I've just bought some poverty Pork…

[KPB1973]

ATM said:

Good list there although nothing with rear engine format? If you like the 986 you need to try a 996. When you feel the weight of the engine swinging around at the back it really is unique. Not necessarily better just different.

I still long for another 986 but not sure I can get over the niggles which for me are -

all the ones for sale probably need lots of money spending on them to get them right
I dont really fit my legs in them but I've only ever tried standard Porsche factory seats

I know they appear to be bargain right now but if you then throw 4 or 5 grand at one it is no longer a bargain

I'd like to try a 996 but I've never really considered them due to price vs borkage, and resale factors given I change about twice a year. FWIW, i've only actually lost money on 3 of the cars listed above (1 x M3, 1 x Megane and the SL63). All the others have sold at breakeven or for a profit and i'm probably only £4-5k down in depreciation/servicing across the whole list and 6 years.

The only 997 i'd have would be a Gen 2, but I think they're poor VFM for what they are.

As for your comments about legroom. I found the 2.7 excruciatingly uncomfortable (hip and back) until I used a bean-cushion, but i've had no issues with the latest one for some reason.

[ATM]

KPB1973 said:

I'd like to try a 996 but I've never really considered them due to price vs borkage, and resale factors given I change about twice a year.

If you can keep the bills down on a 986 then you dont have too much invested. The entry price to a 996 is higher but I think this gives you a bit more room for a bit of investment into bork prevention or repair and still able to recoup most of it if not all. Well that's what I'm telling myself.

[KPB1973]

ATM said:

If you can keep the bills down on a 986 then you dont have too much invested. The entry price to a 996 is higher but I think this gives you a bit more room for a bit of investment into bork prevention or repair and still able to recoup most of it if not all. Well that's what I'm telling myself.

I think your timing is probably 'on' in that the 996 is getting more loved each passing year. I do think there's a lovely simplicity to the design of them too. There's a nice very dark blue one in my village which I do coo over each time I see it.

[Filibuster]

KPB1973 said:

I think your timing is probably 'on' in that the 996 is getting more loved each passing year. I do think there's a lovely simplicity to the design of them too. There's a nice very dark blue one in my village which I do coo over each time I see it.

You are absolutely right. The 996 - especially the 996.1 (I don't like the .2 headlamps myself) - has aged incredibly well!

[Skyedriver]

Filibuster said:

KPB1973 said:

I think your timing is probably 'on' in that the 996 is getting more loved each passing year. I do think there's a lovely simplicity to the design of them too. There's a nice very dark blue one in my village which I do coo over each time I see it.

You are absolutely right. The 996 - especially the 996.1 (I don't like the .2 headlamps myself) - has aged incredibly well!

Right, here goes, ready to be lamblasted.
I've never owned a Porsche, been a TVR man for over 20 years plus older BMW, Caterham, Lotus etc. Drove a few older (1980's mainly) 911's prefer the shape and simplicity of design but not necessarily the noise in the cabin (or the severe scuttle shake of the Targa I drove).
I keep seeing the 996 at, what seems to me in comparison with other 911 variants, very attractive prices.
If I wanted a Targa or Cabrio, what should I be looking out for and what should I be paying?
(And wouldn't want black, grey or silver so that seems to narrow the field somewhat).
And manual only. No autos.

Maybe I should go for a 944 instead.

Edited by Skyedriver on Tuesday 27th April 20:55

[Mariosbt]

One of these should satisfy your needs

[ferrisbueller]

Skyedriver said:

Filibuster said:

KPB1973 said:

I think your timing is probably 'on' in that the 996 is getting more loved each passing year. I do think there's a lovely simplicity to the design of them too. There's a nice very dark blue one in my village which I do coo over each time I see it.

You are absolutely right. The 996 - especially the 996.1 (I don't like the .2 headlamps myself) - has aged incredibly well!

Right, here goes, ready to be lamblasted.
I've never owned a Porsche, been a TVR man for over 20 years plus older BMW, Caterham, Lotus etc. Drove a few older (1980's mainly) 911's prefer the shape and simplicity of design but not necessarily the noise in the cabin (or the severe scuttle shake of the Targa I drove).
I keep seeing the 996 at, what seems to me in comparison with other 911 variants, very attractive prices.
If I wanted a Targa or Cabrio, what should I be looking out for and what should I be paying?
(And wouldn't want black, grey or silver so that seems to narrow the field somewhat).
And manual only. No autos.

Maybe I should go for a 944 instead.

Edited by Skyedriver on Tuesday 27th April 20:55

Various buyers guides around the place. 911UK forum is worth joining for background reading and often member's cars are sold on their classifieds/not advertised elsewhere. The 996 value is out of step with its stablemates, and its capabilities.

With the Targa, the roof mechanisms can be troublesome. You're also, IIRC, limited to the potentially more worrisome 3.6. If you're all about wind in the hair, without the wobbles, then it may be worth looking at 986/7.

I like 944s, too. But they're not 911s.

[2Btoo]

Skyedriver said:

Maybe I should go for a 944 instead.

944 is a very different animal to that which is usually talked about on here (986/987's and possibly the odd 996.) Far more mechanical, far heavier to drive, feels like it's from a very different era (in a good way). Whereas the 987 feels pert and modern the 944 is a much more classic experience.

