996 from Cyprus
Discussion
Lots of them about. A few firms were bringing them in as new parallel imports back then, I think Bramleys was one.
A lot of the time a buyer won't even notice, but if you were offered precisely the same car in UK (C16) and Cyprus (C98) you'd always take the C16, so yes, a C98 is worth a bit less.
It's worth checking the spec against a UK spec car too. A C98 997 has a smaller fuel tank than a C16 for example.
A lot of the time a buyer won't even notice, but if you were offered precisely the same car in UK (C16) and Cyprus (C98) you'd always take the C16, so yes, a C98 is worth a bit less.
It's worth checking the spec against a UK spec car too. A C98 997 has a smaller fuel tank than a C16 for example.
Had a 2002 Boxster 2.7 as a company car from new. That was a C98 car and the spec was identical.
Never had any issues with warranty etc.
I agree with the previous posters comments about two identical cars and someone choosing the C16 car. However, given the age of the 996 range I suspect this is less of an issue on the C2 & 4 models, and generally only relevant on the GT & Turbo derivatives, as the prices are such they are now open to non-enthusiast buyers.
If you can get a bit off the purchase price then happy days but if the car meets your requirements, its provenance is good and it ticks all your boxes then don’t let its origins put you off.
Personal imports are usually worth less on the used market, although I would think the effect would be less with an older car where current condition is really King. But I would certainly check the spec against a UK car.
It was common to import new cars when the exchange rates were favourable 10 years or so ago. I imported a brand new BMW from Germany (in full UK spec) as the exchange rate made it thousands cheaper than buying from the local BMW dealer. But when I sold it about a year later, it did affect the re-sale value as a personal import, even though it was a UK spec car.
It was common to import new cars when the exchange rates were favourable 10 years or so ago. I imported a brand new BMW from Germany (in full UK spec) as the exchange rate made it thousands cheaper than buying from the local BMW dealer. But when I sold it about a year later, it did affect the re-sale value as a personal import, even though it was a UK spec car.
Slippydiff said:
Wouldn't bother me one jot, same car, built in the same factory by the same robots and employees. Values lower ? Only to C16 "snobs" and dealers/individuals trying to reduce the value of your P & J when you're selling.
Agreed, but wouldn't you take that into account as a buyer? i.e. offer a bit less because you know it will cause some grief when selling it later on.Slippydiff said:
UKT, I think my "argument" would stand up come sale time. The cars are no different, only the stickers under the bonnet and in the service book differentiate between a UK car and a Cypriot car.
You may well be right, but there's probably a fair few that would have an issue with it, rightly or wrongly, so I'm with UKT on this one.MrCooke said:
I've not heard it for a while, but it used to be said that the alarms on C98 996s weren't liked by Thatcham. I've no evidence of this being true, it could just be internet fact.
I was told this by my local OPC when checking out a C98 car 7 or 8 years ago and they quoted £250 to re-programme the security system (so it probably takes 10-15 minutes then...).Soovy, the car will probably show "new at first registration" on the V5C so (provided it has a UK spec Thatcham alarm system) there's no need to declare anything unusual to your insurers (the risk to them is no different either as the spec is the same). Even personal imports driven back to the UK are allowed to be classified in the same way by DVLA, based on a nominal delivery time/mileage.
Waitforme said:
Soovy said:
You will need to declare it as an import to your insurer. Will cost more.
This pees me off, all Porsche cars coming into the UK are imports. Just another way of Ins Cos getting more cash out of us.To be honest, I never checked the 'C16' thing when I bought mine, and at 11yrs old, didn't really bother me...
However, I've just had to go check my service book now, out of interest and it is a C16!
Clearly now I have checked, the C16 models are worth considerably more, so much so, that if anyone has a 'lowly' Cyprus spec GT3 of the same age as my 996, i'd propose a straight swap to help you out...
Thank you (please don't all call at once...)
I seem to recall from somewhere that a key difference (apart from the ones mentioned above) was that the c98 cars may not have the under carriage wax sealed (?) as it was destined for a dryer climate. Therefore there could be some corrosion risk in UK winters with salt on the roads.....again could be internet myth...
Soovy said:
You will need to declare it as an import to your insurer. Will cost more.
Not necessarily, I had a Subaru imported from new, you know how fussy Insurers get over jap imports more than any other car. It was imported in for me, declared as new and given the brand new plate for the year. I asked the insurers about this and they said it would be the same as a UK car, no need to declare. I had a Thatcham security system fitted which they knew was different to manufacturer and were happy to insure.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff