Which 10k-ish 911? (choice of two...)
Discussion
Hi all,
General long-time lurker, occasional poster, looking to buy a 996 this weekend.
Has to be a coupe and manual, fairly flexible on everything else.
There are two I particularly like - both ocean blue, both well-written adverts, both recently serviced.
Number one - PHer, private seller, higher mileage, IMS and RMS "fixed" some time ago, new brakes and tyres:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Number two - Trader, also a PHer, higher price, lower mileage, RMS fix but no IMS fix (but I think the internet has blown that out of proportion though), lovely sounding aftermarket exhaust, later wheels which I like.
http://justboxsters.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/996-c...
Currently leaning towards the second one mainly due to the exhaust, and seeing both in a weekend would be tricky as they're a fair way apart.
Which would you see first, and why?
Thanks, promise to keep this updated if (when) I buy one this weekend!
General long-time lurker, occasional poster, looking to buy a 996 this weekend.
Has to be a coupe and manual, fairly flexible on everything else.
There are two I particularly like - both ocean blue, both well-written adverts, both recently serviced.
Number one - PHer, private seller, higher mileage, IMS and RMS "fixed" some time ago, new brakes and tyres:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
Number two - Trader, also a PHer, higher price, lower mileage, RMS fix but no IMS fix (but I think the internet has blown that out of proportion though), lovely sounding aftermarket exhaust, later wheels which I like.
http://justboxsters.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/996-c...
Currently leaning towards the second one mainly due to the exhaust, and seeing both in a weekend would be tricky as they're a fair way apart.
Which would you see first, and why?
Thanks, promise to keep this updated if (when) I buy one this weekend!
Number 2 also apparently comes with new brake disks and pads. It'd probably be the one I'd go to look at (exhaust, wheels, mileage), although I'd ask for some photos that hadn't had an Instagram filter applied, and some of the interior.
ETA: On second look, the first appears to be a non-sunroof model. That's something I'd be very keen on (and am considering a sunroof delete on my similar looking 996).
ETA: On second look, the first appears to be a non-sunroof model. That's something I'd be very keen on (and am considering a sunroof delete on my similar looking 996).
Edited by IknowJoseph on Wednesday 5th March 17:33
Number one also says "also benefits from recent brakes and new Continental tyres all round", and you can see inside number two in the video (one of two, I like videos in car adverts).
Interior looks in pretty good condition in both, number two says it's had the seats refurbished, so they might have the edge...
They're so similiar, I keep changing my mind between the two...
Interior looks in pretty good condition in both, number two says it's had the seats refurbished, so they might have the edge...
They're so similiar, I keep changing my mind between the two...
Ok, I watched the video; I was trying to avoid that as I'm pretending to be at work 
Both look very similar. To be honest, I didn't think the exhaust on that second one sounded amazing, but that could just be the video. Looks tidy and lower mileage though. Lack of sunroof on the first would be my main difference between the two (adding some sports boxes to a car would presumably be much cheaper than a sunroof delete).
Both look very similar. To be honest, I didn't think the exhaust on that second one sounded amazing, but that could just be the video. Looks tidy and lower mileage though. Lack of sunroof on the first would be my main difference between the two (adding some sports boxes to a car would presumably be much cheaper than a sunroof delete).
993kimbo said:
Why wouldn't you want a sunroof?
The sunroof is pretty good if you're cruising round town, but above town speeds it's noisy and buffeting. Mine doesn't get much use. Outside of summer, its a heavy item at the highest point of the car. Turn onto a speed bump (like entering a car park) and you can hear the thing creaking above you as the body flexes.
Looks better without too
Car number 2 is only a few miles from me.
I also have mine serviced by the same Specialist.
Hard to pick just by reading the ad. Best bet is to view both and pick the one you like the most.
Both are higher mileage cars so id be going over the suspension, see what has been changed and what may need doing still.
I also have mine serviced by the same Specialist.
Hard to pick just by reading the ad. Best bet is to view both and pick the one you like the most.
Both are higher mileage cars so id be going over the suspension, see what has been changed and what may need doing still.
CraigJ said:
Both are higher mileage cars so id be going over the suspension, see what has been changed and what may need doing still.
Good point, mine needed a refresh at 75k, so you'll want to check it's been done at least once! Having done mine recently, I'd also check the radiators.
OK, thanks everyone. Not even considered the sunroof as a point of contention!
