996/997 purchase advice

[MrC986]

If you are considering a relatively simple spec Carrera 997 (not an S spec) the journos reckon it is for the ardent motorist a better car along as it has the right suspension/wheels & exhaust as the car is less fettered by power & driver aids though they will be harder to find & sell unfortunately. The dreaded engine problem still exists in early 997s & I know of x2 '05 cars that had the problem so for many buying a car from an OPC with warranty is appealing although the early 997s are now on the cusp of being too old to renew the normal OPC way. I'm not sure whether people feel they get their monies worth from the extra it costs to buy from an OPC vs a good indie.

Try a few of each as you will getter a better idea of how they should drive as even low miles cars can need replacement suspension bushes etc & brakes of that age (especially if the car is washed & then regularly parked up to allow the discs to corrode). A good specialist like 911 Virgin or JZM will have a range of cars to consider & will be very frank about the pitfalls of these cars & buying them as their reputation relies on them buying good cars & also offering good standards of prep & comprehensive warranties. It might be worth joining TIPEC and going to a regional meeting as most enthusiasts will happily speak about their ownership experiences.

[chowgar]

I bought my 911 to keep for a long time. These aren't your run of the mill cars, that you look to change when it goes out of fashion every 2 years! The 911 is a timeless classic in every version that Porsche released. So if you're looking at keeping your car for a while, then factor in the cost of an engine rebuild, so that you get a bullet proof engine for many, many years afterwards. The specialists like Hartech are rebuilding the engines better than when they came out of the factory. They rectify all the weak areas from the original build that have caused the cylinder bore damage.

These cars don't like to be left to rot in garages! You need to give them a good thrashing every now and then, as its what they were built for. As long as you are careful, with properly warming the engine up and cooling down before switching off, the car will be fine.

Edited by chowgar on Sunday 30th November 18:08

[m66hol]

Thanks for the help gents really appreciate it. My intention was to buy from a reputable Indy to lessen the risk of major engine issues. Initial thoughts were a well sorted 996C4s with the intention to keep it for a while, which is why I got to thinking should I stretch to a 997, would it be worth the extra expense. It sounds like I can get what I'm after in the low 20's band. I don't mind old school interiors as I have modern as a daily drive. So Portiacraft, Virgin 911 both get a mention, does anyone have any others they would recommend, any experiences with RPM or 911 box?

[jakesmith]

I find Northway excellent, I would buy a car from a specialist who has a good workshop rather than a showroom only, that way they can fix issues for you without referring to warranties the whole time

I would go 997 over 996, the 997 is lightyears ahead in terms of looks & interior in my opinion

[Steve996]

4S arse in 996 era takes some beating..................





And for balance one of my old 997

[m66hol]

I agree,996 looks fantastic from the back

[Slaav]

Steve996 said:

4S arse in 996 era takes some beating..................





And for balance one of my old 997

Nice to see the 4 wheel drive C4S being used properly..... Off road

I still think they are beautiful cars!

Although at times, I think we all get a little hung up on the 'correct' model and spec as at the end of the day they are all 911s and when we were 'boys' all we wanted was a 911?








Ps - although a Turbo is a 911 Turbo!