Should I buy this 10k 996?

[DickusMaximus]

What’s the view on this one please my porcine fancying friends? I bought a 2.7 Boxster last month with a view to seeing how I got on with Porsches and then look to buy the big brother. I absolutely love the Boxster and I’ve already decided to get the faster Porsche. I saw this one in my local garage this morning:

http://www.harfieldsofhorsham.co.uk/used-cars/pors...

Downside

118,000 miles

Upside

Good service history
IMS, RMS and clutch all done for £1600 / 2 years / 2000 miles ago

I only paid £6,000 for the Boxster from a dealer with 90,000 miles so I’ll get most of that back on a trade-in.

All opinions greatly appreciated as I’m really keen to make a decision on this one.

[Diesel130]

Doesn't look bad at that price if the work you mention all checks out. Obviously get it inspected and I'd look for history as to what else has been done in past including the regular suspects of:-

radiators
front suspension parts
header tank
window regulators

Also make sure discs / pads / tyres are in good condition, or negotiate on price, and that all electrics are working OK.

The 996 C2 runs very nicely on 17" wheels and the tyres a bit cheaper than 18" to boot.

Any idea why its only done 2000 miles in the last 2 years?

Edited by Diesel130 on Thursday 3rd November 14:02

[peterg1955]

Having worked for a main dealer in the Horsham area a few years ago, the reputation of this particular company was not great so if you decide to go ahead make sure the car is checked very thoroughly before handing over any money.

one car which they asked us to look at for a problem was fairly easily identified as having been clocked at some point in its life, not saying who by but...

[bull996]

I dont see the 118k miles being a downside.

I would rather have one that has clearly been used than one that hasnt.

[river_rat]

Make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing to check the cylinder liners, to avoid a potential £6k+ rebuild.

[madala]

.....how about this one...OK £750 more expensive but only 67K miles.....but I think you want to part exchange or trade in.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3352220.htm

[stewart rix]

river_rat said:

Make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing to check the cylinder liners, to avoid a potential £6k+ rebuild.

Yep, any hint of exhaust smoke (unless it is the briefest of puffs on start up), run away.

[anonymous-user]

Treat it like a private sale i.e. full Porsche specialist inspection required to avoid potential large future bills. But if it checks out they are great value for money at £10K. Also make sure you actually drive it. You might well find that you prefer the Boxster. These are a different kind of drive.

[BillyB]

Is the front bumper sitting right - seems to be drooping a little (vs lights and bonnet)?

Looks like good value if it checks out.

[Stevej33]

There were a couple of very well maintained 1999 C4's with sub 100k miles (with nice spec) when I was looking...
(backed up with good history and plenty of bills for service work)

Selling privately, and could be bought for just under £10k...

They looked good value!

[blade7]

If traders are knocking them out for £10k what did they pay for them ?.

[IMI A]

Pay a bit more and go for a facelift 2002 car. More torquey and I preferred the drive. Lovely targa at Eporsch and I've seen some nice cars in the classifieds for £13k-£15k. Can't believe 996s are so cheap when i see what some of these tired old bangers are selling for

[chfs911]

You'd be better putting your money into something like a 964. It will last a lot longer and will not end up in a scrappy in 5 years.

Early 996s are going the way of 928s. They will cost too much to keep them running at some point soon.

[GT Glee]

chfs911 said:

You'd be better putting your money into something like a 964. It will last a lot longer and will not end up in a scrappy in 5 years.

Early 996s are going the way of 928s. They will cost too much to keep them running at some point soon.

Thank you for sharing your indubitable acumen. I will scrap both of mine now just in case they cost too much to run from next Tuesday.

[986johnjohn]

If this is the same car which I believe it is, I walked past this and just from the damage to the front bumper kept on walking. It looks like its hit a post. I was surprised how dog eared the car appeared generally

[nev996]

not sure bout the colour. the blue always seem a bit cheaper.
ive recently had a 996 in silver and changed all the lights to the later clear ones which i feel transform the cars looks but i know a lot of people on here like the ambers as its part of the cars originality. everyones different and you may love the blue.
as for the car go with what other people have said and get it checked over with an inspection and study the paperwork. i had mine checked for a hundred quid i think and there were a couple of minor things but it didnt put me off and i will get them sorted soon.
havent driven a boxster but i have a 964 also and they are very different i think. i do like the extra room in the 996 and they drive really well. as a previous poster said.....do have a drive of it to make sure you do like it. thats a must.
even if you dont have this one then keep looking on autotrader and pistonheads and im sure you wont wait too long for another one to appear. good luck either way.

[Nimbus]

DickusMaximus said:

I only paid £6,000 for the Boxster from a dealer with 90,000 miles so I’ll get most of that back on a trade-in.

Really ? I think you are in for a shock
Tell us how much they offer, my estimate is £4k max.

[DickusMaximus]

peterg1955 said:

Having worked for a main dealer in the Horsham area a few years ago, the reputation of this particular company was not great so if you decide to go ahead make sure the car is checked very thoroughly before handing over any money.

one car which they asked us to look at for a problem was fairly easily identified as having been clocked at some point in its life, not saying who by but...

Not to put too fine a point on it but, erm, oh, yes! The p.work seems fine though and it's only done 2000 miles in the last 18 months which I'm hoping means the IMS and RMS will be like new as that's when they were replaced.

[DickusMaximus]

bull996 said:

I dont see the 118k miles being a downside.

I would rather have one that has clearly been used than one that hasnt.

Indeed, if it comes with a decent 6 month warranty and can sell it for £7,000 in 6 months after putting 10,000 miles on it then I'll be very happy with that.

[DickusMaximus]

madala said:

.....how about this one...OK £750 more expensive but only 67K miles.....but I think you want to part exchange or trade in.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3352220.htm

For anything over £5,000 I always go to a trader - just in case. That car is far nicer but no warranty / Sale of Goods Act makes me nervous esp. with the ever-present IMS / RMS grenade issue.

Thank you for your commment!