Porsche 996 - Why so cheap?
Discussion
Dooshbag said:
Urgh ! Still its a GT3, and it would be ace at the 'ring, where Germans probably think this is a cool colour... Actually, the red isn't that bad, it's the cream... my eyes !
But it's not a GT3..though it is £17,000. I've seen this up for sale for a long time. Haggle, and then get the interior redone. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1466060.htm
Dooshbag said:
sleep envy said:
saying that the 996 interior is pretty dire so anything will improve it
If you want posh interiors, buy an Audi or something, they're for DRIVING man ! 
mat205125 said:
It's also worth remembering that the older air cooled cars that everyone (including myself) covets so much, have interiors are horid by any sensible, and objective assessment by modern standard, or even against the car's contempories ...... That said, there is something very very cool about having the dials worded in the car's native language - same goes for Italian cars and their "OLIO" caps, and "BENZINE" gauges.
I never thought they were horrid, in fact the seats were awesome and the dials and and layout reminded me far more of a WWII aeroplane than a modern car. I liked the native German writing too though!Modern cars are a bit bland in comparison, except for the interiors above which are crying out for some black leather paint or the truly tasteless/colour blind.
Personally I love my 996. I bought the much bullied 1999 Carrera 2 (used) for around 19k. Mine now has around 100k on the odometer and is super reliable, fun to drive, and (I think) a beautiful looking car. Before I bought it I was looking into an 87' Carrera but they're starting to really show their age in terms of looks and performance. I don't understand how people can say the 996 interior is all flimsy plastic crap; to me it's a highly functional interior made as well as most cars in it's price range. My car is 11 years old and there is nothing broken inside.
I think the 996 is one of the most well kept secrets among it's owners.
Would I like to have a 993? Ya' know, I'm not so sure I would. Air-cooled is turning into yesterday more and more every day and truthfully they're just not as reliable. If you're thinking about a 996 don't be scared by the percentage of people who've had problems; believe me, they are a small percentage of the total owners and there are problems within just about every year of 911's made. Also, I think there's alot of air-cooled owners out there who are not happy to see their horsepower dwindling along with the re-sale values and so are taking any shot they can at maligning the early 996's
Remember... well kept secret.
I think the 996 is one of the most well kept secrets among it's owners.
Would I like to have a 993? Ya' know, I'm not so sure I would. Air-cooled is turning into yesterday more and more every day and truthfully they're just not as reliable. If you're thinking about a 996 don't be scared by the percentage of people who've had problems; believe me, they are a small percentage of the total owners and there are problems within just about every year of 911's made. Also, I think there's alot of air-cooled owners out there who are not happy to see their horsepower dwindling along with the re-sale values and so are taking any shot they can at maligning the early 996's
Remember... well kept secret.
Hoshi said:
Air-cooled is turning into yesterday more and more every day and truthfully they're just not as reliable.
Obvious troll is obvious.I somehow doubt you're going to convince anyone, including yourself, that early water-cooled lumps are more reliable than the 3.6 993 ones. I'm aware the IMS and RMS problems are over played, but they didn't use the 993 bottom end on the Turbo and GT 996s for nothing
First of all, I'm sorry, I keep reading that comment about troll but can't seem to make sense of it.
Second of all, as far as the pinnacle 993 or any of the other air-cooled 911's, all respect due but they are (great) cars with now-outdated technology just as all of our Porsche's are destined to become; time marches on, technology keeps moving forward. A 356 was a relatively great car at the time but has been said to handle (by a comparison to today's standard's) "like a bathtub". As far as the reliability of the 996 or any other 911, year after year all Porsche owners have had to deal with flaws in design, but we do it willingly for the truly magnificent way these cars perform.
Having said that, I am truly convinced that the 996 (or 993) is an awesome Porsche that performs exactly the way we Porsche owners have come to expect from this brand of cars. And, though you may think you know me better than myself, I actually am also convinced that tomorrow, bang for the buck, I would still buy a 996 over a 993. But, this is just my humble opinion. I simply wrote my response as an encouragement to the ambivalent potential 996 buyer who may happen upon this thread. Let's face it, if you really want to buy an air-cooled 993 and can afford it, chances are you're not going to buy a 996 anyway.
Lastly, if owning a 996 makes me a "punter" (the much thrown around condescending term), then so be it, I will wear that term like a badge of honor.
