Porsche 996 - Why so cheap?

Porsche 996 - Why so cheap?

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Discussion

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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k-ink said:
The 933 is a thing of beauty.

The 996 is ugly and less reliable. There is your answer
depends which 996 you buy wink

k-ink

9,070 posts

178 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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They're all hunched backed with ugly lights. You just get different quantities of plastic bolted on with each model variant


LuS1fer

41,086 posts

244 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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As an objective non-Porsche fan, I always think the 996 is just ugly at thye front end. I'm not convinced it's anything more than that for most people. I recall feeling a wave of relief when the 997 was launched that it hadn't been terminally ruined. But if you do like them,it's a bargain.

Risotto

3,926 posts

211 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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I prefer the looks and reliability of the 993 and the fact that it was the culmination of many decades spent developing the original idea; but it's harder to justify the price when a 996 can be had for so much less (although it could be argued that glacial 993 depreciation rates mean you'd get a greater percentage of your money back when you sold it).

The 996 is a 911 in name only as far as I'm concerned - beyond the basic layout, there's little (if any) carryover from previous generations. It was never a pretty car (although I think its aged quite well) and things only got worse when it was facelifted in 2001. Nor does it have the 993's reputation for reliability & quality.

They are invariably compared with the earlier 911s and found wanting, but when viewed in isolation or compared to the competition, they're decent enough cars. Small enough and nimble enough to be entertaining on a cross country drive but also comfortable enough for a motorway slog. They're reasonably compact but are practical enough to transport a young family or carry the weekly shopping. They're quick enough to hold your attention but economical enough to use as daily drivers.

Spec can affect 996 prices quite a bit too - If you like Ocean Jade and Nephrite leather, you're in luck - it will cost you less than a black/black car.

There are countless horror stories about engine failures but bear in mind that it tends to only be the people who have suffered these that post about it on the internet - thus skewing the anecdotal evidence. Thousands of owners never experience any major problems.


Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 10th March 09:50

john_p

7,073 posts

249 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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It's not a good sign that in this thread only one person has said they've owned the car and that same person had to replace their engine!

That said, I wouldn't hesitate to own one. Just be aware that it was once a £60-70k car and will have running costs to match.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
john_p said:
It's not a good sign that in this thread only one person has said they've owned the car and that same person had to replace their engine!
why do you need owners to post that they haven't replaced their engines?

in that case I haven't had to replace mine

hth

Maxym

2,018 posts

235 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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996: good to drive, dull to look at, dodgy quality. Although the engine problems were RELATIVELY few and far between, it simply wasn't good enough, Porsche denied there was a problem and oowners got landed with huge bills. I'd never have one, apart from a GT3 which doesn't have the mechanical issues. Nor does the TT but the electrics are iffy; too much hassle.

I had a 993, gorgeous and a terrific drive but showing its age and miles via maintenance bills. I now have a 997. Nuff said.

k-ink

9,070 posts

178 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
This is the future for the 996...

A Top Gear episode where they have a "One grand 911 challenge". There will be three 996's lined up, falling apart, spewing oil on the way to the ring. None of then make it. Their conclusion will be - don't bother.



Meanwhile the 993 prices would have eclipsed the 997 used values and continue to climb...

matt frost

783 posts

250 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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Well firstly they are getting on a bit, and secondly they were replaced by the 997, which has been replaced by the 997 Gen 2. Every time a new model comes out this will knock the prices down.

Yes they are now a fair bit of car for the money but age has something to do with that. You can't say at 15k it is only half the car of a Focus RS, because the Focus is 30k brand new. Yes it is half the car of an RS in buying terms because people like new cars. The cheapest 996's are 11 or 12 years old, it is no wonder they are cheap!

sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
k-ink said:
Meanwhile the 993 prices would have eclipsed the 997 used values and continue to climb...
that's already happened

RaySingh

38 posts

181 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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Maybe production numbers were so high that there are now so many 996s in circulation that prices are falling relative to earlier variants. Does anyone know what the production numbers of the 996 were realtive to say 993 / 964?


k-ink

9,070 posts

178 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
^

Good point. Recession aside I presume they have climbed every year. So the newer the car the faster they should drop in theory

andye30m3

3,452 posts

253 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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I think as others have said the number produced has a lot to do with why they are now quite cheap to buy.

