Used 997s - How low do they go and what's selling?
Discussion
I'm currently on the lookout for a 997 at the lower end of the market and I'm surprised at how little success I'm having getting any response from sellers, despite being a cash buyer. I will admit to looking at the very lowest end of the market, populated with base spec, high mileage 3.6 tiptronics, although I may save a bit longer for something 'better'.
Set aside today for firming up my choice and chose to ring up four sellers. None answered the phone and no one's rung back when I left my details.
I also sent five email/website contact form messages asking what I thought were sensible questions on basic information not included in ads, not even discussing price. I understand sellers often prefer a call, but a friendly email enquiry must surely be welcome?
I'm also happy to compromise on spec, but what's this end of the 911 market like at the moment? All the forums say don't touch this segment with a bargepole so you'd think sellers would be keen to engage with a genuine buyer!
Set aside today for firming up my choice and chose to ring up four sellers. None answered the phone and no one's rung back when I left my details.
I also sent five email/website contact form messages asking what I thought were sensible questions on basic information not included in ads, not even discussing price. I understand sellers often prefer a call, but a friendly email enquiry must surely be welcome?
I'm also happy to compromise on spec, but what's this end of the 911 market like at the moment? All the forums say don't touch this segment with a bargepole so you'd think sellers would be keen to engage with a genuine buyer!
g7jhp said:
They were probably watching the rugby.
Yep, some things are more important than cars!To be fair, just got a call from one of the salesmen at one of the dealers contacted. I put my preferred offer to him and he's going to speak to boss man on Monday. The car in question has done 147,000 miles so you'd hope they'd be keen to deal :-)
Are you only dealing with traders or are you including private sellers in your search?
How much are you looking to spend / what do you call bottom end of the market?
If you are on a budget then are you not best considering which car will cost you less to own throughout your ownership rather than outright lowest possible purchase price? Not sure what your budget is but you could easily get a nice 997 S with around 100k miles (private), with change from £20k, run it for a year or two and still be able to sell it for good money. On the other hand if you are looking at a bogo spec car with 150k miles from a trader, you will most likely not get back anywhere near what it costs you.
How much are you looking to spend / what do you call bottom end of the market?
If you are on a budget then are you not best considering which car will cost you less to own throughout your ownership rather than outright lowest possible purchase price? Not sure what your budget is but you could easily get a nice 997 S with around 100k miles (private), with change from £20k, run it for a year or two and still be able to sell it for good money. On the other hand if you are looking at a bogo spec car with 150k miles from a trader, you will most likely not get back anywhere near what it costs you.
POORCARDEALER said:
Bottom priced cars will be that for a reason....usually high miles, patchy history, cosmetically poor, VCAR register.
Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I'm looking at 997s around £20k and less, holding some funds back for proper servicing and the inevitable big bills once every now and then.Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I have a car to p/ex but am happy doing a WBAC to give me some cash leverage and to include private sellers.
One car that was in the running has got now a deposit on it from another punter, but I wasn't going to rush in before getting details of the build spec and history. It turns out the dealer lied about the sports exhaust ("it's got flaps in it" turned out to be chrome tips only) and the "sheaf of paperwork" was just three invoices. There was no detail on the "minor blemishes" which turned out to be worrying rust and significant loss of lacquer.
A private seller wouldn't respond with details of a Cat C 997 - maybe they too have punters beating a path to their door?
Another dealer didn't respond to my request to disclose the VRM as the automated HPI check didn't link through unless I put in the VRM manually.
I'm in no rush and prices will only soften as the weather gets worse!
mellowman said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Bottom priced cars will be that for a reason....usually high miles, patchy history, cosmetically poor, VCAR register.
Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I'm looking at 997s around £20k and less, holding some funds back for proper servicing and the inevitable big bills once every now and then.Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I have a car to p/ex but am happy doing a WBAC to give me some cash leverage and to include private sellers.
One car that was in the running has got now a deposit on it from another punter, but I wasn't going to rush in before getting details of the build spec and history. It turns out the dealer lied about the sports exhaust ("it's got flaps in it" turned out to be chrome tips only) and the "sheaf of paperwork" was just three invoices. There was no detail on the "minor blemishes" which turned out to be worrying rust and significant loss of lacquer.
A private seller wouldn't respond with details of a Cat C 997 - maybe they too have punters beating a path to their door?