Second of all, as far as the pinnacle 993 or any of the other air-cooled 911's, all respect due but they are (great) cars with now-outdated technology just as all of our Porsche's are destined to become; time marches on, technology keeps moving forward. A 356 was a relatively great car at the time but has been said to handle (by a comparison to today's standard's) "like a bathtub". As far as the reliability of the 996 or any other 911, year after year all Porsche owners have had to deal with flaws in design, but we do it willingly for the truly magnificent way these cars perform.
Having said that, I am truly convinced that the 996 (or 993) is an awesome Porsche that performs exactly the way we Porsche owners have come to expect from this brand of cars. And, though you may think you know me better than myself, I actually am also convinced that tomorrow, bang for the buck, I would still buy a 996 over a 993. But, this is just my humble opinion. I simply wrote my response as an encouragement to the ambivalent potential 996 buyer who may happen upon this thread. Let's face it, if you really want to buy an air-cooled 993 and can afford it, chances are you're not going to buy a 996 anyway.
Lastly, if owning a 996 makes me a "punter" (the much thrown around condescending term), then so be it, I will wear that term like a badge of honor.
BrewsterBear said:
Hoshi said:
Air-cooled is turning into yesterday more and more every day and truthfully they're just not as reliable.
Obvious troll is obvious.I somehow doubt you're going to convince anyone, including yourself, that early water-cooled lumps are more reliable than the 3.6 993 ones. I'm aware the IMS and RMS problems are over played, but they didn't use the 993 bottom end on the Turbo and GT 996s for nothing
a 2000 s class can be had for 3 grand
a newish jag xj on like a 53 plate can be had for 5 grand
a 2007 BMW 760Li can be had for £17k
A mercedes CLS can be had for £13k
A BMW 6 series can be had for £13k from a BMW dealer
Bentley GT's can be £29k in some cases
metal is dirt cheap at the moment
a newish jag xj on like a 53 plate can be had for 5 grand
a 2007 BMW 760Li can be had for £17k
A mercedes CLS can be had for £13k
A BMW 6 series can be had for £13k from a BMW dealer
Bentley GT's can be £29k in some cases
metal is dirt cheap at the moment
GC8 said:
BrewsterBear said:
Hoshi said:
Air-cooled is turning into yesterday more and more every day and truthfully they're just not as reliable.
Obvious troll is obvious.I somehow doubt you're going to convince anyone, including yourself, that early water-cooled lumps are more reliable than the 3.6 993 ones. I'm aware the IMS and RMS problems are over played, but they didn't use the 993 bottom end on the Turbo and GT 996s for nothing
GC8 said:
Im sure that they didnt use 'a 993 engine', as stated by the poster whom I quoted, yes.
Erm, he said they used a 993 bottom end, which would be the crankcase, which was as we all know carried over from the 964 . . . . . . which given the part number I've seen, would suggest that he was correctPeople seem to talk about the production numbers comparing the 993 and 996 which is rather odd as the 996 series production run was far longer than that of the 993. If you look up the first four years of 996 production which is the full production run of the 993 you will see the numbers are about the same if anything I think more 993s were made in the same time period.
Having been privileged to ride in some of Porsche’s finest cars including the 930 turbo, 959 and the 84 Paris Dakar 911 and as I own a 996 C4 coupe I can assure you it’s pure 911 and it’s an incredible drive.
Knowing Porsche mechanics, they’ve told me how people who don’t really know a great deal fixate on the IMS and forget that all the air cooled models also have weak points, almost all cars do if you dig deep enough. As has been said it’s something that for your peace of mind you can easily upgrade. Also dual row IMS was standard in the earlier cars which has a very tiny failure rate.
For me the 930, the 67 911 and the 964/5 (turbo or na) are the only 911s I’d want over the 996.
Having been privileged to ride in some of Porsche’s finest cars including the 930 turbo, 959 and the 84 Paris Dakar 911 and as I own a 996 C4 coupe I can assure you it’s pure 911 and it’s an incredible drive.
Knowing Porsche mechanics, they’ve told me how people who don’t really know a great deal fixate on the IMS and forget that all the air cooled models also have weak points, almost all cars do if you dig deep enough. As has been said it’s something that for your peace of mind you can easily upgrade. Also dual row IMS was standard in the earlier cars which has a very tiny failure rate.
For me the 930, the 67 911 and the 964/5 (turbo or na) are the only 911s I’d want over the 996.
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