911S Gen 2 Buying Advice - Dealer or Indy

[Volition]

Hello all.

After plenty of test drives me and my other half have decided on a 911S Gen 2 Porsche with PDK as our next car.

I am after some advice on whether to buy Porsche Approved through the official dealer network (for extra peace of mind), or buy from an independent specialist?

My main concern is the warranty options available and people's experiences using both Porsche Approved and Independent dealers.

I don't want to have to worry about any IMS related issues etc., that could potentially cost a small fortune to repair.

We're looking to buy early next year when the prices of used models with PDK come under the 50k mark. With the new registration out next year I'm hoping we can pick something up for around 45k.

The plan is to keep the car for 2 to 3 years on a PCP deal.

Anyway, I welcome your personal experiences and whether you have any advice to offer.

[uknick]

If you don't want to worry about bits going wrong I would have thought buying from OPC with 2 year warranty is what you are after.

[anonymous-user]

Gen 2 doesn't have IMS and have so far proved to be pretty reliable with no known issue.

[Volition]

Waitforme said:

Gen 2 doesn't have IMS and have so far proved to be pretty reliable with no known issue.

Ah, that's good to know. The poster above you is probably right though, maybe used approved is best, but I wonder that the warranty options are like with independent dealers.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Volition said:

Waitforme said:

Gen 2 doesn't have IMS and have so far proved to be pretty reliable with no known issue.

Ah, that's good to know. The poster above you is probably right though, maybe used approved is best, but I wonder that the warranty options are like with independent dealers.

Some Independants claim to be as water tight as an OPC. Indi's like RSJ,Cridfords,Portiacraft sometimes have ex - Porsche trained technicians.Just have a look on there sites.

I would always buy Porsche approved or a used private car with Porsche Warranty still on it. If your budget is £45k then there will be loads to choose from. I have saw the odd PDK car at £39k.

RSJ Warranty - http://www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/warranty.htm

[Magic919]

I'd say OPC as the indie prices didn't seem low enough once you figure in 2 year Porsche warranty. Was glad I had that when mine needed a new engine.

[boxaw]

I bought a 997.2 from JZM and would definitely buy from them again. It actually had OPC warranty with it so that wasn't an issue. Personally - I would always go for OPC warranty if you could get it.

Like an idiot got rid of it about a year ago and I am now looking for a 996 C4S (may be convertible may be not).

[Volition]

boxaw said:

I bought a 997.2 from JZM and would definitely buy from them again. It actually had OPC warranty with it so that wasn't an issue. Personally - I would always go for OPC warranty if you could get it.

Like an idiot got rid of it about a year ago and I am now looking for a 996 C4S (may be convertible may be not).

Good to know that independents can offer cars with OPC warranty. This certainly sounds like an option - thanks.

I will definitely buy a car with OPC warranty.

[boxaw]

I think it comes down to whether the car has warranty when the Indy buys the car it as all you are then doing then is transferring the warranty from the previous owner to you.

The other thing to consider is that, as far as I understand it, as long as the Indy hasn't serviced the car (this needs confirming) then you can have Porsche do the 111 oint check and get an OPC warranty. This would also be an option with a Private Sale that had full OPC service history.

[uknick]

I think you need to be careful about getting a car from an Indy with what is left of an extended OPC warranty. My understanding is that you can ONLY transfer from a private individual.

I suppose it is different if the Indy is selling the car for an individual from their forecourt.

[hotpowner]

Take a look at www.stirlings.co.uk
all his cars are main dealer prepared, serviced and inspected and he gives his own warranty

Really nice guy and very well respected over at 911uk.com

In my opinion the standard of his cars is equal to and better than most OPC's

[Coolbanana]

hotpowner said:

Take a look at www.stirlings.co.uk
all his cars are main dealer prepared, serviced and inspected and he gives his own warranty

Really nice guy and very well respected over at 911uk.com

In my opinion the standard of his cars is equal to and better than most OPC's

I second that - I bought my 911 from him last week. He is really very passionate about the Marque and therefore genuinely knowledgeable - doesn't come across as a car salesman but as someone who lives and breathes Porsche.

I've always bought new or nearly new from Dealers and this was my first experience outside of a Dealer Network and, wow, it was far better. Mark really does go the extra mile and his cars could be at home as brand new models on a Dealer Showroom!

My 911 Gen 2 S PDK has all the toys I could want and only 4500 miles - he seems to specialise in finding the best condition, low mileage examples.

As you might have gathered, I am very happy with my purchase!

[jetbox]

My experience having bought the same spec car recently is that there is no price advantage for buying outside of opc. The warranty is worth a lot for peace of mind for two years. The only draw away from opc is if there is a unique spec car you see out with the network.

[mrdemon]

Volition said:

Good to know that independents can offer cars with OPC warranty. This certainly sounds like an option - thanks.

I will definitely buy a car with OPC warranty.

They cannot sell a car with OPC warranty.

You can buy a car have an inspection then 30 days later buy a warranty from Porsche.

But any Indy selling you car car of their own will void any OPC warranty. ( unless it's the org 2 or 3 year warranty)

Indy sell a lot of sor to get round this now.

OPC and private always seem to have the best cars I have have found after owning 4.

Edited by mrdemon on Saturday 21st September 08:43

[Magic919]

It's a 90 wait to start a Porsche warranty if you have just bought the car.

[av185]

My advice would be to buy privately everytime. You are then dealing with the owner. If you are not happy on your own then have the car inspected by someone in the know. No dealers profit then.

Having bought many of these cars over the years, their values are seasonal and whilst the new 14 plate will chip at the value slightly, this will be more influenced by the spring buying frenzy which will doubtless cause values to rise. In fact depending on age, there probably wont be much difference in value between now and then. Dont bank on values dropping especially on the rare better spec cars!

No issues on cars concerning reliability etc. Have run a GTS PDK coupe nearly two years and it has been perfect.

[Niffty951]

A couple of places worth a mention: independants - Hartech (North'ish) and Maundrell (South'ish) have been very good in my experience. Offering over and above what the market has led me to expect.

Opc's: Leicester and Exeter also seem to have more of a look after the
customer aproach than some of the other Opc dealers I've dealt with.

I would say find the perfect car for you irellivant of dealer and then check well/ask about online before buying from them. In the end its the car you choose that you'll be spending your time in.