sunroof too.

I was wondering what you reckon this car is worth?


Also, the clutch hasnt been changed - looking under the back there were a couple of 'dark' stains in points around the engine. (and im going to regret asking this) how could i identify if the RMS was 'sweating'? or indeed leaking?

How long to clutches tend to last? It has had a recent service at a specialist (and i have the owners permission to call them for an opinion on the mechanics of the car).


The only bugger is its a private sale, and he wants to move quick, which means i have to find a buyer for my IS200, so if you know anyone looking for one, let me know. (I'll be posting in the classifieds soon).

Vesuvius 996

35,829 posts

272 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
Comments below, but the usual applies. 111 point inspection at OPC and then buy the warranty and get matey to knock £1k off the price.


fidgits said:
Sorry to pop back with more questions, but i've just been to look at a 996 and have a couple of Q's..


Firstly, its a 99 C2 in Ocean blue, 50k, FSH*, reasonable condition.

WHAT DOES "REASONABLE" MEAN? I WOULD NEVER BUY A 911 UNLESS IT HAD BEEN CLEALY CHERISHED TO BE HONEST - TOO MUCH MONEY TO CHUCK AWAY ON ONE WHICH HAS BEEN TREATED LIKE A DOG.

*the history has one little omission, which is one stamp missing

SO NOT A FULL SERVICE HISTORY THEN - WHO ON EARTH DOESN'T BOTHER GETTING A 911 SERVICED ON TIME OR EVEN GET THE BOOK STAMPED......,

but he has a reciept from when he bought the car saying it was serviced BY WHOM? MEANS NOTHING TO BE HONEST. A WIPE DOWN WITH AN OILY RAG AND 18 LITRES OF CHIP FAT? RECEIPTS?
..
It seemed fine, bodywork not bad, couple of parking dents, couple of scratches, all in all was ok. One front indicator had condensation in.

Down side is no Trip computer

NOT NEEDED imho

or Traction

NOT UNUSUAL PRE 2000,

but the uprated CD player (single though), had a sunroof too.

I was wondering what you reckon this car is worth? SEE LATER

Also, the clutch hasnt been changed

SO IT MIGHT WELL NEED DOING VERY SOON - CLUTCH LIFE DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DRIVE, NATURALLY, BUT BUDGET FOR HAVING IT DONE -

looking under the back there were a couple of 'dark' stains in points around the engine. (and im going to regret asking this) how could i identify if the RMS was 'sweating'? or indeed leaking?

RMS OFTEN DOESN'T SHOW UNLESS YOU LEAVE IT FOR AGES IN ONE PLACE. NEED MORE DETAIL OF WHERE THE LEAKS WERE.........

How long to clutches tend to last? It has had a recent service at a specialist (and i have the owners permission to call them for an opinion on the mechanics of the car).


The only bugger is its a private sale

SO NO WARRANTY AND A NEW ENGINE IS £7K,

and he wants to move quick

WHY?,

which means i have to find a buyer for my IS200, so if you know anyone looking for one, let me know. (I'll be posting in the classifieds soon).


I'd say be careful. Did you check for mayo in oil filler and header tank? It may be a bargain but I would deffo go with OPC 111 point inspection. There are an awful lot of 996s out there, and 99% of them don't have stamps missing from the book or oil leaks.



Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Friday 2nd June 15:14

magic torch

5,781 posts

223 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all

As you as you can verify the missing stamp it's ok. I'd rather have receipts than stamps, check ebay.

How heavy is the clutch pedal? If it hasn't been changed yet, may need changing soon. You said you do a lot of miles?

In my experience a well specced car sells much quicker than a low spec one, I'd use this to bargain.

Not sure how bad the RMS actually gets, mine sweats occasionally.

Definately call the specialist, see what they say. Good luck

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
when i say 'reasonable' - i mean it had a couple of parking 'dings' along with a couple of scratches... hardly any stone chips... the interior was perfect.. I'd say it had been cared for but used.

i'm about to call the garage now.

The clutch was pretty weighty - seemed similar to the last C2 I tried (only looked at one other so far) but this was in much better condition.

As for why, well he had a genunie reason (now has a long commute, which is why hes moving to a derv BMW).

