Approx £30,000 - Best entry option to Porsche ownership?
Discussion
PompeyPaul said:
DoubleSix said:
For a Porsche novice I still think a Gen II Box or Cayman through Porsche AUC is likely best for the OP
Why do you say that? Is it a safer option in terms of reliability, costs etc?We could also argue that the 987 has wonderfully benign handling traits that might suit a newcomer to Porsche but I know nothing of your driving experience so perhaps moot.
In my first year of Porsche ownership my car needed a new steering rack, new window motor, new offside fan and a new PCM unit - I was glas to be able to throw the keys at the OPC and let them worry about it...
Off course you could buy the 911 above and have an OPC warranty added later but it's still covered a lot more ground than an equivilent £30,000 987
DoubleSix said:
Nice example.
But no PSE and 70k on the clock...
I'd be looking hard as to why so keenly priced. N spec tyres absent perhaps??
With the exception of Michelin Super Sport tyres which on certain sizes remain non n-rated we wouldn't retail a watercooled Porsche on anything other than n rated tyres with a minimum of 4mm tread depth remaining. Hope this answers your question.But no PSE and 70k on the clock...
I'd be looking hard as to why so keenly priced. N spec tyres absent perhaps??
Tom 911Virgin
IMIA said:
If Its an original panel car the mileage and lack of sports exhaust wouldn't put me off if I was looking for an entry level Porsche which could be used as much as possible.
Original panels. Last submitted for Porsche 111 point check in March 2014 which it passed with no issues.Tom 911V
Edited by Tom 911V on Thursday 29th January 14:42
Tom 911V said:
DoubleSix said:
Nice example.
But no PSE and 70k on the clock...
I'd be looking hard as to why so keenly priced. N spec tyres absent perhaps??
With the exception of Michelin Super Sport tyres which on certain sizes remain non n-rated we wouldn't retail a watercooled Porsche on anything other than n rated tyres with a minimum of 4mm tread depth remaining. Hope this answers your question.But no PSE and 70k on the clock...
I'd be looking hard as to why so keenly priced. N spec tyres absent perhaps??
Tom 911Virgin
Thanks
DoubleSix said:
Only in the sense that you'll be getting a lower mile example than the 70k 911 above and of course by having an OPC warranty reliability becomes practically a non-issue.
We could also argue that the 987 has wonderfully benign handling traits that might suit a newcomer to Porsche but I know nothing of your driving experience so perhaps moot.
In my first year of Porsche ownership my car needed a new steering rack, new window motor, new offside fan and a new PCM unit - I was glas to be able to throw the keys at the OPC and let them worry about it...
Off course you could buy the 911 above and have an OPC warranty added later but it's still covered a lot more ground than an equivilent £30,000 987
Thanks for that, useful to know. My driving experience is to a good level, through work and other avenues so I am confident I can handle most cars well, and drive within my limits.We could also argue that the 987 has wonderfully benign handling traits that might suit a newcomer to Porsche but I know nothing of your driving experience so perhaps moot.
In my first year of Porsche ownership my car needed a new steering rack, new window motor, new offside fan and a new PCM unit - I was glas to be able to throw the keys at the OPC and let them worry about it...
Off course you could buy the 911 above and have an OPC warranty added later but it's still covered a lot more ground than an equivilent £30,000 987
PompeyPaul said:
That's great to hear Phil. What year is your 997? I am really unsure about the possible "bore score" issue. I intend to test drive a Cayman S and 911 to compare. Convertible doesn't appeal to me which is the only reason I wouldn't consider boxster. Is the 3.8 a more reliable engine?
I think there are a few horror stories on all the engines, I had one of the early 3.2 Boxster S a few years ago and according to the forums it was on borrowed time. The guy I bought the 997 from had had it checked over by a specialist when he got it, maybe that the way to go, spend a few hundred pounds on an engine check. I nearly asked the very same question you have on here a few weeks back, but decided there are too many opinions and it would really confuse me, so I bought what I liked the look of and what I felt drove best. If it has issues then its just bad luck, as I can find stories for most of the models on google.Its a 1996 997 3.8 S convertible in black with 38,000 miles on it, just serviced by our local specialist, good Pirelli tyres, spotless bodywork and spotless interior. Got it for under £30K, which for me is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car for my wife to get to work in, so I was the one who wanted to be happy with it,
thanks
Phil
daxtojeiro said:
I think there are a few horror stories on all the engines, I had one of the early 3.2 Boxster S a few years ago and according to the forums it was on borrowed time. The guy I bought the 997 from had had it checked over by a specialist when he got it, maybe that the way to go, spend a few hundred pounds on an engine check. I nearly asked the very same question you have on here a few weeks back, but decided there are too many opinions and it would really confuse me, so I bought what I liked the look of and what I felt drove best. If it has issues then its just bad luck, as I can find stories for most of the models on google.
