Cheap 997 (with lots of miles!)
Discussion
Hello everyone!
First things first: I need a Porsche 911 in my life!
Looked at the low end of 996 for a couple of years, but the interior just doesn't do it for me. I don't mind the exterior, but on the inside it is just way to 90's for me. So it has to be a 997. Ideally a C4 (or C4S) but if the right C2 (or C2S) comes up I probably wouldn't say no. I will be keeping my Audi S4 Avant, so if I need awd (living in Switzerland, going in the alps regularly), it'd be covered.
Anyway, this '04 997 C2 caught my eyes.
It has only done 300k km/ 190k miles, although it has received a new engine at 100k miles.
I texted the seller for more details, as he stated all receipts would be available. Also the Ad is written rather well. And the photos do look good, don't they?
Am I mad to consider this?
First things first: I need a Porsche 911 in my life!
Looked at the low end of 996 for a couple of years, but the interior just doesn't do it for me. I don't mind the exterior, but on the inside it is just way to 90's for me. So it has to be a 997. Ideally a C4 (or C4S) but if the right C2 (or C2S) comes up I probably wouldn't say no. I will be keeping my Audi S4 Avant, so if I need awd (living in Switzerland, going in the alps regularly), it'd be covered.
Anyway, this '04 997 C2 caught my eyes.
It has only done 300k km/ 190k miles, although it has received a new engine at 100k miles.
I texted the seller for more details, as he stated all receipts would be available. Also the Ad is written rather well. And the photos do look good, don't they?
Am I mad to consider this?
It's kind of impossible to tell without a detailed inspection. The issue with cheaper 911 is that it only takes a few things, suspension runner, radiator, exhaust etc to actually make it fairly pricey. This kind of defeats the reason you went for it, ie it was cheap. Sooooo it's only cheap if you have had it fully inspected and all is really well maintained or you are happy driving it with a few issues.
This all ignores the engine issues which somebody will be along soon to explain ..........
This all ignores the engine issues which somebody will be along soon to explain ..........
Oh I know all about the engine issues... I read most of Hartechs 150 pages Buyers Guide and their 70 pages exposé about the engine issues.
TBH, I'm not too concerned. The problems are there, they do exist and it can happen to anybody, but it is far more rarely than most of the internet thinks.
And what are the chances that it happens twice on the same car??
All the internet fuss didn't stop me either from buying my V8 S4 Audi which engine will explode guaranteed also!!
It may very well do, but i do sleep well at nights.
Sure i will need some more infos from the owner. Hope to have a look at it this we.
But is it normal that this car appeals to me not only because it is cheap, but also because it has 300k km?
In some strange, weird way I think it adds coolness to the car!
PS:
At least I'm not the only one who has this weird fetish for high miles, cheap Porsche:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-XIxEhQTA
PPS:
Do not tell me to start vlog/blog/YT-channel about how I bought the cheapest 997 in Switzerland!
For one, you don't want to see me on camera and secondly it will be boring because it will work flawlessly and not throw big bills at me!
ETA:
Hi Baz, just seen you answered in the mean time to my original post. Let me thank you very much for those great guides you put on the internet!
I just wish your workshop would be a bit closer to me...
TBH, I'm not too concerned. The problems are there, they do exist and it can happen to anybody, but it is far more rarely than most of the internet thinks.
And what are the chances that it happens twice on the same car??
All the internet fuss didn't stop me either from buying my V8 S4 Audi which engine will explode guaranteed also!!
It may very well do, but i do sleep well at nights.
Sure i will need some more infos from the owner. Hope to have a look at it this we.
But is it normal that this car appeals to me not only because it is cheap, but also because it has 300k km?
In some strange, weird way I think it adds coolness to the car!
PS:
At least I'm not the only one who has this weird fetish for high miles, cheap Porsche:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-XIxEhQTA
PPS:
Do not tell me to start vlog/blog/YT-channel about how I bought the cheapest 997 in Switzerland!
For one, you don't want to see me on camera and secondly it will be boring because it will work flawlessly and not throw big bills at me!
ETA:
Hi Baz, just seen you answered in the mean time to my original post. Let me thank you very much for those great guides you put on the internet!
I just wish your workshop would be a bit closer to me...
Edited by Filibuster on Thursday 27th April 10:02
Congratulations!
I have a 997 C2S with 102k on the clock and (touches wood) is running very well. Infact it was in much better condition than the other 3 I looked at despite them all having circa half the mileage. If the price is right and the condition is good I see no problem.
A friend has a one with 160k on the clock and runs great too. In the few years he has had it other than general maintanance it has only required a water pump.
I have a 997 C2S with 102k on the clock and (touches wood) is running very well. Infact it was in much better condition than the other 3 I looked at despite them all having circa half the mileage. If the price is right and the condition is good I see no problem.
A friend has a one with 160k on the clock and runs great too. In the few years he has had it other than general maintanance it has only required a water pump.
Time for a short update! Why did I buy it?
Well first there is the spec. It has very few options, but exactly the rigth ones:
- solid black
- full/extended black leather
- seat heating
- cruise control
- sport suspension (-20mm) incl. a LSD and 19" sport design wheels
- 18" Carrera wheels with winter tyres
It doesn't have sunroof or a rear screen wiper. So the most basic narrow body 997 you can buy. It has no navigation but a telephone module.
Neither the body nor the interior looks like it has even done half the miles!
It drives incredibly well too. It feels rock solid. No rattles, no squeaks and no play in steering, gearbox or suspension!
The former owner did 26k miles p.a. over the last 7 year! All long distance of course..
I do have all the reciepts for every screw over this period. A stack over an inch thik! Every single component seems to have been refitted at one point, with over 5k£ spent allone this year! I haven't had time to look at the reciepts in detail yet.. way too excited tbh!!
Can't wait to pick it up later this week!
Will be updating once I get the car. In the mean time thanks for your kind comments!
Well first there is the spec. It has very few options, but exactly the rigth ones:
- solid black
- full/extended black leather
- seat heating
- cruise control
- sport suspension (-20mm) incl. a LSD and 19" sport design wheels
- 18" Carrera wheels with winter tyres
It doesn't have sunroof or a rear screen wiper. So the most basic narrow body 997 you can buy. It has no navigation but a telephone module.
Neither the body nor the interior looks like it has even done half the miles!
It drives incredibly well too. It feels rock solid. No rattles, no squeaks and no play in steering, gearbox or suspension!
The former owner did 26k miles p.a. over the last 7 year! All long distance of course..
I do have all the reciepts for every screw over this period. A stack over an inch thik! Every single component seems to have been refitted at one point, with over 5k£ spent allone this year! I haven't had time to look at the reciepts in detail yet.. way too excited tbh!!
Can't wait to pick it up later this week!
Will be updating once I get the car. In the mean time thanks for your kind comments!
Great stuff!!!
To be honest the Nav is appaling so you are not missing much. You can get a head unit for a few hundred that will have Apple and Android carplay.
Sunroof - I live in Florida and still never use mine despite year round good weather, if I want some fresh air and hear my exhaust I just wind the window down.
So, what mods do you have planned?
To be honest the Nav is appaling so you are not missing much. You can get a head unit for a few hundred that will have Apple and Android carplay.
Sunroof - I live in Florida and still never use mine despite year round good weather, if I want some fresh air and hear my exhaust I just wind the window down.
So, what mods do you have planned?
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