Porsche 996 Turbo

[AES14]

We are looking at purchasing a 996 TT manual but can only afford one with mileage over 100k and over 7 owners. We are looking at the car as being a fun drive (I have recently sold my M3) but also an asset that will hopefully appreciate (I say hopefully as I know there is no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to cars).

The car has full Porsche service history and has been well maintained and cared for. Good colour and reasonable spec.

From the investment perspective is it a no no to go for one with this sort of mileage and number of owners. Appreciate you should go for the best you can but we are only just able to scrape together enough money for the ones we have been looking at given that it is getting harder to find manual turbos.

Up against a bit of a deadline so urgent advice much appreciated.

[200Plus Club]

can you afford circa £2-3k pa to maintain it and service it, plus insurance?
its a £100k+ car with that type running costs. you are buying exactly the age/type that at some point may need an expensive repair.

[RotaryMini]

No matter what one you get it won't appreciate in value the way you think

[Yipper]

Cars with such high mileage (>100k) almost never rise in price. At best, it will hold flat.

The cars (under 30 years-old) that usually soar in price are the ones with tiny mileage (<10k).

[WCZ]

the difference between a 100k mileage example and a 60/70k mileage example is only a couple of thousand pounds, save up for the extra imo

there are so many available that a 100k+ turbo will never be investment grade imo

[AES14]

Thanks for prompt advice much appreciated. Had done quite a bit of research which suggested that whilst automatic turbo’s are quite common and unlikely to appreciate the manuals were different. Interesting to note that the consensus on here is otherwise. is the same view held re the 996 4S manual?

[Byker28i]

200Plus Club said:

can you afford circa £2-3k pa to maintain it and service it, plus insurance?
its a £100k+ car with that type running costs. you are buying exactly the age/type that at some point may need an expensive repair.

This. Put £250 a month away to pay for the annual running costs. If you don't spend it - it's all good.

[yajeed]

AES14 said:

Thanks for prompt advice much appreciated. Had done quite a bit of research which suggested that whilst automatic turbo’s are quite common and unlikely to appreciate the manuals were different. Interesting to note that the consensus on here is otherwise. is the same view held re the 996 4S manual?

When I last looked prices had stagnated. They fell as low as 18k a few years back (4?) then slowly picked up.

However, there is a marked difference in price between 50-60k and 100+ (like 15k+).

So, I'd not bank on any car that you buy to drive going up in value. You may find a cheaper 70k miler and not lose much in depreciation over a few years, but you'd certainly pay in keeping it in good condition. I think I averaged about the 3k figure mentioned

[Ares]

Byker28i said:

200Plus Club said:

can you afford circa £2-3k pa to maintain it and service it, plus insurance?
its a £100k+ car with that type running costs. you are buying exactly the age/type that at some point may need an expensive repair.

This. Put £250 a month away to pay for the annual running costs. If you don't spend it - it's all good.

At least. I know too former-owners of 996 Turbos, both with half the milage. Great cars but in the last year of ownership of both, running costs were astronomical.

This is not the car to scrape together and max out on IMO.

[catman]

If you can only just afford to buy a high mileage car with many owners, could you afford to pay for the maintenance, or worse a major fault?

Tim

[g7jhp]

A 996 turbo is a much better proposition than the 996 C4S.

No engine problems on the turbo and the performance is in a different league.

The 996 turbo S or a 996 turbo x50 are more desirable as they come with 450bhp as standard. Although it's easy to unlock more power on a standard 996 turbo with a chip.

Suggest looking at the history - front radiators, brake discs, clutches, suspension and heat shields are all points to check other than regular servicing.

Great cars in all weathers.

[GetCarter]

I had a 996 tt x50 (s) from new and ‘fun’ isn’t the best word. I’ve also owned 2 M3s BTW.

Astonishingly quick, bizzarely grippy in the wet, and FAR better that the driver are words I would use for the turbo s.

You might find it lacking in the fun department.

...and I bet you will lose money on it, not because it won’t appreciate, (Though I doubt it will) but because you’ll need a pile to keep it on the road. Check out the price of a new set of z rated tyres that fit the rims!