As for the 111 point check, is that by porsche? how much? how much would a warranty cost?

oh, and i'd say I do 'average' mileage, about 12k a year... so probably on the high side for this sort of car...

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
oh, there was a tiny bit of mayo in the oil cap...

and the header tank seemed smaller than the last one i looked at...

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
okay, spoke to the specialist.

Car was good overall, the things he said needed doing in the near future are:

Horn faulty.
Brake Overhaul (said about 700 quid)
Bank 1-3 Seal tensioners are leaking
damper needs sorting
wheels requre balancing.

BliarOut

72,857 posts

240 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
IMO there are better cars about than the one you are looking at for the same sort of money... And that's without knowing how much money.

As an aside, computers can be retro fitted for about £200 if you're handy at DIY. All 996/Boxsters have all the electronics fitted it's just some aren't activated and don't have the column switch.

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
okay.

Ideally i'm looking to spend £25k, but would go up to £30k if the car was 'right' and worth stretching to.


What im after is a 996 C2, i like the blues, but would again, comprimise if the spec/price/condition was right.

Would likes are:
Traction control
Sat Nav
trip computer

My problem is finding the time to shop around - and as the missues is working away, travelling to pick up a private sale would be a pain. (not to mention trying to shift my car)

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
anyway, ive put the lex up in the classifieds...

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
Take your time , Fidgets , I know too well the feeling of 'okay I've finally decided I can afford/get a 996 so I want one yesterday,and I won't sleep again til I've one on the driveway' .

The 911 has such an allure and animal attraction , you can end up with the wrong car through sheer impatience . This can then lead to a very disappointing first experience ,instead of the beginning of a fantastic relationship.

You've mentioned your wishlist , but I don't think the car you're currently looking at has ANY of those extras.

There's sooooo many 996's out there for sale at the moment that your dream car is surely only around the corner . It's worth waiting for.

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
cheers BC...

you may be right - i liked the car, but yeah, there were negatives...

Part of it is because i dont have the time to hunt and travel to find one, and the other is after missing nerv's (still kicking myself about that) i dont want to let another bargin get away...

its a '99 T with 50k, and ive got him down to £26k (he wont go lower even after the brakes thing)...

magic torch

5,781 posts

223 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
fidgits, if you want a Blue Porsche, get a Blue one I reckon.

For those of us lucky enough to own one, it's even more special if it's the 'right one'.

I really wanted a Black one, gave up, bought mine, then the market was awash with them.

Think you've got to put the effort in though, but it really is worth it.

I'll be happy to look at any in my vicinity for you, and I'm sure others would too.

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd June 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Magic, I appreciate that.

I have decided to put some effort in, and have arranged to view a couple this weekend...


thanks for all the advice guys

fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

230 months

Saturday 3rd June 2006
quotequote all
okay... now i get it...

just looked at a mint one

shame its the top end of my budget, otherwise i would've secured it there and then... as it is, i need a buyer for my car and quick (before someone snatches it up from underneath me!)

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Saturday 3rd June 2006
quotequote all
This may be sacralidge but .... Your 200 is probably depreciating slower than any 996 you're interested in , you have nothing to loose by waiting for the right price for you own car before you move on your 911.

You get the picture at this stage , no doubt, but to reiterate....
When you find the one:
Get the 111 check done,
Use this to knock the price down,
Get the warranty once you buy the car .........




fishinabarrel

ballcock

3,855 posts

220 months

Saturday 3rd June 2006
quotequote all
fidgits said:
oh, there was a tiny bit of mayo in the oil cap...



This is very normal... As long as it's only a thimble full(ish)

It's water evaporating from the fuel , and condensing on the inside of the cap on shorter journeys.... Or so they say ....

dukes

1 posts

216 months

Wednesday 7th June 2006
quotequote all
Hi,

As the others have said, there are plenty of 996s out there. I have a silver C2 on a 99 plate. Box standard and good condition, but heh, look on autotrader or the Top Marques magazine and there are loads. When I bought mine last year, I phoned the 2 garages that had done the services and checked everything had been done. This is essential if you want a good example. Also, there is no reason for tatty ones, there are mint exmamples out there.

cuneus

5,963 posts

243 months

Wednesday 7th June 2006
quotequote all
My initial reaction is walk away, just be patient