£50k daily driver

[Abtj]

Evening all,
Sorry, I have searched but can't find a relevant recent thread.

I'm looking at a new daily driver and have a preferred budget of £50k. If I really squeeze then £60k is possible. I've driven a 981s Cayman this week which I loved but have had mission creep and am looking at a 911. I have children and would also enjoy the option of the 'back' seats for local trips.

What are your opinions on the most reliable and easy to live with on a daily basis? Not taking a bath would be nice to but I'm looking to drive it for 15k miles pa so understand I'm in for some expenses along the way.

Thanks all.

[BubblesNW]

I would be looking at a 991 3.4 as it has more interior space, up to date infotainment and will easily do your mileage and with an OPC used warranty you will have peace of mind.

There are a few in the £50-60k range before haggling...and now is a very good time to get a bargain from an OPC.

[Abtj]

Great, thanks. A 3.4 was what I looked at today at opc, was pleasantly surprised by space available inside and seemed very nice place to sit.

Standard response (expected) was that no discount to be expected. I've never owned a Porsche, what discount would you look for on a car in that age/price bracket at this time of year?

Also, can anyone suggest if the performance/drive is noticeably different to the Cayman. I didn't want to waste people's time at OPC by driving the 911 if I was buying the Cayman. Clearly a foolish decision!

[Cheib]

Abtj said:

Standard response (expected) was that no discount to be expected. I've never owned a Porsche, what discount would you look for on a car in that age/price bracket at this time of year?

It's almost the worst time of year to buy a car from an OPC. They've just started a new trading year, December is the best month to get deals done with OPC's because they have annual and quarterly targets to hit. You might have more joy at the end of the month as they do have monthly targets too.

It's impossible to generalise on a deal you can do on a used car....I would say if you take finance you might be able to get £1,000 off. You can pay it off very quickly even if you don't need it and the OPC will still get their commission. Things that impact the deal you can do are

- What they paid for it/what it owes them (this matters much more than you would think)
- How long it's been in stock
- Are you local to the OPC ? If it's a good spec car they'll have a preference to sell to someone they will have an ongoing servicing relationship with and also someone likely to sell the car back to them ultimately
- If you are trading in a car is it something that they can make good money out of i.e. another Porsche
- How good you are at negotiating! You have to play hard ball to get the best deal...i.e. you have to be prepared to walk away. (sounds daft/patronising but it's a fact for most of us)

Also the backdrop is that OPC's are apparently expecting reduced volumes of new cars coming through this year as there's apparently an extended factory shut down this summer to do with Mission E. So they'll all be bullish on used prices.

[PaulD86]

Given the mileage you are talking about I'm just going to throw this out there. My other half moved from a 997.2 C4S to a 991.1 C4S so both the 3.8 and both were PDK. The 991 has start stop fitted and when coasting drops the revs to idle to save fuel. The results are impressive. The 991 uses a good 10-15% more fuel AND the way it's mapped it feels slower as the power doesn't seem to kick in until further up the rev range. It's also not as nice as a drivers car IMO. I'd personally have a well spec'd 997 over a 991, especially given your budget. And at 15k a year I'd get a Porsche approved one and keep it under warranty. Just my opinions, of course.

[Desert Dragon]

PaulD86 said:

Given the mileage you are talking about I'm just going to throw this out there. My other half moved from a 997.2 C4S to a 991.1 C4S so both the 3.8 and both were PDK. The 991 has start stop fitted and when coasting drops the revs to idle to save fuel. The results are impressive. The 991 uses a good 10-15% more fuel AND the way it's mapped it feels slower as the power doesn't seem to kick in until further up the rev range. It's also not as nice as a drivers car IMO. I'd personally have a well spec'd 997 over a 991, especially given your budget. And at 15k a year I'd get a Porsche approved one and keep it under warranty. Just my opinions, of course.

Agree with you. A gen 2 i.e. 2009 onward 997 C4S probably the best Porsche buy out there at the moment. Does feel bit old fashioned compared to the 981/991 but thats part of their charm for me. I think you could do 15,000 miles a year in a low mileage 997 and it would be a much better/economical/reliable ownership proposition given the OPs budget. I'd spend a bit less and buy something like this to enjoy with the kids. Cayman a bit anti social if you have young children who also enjoy sports car motoring especially on Summer days. Looks subjective but I think 997 better looking too.

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/1149/9974S...

[Desert Dragon]

At the upper end of the budget this is a phenomenal daily driver and all under OPC warranty

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/725/997Tur...

[kith]

My experience of buying a 997.2 from an OPC at this time last year was zero discount (on what was a competitively priced car in the first place) but some degree on movement on service and prep. For example, it wasn't due it's next service for 5 months but I got them to include it in the deal, and being a 'major' it probably saved me north of £1k.

[7184c]

I just spent some time in a 991 to see if it would be suitable for kids. If you or your partner are both over 5ft5 anything other than short journeys won’t be much fun for the kids.

As others have said 997.2 would be a great car to have - but if it were me I’d rack up the miles on a leased golf GTI/D with the change and have the porsche for weekends.

I do minimal mileage and was thinking earlier there is surely a market for an FF/Lusso competitor at a more sensible price point that a panamera type coupe could fit and is a usable 2 + 2 unlike the 911. I’d have one in a heartbeat.

[Esceptico]

7184c said:

I just spent some time in a 991 to see if it would be suitable for kids. If you or your partner are both over 5ft5 anything other than short journeys won’t be much fun for the kids.

As others have said 997.2 would be a great car to have - but if it were me I’d rack up the miles on a leased golf GTI/D with the change and have the porsche for weekends.

.

I did that in the past. Had company car for daily use and had a 997 C2S for the weekend (it was a year old at the time). Although I really liked the car I found it annoying that it was costing me a fortune in depreciation for something I only drove once or twice a week. Personally if something just for the weekend I would go back further in Porsche's back catalogue to a 993 (or even earlier). Very satisfying to drive and won't lose money. Alternatively, stick with the 991 plan but use it every day so you are getting you money's worth.

[Abtj]

Morning all,
Thanks for the feedback - lot's to digest. To answer/question -

Cheib - feedback suggested cars were priced and i got the feeling it was like it or lump it time. None the less, i will attempt a haggle. V interesting feedback on deals tho thanks.

PaulD86/Desert Dragon/Kith - interesting. Have i read correctly that the fuel economy is worse on the 991?
I was in an OPC centre so expect to be buying from there although wont discount cars from places i have read on here about (Portiacraft/911virgin/RSJ) - and any others people recommend or avoid?
I'm not discounting what an amazing car the 911 will be (i have taken this for granted!) but i need it to be as reliable as possible and i not in and out of the garage. P.s. that turbo looks incredible but i'm a bit shy of those miles. The OPC cars i've looked at are all 20/30k miles. I also would rather PDK.

7184c - totally aware of the back space limitations. I have other cars and this wont be the family lugger but i do want the options of school runs etc and of course, my kids will absolutely love going in it! Therefore i think the Cayman idea was out. Completely agree on your views on coupe alternative. I'm not massively interested in M3/RS and having stood next to a Panamera, they are enormous and even the turbo option wouldn't tempt me.

Esceptico/7184c - Agree entirely. I've done the second car thing before and end up not using and then selling having taken an expensive cost per mile bath. I want this to be my main car through the week and then not feel the need to use on the weekends.

So, would a 997 suit? or is the 991/A N other the best way forward?

[PaulD86]

Indeed so, my experience of the 997 vs 991 is that the 997 was more economical and had a nicer power delivery (both 3.8 4S cars). The 991 can feel a bit lethargic off roundabouts in 2nd where the 997 just went. I also found the 997.2 more rewarding to drive with more steering feel (I know we are told only great drivers can tell electric from hydraulic steering these days but I maintain the 997s was better). Ride wise the 991 is better and it feels better built and more modern, although personally the blanked off trim where buttons would be had other options been spec'd is rather disappointing in the 991. Obviously being newer the 991 has better infotainment, particularly things like Bluetooth audio streaming vs 3.5mm line in or USB in the 997. The 991 feels the newer car and is nicer to live with day to day, however it's not an enormous gap and I prefer how the 997 drove enough that it would be my choice given what you have said. All opinions of course but hopefully some of that helps.

[Fatboymark]

Hi, I have been running my 997.2 C4S as a daily driver for 3 years now and would very much recommend it, I do about 12k miles per year.
Running costs including tax and insurance are around £3k per year (all OPC service and repairs) + warranty.
My daily run is about 15 miles each way on mainly back roads and I average about 22mpg, on long runs up the motorway 30+ is very achievable.
My car has been really reliable and the bills aren’t that bad considering it is an 8 year old sports car.
Dive in and enjoy, you cannot beat stepping out of your front door every morning to get in a Porsche to drive to the office.

[GT4P]

IMHO the manual 997.2 is the pick of modern Porsche 911 add to that a small window of build and only about 10% manual so buy well keep long term and you won't regret,but I do think values of the Gts make the S look a bit of a bargain!
If you want only a 2 seater then I would get a 987.2S for sub £30k and spend some money on tuition!
Happy hunting!

[GameofCars]

Esceptico said:

7184c said:

I just spent some time in a 991 to see if it would be suitable for kids. If you or your partner are both over 5ft5 anything other than short journeys won’t be much fun for the kids.

As others have said 997.2 would be a great car to have - but if it were me I’d rack up the miles on a leased golf GTI/D with the change and have the porsche for weekends.

.

