996 Turbo for £20k

[Jamesgt]

I'm about to start looking for a fun car at 20k approx. Would anyone else think its a good idea to buy a 996 Turbo for 20k? I've noticed a few turning up on autotrader and pistonheads in my price range. Here are a few examples.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

I know they're tiptronic but at this budget I'm not going to get pick of the bunch. I should add 2 seater cars are out of the question due to short arrival of our first baby. I've done plenty of research on baby seats in the 996 so I'm happy with that... And I already own a passat estate for back up.

[DKL]

Main issue with these is that they were 100k cars and will cost this to run. 20k is very close to the bottom of the pile and you are unlikely to find one that doesn't need to go straight to the garage for a new clutch, 3 front rads, coffin arms, heat shields, ac condensors etc. Either that or you suffer a series of annoying breakdowns over the next 6 months.
People will sell cheap after having them for a matter of months as this dawns on them or will use the need for these things as the reason the car is cheap.
You might get lucky and get one that allows reasonable spread of the work or if you can DIY then that's a whole different ball game.
They are great cars, I want one, but I'm trying to choose carefully.
A C4S would give a better car for that money but there are other considerations with a more expensive NA car.
Whatever you do get it inspected.

ETA the silver one looks quite good but is a little over the 20k mark. New rads which would cost you the 1.5k.
The blue one has been around for ages - I imagine the colour scheme isn't everyone's choice.
There's a blue manual one in Dunfermline that looks reasonable from a far too.

[Slobberchops]

For that budget you'd be better off getting a standard 996 and keep some money back for running costs.

[Jamesgt]

Thanks for your replies. I always do this. I can afford a c2 but I get excited by looking at adverts for a c4s and turbo thinking I can afford one. I did a little research on Williams Motor Company who are advertising the blue 996t. They don't have a good reputation so ill stay away from that garage.

[C8LNJ]

Silver one looks good & imo worthy of a punt if its a turbo you want. Why settle for less than the model you want!!? In saying that i'd need to have either a good warranty (might be difficult at age) or 5-6k tucked away accessible as a 911 odds and sods cushion.

[Jamesgt]

C8LNJ < I see your point. If I don't buy a turbo I'll probably look at getting an RS4 instead. If I can't have a Porsche I'll get a V8! I'll be home in a few weeks from working away. I'll see what is about and take a look.

[Crimp a Length!]

@20K get an inspection.
Easily ramp up 8-10k on jobs........

[Steviesam]

Crimp a Length! said:

@20K get an inspection.
Easily ramp up 8-10k on jobs........

£10K

What would ramp up that kind of spend?

[metsta]

I've got my eye on a 1971 T so have listed my turbo on eBay and will put in here this evening too in the classifieds
All the major stuff already done at great expense
Cheers

[BillTheButcher]

metsta said:

I've got my eye on a 1971 T so have listed my turbo on eBay and will put in here this evening too in the classifieds
All the major stuff already done at great expense
Cheers

Is this yours?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[metsta]

BillTheButcher said:

Is this yours?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

one and the same

[Steviesam]

BillTheButcher said:

Is this yours?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

That is a great car.

If mine had sold, it would be on my drive.

[rix]

I looked a while a go at this end if the market. Genuine cars are there available but it's certainly a matter of separating wheat from chaff!

[sportsandclassic]

Steviesam said:

Crimp a Length! said:

@20K get an inspection.
Easily ramp up 8-10k on jobs........

£10K

What would ramp up that kind of spend?

Coolant radiators, suspension refresh, tyres, brakes, clutch and a gearbox rebuild to start with...

In my experience 996 turbos need around £4k to start with when you buy one and run it through a workshop as there are always things that need attention. As said this is what we have found with these cars as they are getting older and more miles on them.

Mike

[anonymous-user]

metsta said:

I've got my eye on a 1971 T so have listed my turbo on eBay and will put in here this evening too in the classifieds
All the major stuff already done at great expense
Cheers

That's more like it - in 13 months it had £12K spent just on the big stuff, forget the upgrades and the £9K of service work has already been done.

Much better to buy a car like this that hopefully will give you a couple of years of relatively minor bills (in Porsche terms).

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 11th March 08:01

[monthefish]

metsta said:

BillTheButcher said:

Is this yours?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

one and the same

Surely you can get more for it than that?
(Or are you needing a quick sale?)

[steve singh]

sportsandclassic said:

Steviesam said:

Crimp a Length! said:

@20K get an inspection.
Easily ramp up 8-10k on jobs........

£10K

What would ramp up that kind of spend?

Coolant radiators, suspension refresh, tyres, brakes, clutch and a gearbox rebuild to start with...

In my experience 996 turbos need around £4k to start with when you buy one and run it through a workshop as there are always things that need attention. As said this is what we have found with these cars as they are getting older and more miles on them.

Mike

Mike - what do you typically see as annual maintenance cost for customers once they've done that initial prep? Cheers

[scoobysnacks2]

sportsandclassic said:

Coolant radiators, suspension refresh, tyres, brakes, clutch and a gearbox rebuild to start with...

In my experience 996 turbos need around £4k to start with when you buy one and run it through a workshop as there are always things that need attention. As said this is what we have found with these cars as they are getting older and more miles on them.

Mike

Would that apply to a 996 C4S as well, given the numerous shared components from your list?

[Durzel]

Key thing to remember as previously said they were once £100k cars, so they won't cost peanuts to run & keep maintained just because they're cheap (relatively) to buy now.

[mercGLowner]

Great value, provided you get a decent, well looked after one.

Get an inspection done and use the faults to bargain the price with, then have a couple of grand set aside to get it sorted. Use some of the good Pork specialists to look after it and fettle it and it could be a performance car bargain. I would also look at a really good 996 C4S, my view (am prepared to be shot down) is that a decent C4S will become a genuine classic eventually. I would love a C4S Cab in basalt or dark blue sat in my garage .