£20k 997 vs £15k 996
Discussion
I am looking to replace my TVR with a 911 (Carrera 2, Manual), as it will be a more usable day to day proposition than my Chimaera (firstly, it won't wake the entire street up and secondly will be much nicer in traffic).
However, I am in a quandary. My max budget is about £20k, and I have seen a few early 997's for that, but they would likely not be the finest example of 997 there is, I would assume (I haven't been to see any yet so this may be an incorrect assumption). Also, that would pretty much wipe out any pot for "omg disasters" in the short term. Whereas, if I went for a 996 at around £15k (or less), I would then have a kitty for potential issues.
I do prefer the look and interior of the 997, but I have only driven 996's (2 - 1 tip and 1 manual, and preferred the manual).
I have read a lot about all of the potential engine issues on these, and realise that the cars I am looking at in that "increased danger" range, which is why I am leaning towards the 996 over the 997.
So, for example, these are 2 cars that have caught my eye -
997 - http://www.canfieldgarage.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-...
(Annoyingly, I think this one has sold - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... )
996 - http://www.mr911.co.uk/cars/porsche/911/(996)3.6ca...
I have seen a few comments/opinions on Mr911 and they are positive, so would be fairly happy going there, but I have seen nothing re Canfield Garage. Obviously due to the name and shame policy, if anyone has anything negative, please PM me.
Any car I go for would be inspected prior to purchase, but I just want to set some realistic expectations right off the bat. So, if a £20k 997 is terrible idea, I'd like to know now.
However, I am in a quandary. My max budget is about £20k, and I have seen a few early 997's for that, but they would likely not be the finest example of 997 there is, I would assume (I haven't been to see any yet so this may be an incorrect assumption). Also, that would pretty much wipe out any pot for "omg disasters" in the short term. Whereas, if I went for a 996 at around £15k (or less), I would then have a kitty for potential issues.
I do prefer the look and interior of the 997, but I have only driven 996's (2 - 1 tip and 1 manual, and preferred the manual).
I have read a lot about all of the potential engine issues on these, and realise that the cars I am looking at in that "increased danger" range, which is why I am leaning towards the 996 over the 997.
So, for example, these are 2 cars that have caught my eye -
997 - http://www.canfieldgarage.co.uk/used-cars/porsche-...
(Annoyingly, I think this one has sold - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... )
996 - http://www.mr911.co.uk/cars/porsche/911/(996)3.6ca...
I have seen a few comments/opinions on Mr911 and they are positive, so would be fairly happy going there, but I have seen nothing re Canfield Garage. Obviously due to the name and shame policy, if anyone has anything negative, please PM me.
Any car I go for would be inspected prior to purchase, but I just want to set some realistic expectations right off the bat. So, if a £20k 997 is terrible idea, I'd like to know now.
Styling is a question of personal taste - I am sure you will have a favourite looker.
The sold car had the work to the engine completed so you would like to think that there will be other sorted cars on offer at your price point. This fix would be my 'must have' over any particular options especially when moving from a driver aid-less TVR.
The sold car had the work to the engine completed so you would like to think that there will be other sorted cars on offer at your price point. This fix would be my 'must have' over any particular options especially when moving from a driver aid-less TVR.
Having had the same dilemma I would and did go the 996 route. Get one that has had an engine rebuild by Hartech, there are plenty around.
Leggy 997's are likely to have scored bores and its a big bill. A well sorted 996 C4S would be a better bet.
If you can stretch or wait a bit the car to have is the 996 turbo as they are increasing in value.
Leggy 997's are likely to have scored bores and its a big bill. A well sorted 996 C4S would be a better bet.
If you can stretch or wait a bit the car to have is the 996 turbo as they are increasing in value.
I'm having exactly the same dilemma at the moment. My current thoughts are to get the best 996 C4S I can find, and fund a good engine overhaul and preventative maintenance programme. . . The thing that puts me of later cars is the late type IMS bearing that a lot of web sites say can't be serviced.
Very few cars for sale seem to have had the standard of engine overhaul that I'd want if I had it done myself, so I figure it's best to buy the car, then do the overhaul.
Very few cars for sale seem to have had the standard of engine overhaul that I'd want if I had it done myself, so I figure it's best to buy the car, then do the overhaul.
I hadn't really considered a C4S, mainly because I'm not looking for 4WD. Although now on further reading, they are potentially the better buy? I've also seen a couple of 40th Anniversary models and didn't really know why they were special until reading up. This is hard!
I did of course have option 3 in mind, which was to buy a "cheap" 996 and then just get the engine rebuilt etc with the left over funds.
I did of course have option 3 in mind, which was to buy a "cheap" 996 and then just get the engine rebuilt etc with the left over funds.
S5V8 said:
Having had the same dilemma I would and did go the 996 route. Get one that has had an engine rebuild by Hartech, there are plenty around.
Leggy 997's are likely to have scored bores and its a big bill. A well sorted 996 C4S would be a better bet.
If you can stretch or wait a bit the car to have is the 996 turbo as they are increasing in value.
Likely? Leggy 997's are likely to have scored bores and its a big bill. A well sorted 996 C4S would be a better bet.
If you can stretch or wait a bit the car to have is the 996 turbo as they are increasing in value.
Monsterlime said:
I did of course have option 3 in mind, which was to buy a "cheap" 996 and then just get the engine rebuilt etc with the left over funds.
I think you're getting too paranoid about the engine issues... the vast majority of cars out there have never needed a rebuild.Getting an engine rebuilt as a preventative measure is madness IMO.
I was surprised to see how many 997s are for sale below £20,000. Usually the non-S 3.6 which is often seen as the poor man's choice but in reality it's a fine car (it may be 40bhp behind the 3.8 S but it's still 20bhp more than a 3.6 996). I think I'd be looking at those for late teens.
buy a low mileage 996 (we bought a 43k miles Cab for £12k recently
check it carefully, check all the service history and receipts (walk away its there's no history (or pay very little for the car))
have it maintained by a good Porsche specialist
Enjoy - use it until you have saved up enough to move up to a 997, you will likely find you get your money back
check it carefully, check all the service history and receipts (walk away its there's no history (or pay very little for the car))
have it maintained by a good Porsche specialist
Enjoy - use it until you have saved up enough to move up to a 997, you will likely find you get your money back
Cayenneand996 said:
buy a low mileage 996 (we bought a 43k miles Cab for £12k recently
check it carefully, check all the service history and receipts (walk away its there's no history (or pay very little for the car))
have it maintained by a good Porsche specialist
Enjoy - use it until you have saved up enough to move up to a 997, you will likely find you get your money back
Very poor advice in my experience, the older low-milers have been far more problematic than newer cars, and the money you might have to spend replacing radiators suspension & brakes will eat right into your savingscheck it carefully, check all the service history and receipts (walk away its there's no history (or pay very little for the car))
have it maintained by a good Porsche specialist
Enjoy - use it until you have saved up enough to move up to a 997, you will likely find you get your money back
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