Another dealer didn't respond to my request to disclose the VRM as the automated HPI check didn't link through unless I put in the VRM manually.
I'm in no rush and prices will only soften as the weather gets worse!
Spend some of the money you're keeping back to pay for a proper PPI. Unless you'r very brave.
mellowman said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Bottom priced cars will be that for a reason....usually high miles, patchy history, cosmetically poor, VCAR register.
Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I'm looking at 997s around £20k and less, holding some funds back for proper servicing and the inevitable big bills once every now and then.Put some context into your question.....how much are you wanting to spend?
I have a car to p/ex but am happy doing a WBAC to give me some cash leverage and to include private sellers.
One car that was in the running has got now a deposit on it from another punter, but I wasn't going to rush in before getting details of the build spec and history. It turns out the dealer lied about the sports exhaust ("it's got flaps in it" turned out to be chrome tips only) and the "sheaf of paperwork" was just three invoices. There was no detail on the "minor blemishes" which turned out to be worrying rust and significant loss of lacquer.
A private seller wouldn't respond with details of a Cat C 997 - maybe they too have punters beating a path to their door?
Another dealer didn't respond to my request to disclose the VRM as the automated HPI check didn't link through unless I put in the VRM manually.
I'm in no rush and prices will only soften as the weather gets worse!
Good luck in your search
Have you seen the 05 Carrera 4S with a 'comprehensive engine rebuild at Hartech Nov 2018 at 87k' - now on 90k.
Only 1 owner looks smart in grey has PSE exhaust, etc. Bit above your budget at £24,750 but does have £15k of recent bills (presumably Hartech invoice included)
Sorry I can't linky but do a search on autotrader and just put 'hartech' in key works search criteria.
Only 1 owner looks smart in grey has PSE exhaust, etc. Bit above your budget at £24,750 but does have £15k of recent bills (presumably Hartech invoice included)
Sorry I can't linky but do a search on autotrader and just put 'hartech' in key works search criteria.
At that budget, I agree that you should almost actively hunt out 'poor' spec cars as it may put your competition off - focus solely on the car's condition.
If you are looking to tick the Porsche box, I'd urge you to make the sums work for a manual. The Tiptronic wasn't great in the day and is incredibly outdated against modern autos. A manual will always hold its value better as a result.
Didn't realise they were so cheap now, but what's wrong with something like this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
If you are looking to tick the Porsche box, I'd urge you to make the sums work for a manual. The Tiptronic wasn't great in the day and is incredibly outdated against modern autos. A manual will always hold its value better as a result.
Didn't realise they were so cheap now, but what's wrong with something like this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
thelostboy said:
Didn't realise they were so cheap now, but what's wrong with something like this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Looks to be good value and I understand that Zuffenhaus are a decent Porsche Indy.https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Definitely get a PPI done at a decent indy and make sure it has a borescope; being a 2006 car, it will come with the improved/larger IMS bearing.
Only downside for somebody on tight budget is that it will attract the larger car tax as it was registered after 23/3/06.
Good luck.
Edited by carcrazypop on Monday 4th November 10:46
Thanks for the responses, all great insights.
I am happy to compromise, hence accepting I might be up against a load of 3.6 tiptronics with big miles and few options at this end of the market, but it's clear there are some manuals and a few 3.8s around at this level too.
What I find hard to rationalise is whether the manual box is the one thing I should hold out for. Are there any tiptronic drivers that enjoy spirited driving on twisty roads with the box in manual mode, that might like to comment?
The higher tax is a useful bargaining factor. Again, I'm happy to play the "nobody wants these" line in negotiations.
It will be a daily driver not a garage queen.
I am happy to compromise, hence accepting I might be up against a load of 3.6 tiptronics with big miles and few options at this end of the market, but it's clear there are some manuals and a few 3.8s around at this level too.
What I find hard to rationalise is whether the manual box is the one thing I should hold out for. Are there any tiptronic drivers that enjoy spirited driving on twisty roads with the box in manual mode, that might like to comment?
The higher tax is a useful bargaining factor. Again, I'm happy to play the "nobody wants these" line in negotiations.
It will be a daily driver not a garage queen.
mellowman said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Point taken! Any defenders of the tiptronic 'box on here before I rule it out?Good luck.
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