I did that in the past. Had company car for daily use and had a 997 C2S for the weekend (it was a year old at the time). Although I really liked the car I found it annoying that it was costing me a fortune in depreciation for something I only drove once or twice a week. Personally if something just for the weekend I would go back further in Porsche's back catalogue to a 993 (or even earlier). Very satisfying to drive and won't lose money. Alternatively, stick with the 991 plan but use it every day so you are getting you money's worth.

I also much prefer the 997.2 to the 991. Article on here from owner of Hexagon Classics said the ones to buy with solid residuals & future classic was the gen 2 997. Agree with 718 on this. Buy a sensibly priced Gen 2 997 as a weekend toy & spend up to £20K on a DD.
Esceptico - the OP won't get rinsed as 997.2 prices have now flattened out & IMO you won't lose much if anything it will increase in value if you use it as a weekend toy.
If I was in the market for another 997.2 I would be looking at these:-
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

& a nice low mileage manual -
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

[Porsche911R]

GameofCars said:

I also much prefer the 997.2 to the 991. Article on here from owner of Hexagon Classics said the ones to buy with solid residuals & future classic was the gen 2 997. Agree with 718 on this. Buy a sensibly priced Gen 2 997 as a weekend toy & spend up to £20K on a DD.
Esceptico - the OP won't get rinsed as 997.2 prices have now flattened out & IMO you won't lose much if anything it will increase in value if you use it as a weekend toy.
If I was in the market for another 997.2 I would be looking at these:-
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

& a nice low mileage manual -
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

base models are very poor sellers though every one wants the S, Ashgood have had that car ages, it quite low spec also.

all 987 and 997 look daft imo , the on stilts look unless you buy one with Sports sus, who wants that wheel arch gap ?
and the base model brakes are always a let down.

does it look good value really at £43k for a 8 year old base model car ?

only the GTS models make these look ok value but when you think about it, they look expensive imo.

[Esceptico]

Porsche911R said:

base models are very poor sellers though every one wants the S, Ashgood have had that car ages, it quite low spec also.

all 987 and 997 look daft imo , the on stilts look unless you buy one with Sports sus, who wants that wheel arch gap ?
and the base model brakes are always a let down.

does it look good value really at £43k for a 8 year old base model car ?

only the GTS models make these look ok value but when you think about it, they look expensive imo.

Um. I just bought a 997.2 C2 this afternoon. Manual coupe. I did look at the Ashgood car. It was very nice but too much at £43k, given that it doesn't come with a Porsche warranty and has a service is coming up in the autumn. Compared to other C2s is it not that much different in spec. Major difference is that it doesn't have PASM (mine does).

I had already owned a 997.1 C2S so wanted to try something different. On the road you would be hard pushed to feel the difference between the C2 and C2S. I suppose I will only know if I have made a mistake after owning it some time (and when I come to sell it).

Despite having had 10 previous Porsches it is a first for me, as I will be using it as a daily driver.

Agree that the wheel arch gap is a negative.

[GameofCars]

Porsche911R said:

GameofCars said:

I also much prefer the 997.2 to the 991. Article on here from owner of Hexagon Classics said the ones to buy with solid residuals & future classic was the gen 2 997. Agree with 718 on this. Buy a sensibly priced Gen 2 997 as a weekend toy & spend up to £20K on a DD.
Esceptico - the OP won't get rinsed as 997.2 prices have now flattened out & IMO you won't lose much if anything it will increase in value if you use it as a weekend toy.
If I was in the market for another 997.2 I would be looking at these:-
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

& a nice low mileage manual -
https://www.ashgood.co.uk/vehicle-details/Porsche-...

base models are very poor sellers though every one wants the S, Ashgood have had that car ages, it quite low spec also.

all 987 and 997 look daft imo , the on stilts look unless you buy one with Sports sus, who wants that wheel arch gap ?
and the base model brakes are always a let down.

does it look good value really at £43k for a 8 year old base model car ?

only the GTS models make these look ok value but when you think about it, they look expensive imo.

I would agree in part to your first comment - true, most would prefer the S (I owned one previously & loved it) - better spec, power etc, but this one is a manual which makes it a little more desirable.
I really don't think the 997 looks like its on stilts
At £43K the OP won't lose hardly anything in depreciation. IMO prices has bottomed out. The 997.2 C2S I bought three years ago for £36K would now cost me £40K+ with similar miles.

[EGTE]

An idea from way out of left field: the best "daily" Porsche might just be a Panamera. Maybe even a diseasel.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGT7eqCNZVM&fe...

(GTS/Turbo would/are my choice).

[MrVert]

997.2 low miles, manual....with PASM sports suspension if not an ‘S’ model, plus sports exhaust.

The Gen 2 base model has 345bhp which is only 10 bhp lower than the Gen 1 S model, they’re definitely swift enough..

You won’t need any more and prices are currently holding up pretty well.

The 991 is a lovely car, the 997 does feel a bit dated against it, but for me....it’s more pure and all the better for it.

Happy hunting