Good luck if you decide to do it... lovely and very safe car to drive. Fun? Not unless you take it on track and waste some tyres!

ETA... which I did.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 11th January 17:36

[AES14]

Thanks all food for thought. We can afford the annual costs the issue is getting the lump sum together for initial purchase.

[996TT02]

Not concerned about the mileage, what's been done recently is more important. I'd risk saying that a 50k miler is not a good buy because there are a lot of bits that will need replacing within the next 10-15k miles, so you pay more, twice over.

[hardlylikely]

If its what you want, buy it and enjoy it. Do your homework and find a independent repairer with a reasonable hourly rate, and a good knowledge of the 996. Spares are plentiful on ebay and through breakers yards, with a bit of ingenuity running a turbo can be affordable, even on a budget.
Personally i would warn against track days as they will punish your car, plus the risk of damage.
Live your life now, the things that are a financial stretch are more rewarding, if you wait till its a safe bet, it won't mean as much :-)

[Ares]

hardlylikely said:

If its what you want, buy it and enjoy it. Do your homework and find a independent repairer with a reasonable hourly rate, and a good knowledge of the 996. Spares are plentiful on ebay and through breakers yards, with a bit of ingenuity running a turbo can be affordable, even on a budget.
Personally i would warn against track days as they will punish your car, plus the risk of damage.
Live your life now, the things that are a financial stretch are more rewarding, if you wait till its a safe bet, it won't mean as much :-)

Very good point.

No-one lays on a death bed wishing they spent more time in a 2-litre diesel.

[Adam B]

AES14 said:

Thanks for prompt advice much appreciated. Had done quite a bit of research which suggested that whilst automatic turbo’s are quite common and unlikely to appreciate the manuals were different. Interesting to note that the consensus on here is otherwise. is the same view held re the 996 4S manual?

the manuals will be stronger money than tips and hold value better, but the comments on appreciation are to do with the mileage you are looking at not the gearbox

wouldn't put me off provided you buy at the right price, and its been looked after

Edited by Adam B on Friday 12th January 09:17

[Thankyou4calling]

You won’t make money.

You will spend a lot to keep it up to standard.

You will be buying an absolutely fabulous car.

Even now there are very few cars that will live with a purposefully driven 996TT in every day motoring.

I had one from new in 2002. Fantastic spec, tiptronic and still yearn for that thrust.

[stuttgartmetal]

A lot of wannabe 911 owners get fed the line two grand a year to maintain.
It’s true some of the time, but not a rule.
Keeping on top of things costs.
Turbos even more so.
Everything from Porsche costs an arm and a leg.
Believe me.
Bills start at a grand
Brakes,clutch,suspension
Ouch
On a 100k+ Car with that power, they’ll all want doing about now.
911 specialists
Once again, ouch.
Sounds like you’re under pressure to buy quickly, then walk
That car may look great, however it’s a whole ball game away from a new/ish BM
It’s not the buying it, it’s the running it

Entry to the 911 buy it now,and the only way the cars value will go is up club is now closed.
The best advice I can offer is to take the car down to Ken at 9e near LGW and have him take a look at it. He’s a turbo specialist.
Don’t buy it blind.

The 997Turbo is far better
A whole different ball game.

[BertBert]

This was going to be my exact comment as well. Drive before you buy to see if it meets your definition of fun. It doesn't meet mine.

GetCarter said:

I had a 996 tt x50 (s) from new and ‘fun’ isn’t the best word. I’ve also owned 2 M3s BTW.

Astonishingly quick, bizzarely grippy in the wet, and FAR better that the driver are words I would use for the turbo s.

You might find it lacking in the fun department.

...and I bet you will lose money on it, not because it won’t appreciate, (Though I doubt it will) but because you’ll need a pile to keep it on the road. Check out the price of a new set of z rated tyres that fit the rims!

Good luck if you decide to do it... lovely and very safe car to drive. Fun? Not unless you take it on track and waste some tyres!

ETA... which I did.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 11th January 17:36