what is an 'early' 3.4 996?

what is an 'early' 3.4 996?

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Discussion

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Tuesday 19th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
Eddh said:
https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/porsche-911--...

My old one is still for sale, same spec as the above, I am surprised it hasn't sold yet TBH.
I hope a threadist got this - it appears to be sold. I wasn't able to make the trip to look at it. Needed an MOT and service and the parking sensor rear bumper not the prettiest but looked to have potential.

thumbup to Ed who was able to pass on some additional info to me.
FFS. Bought by a trader.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-996-CARRERA...

hyphen

26,262 posts

91 months

Tuesday 19th June 2018
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ferrisbueller said:
Does it matter? As it was bought fairly

Not one of those purchased where the trader goes to peoples houses pretending to be a private enthusiast seeking first purchase and can only afford x amount type affair.

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Tuesday 19th June 2018
quotequote all
hyphen said:
ferrisbueller said:
Does it matter? As it was bought fairly

Not one of those purchased where the trader goes to peoples houses pretending to be a private enthusiast seeking first purchase and can only afford x amount type affair.
How do you know? It was also advertised on Gumtree......

Fast Bug

11,719 posts

162 months

Tuesday 19th June 2018
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ferrisbueller said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Tuesday 19th June 2018
quotequote all
Fast Bug said:
ferrisbueller said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode
They advertise on eBay. I've ruled out their cars based on what I've read elsewhere.

James_G

347 posts

185 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
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Fast Bug said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode
As somebody who is in the market and aware of FG can you give a brief summary? Am I to take it that they are to be avoided?


Edit: Found it, assuming it is about not refunding a potential purchaser's deposit following a PPI.

Edited by James_G on Wednesday 20th June 00:22

James_G

347 posts

185 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
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was8v said:
I use mine a fair bit. Usually when reversing, or in slow traffic.
Does the 996 have the issue that vertically backed hatchbacks do, that being if you drive in the rain you need to constantly clear the rear screen? Or are they more like saloons where rear screen retains water when stationary but that quickly clears when underway. Certainly my 944 was more that latter than the former.

richthebike

1,734 posts

138 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
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Just for some balance, I thought Luke was pretty solid when I bought my car from FGP.

I wouldn't write them off. He's a fairly young guy starting out in a pretty knowledgeable market place. Sounds like he's learned a lot over the past 12 months which has to be good for buyers.

I know others on or reading this thread have bought from him, and are pretty happy.

He seems to consistently get the type of cars in stock that we're all talking about. There's obviously some issues with 20 yr old cars, but you get them with a private seller too, with no come back. I was happy with prep and after sales.

Given the recent past, I would say there's never been a better time for a forum user to buy from him!

jonny996

2,618 posts

218 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
iv not bought or dealt with FGP but from my reading of the various 996 forums, I would say they have had more positive press than negative. 1 bad write up does not make them an outfit to be avoided.

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
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Not sure where the forum rules stand on this tbh. I do know that positive stuff will remain and negative stuff won't and understand the reasons for that.

What I would say, which I think is within the rules, is that the issue mentioned above gave rise for concern on two levels. Firstly, the PPI on the car itself. Secondly, the way the aftermath was dealt with.

As a buyer I find things like that concerning. The measure of businesses is how they deal with things when they go wrong. I think it's natural for there to be a reluctance to lay yourself open to a similar situation.

Acknowledging that any transaction has an element of risk.

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
richthebike said:
Given the recent past, I would say there's never been a better time for a forum user to buy from him!
Can you add some context to that please?

ATM

18,300 posts

220 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
Fast Bug said:
ferrisbueller said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode
They advertise on eBay. I've ruled out their cars based on what I've read elsewhere.
Seems reasonably priced

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ATM said:
ferrisbueller said:
Fast Bug said:
ferrisbueller said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode
They advertise on eBay. I've ruled out their cars based on what I've read elsewhere.
Seems reasonably priced
It's 3k more than it was last week but that's the nature of the beast.

richthebike

1,734 posts

138 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
richthebike said:
Given the recent past, I would say there's never been a better time for a forum user to buy from him!
Can you add some context to that please?
Just that he'll be sensitive to ensuring you help him rebuild his reputation around here.

He won't want another thread, so will probably go out of his way to make sure you're looked after.

Now obviously he's not going to let anyone take the mickey, but I'm sure he's learned from the recent experience.

Just remember, you're not buying a new car, things will go wrong, they will cost money, and not all of them will be down to the dealer.

If you haven't got the skills to inspect a car, get somebody else to, and pay them for it. If this throws out a show stopper, don't expect your inspection money back (but please do share your knowledge with the rest of us). Do expect your deposit returned, unless you reach an agreement to rectify with whomever is supplying.

richthebike

1,734 posts

138 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
ATM said:
ferrisbueller said:
Fast Bug said:
ferrisbueller said:
Not seen much of Friends Green since the 911UK episode
They advertise on eBay. I've ruled out their cars based on what I've read elsewhere.
Seems reasonably priced
It's 3k more than it was last week but that's the nature of the beast.
I would have thought it has now had some prep. Be good to know.

ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
richthebike said:
ferrisbueller said:
richthebike said:
Given the recent past, I would say there's never been a better time for a forum user to buy from him!
Can you add some context to that please?
Just that he'll be sensitive to ensuring you help him rebuild his reputation around here.

He won't want another thread, so will probably go out of his way to make sure you're looked after.