The thing which would put me off slightly is the possibility of intermediate shaft failure, which although not the norm does seam to be an issue on the 996 / boxster and to a degree the 997's and does require the engine replacing at significant expense. If anyone's going to blow one up it will be me.

It's been covered on the porsche forum if anyone's interested.

Targarama

14,635 posts

282 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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Gad-Westy

14,521 posts

212 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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I must say I'm amazed at the negativity towards the 996. It may be one of the least desirable generations of 911 but that's a bit like being the least fit of the Corrs sisters. If funds were there, I'd have one in a heartbeat (the car or the corr).

Late last year, I thought long and hard about buying a 996 but it was advised that I ought to think about having a few £k in the bank just in case (failures seem to be rare but very costly) and also put aside around £200 per month for maintenance. Neither of those figures seem unreasonable for what was once a £70k car but probably a little too much for my pockets. There are however some very good warranty/maintenance plans available from specialists that can ease the worry of being handed a mega-bill.

Just wish I had enough wonga to buy a GT3 or Turbo as I think they're the real barains right now and no RMS failures to worry about.

bramley

1,670 posts

207 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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matt frost said:
Well firstly they are getting on a bit, and secondly they were replaced by the 997, which has been replaced by the 997 Gen 2. Every time a new model comes out this will knock the prices down.

Yes they are now a fair bit of car for the money but age has something to do with that. You can't say at 15k it is only half the car of a Focus RS, because the Focus is 30k brand new. Yes it is half the car of an RS in buying terms because people like new cars. The cheapest 996's are 11 or 12 years old, it is no wonder they are cheap!
Whilst the factors you mention may be partially true for the 996, there are other significant factors (most of which have been covered by others) at play here. Otherwise, using your reasoning the 964 would be the cheapest, then the 993, then the 996 and so on - but we know that's not the case.

Mat Hammond

1,042 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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I have had a really nice 2001 996 Carrera 2. It was very very good condition, only 24k miles, Full Porsche history and had a great spec (bar sat nav).

It was very hard to sell, it seems the early cars are blighted by the engine issues mentioned and people are concerned about it. Most people will go for the facelift car and accept higher miles for the same price of a low miles pre-facelift car. Also some people hate red...

I liked it a lot.

The early 996's are great value, but only buy with full history and as the Autocar story said things can get expensive very quickly if you take a chance on the wrong car....



I had my car serviced at Porsche two weeks before selling. They offered me the extended warranty for £900. I think next time I would take them up on the deal, as any potential buyers would have been reassured.







Edited by Mat Hammond on Wednesday 10th March 10:11

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
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unpc said:
I would imagine they're cheap as they are so dull to look at, coupled with the fact that they were produced in much greater numbers. Probably the least desirable 911 variant.
Disagree (twice).

I'd like a 996 (GT2) above all others, and I think it's one of the best looking 911's ever produced.


sleep envy

62,260 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
unpc said:
I would imagine they're cheap as they are so dull to look at, coupled with the fact that they were produced in much greater numbers. Probably the least desirable 911 variant.
yeah you have a point









nonuts

15,855 posts

228 months

Wednesday 10th March 2010
quotequote all
monthefish said:
unpc said:
I would imagine they're cheap as they are so dull to look at, coupled with the fact that they were produced in much greater numbers. Probably the least desirable 911 variant.
Disagree (twice).

I'd like a 996 (GT2) above all others, and I think it's one of the best looking 911's ever produced.

Yep, totally agree, would LOVE a 996 GT2 and I think that's reflected in their price.

That being said I don't think the mormal 996 is an ugly car as everyone seems to be saying!