For the radiators, is a visual check for corrosion enough? I know they can be a bit of a weak point, but not sure how to see what state they're currently in.
They both sound like pretty good options, so will try and see both, but they are quite a way aapart so not sure I'd be able to fir them both in.
Will go and see number one first on Saturday morning I think, it fits in with my plans pretty well!
Thanks again,
Matt
For the radiators, is a visual check for corrosion enough? I know they can be a bit of a weak point, but not sure how to see what state they're currently in.
They both sound like pretty good options, so will try and see both, but they are quite a way aapart so not sure I'd be able to fir them both in.
Will go and see number one first on Saturday morning I think, it fits in with my plans pretty well!
Thanks again,
Matt
No1 has sound pack (no idea about no2), which whilst not awesome is definitely better than no sound pack.
I have a non-sunroof early 3.4 with upgraded suspension, K&N and PSE, shortshift and a few other bits (rear wiper deleted, HIDs) - a rather driver-focused car, but whilst I've done a few laps round Oulton it's for road use (I prefer to use proper race cars round the track). I'd see it as a benefit to have a sunroof, as I like having it open when conditions permit. I can't imagine I'd ever notice the difference in weight/rigidity on the road - if I did I'd suspect it was because I was going too fast in the first place.
All these factors aside, the best advice is to buy the best condition car, as in the beggars-can't-be-choosers world of 15 year old cars none of the options discussed should be showstoppers.
I do think we're going to start seeing more examples of people buying these with a long term view and therefore maintaining them nicely, and consequently a wider spread in prices between nice properly maintained cars and tired neglected examples (just as happened with 3.2's, 964's etc).
Worry about the engine all you want - the cost of a rebuild isn't much different to an air-cooled car, the difference being they wear and give warning signs so the work can be planned for, whereas most water cooled cars only get attention once they've failed without warning. The point is, the maintenance costs for a 996 long term should be lower (or certainly no higher) than an air-cooled car, particularly as the 996 is SO much better when it comes to corrosion, which can be very expensive to rectify. Think for a minute how many times you've heard of late 993's having corrosion to the windscreen & bumper supports (and the rear chassis leg outrigger thingummybobs) over the last 5 years, yet you never hear of it on 996's, the early examples of which are older by now.
I have a non-sunroof early 3.4 with upgraded suspension, K&N and PSE, shortshift and a few other bits (rear wiper deleted, HIDs) - a rather driver-focused car, but whilst I've done a few laps round Oulton it's for road use (I prefer to use proper race cars round the track). I'd see it as a benefit to have a sunroof, as I like having it open when conditions permit. I can't imagine I'd ever notice the difference in weight/rigidity on the road - if I did I'd suspect it was because I was going too fast in the first place.
All these factors aside, the best advice is to buy the best condition car, as in the beggars-can't-be-choosers world of 15 year old cars none of the options discussed should be showstoppers.
I do think we're going to start seeing more examples of people buying these with a long term view and therefore maintaining them nicely, and consequently a wider spread in prices between nice properly maintained cars and tired neglected examples (just as happened with 3.2's, 964's etc).
Worry about the engine all you want - the cost of a rebuild isn't much different to an air-cooled car, the difference being they wear and give warning signs so the work can be planned for, whereas most water cooled cars only get attention once they've failed without warning. The point is, the maintenance costs for a 996 long term should be lower (or certainly no higher) than an air-cooled car, particularly as the 996 is SO much better when it comes to corrosion, which can be very expensive to rectify. Think for a minute how many times you've heard of late 993's having corrosion to the windscreen & bumper supports (and the rear chassis leg outrigger thingummybobs) over the last 5 years, yet you never hear of it on 996's, the early examples of which are older by now.
LordHaveMurci said:
Whereabouts are you? I have a 2001 3.4 manual Coupe that will be going on PH classifieds very shortly, non sunroof!
Currently in Germany working (well, at my desk...), but popping back for the weekend tomorrow, to London then Staffordshire.Ideally would buy something this weekend and drive it straight to Germany, but the more I think about it the more I realise this was a foolhardy plan...
k3ybo said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Whereabouts are you? I have a 2001 3.4 manual Coupe that will be going on PH classifieds very shortly, non sunroof!
Currently in Germany working (well, at my desk...), but popping back for the weekend tomorrow, to London then Staffordshire.Ideally would buy something this weekend and drive it straight to Germany, but the more I think about it the more I realise this was a foolhardy plan...
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