Advice please - Soon to be a 911 owner

[Fen Boy]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I am looking for a little advice on 911 ownership.

For over 25 years I have always wanted a 911 but have never been in a position to buy one, anyway the time as come to fulfill my wish and I hope to make a purchase in the next month or two.

I work overseas most of my time, so the car is only going to be used on weekends and high days and will probably only cover a couple of thousand miles a year. Initially I was thinking of an early 996, they just seem unreal value at the moment, however the more I research the more unsure I am on what to go for, so I have kind of narrowed my market to three possibilities and as such would welcome any advise which would be my best "first" 911.

Option 1. Early 996

2. 996 40th Anniversary model

3. 997 3.8 S

Thanks

Richard

[anonymous-user]

Fen Boy said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I am looking for a little advice on 911 ownership.

For over 25 years I have always wanted a 911 but have never been in a position to buy one, anyway the time as come to fulfill my wish and I hope to make a purchase in the next month or two.

I work overseas most of my time, so the car is only going to be used on weekends and high days and will probably only cover a couple of thousand miles a year. Initially I was thinking of an early 996, they just seem unreal value at the moment, however the more I research the more unsure I am on what to go for, so I have kind of narrowed my market to three possibilities and as such would welcome any advise which would be my best "first" 911.

Option 1. Early 996

2. 996 40th Anniversary model

3. 997 3.8 S

Thanks

Richard

Budget?

If Sir would care to avoid IMS/RMS/bore scoring anxieties, perhaps Sir might wish to add an early 996 Turbo to the list...

[911p]

All dependant on your budget - the best of the bunch would obviously be the 997S.

[Fen Boy]

Greg66 said:

Budget?

If Sir would care to avoid IMS/RMS/bore scoring anxieties, perhaps Sir might wish to add an early 996 Turbo to the list...

Sorry, Could stretch to around 25K and yes had thought of a Turbo but unsure on the extra running costs, compared to a NA car.

[911Viking]

You might first want to set a budget and then start considering which of the 911 generations are right for you. The air cooled 964 and 993's offer more authentic look and feel, they are amazing weekend drivers, the 996/997 water cooled are high performance sports cars which you also comfortably can use as daily drivers.

Good luck buddy

[Magic919]

I did a similar exercise about 18 months ago and settled on the 40 year car. I am too nervous to buy an early 997S given the problems. That said, I have a Porsche warranty and just about covered 20k trouble-free miles.

You probably need to drive one, as you might not like it. It's a bit more harsh over the bumps due to the M030 suspension. I drive a 996 C4S too and that feels more composed, a bit more refined.

Some of the 40 year cars seem a bit ambitiously priced. It's no collector's car and is just a nicely-specced 996 with tatty wheels. Some of them have lost the original chrome finish alloys by now. I think the X51 engine is the best feature of the car and it still makes me grin.

[madala]

Fen Boy said:

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I am looking for a little advice on 911 ownership.

For over 25 years I have always wanted a 911 but have never been in a position to buy one, anyway the time as come to fulfill my wish and I hope to make a purchase in the next month or two.

I work overseas most of my time, so the car is only going to be used on weekends and high days and will probably only cover a couple of thousand miles a year. Initially I was thinking of an early 996, they just seem unreal value at the moment, however the more I research the more unsure I am on what to go for, so I have kind of narrowed my market to three possibilities and as such would welcome any advise which would be my best "first" 911.

Option 1. Early 996

2. 996 40th Anniversary model

3. 997 3.8 S

Thanks

Richard

....non of the above....if your budget can run to it and as it will only be a toy.....for me it would have to be a 993 all the way.

Good luck in your search.

[thegoose]

madala said:

....non of the above....if your budget can run to it and as it will only be a toy.....for me it would have to be a 993 all the way.

Good luck in your search.

He's mentioned of budget of £25k which is definitely sufficient for an excellent 993. A 996 is half that value wise though for a newer car - just won't feel that special and there is the fragility to think of too.

[madala]

....with that budget a good 993 certainly ticks the box....

[clockworks]

Same position for me a couple of months ago, but with a budget of £20k. I was going to get a 993, but preferred the looks of the 964. Found a really nice one for slightly over budget.

I feel that a good 964 or 993 will be cheaper to own over the course of a few years. Hopefully zero depreciation will offset the maintenance costs, making it as cheap to run as a new-ish MX-5.

[Fen Boy]

Sorry guys, whilst probably the best safe financial buy and not wishing to offend anyone who has given me advice but 993's just do not do it for me.

996 or 997, firm decision, my mind is set.

[mollytherocker]

Fen Boy said:

Sorry guys, whilst probably the best safe financial buy and not wishing to offend anyone who has given me advice but 993's just do not do it for me.

996 or 997, firm decision, my mind is set.

Have you driven all three, or is that based on 'looks'?

MTR

[Fen Boy]

Looks.

[Magic919]

Good man. Shrug off the beards.

[thegoose]

mollytherocker said:

Have you driven all three, or is that based on 'looks'?

MTR

Fen Boy said:

Looks.

I'd suggest much of the pleasure of owning a Porsche can/should come from driving it, hence it's probably a good idea to try a few different types out.

[madala]

Fen Boy said:

Looks.

....Oh dear....I/we tried.....if you don't like the look of the 993 you don't like the look of any 911....perhaps you don't even know about the "air-cooled" engine.....perhaps....prehaps so much more you don't know....I am out of here before I say any more.

....but good luck never the less.....

Edited by madala on Sunday 27th May 17:52

[xftdr]

Fen Boy said:

but 993's just do not do it for me

By your own words you are guilty of heresy. Go directly to gaol, do not pass go, do not collect £200

[rlw]

..and to think I was going to say that money would buy a fabulous 964............

[SalesManager]

I've driven most and in my very humble opinion the 996 is very boring to drive. The 997 is too hard on 19's and a bit of a let down as a result on rough roads. From what I have read any N/A engine is frail and that includes the aircooled unless recently rebuilt.

If you want a car that you can enjoy at any speed that wont jiggle your teeth out the 964 / 993 route is excellent, if the aircooled is not for you the 996Turbo could be the car for you, its fun fast and not expensive to run for what it is.

[EdM]

http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=03_P...