Now obviously he's not going to let anyone take the mickey, but I'm sure he's learned from the recent experience.

Just remember, you're not buying a new car, things will go wrong, they will cost money, and not all of them will be down to the dealer.

If you haven't got the skills to inspect a car, get somebody else to, and pay them for it. If this throws out a show stopper, don't expect your inspection money back (but please do share your knowledge with the rest of us). Do expect your deposit returned, unless you reach an agreement to rectify with whomever is supplying.
I get that. However, I do also have historical baggage which make me cautious. I bought a car from a dealer who has a glowing online reputation (which is protected by PH, and others). Superficially everything was good and in order. Subsequently things began to unravel at which point they didn't seem as enthusiastic to fulfil their obligations as they had been to sell the car and enter into the contract the sale entailed. It got messy and they were forced to comply, Now I've spoken to more knowledgeable people in the appropriate circles it transpires the dealer is well known within the trade and is something of a joke. I have not seen or heard a single positive endorsement of them from their peers or anyone outside of the group of people they pay to do work for them (until such time as they fall out and stop working for them). Little if any of that real world reputation is visible online.

Not sure how many cars I've bought in total over the years but it's more than 20, none of which have been less than three years old, and this is the only time such a thing happened. I am sure plenty of other PH'ers have similar stories but we're not allowed to post them in order to protect others. I like to think I look at everyone on their own merits and avoid the broad brush but the world of car dealers isn't the best environment in which to go looking for integrity. I'm in no rush to repeat that little adventure so I try to do due diligence on the dealer as well as the car. I've frequently bought cars privately since then as it's a much clearer position.

richthebike

1,734 posts

138 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
I get that. However, I do also have historical baggage which make me cautious. I bought a car from a dealer who has a glowing online reputation (which is protected by PH, and others). Superficially everything was good and in order. Subsequently things began to unravel at which point they didn't seem as enthusiastic to fulfil their obligations as they had been to sell the car and enter into the contract the sale entailed. It got messy and they were forced to comply, Now I've spoken to more knowledgeable people in the appropriate circles it transpires the dealer is well known within the trade and is something of a joke. I have not seen or heard a single positive endorsement of them from their peers or anyone outside of the group of people they pay to do work for them (until such time as they fall out and stop working for them). Little if any of that real world reputation is visible online.

Not sure how many cars I've bought in total over the years but it's more than 20, none of which have been less than three years old, and this is the only time such a thing happened. I am sure plenty of other PH'ers have similar stories but we're not allowed to post them in order to protect others. I like to think I look at everyone on their own merits and avoid the broad brush but the world of car dealers isn't the best environment in which to go looking for integrity. I'm in no rush to repeat that little adventure so I try to do due diligence on the dealer as well as the car. I've frequently bought cars privately since then as it's a much clearer position.
Completely see your point of view, and you've had a good run at 95% success rate across 20 used cars. My record isn't quite as good - I bought a truly horrific Megane Scenic a few years back, along with a sub-par 944. We live and learn!

I've had a couple of main dealer purchases, and see the value of having a new or newish daily. I've just stepped into a new M3, and am very happy with the cost/warranty/shiny balance.

However, I'm a firm beleiver that there's a lot of fun in seeking out a brilliant used purchase, particularly from private sellers.

There's a growing view that an early 996 is an 18-20k car. You either pay this upfront, or buy cheaper and then do some work. I guess this is a good rule of thumb, but you might luck out.

Then there's the 2k a year running cost, which seems to have gained acceptance, although upgraditis blows this out of the water pretty fast!


ferrisbueller

29,343 posts

228 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
richthebike said:
There's a growing view that an early 996 is an 18-20k car. You either pay this upfront, or buy cheaper and then do some work. I guess this is a good rule of thumb, but you might luck out.

Then there's the 2k a year running cost, which seems to have gained acceptance, although upgraditis blows this out of the water pretty fast!
There seems to be a steady supply of 3.4s at £13-14k, including from dealers. They might be £18-20k in future but not now.

rival38

487 posts

146 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
richthebike said:
There's a growing view that an early 996 is an 18-20k car. You either pay this upfront, or buy cheaper and then do some work. I guess this is a good rule of thumb, but you might luck out.

Then there's the 2k a year running cost, which seems to have gained acceptance, although upgraditis blows this out of the water pretty fast!
There seems to be a steady supply of 3.4s at £13-14k, including from dealers. They might be £18-20k in future but not now.
I don`t think these are conflicting statements at all ! Yes, cars are available from various sources at 13/14K, but they are going to require work and £ before they are on the button.

richthebike

1,734 posts

138 months

Wednesday 20th June 2018
quotequote all
rival38 said:
ferrisbueller said:
richthebike said:
There's a growing view that an early 996 is an 18-20k car. You either pay this upfront, or buy cheaper and then do some work. I guess this is a good rule of thumb, but you might luck out.

Then there's the 2k a year running cost, which seems to have gained acceptance, although upgraditis blows this out of the water pretty fast!
There seems to be a steady supply of 3.4s at £13-14k, including from dealers. They might be £18-20k in future but not now.
I don`t think these are conflicting statements at all ! Yes, cars are available from various sources at 13/14K, but they are going to require work and £ before they are on the button.
That's what I was getting at smile
Given a bit of luck, it's probably more like 16-20k. I'll accept that there's still the odd bargain out there, particularly if you're flexible on spec, colour etc.

Aerokits have a slightly tighter bandwidth I think, but I'm happy to be proved wrong.