Buying my first Porsche...! 997 C4S, need your opinions!

[Xstyle]

Hello to one and all,
Newbie to Pistonheads, and been looking online for a couple of months, and had a look in person at a couple...

My "ideal" spec, in order is:
- 911 997 C4S
- manual
- less than 40k miles
- Heated seats
- FPSH
- coupe
- Basalt Black
- PSE
- Sports seats


Budget is c. £34k, but would be stretching if I find the "perfect" car!! Purchase will involve some sort of finance...
I had a test drive in a 2005 silver C4S today from a dealers, WOW ! I loved it, first time driving one! (been a passenger a few times). I liked the whole dealer experience, sales guy was great, get 2 years OPC warranty... Finance is high, but we can negotiate that... It offers peace of mind too and assurance!
I am currently reading this interesting thread too! "Sell or not to sell"

Bearing all of the above in mind, I am sure most have seen the 2008 C4S at £38k?
I don't know much about Alan Powley, he sells cars for other dealers??? Can anybody share any dealings with him?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Another option is the black one from RSJ with Sand Beige leather, though I am now thinking a "colour" interior is not ideal, maybe darker is better on a Porsche? (I have red and black leathers in my current car which is why I bought it!)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3284192.htm

I'd welcome your thoughts on the cars listed, and also my search in general.
Many thanks!
Xstyle

[Barry Ashcroft]

Good luck with the search it really is a great hunt, I just wish Porsche had made the rear like the 996 C4s I just love the rear end of mine.

[Boggie]

GO TO RSJ!!!

I recently bought my first Porsche, a Turbo X50. I went to RSJ and have nothing but praise, despite being a dealer-cynic customer. Read my threads:

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

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

Buy with confidence and enjoy your first Porsche!

Good luck.
B

[Dr mojo]

I vote for OPC Leicester. Fantastic experience and immaculate preparation. 4 months in and has not put a foot wrong. Mine is a C2S but I am sure they can locate a C4s for you. 2 year warranty is worth almost 2k not to mention peace of mind. David Flanagan is your man there.

Good hunting. As most people say that's often the fun bit, the sense of anticipation etc. take your time and seek the right car for you. I spent about 6 months looking.

[Xstyle]

Xstyle said:

Bearing all of the above in mind, I am sure most have seen the 2008 C4S at £38k?
I don't know much about Alan Powley, he sells cars for other dealers??? Can anybody share any dealings with him?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
com/sales/3284192.htm

Anybody know this car, or Alan Powley? It's cheap for an 2008. Phoned him and he said he sells cars for other dealers when they can't shift cars. This Porsche was supposed to go to Malaysia but the buyer pulled out as it was a manual, so Alan has been given the car to shift.
I know he has a few listings on PH of various sports/prestige marques.

[Xstyle]

The car was £50k in March 2011 ... left messages for previous dealer...
http://motorkwik.co.uk/used-cars/porsche/911/2008-...

[Phooey]

Dr mojo said:

I vote for OPC Leicester. Fantastic experience and immaculate preparation. 4 months in and has not put a foot wrong. Mine is a C2S but I am sure they can locate a C4s for you. 2 year warranty is worth almost 2k not to mention peace of mind. David Flanagan is your man there.

Yep, Leicester are very good. I wouldn't touch a gen1 997 without official Porsche warranty (unless it was VERY well priced - which from experience, they usually aren't)

[Xstyle]

Phooey said:

Yep, Leicester are very good. I wouldn't touch a gen1 997 without official Porsche warranty (unless it was VERY well priced - which from experience, they usually aren't)

The silver one I test drove had ocean blue leather and was from OPC, with low mileage.
The ones I'm looking at are slightly higher mileage, with some of the other desireable options, more importantly black, but don't have warranty. I could go to OPC or an Indy and get it afterwards, after they have also inspected it??
I would get Peter Morgan to undertake an inspection if not buying from an OPC.

[Phooey]

Xstyle said:

The silver one I test drove had ocean blue leather and was from OPC, with low mileage.
The ones I'm looking at are slightly higher mileage, with some of the other desireable options, more importantly black, but don't have warranty. I could go to OPC or an Indy and get it afterwards, after they have also inspected it??
I would get Peter Morgan to undertake an inspection if not buying from an OPC.

Just make sure you have a proper inspection and you should be fine. Take the advice of Peter Morgan as to whether to put a Porsche warranty on it or to bank the money for any future issues. If the car is solid you could bank the £1200 a year and warranty it yourself - many do.

[Xstyle]

Phooey said:

If the car is solid you could bank the £1200 a year and warranty it yourself - many do.

You mean, just pay for the repairs as they come due, or go to an Indy to get it warrantied?

[Phooey]

Xstyle said:

just pay for the repairs as they come due

This.

Or if you do decide to service at an indy, choose one that offers their own warranty/maintenance scheme. Hartech being one of the preferred

[ditchvisitor]

My friend had a very nice C4s for sale at JZM, worth a look.

[ditchvisitor]

http://www.jzmporsche.com/porsche-997-C4S-for-sale...

[Xstyle]

Phooey said:

This.

Or if you do decide to service at an indy, choose one that offers their own warranty/maintenance scheme. Hartech being one of the preferred

I'm in the South, so it would have to be RSJ or JZM... and well in Peter Morgan territory for an inspection.
IF I bought a car from RSJ, then their warranty is available for £1k pa.
Or if bought elsewhere then went to RSJ, would be £102 pm, £1224 pa. OPC is £1400?
Which leads to the next question asked here

[Xstyle]

ditchvisitor said:

http://www.jzmporsche.com/porsche-997-C4S-for-sale...

I saw that AT... it is lovely.
Comparable to the silver one I saw at OPC for £36k with 2 yrs warranty, silver, blue leather, and with only 28k miles, and just had a major service! It was lovely to drive..!! But... It didn't have PSE, and wasn't black.
If its not the "perfect" car, you have to see how much lower you would pay to comprise out some of the fringe criteria...

[Phooey]

I'd also look at a C2S. Unless of course you really want the extra 40odd mm wide(er) body.

[Xstyle]

Phooey said:

I'd also look at a C2S. Unless of course you really want the extra 40odd mm wide(er) body.

I do, and the 4wd.

[tomw2000]

Phooey said:

I'd also look at a C2S. Unless of course you really want the extra 40odd mm wide(er) body.

OP have you test driven a C2S too?
Don't discount the two wheel drive variant.

[Xstyle]

Well, the £38k 2008 Porsche sold today for £35k to a trader.

I am considering buying the 2005 Arctic Silver with Ocean Blue leather that I test drove last weekend...
Though I still like the Black one with Sand Beige leather... decisions decisions!!
(I'll get PSE on the next car!)

Hence the other recent posts about car colour and interior combinations...

Edited by Xstyle on Wednesday 7th December 23:39

[Xstyle]

This was the car I test drove and am currently thinking about:
Porsche C4S Arctic Silver, Ocean Blue Leather

http://ucl.porsche.de/ucl/plsql/uk/clients.show_pi...

2005, 55 reg
Arctic Silver
Ocean Blue Leather
29k miles
Manual
Heated seats
PCM
Park Assist
2 Years OPC Warranty
Major service completed
3 owners

(it doesn't have PSE, Sports Seats, Rear Wiper, Bose Sound)
Reduced from £38.5k to £34.8k

I appreciate your opinions!!
Thanks!

Edited by Xstyle on Thursday 8th December 01:25