Its a 1996 997 3.8 S convertible in black with 38,000 miles on it, just serviced by our local specialist, good Pirelli tyres, spotless bodywork and spotless interior. Got it for under £30K, which for me is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car for my wife to get to work in, so I was the one who wanted to be happy with it,
thanks
Phil
Thanks very much Phil, and good on you! Its a 1996 997 3.8 S convertible in black with 38,000 miles on it, just serviced by our local specialist, good Pirelli tyres, spotless bodywork and spotless interior. Got it for under £30K, which for me is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a car for my wife to get to work in, so I was the one who wanted to be happy with it,
thanks
Phil
PompeyPaul said:
bigunit00 said:
Looks great but to be honest 70k would put me off, as 100k (rightly or wrongly) seems to hit values badly generally. Any excuse to get a pic up of my 70k mile knackered old steed lol.
Newbie and its some years since I've posted anywhere but having had a few old Porsches and contributed to several similar debates over the years, I hope you find something useful in what I offer.
You say you want a daily driver, so I'm discarding any advice on air-cooled 911's. I'm also setting aside thoughts about 968's etc. The choice then is between more modern models focusing on the Boxster/Cayman or 911. That ignores a few other models so assume you want a sports car.
With the Boxster / Cayman, you're not really buying into a history, so if thats what you prefer buy the best car you can for the money. Since PDK, the debate about auto/tiptronic against manual is, for everyday stuff an irrelevance. If you can afford a PDK then get one. Sportcrono should be on the option list if you can get it.
With 911's, I would recommend buying a 997 or later. I was looking at 996turbo when the 997 was launched and lucky enough to be at the factory in the first year of build. The 997 is simply a class apart in terms of design, build and engineering and felt much more agile on the track. Personally I preferred the 997 C2S to the 996Turbo but they remain two very different animals. I was also lucky enough to be lent a dealers 997 C4S and it was really a class apart in every day use.
Don't get me wrong, the 996TT had a lot going for it the time. I was offered a pal's special order 996TT for £25K about 10 years ago but decided to spend more on a 993C4S (but I didn't want to use it every day). I still hanker for a 996C4S convertible because I love the look. Fortunately I've already done the turbo bit, when lag was measured in minutes, not milliseconds. Anyway, for what its worth, I would commend the best and newest 911 you can find because if bought well, it will be a reliable car that will always put a smile on your face. I almost envy you ...
You say you want a daily driver, so I'm discarding any advice on air-cooled 911's. I'm also setting aside thoughts about 968's etc. The choice then is between more modern models focusing on the Boxster/Cayman or 911. That ignores a few other models so assume you want a sports car.
With the Boxster / Cayman, you're not really buying into a history, so if thats what you prefer buy the best car you can for the money. Since PDK, the debate about auto/tiptronic against manual is, for everyday stuff an irrelevance. If you can afford a PDK then get one. Sportcrono should be on the option list if you can get it.
With 911's, I would recommend buying a 997 or later. I was looking at 996turbo when the 997 was launched and lucky enough to be at the factory in the first year of build. The 997 is simply a class apart in terms of design, build and engineering and felt much more agile on the track. Personally I preferred the 997 C2S to the 996Turbo but they remain two very different animals. I was also lucky enough to be lent a dealers 997 C4S and it was really a class apart in every day use.
Don't get me wrong, the 996TT had a lot going for it the time. I was offered a pal's special order 996TT for £25K about 10 years ago but decided to spend more on a 993C4S (but I didn't want to use it every day). I still hanker for a 996C4S convertible because I love the look. Fortunately I've already done the turbo bit, when lag was measured in minutes, not milliseconds. Anyway, for what its worth, I would commend the best and newest 911 you can find because if bought well, it will be a reliable car that will always put a smile on your face. I almost envy you ...
If you don't mind something older, a 996 C4S might be a good buy, ideally with upgraded IMS and inspected. They seem to be appreciating. Boxster/Cayman would be a good buy, I wouldn't rule out older ones, pre-06 has low tax rate and just make sure you get a decent warranty (warranty direct have been good for me).
Don't rule out the basic 3.6 engine 911 too, it's more reliable from what I've heard and not that much slower.
Whilat the 996 turbo is going up in value, I bet the running costs will offset some of that.
Good luck! I'd certainly recommend keeping an eye out on 911 Virgin and RPM Teckniks website and visit if you can.
Finally in my opinion you are best buying from OPC, a well known specialist or a genuine private seller with an inspection. be careful of small dealers with inappropriate warranties with stupidly low claims limits.
Don't rule out the basic 3.6 engine 911 too, it's more reliable from what I've heard and not that much slower.
