Is it time i bought a 911?

[Shot1]

Been thinking of a 911 for a while now, my circumstances changed earlier in the year so no longer need a daily driver.

Ideally I'd like a 997 but my budget would be for an early model. I'd like a C2S and I'm interested in this one:

http://www.sh-car-sales.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-91...

It's about to clock 70k but according to the ad comes with FPSH. Having a higher mileage and a good history should that ease my concerns over potential engine failure as if it were going to happen would have happened by now? Anyone on here know the car?

Part of me says keep away from the early 997 but my heart says go on do it. Any thoughts?

[monthefish]

Shot1 said:

Is it time i bought a 911?

Yes, definitely.

Shot1 said:

It's about to clock 70k but according to the ad comes with FPSH. Having a higher mileage and a good history should that ease my concerns over potential engine failure as if it were going to happen would have happened by now?

No. Doesn't work like that unfortunately, but don't let potential engine issues be the reason you never owned a 911.
If you're really concerned about it, buy a 997 in a undesirable spec/colour and use the money saved to get it on the Hartech maintenance plan (which, when you take into account servicing costs etc, isn't actually much more expensive than not going with them).

That particular one is an S, and looks to be very reasonably priced.
It's actually better than an aerokit, as it has the GT3 front bumper (with the vents that the Aerokit bumper doesn't have)

Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 18th November 17:00

[Magic919]

I wouldn't buy a Gen 1 997.

[IMI A]

I wouldn't buy packet of crisps from that dealer.

Go to an OPC, 911 Virgin , JZM, RSJ or Cridfords for nice gen 1 997. At least you will get a proper warranty in the event the engine does let go.

[IMI A]

Another one of their offerings.

http://www.sh-car-sales.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-91...



And another.

http://www.sh-car-sales.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-91...

[newboy997]

Magic919 said:

I wouldn't buy a Gen 1 997.

I would ....and did.

similar to the OPs advert...05 997 S bought at 68k miles...albeit from a reputable indy

buy with your eyes open, from somewhere reputable, do the checks, take the preventative measures....the odds really are in your favour then and you'll own a brilliant car

[monthefish]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Shot1 said:

http://www.sh-car-sales.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-91...

Thats a Tip, not a Manual shirley ?

And punchy money for it too.

It does look like a tip, but is £23k really punchy money for a kitted S with 70k miles from a dealer?

[monthefish]

IMI A said:

I wouldn't buy packet of crisps from that dealer.

[hondansx]

A Gen 1 Tiptronic...

I'd say the aerokit is confusing you between mutton and lamb. It says 'huge' spec, but can't see evidence of that in the description or photos. I wouldn't pay extra for an aerokit car IMO.

Also, if it is indeed a GT3 front bumper - why? Crashed?

[Shot1]

Thanks for the replies, the car in question has gone now so the ease to rush in has gone for now. I did ask the garage a few questions regarding the car but got no reply.

Ultimately I'm after a keeper and if my priorities had been different a couple of years back I would have had a lovely '89 guards red Carrera. Instead I bought my RRSport as I needed a tow car for holidays etc. Now I find myself looking at 911's again but the early air cooled cars from just a couple of years back have shot up in value so I've turned my attention to the more modern cars. The values on older cars has always interested me, I get the idea of older vehicles being valuable the rarer/older they get coupled with rose tinted spectacles the values increase. Mk2 escorts for example. But what about 911's? are the prices of the early cars really worth it? I love the look of the early cars but are they really a better buy than a newer model of similar value?

Anyway that's a whole new topic. Returning to the 997 if I save a while longer (a year) I should be able to stretch to a 997.2 but are the 997.1's as unreliable as the forum's suggest? ultimately I'd like something I could use everyday and have some fun with along the way. Plus they look good, but if these really are going to be a money pit I'm oot.

newboy997, how long have you owned your car now and has it been all you hoped it would be?

[mollytherocker]

The air cooled vs water cooled debate continues to widen. Buyers of these cars generally have differing requirements and tastes. GT3's are the exception of course.

It sounds like you are in the water cooled camp, but try both if you can. Air cooled obsessives often came to Porsche via a cheap Boxster and then 'discover' the magic of the old cars.

Have fun!

[newboy997]

Shot1 said:

newboy997, how long have you owned your car now and has it been all you hoped it would be?

15 months and 8k miles (68-76k)

Absolutely. Mine already had LTT and 3rd rad, and I've done some other sensible stuff (oil changes, new water pump, magnetic sump plug).

It was my first Porsche and I was a little precious with it at first but now, whilst I'm still respectful (warm up properly, avoid short journeys, etc) it's getting used properly.

I look at like this - there's a 5-10% chance that I'll get hit with a £10k bill. If I do, my warranty might cover half (they always wriggle) and I'll then have a bullet proofed, Hartech engined 997.1. Mine's got the perfect spec, so it's a keeper anyway so a few quid to future proof it isn't the end of the world.

That said, there's a thread on 911.UK where a guy has a daily driver 06 with 161k miles on the original engine, and he doesn't even use super unleaded!

They're superb. Buy from somewhere reputable, have a borescope done if it helps, and then laugh at those who wouldn't buy a 'chocolate engined' 997.1....it's people like that they make them affordable for people like me.