RE: Porsche 911 Carrera (996): Spotted
Discussion
Only 166 pages to get through on this thread on early 996 3.4's - everything you'll ever need to know 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
edh said:
Only 166 pages to get through on this thread on early 996 3.4's - everything you'll ever need to know
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That thread contributed hugely in me buying one in the first place!https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This looks like a lovely car. I’ve owned two 3.4 versions, the second a convertible very like this car. Both on Hartech scheme. Silver, metropole and amber looks brilliant. I have a 996T currently but find it dreadfully expensive and less feelsome than the Carrera. I saw this one and thought honestly about buying it.
HAS IT HAD THE BORES REPLACED?? This is key. Not clear what the Hartech work was exactly.
HAS IT HAD THE BORES REPLACED?? This is key. Not clear what the Hartech work was exactly.
I'm the owner and vendor of the vehicle. Thanks for the (largely) kind words about the car - it is a great thing - and has been a labour of love over the last 5 years. It's by far the longest I've kept a road car; I've had a few road cars, including some of the alternatives listed in this thread. I am ambivalent about car marques so buy largely on ability, and the 996 does not disappoint. EVO car of the year 1998 was well deserved.
As had already been said, every car marque has its weaknesses. Some are of course weaker than others! I hope I have dealt with the key issues on this car though.
Someone mentioned clutch and flywheel? They were replaced in OE units 2013, along with the RMS, which was replaced again by Hartech in 2014
For those that don't like the seats - they can of course be replaced, as can the ambers. But they are original. So if you buy it and do decide to change, it's probably worth hanging on to them.
I have every MOT so can confirm the mileage is genuine.
As had already been said, every car marque has its weaknesses. Some are of course weaker than others! I hope I have dealt with the key issues on this car though.
Someone mentioned clutch and flywheel? They were replaced in OE units 2013, along with the RMS, which was replaced again by Hartech in 2014
For those that don't like the seats - they can of course be replaced, as can the ambers. But they are original. So if you buy it and do decide to change, it's probably worth hanging on to them.
I have every MOT so can confirm the mileage is genuine.
John.Taylor said:
I don't get the appeal of old 911's.
I couldn't get excited opening up my garage door of a weekend to look at this, nor could I at the thought of driving it - you'd get much the same from a £5k Boxster. People must just be buying these as an investment but where's the fun in that.
If I had £13k to throw at a second car my money would go on a TVR (garage appeal), Elise (driving appeal) or an E46 M3 (garage & driving appeal).
It's just a case that you don't get 911s and that's fine, buy one of the others. I couldn't get excited opening up my garage door of a weekend to look at this, nor could I at the thought of driving it - you'd get much the same from a £5k Boxster. People must just be buying these as an investment but where's the fun in that.
If I had £13k to throw at a second car my money would go on a TVR (garage appeal), Elise (driving appeal) or an E46 M3 (garage & driving appeal).
If you do (like me) get them, there's nothing else that offers what they do.
Buy as an investment??
The running costs to maintain one properly soon wipe any hopes of that out, should anyone be naive enough.
TVR? Whole other level of niggles and trouble. My mate bought a Cerb 4.2, his life long dream car. Load o shoite.
I was always into 911s. He now is with a 996 3.4 C2, same as me.
Lotus - You have to be hardcore to head to the south of France in an Elise.
M3 - I've had them and they're ace but feel very normal compared to a 911 and the steering feel is about half as good.
Looks wise again it's upto you.
This does me just fine.
As for the car mentioned. It's had all the normal things that these will need one day.
Buy one without the work and you'll be the one doing it.
Ignore the mileage on the dash. The hartech rebuild and suspension refresh pretty much negates it. Cosmetics are easily sorted over time.
That's a great buy!
One last thing and someone may have already linked it.
For those who know who jethro B is, here's his take on 996 Carreras.
https://youtu.be/w6jCiB9dt0A
There's a fair bit can go wrong with old 911s, any model, but when they're working and handling like they should (e.g. Refreshed) there's nothing else offers that experience and 996s are every bit a proper 911.
Edited by marky911 on Wednesday 7th November 16:03
ScienceTeacher said:
HAS IT HAD THE BORES REPLACED?? This is key. Not clear what the Hartech work was exactly.