Whilat the 996 turbo is going up in value, I bet the running costs will offset some of that.
Good luck! I'd certainly recommend keeping an eye out on 911 Virgin and RPM Teckniks website and visit if you can.
Finally in my opinion you are best buying from OPC, a well known specialist or a genuine private seller with an inspection. be careful of small dealers with inappropriate warranties with stupidly low claims limits.
tiptoptopcat said:
Newbie and its some years since I've posted anywhere but having had a few old Porsches and contributed to several similar debates over the years, I hope you find something useful in what I offer.
You say you want a daily driver, so I'm discarding any advice on air-cooled 911's. I'm also setting aside thoughts about 968's etc. The choice then is between more modern models focusing on the Boxster/Cayman or 911. That ignores a few other models so assume you want a sports car.
With the Boxster / Cayman, you're not really buying into a history, so if thats what you prefer buy the best car you can for the money. Since PDK, the debate about auto/tiptronic against manual is, for everyday stuff an irrelevance. If you can afford a PDK then get one. Sportcrono should be on the option list if you can get it.
With 911's, I would recommend buying a 997 or later. I was looking at 996turbo when the 997 was launched and lucky enough to be at the factory in the first year of build. The 997 is simply a class apart in terms of design, build and engineering and felt much more agile on the track. Personally I preferred the 997 C2S to the 996Turbo but they remain two very different animals. I was also lucky enough to be lent a dealers 997 C4S and it was really a class apart in every day use.
Don't get me wrong, the 996TT had a lot going for it the time. I was offered a pal's special order 996TT for £25K about 10 years ago but decided to spend more on a 993C4S (but I didn't want to use it every day). I still hanker for a 996C4S convertible because I love the look. Fortunately I've already done the turbo bit, when lag was measured in minutes, not milliseconds. Anyway, for what its worth, I would commend the best and newest 911 you can find because if bought well, it will be a reliable car that will always put a smile on your face. I almost envy you ...
Thanks very much, great advice and much appreciated! You say you want a daily driver, so I'm discarding any advice on air-cooled 911's. I'm also setting aside thoughts about 968's etc. The choice then is between more modern models focusing on the Boxster/Cayman or 911. That ignores a few other models so assume you want a sports car.
With the Boxster / Cayman, you're not really buying into a history, so if thats what you prefer buy the best car you can for the money. Since PDK, the debate about auto/tiptronic against manual is, for everyday stuff an irrelevance. If you can afford a PDK then get one. Sportcrono should be on the option list if you can get it.
With 911's, I would recommend buying a 997 or later. I was looking at 996turbo when the 997 was launched and lucky enough to be at the factory in the first year of build. The 997 is simply a class apart in terms of design, build and engineering and felt much more agile on the track. Personally I preferred the 997 C2S to the 996Turbo but they remain two very different animals. I was also lucky enough to be lent a dealers 997 C4S and it was really a class apart in every day use.
Don't get me wrong, the 996TT had a lot going for it the time. I was offered a pal's special order 996TT for £25K about 10 years ago but decided to spend more on a 993C4S (but I didn't want to use it every day). I still hanker for a 996C4S convertible because I love the look. Fortunately I've already done the turbo bit, when lag was measured in minutes, not milliseconds. Anyway, for what its worth, I would commend the best and newest 911 you can find because if bought well, it will be a reliable car that will always put a smile on your face. I almost envy you ...
PompeyPaul said:
Stunning! 
Any views on this car from the same dealer? Great to have recommendations about trustworthy suppliers!
this car
It's a Gen 1 997 so it has the known engine issues, which is why they take longer to sell. I'd be looking for a Gen 2 if you want a 997.Any views on this car from the same dealer? Great to have recommendations about trustworthy suppliers!
this car
Possibly a 997.2 C2 like this if you can't/don't want to stretch to a 997.2 C2S.
Note that 996 turbo's at the same (or other dealers) aren't hanging around!
Edited by g7jhp on Monday 2nd February 09:23
g7jhp said:
It's a Gen 1 997 so it has the known engine issues, which is why they take longer to sell. I'd be looking for a Gen 2 if you want a 997.
Possibly a 997.2 C2 like this if you can't/don't want to stretch to a 997.2 C2S.
Note that 996 turbo's at the same (or other dealers) aren't hanging around!
Thanks. Am I right in saying gen 2 isn't until 2009? I could stretch a bit over 30k but that's my ideal top spend.Possibly a 997.2 C2 like this if you can't/don't want to stretch to a 997.2 C2S.
Note that 996 turbo's at the same (or other dealers) aren't hanging around!
Edited by g7jhp on Monday 2nd February 09:23
And do 996 turbos not suffer the same problem with bore score?
Edited by PompeyPaul on Monday 2nd February 09:36
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