I have a 944 S2 and a 987.1 Cayman non-S and they are very similar in performance (944 is possibly a bit quicker) but chalk and cheese in terms of driving experience. I love the 987 but will keep the 944 until the day I die.

If you are choosing one or the other to buy then try them both.

[Skyedriver]

Mariosbt said:

One of these should satisfy your needs

Oooh, Nash Metropolitan, i'm old enough to remember those. Can't recall the last time I saw one.

[ATM]

ferrisbueller said:

Skyedriver said:

Filibuster said:

KPB1973 said:

I think your timing is probably 'on' in that the 996 is getting more loved each passing year. I do think there's a lovely simplicity to the design of them too. There's a nice very dark blue one in my village which I do coo over each time I see it.

You are absolutely right. The 996 - especially the 996.1 (I don't like the .2 headlamps myself) - has aged incredibly well!

Right, here goes, ready to be lamblasted.
I've never owned a Porsche, been a TVR man for over 20 years plus older BMW, Caterham, Lotus etc. Drove a few older (1980's mainly) 911's prefer the shape and simplicity of design but not necessarily the noise in the cabin (or the severe scuttle shake of the Targa I drove).
I keep seeing the 996 at, what seems to me in comparison with other 911 variants, very attractive prices.
If I wanted a Targa or Cabrio, what should I be looking out for and what should I be paying?
(And wouldn't want black, grey or silver so that seems to narrow the field somewhat).
And manual only. No autos.

Maybe I should go for a 944 instead.

Edited by Skyedriver on Tuesday 27th April 20:55

Various buyers guides around the place. 911UK forum is worth joining for background reading and often member's cars are sold on their classifieds/not advertised elsewhere. The 996 value is out of step with its stablemates, and its capabilities.

With the Targa, the roof mechanisms can be troublesome. You're also, IIRC, limited to the potentially more worrisome 3.6. If you're all about wind in the hair, without the wobbles, then it may be worth looking at 986/7.

I like 944s, too. But they're not 911s.

We have a little community of owner operators - link below. Lots of advice there and if you're interested in a car just post a link and see what people think. Its emphasis is on the earlier cars which are 1997 to 2000 maybe. The jury is out on when Porsche changed the pistons they used in these engines. The earlier 3.4 litre cars used a piston coating which seems to be the most robust and it is for this reason that I chose one. The later 3.4 litre engine with a different coating started to present some bore scoring issues and even more so the 3.6 engine in the facelift cars and then the dreaded 3.8 in the 997. They are all basically the same engine including the boxsters and caymans from 1997 to 2008. Here is a pic of my car too which will hopefully inspire you.

Personally I prefer the shape of the boxster if you want an open top car. The 911 can be quite floppy without a roof.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Filibuster]

I'm with ATM on this one: modern open top Porsche motoring = Boxster

[Skyedriver]

Sort of don't quite get the Boxster shape and the rear "seats" of the 911 would be an advantage.

[tracer.smart]

Skyedriver said:

Sort of don't quite get the Boxster shape and the rear "seats" of the 911 would be an advantage.

Get them both whilst Boxsters are still a bargain. You get a heck of a lot for your money with the 996 and 986.

[shalmaneser]

Skyedriver said:

Sort of don't quite get the Boxster shape and the rear "seats" of the 911 would be an advantage.

funny cos I've never got the love for the 996 cab, they look very strangely proportioned to me. 986 or 987 however is lovely and pretty bloody similar once you get underneath too!

Can't go too far wrong either way though.

[golfer19]

shalmaneser said:

Skyedriver said:

Sort of don't quite get the Boxster shape and the rear "seats" of the 911 would be an advantage.

funny cos I've never got the love for the 996 cab, they look very strangely proportioned to me. 986 or 987 however is lovely and pretty bloody similar once you get underneath too!

Can't go too far wrong either way though.

I don't think any 911 convertible looks right to me.

[edc]

I believe he rear seats in a 996 can are even less useable than in a coupe.

[Mariosbt]

golfer19 said:

I don't think any 911 convertible looks right to me.

Mmmmm, yes ... with you on that one.

[Fast Bug]

edc said:

I believe he rear seats in a 996 can are even less useable than in a coupe.

They sure are, the angle of the back rest is so uncomfortable

[RiccardoG]

Mariosbt said:

golfer19 said:

I don't think any 911 convertible looks right to me.

Mmmmm, yes ... with you on that one.

I reckon they finally nailed it with the 991 iteration.

[ATM]

Skyedriver said:

Sort of don't quite get the Boxster shape and the rear "seats" of the 911 would be an advantage.

As everyone else has already said - rear seats are much more restrictive in the cab than the coupe. Which means if you do intend on using them you need to think carefully. I dont think you can fit 4 adults in a 996 coupe. Unless the driver has tiny legs. You can just about do it for short tips but the front seat needs to be way forward to give the rear passenger some legroom. Which means you have difficulty operating the pedals. Also dont forget that the steering wheel doesnt move much so your knees will start to interfere with the steering wheel too - and indicators. 3 adults is fine. So for smaller humans they can work but they may end up with knees to chin if that makes sense. Otherwise the front seat position definitely needs to move forward. I drive my 996 with the front seat as far back as it will go. That leaves no room for limbs in a coupe so a cab would be even worse. Also smaller humans now need approved booster seats too which cause further problems. I am ranting perhaps so I'll pause there and get another coffee on....