No need my friend. This is a 3.4 - with ferrous coated pistons. This coating does not break up unlike the plastic coating of 3.6 pistons - which is what prematurely scores the bores on those.
Of course the bores in the 3.4 will wear like any engine eventually, but not likely at that mileage.
marky911 said:
Buy as an investment??
Just adding a couple more to this idea of a 996 being an investment.The Crack Fox said:
Ask yourself, honestly, if it didn't have that badge on it, would you spend £15k on a 20 year old coupe of questionable looks with a poor record for reliability?
£15k would be something of a worst case scenario, which would apply to virtually any 20 year old performance car.Then again, some people rather lose 30k-40k in depreciation for the sake of a badge and the latest number plate.
Edited by TwinExit on Wednesday 7th November 16:36
Well, I'm that 40yo who has wanted a 911 since he was knee-high to a grasshopper and still hasn't managed it.
I'll probably end up in a Boxster first but I'll have to scratch that 911 itch at some point.
Time was I could ignore the 'ugly' 996 as 964s were still cheap. But that time has long gone. So I've resigned myself to the fact that my first 911 will probably be a 996.
This looks great to me for the money. A Hartech rebuild offers peace of mind and the interior's the only bit that disappoints me aesthetically. That's easily sorted.
Still not in a position to get into it, mind.
I'll probably end up in a Boxster first but I'll have to scratch that 911 itch at some point.
Time was I could ignore the 'ugly' 996 as 964s were still cheap. But that time has long gone. So I've resigned myself to the fact that my first 911 will probably be a 996.
This looks great to me for the money. A Hartech rebuild offers peace of mind and the interior's the only bit that disappoints me aesthetically. That's easily sorted.
Still not in a position to get into it, mind.
The Crack Fox said:
Ask yourself, honestly, if it didn't have that badge on it, would you spend £15k on a 20 year old coupe of questionable looks with a poor record for reliability?
Is the reliability really any worse than any other car of this generation?Or because it's a Porsche do people expect it to be more reliable then get disappointed?
Show me another car with the same combination of handling, frankly amazing engine, looks and even comfort and usability and I will show you £15k
I only bought mine because it seemed cheap for a car that topped every group test when it was released, I thought id better see what all the fuss is about while they are affordable.
Until you have got to know a 996 it's sometimes difficult to appreciate it. It was hard for me to gel at first coming from a 350z but it soon started to make sense, especially once I'd replaced all the worn bits.
Also a 996 (3.4 c2) owner, I bought mine earlier this year and viewed and researched quite a bit and manuel 3.4 cars with this level of work done are getting rare at this price point, subject to viewing it I would say this looks quite a good find, certainly one I would have viewed when looking.
Its also worth noting what with a lot of people bashing the reliability aspect of the 3.4 996 - the 997 was a much more unreliable engine especially in 3.8 guise and the IMS whereby you have a right job to get to as they changed it later on
Enginewise these are the sweetspot right up until the 997.2. As mentioned before not all of these cars require rebuilds of the highest order at Hartech
Enginewise these are the sweetspot right up until the 997.2. As mentioned before not all of these cars require rebuilds of the highest order at Hartech
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think the exact changeover is unknown, but yeah there were a few.I cannot believe people would seriously discount this car for having ruffled leather
it like the least important bit This car is a bargain (if theres commensurate recent suspension work etc), get it bought someone!
It's the usual old cliches on these threads.... Two disparate schools of thought;
from people who appreciate this car, the engineering, the unique (read brilliant) driving experience, and are realistic to the (usually) fairly modest (for a 300hp / £50K+ when new) running costs ....
compared to those who have never owned nor driven one.
from people who appreciate this car, the engineering, the unique (read brilliant) driving experience, and are realistic to the (usually) fairly modest (for a 300hp / £50K+ when new) running costs ....
compared to those who have never owned nor driven one.
Patrick Bateman said:
I'd like a 911 of a sort some day but it's a tough sell to me when you see what you can get for your money in 986/987 form.
And the 986 S is the better sports car. But its not as usable as a 996, and it is a different proposition.
An equivalent 996 isn't a massive amount more than a 986, similar running costs and they will hold that difference.
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