996 cab v SL500
Discussion
After a couple of fun years I'm contemplating swapping the Elise for something a little more grown up!
Max budget is 12k.
There seem to be a fair few of each in that bracket.
So, anything to look out for?
Similar sorts of cars but which would you say is best?
Running costs of both?
Will be keeping the griff for hoons and the like but quite liking the idea of a leisurely waft.
Any other cars you would recommend instead?
Many thanks.
Max budget is 12k.
There seem to be a fair few of each in that bracket.
So, anything to look out for?
Similar sorts of cars but which would you say is best?
Running costs of both?
Will be keeping the griff for hoons and the like but quite liking the idea of a leisurely waft.
Any other cars you would recommend instead?
Many thanks.
I've got a 1998/99 C2 996 Cab and it has been in the family since 1999.
I would personally recommend you stick an upgraded IMSB on any that you buy (for peace of mind if anything) as well as a sports exhaust or exhaust mod (e.g. bypass etc) so that it sounds the business with the roof down as it will otherwise sound a bit boring and uneventful!
I wouldn't regard low mileage as being the most important factor but rather the service history and also whether they have done the IMS already as that will cost you at least 500 to sort unless you are doing the clutch at the same time.
Servicing has cost me over the recent years about a grand a pop but that is because each time I was replacing a fair few bits (car has now done 105k) - my last service where I didn't need to buy a load of new bits only cost me 350 quid....but then I needed to fix a cracked water tank thingy for 500 quid a few weeks later although that component has been in since it rolled out of the factory.
Cost of tyres isn't too bad as I have kept it on 17's and am not too bothered about this huge wheel obsessed craze that seems all the rage these days - I think when you start banging massive wheels on an older car it starts looking a bit "halfords"
The tyres do wear out every year on the back though but then I've always noticed that with bridgestone S02's and should really shop around for a longer lasting alternative.
I used to have a civic type R and running the 996 actually costs me less in terms of road tax, petrol, insurance and servicing although i used the honda dealership for my civic and a specialist for the porker.
Oh and avoid using someone like JCT for 4 wheel alignment, I think I had it done at a specialist for 150 quid but IIRC at JCT they charged 500 quid for it.
And lastly if you aren't 100% sold on the fried egg headlamps then just don't do it and get a 997 cab instead because it will forever niggle at you!
I would personally recommend you stick an upgraded IMSB on any that you buy (for peace of mind if anything) as well as a sports exhaust or exhaust mod (e.g. bypass etc) so that it sounds the business with the roof down as it will otherwise sound a bit boring and uneventful!
I wouldn't regard low mileage as being the most important factor but rather the service history and also whether they have done the IMS already as that will cost you at least 500 to sort unless you are doing the clutch at the same time.
Servicing has cost me over the recent years about a grand a pop but that is because each time I was replacing a fair few bits (car has now done 105k) - my last service where I didn't need to buy a load of new bits only cost me 350 quid....but then I needed to fix a cracked water tank thingy for 500 quid a few weeks later although that component has been in since it rolled out of the factory.
Cost of tyres isn't too bad as I have kept it on 17's and am not too bothered about this huge wheel obsessed craze that seems all the rage these days - I think when you start banging massive wheels on an older car it starts looking a bit "halfords"
The tyres do wear out every year on the back though but then I've always noticed that with bridgestone S02's and should really shop around for a longer lasting alternative.
I used to have a civic type R and running the 996 actually costs me less in terms of road tax, petrol, insurance and servicing although i used the honda dealership for my civic and a specialist for the porker.
Oh and avoid using someone like JCT for 4 wheel alignment, I think I had it done at a specialist for 150 quid but IIRC at JCT they charged 500 quid for it.
And lastly if you aren't 100% sold on the fried egg headlamps then just don't do it and get a 997 cab instead because it will forever niggle at you!
I think coming from an Elise to a 500SL would be going from a 20 year olds to a 60 year old person car. To much of a shock.
Unless you want to cruise around smoking a ciguar.
Man 996 cab.
I looked the other day at both cars for the wife. Boxster just isn't working with child. They both look bloody GVFM.
Blue one in London 3.6 with 80,000 miles. 12K ! 2002.
JR.
Unless you want to cruise around smoking a ciguar.
Man 996 cab.
I looked the other day at both cars for the wife. Boxster just isn't working with child. They both look bloody GVFM.
Blue one in London 3.6 with 80,000 miles. 12K ! 2002.
JR.
Which SL500? R129? At that price, you will be getting a mint late model. Build quality on those is superior to the later R230 and in the fullness of time I imagine values will overtake the R230, much as the 993 has done versus the 996.
I have an R129 and have owned various 996s. They are completely different cars so I'm not sure that the comparison makes any sense. The SL is my daily driver. Lovely cabin, fabulous engine from an era when engineers were still in charge, it has a real feel-good factor. When new it was an £80k car (in the 90s!), and it feels it. But it's set up for comfort, not dicing with Caterhams at Brands.
Search comments by PHer r129sl over on the Merc forum - he is a very knowledgeable chap.
I have an R129 and have owned various 996s. They are completely different cars so I'm not sure that the comparison makes any sense. The SL is my daily driver. Lovely cabin, fabulous engine from an era when engineers were still in charge, it has a real feel-good factor. When new it was an £80k car (in the 90s!), and it feels it. But it's set up for comfort, not dicing with Caterhams at Brands.
Search comments by PHer r129sl over on the Merc forum - he is a very knowledgeable chap.
Hi,
What Mr Ping said. I've owned SL (129 thingy), 996 Cab (still do) and a TVR (see profile), so I hopefully understand your thoughts.
Best advice go and drive both. Are they for daily commuting / weekend crusing etc.
Merc is for aiming the star at the horizon, Griff for emotion and 996 Cab probably the best of both of those worlds.
Do you want a contrast to your Griff (Merc) or when you get on the twisted do you still want to feel more involved (99x)?
Sean
What Mr Ping said. I've owned SL (129 thingy), 996 Cab (still do) and a TVR (see profile), so I hopefully understand your thoughts.
Best advice go and drive both. Are they for daily commuting / weekend crusing etc.
Merc is for aiming the star at the horizon, Griff for emotion and 996 Cab probably the best of both of those worlds.
Do you want a contrast to your Griff (Merc) or when you get on the twisted do you still want to feel more involved (99x)?
Sean
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