996 - only buy from a reputable dealer?
Discussion
MrC986 said:
The number of “cheap” 996 Carreras has generally dropped massively IMO in the last 3 years. I can remember seeing the odd 100k mile plus C4 coupe privately listed at sub 10k whereas now you’d struggle to see the bottom of the market below at least 12k (if not more).
Active dealers like FGP would, we understand from forum “chat”, almost bid to buy cars blind from private sellers and it is very much fastest finger to to the phone, but when the private buyers are more motivated they can beat the dealers to it - forum activity has also helped if people are known to be looking for cars as others will post links up.
OP, when you are actively looking, include websites such as Car and Classic as people 996s can get listed on there.
Cool, thanks, will add to the list. Active dealers like FGP would, we understand from forum “chat”, almost bid to buy cars blind from private sellers and it is very much fastest finger to to the phone, but when the private buyers are more motivated they can beat the dealers to it - forum activity has also helped if people are known to be looking for cars as others will post links up.
OP, when you are actively looking, include websites such as Car and Classic as people 996s can get listed on there.
The phrase modern classic seems to have become fairly common these days, and it's a fairly useful way of thinking of these cars, I think - there's a hierarchy of things that you need to be ok, shell, then engine and transmission, electrics, running gear, interior.
They can be as reliable as they were when they rolled off the line (and be better to drive, with modern suspension and setup), but you're probably going to have to do some work to get them there.
I don't think it matters where you buy from as long as the price reflects the value of the car to you - and accounts for what you will need to do with it once it's yours.
The other thing none of us can know is what your own standards are - if the boot release lever is scuffed is that something you are willing to accept?
(I had mine repainted, they're scuffed again but since I did it I'm ok with it, which I admit doesn't make a huge amount of sense).
They can be as reliable as they were when they rolled off the line (and be better to drive, with modern suspension and setup), but you're probably going to have to do some work to get them there.
I don't think it matters where you buy from as long as the price reflects the value of the car to you - and accounts for what you will need to do with it once it's yours.
The other thing none of us can know is what your own standards are - if the boot release lever is scuffed is that something you are willing to accept?
(I had mine repainted, they're scuffed again but since I did it I'm ok with it, which I admit doesn't make a huge amount of sense).
Dammit said:
The phrase modern classic seems to have become fairly common these days, and it's a fairly useful way of thinking of these cars,
The other thing none of us can know is what your own standards are - if the boot release lever is scuffed is that something you are willing to accept?
(I had mine repainted, they're scuffed again but since I did it I'm ok with it, which I admit doesn't make a huge amount of sense).
Glad its not just me with the boot lever.....The other thing none of us can know is what your own standards are - if the boot release lever is scuffed is that something you are willing to accept?
(I had mine repainted, they're scuffed again but since I did it I'm ok with it, which I admit doesn't make a huge amount of sense).
jwbc1984 said:
"Finding a hartech rebuilt one would be great, but from what I’ve seen, the owners know the value it brings and they tend to be outside my price bracket. A route I haven’t done is give them a bell as I have read they might be able to know some for sale, so I might give them a bell."
I did just this.... periodically over a 14 month period. But in the end, I found what I wanted thanks to the individuals at Hartech.I am not wanting to bang on about getting friendly with a good indy but it does pay great dividends,
I mentioned to the guy I use some 6 years ago that I was looking for one, this lead to a discussion that he had bought a good one a few months ago that needed a engine rebuild, he was going to work on it when he had time as there was no rush as it wasn't a customers car. Turned out that if committed to it , it would become a customers car & he would get the engine shipped off to hartech .
We were still talking something like 6 months before I got it but what I got was a Hartech rebuilt engine (new manifold studs) in a car that the guy I trust had sorted & reconditioned (new brakes, M030 suspension) ect.
Long story sort is there are other options out there than the finished article
I mentioned to the guy I use some 6 years ago that I was looking for one, this lead to a discussion that he had bought a good one a few months ago that needed a engine rebuild, he was going to work on it when he had time as there was no rush as it wasn't a customers car. Turned out that if committed to it , it would become a customers car & he would get the engine shipped off to hartech .
We were still talking something like 6 months before I got it but what I got was a Hartech rebuilt engine (new manifold studs) in a car that the guy I trust had sorted & reconditioned (new brakes, M030 suspension) ect.
Long story sort is there are other options out there than the finished article
Nexus Icon said:
There's a 2002 Hartech rebuilt C4 convertible on AutoTrader that looks nice. My only concern is the description says, "not seen wet conditions" and in one photo it's literally parked in a ford.
That looks a complete steal, check the MOT history on it, straight pass with no advisories for past 10 years
Bought both of my 996s from private buyers. Both mature guys who pampered them and were members of PCGB / TIPEC. One guy built Restomod 911s for a hobby and the other used my Porsche Indy for work so gave it the thumbs up before purchase.
Again I'm the kind of person who spends money being proactive on maintenance incl full suspension rebuild, switchable exhaust etc. on Iris (the Blue 996 C4) and recently £4k on dropping engine, new brake lines, power steering line, AOS, Service and more on Sabine (the Silver C2 Aero) but you will find lots like me, buy on condition or if buying cheap hold a big contingency. Don't get hung up on IMS or Hartech rebuilds, particularly if looking at Gen 1 3.4s
For me if I was selling either (never selling Iris but could be persuaded to part with Sabine as fancy a V8 Vantage !) they would come with a massive file of paperwork and would also happily direct them to the local Porsche Indy who looks after them. At the end of the day pay your money and take your choice but I'd get into the club forum and 996 Owners Club in Facebook to look for a car rather than pay over the odds for dealer and a Warranty that's likely to be worth little.
Good luck in the search
jonny996 said:
Nexus Icon said:
There's a 2002 Hartech rebuilt C4 convertible on AutoTrader that looks nice. My only concern is the description says, "not seen wet conditions" and in one photo it's literally parked in a ford.
That looks a complete steal, check the MOT history on it, straight pass with no advisories for past 10 yearsAndyoz said:
jonny996 said:
Nexus Icon said:
There's a 2002 Hartech rebuilt C4 convertible on AutoTrader that looks nice. My only concern is the description says, "not seen wet conditions" and in one photo it's literally parked in a ford.
That looks a complete steal, check the MOT history on it, straight pass with no advisories for past 10 yearsATM said:
Finally I'm curious what this one means -
install jubilee clip mod to steering rack PAS hose ferrule,
The ferrule on the power steering hose corrodes, so the cheap fix is to put a jubilee clip on. Amateurs and not what I'd expect from a reputable outfit, mainly because it's horribly expensive to fix. install jubilee clip mod to steering rack PAS hose ferrule,
My hose was about £350, the sub frame needs to come off as the hose routes way under the passenger arch. Expect them both to be seized into the rack and your rack pipes likely to be corroded.
2k to fix that lot. If you want it done properly.
jimPH said:
ATM said:
Finally I'm curious what this one means -
install jubilee clip mod to steering rack PAS hose ferrule,
The ferrule on the power steering hose corrodes, so the cheap fix is to put a jubilee clip on. Amateurs and not what I'd expect from a reputable outfit, mainly because it's horribly expensive to fix. install jubilee clip mod to steering rack PAS hose ferrule,
My hose was about £350, the sub frame needs to come off as the hose routes way under the passenger arch. Expect them both to be seized into the rack and your rack pipes likely to be corroded.
2k to fix that lot. If you want it done properly.
I think there's quite a lot of truth in the theory that plenty of traders get burnt by this era of Porsche, thinking they're in for a cheap flip and then hitting some big-ticket items when buyers do their homework properly ! I guess this also suggests that there must be a lot that are changing hands without these things being looked at, and some very expensive first service bills for the new owners !
As I started this thread and I got some great advice along the way, I thought I'd bookend it with an update - I ended up buying a 01 c2 from TWG in Peterbrough. The car was priced at the slightly higher end of the price range but it was a lower mile example (not always a good thing) but also clearly looked after. TWG had serviced it for the last 7 odd years so knew the car well. I agreed a price to include a new RMS, upgraded IMS and new clutch so was v happy with the deal. Only had it a few weeks but obvs so far think its fantastic! Even managed a few trips with my wife and 2 kids in the back - bit of a squeeze but doable.
I was worried it wouldnt get up and over the slope to my garage but it clears it with a couple of cms, so maybe changing suspension and dropping it a tiny bit in the future. For now I'm just enjoying it as is.
I was worried it wouldnt get up and over the slope to my garage but it clears it with a couple of cms, so maybe changing suspension and dropping it a tiny bit in the future. For now I'm just enjoying it as is.
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff