Porsche "Classic" status = 10 yrs post end-of-production?

[MogulBoy]

I saw something in some Swiss PR bumph recently indicating that Porsche now consider the 986 and 996 as "Classic" models given that it is simply 10 years since production of these models ended...

Does this have any particualr significance these days?

I believe that from time to time OPCs have offered discounted parts and labour on 'classic' models (to keep up the pretence that heritage is more important than the latest PCP offers) but this does all sound a little counter-intuitive to me, as I would have thought that they would have been better served keeping their workshop waiting times down to deal with all the servicing and repairs of an ever expanding delivered base of contemporary models....

At my local OPC, I don't really enjoy going in to see the parts guy these days as much as in days of old when it was often quite exctiing to peer over his shoulder at the microfiche reader! These days, I generally know the part numbers I require before I go in but I have to walk in the front door of the showroom, try to avoid eye contact with the vaguely mutton-dressed-as-lamb receptionist (it never works, she's offered me a coffee before the showroom door has closed behind me) and then I have to wait in the parts guy's office which is a glass box office facing the showroom floor with no microfiche viewer and no smutty calendars on the wall! Progress - bah humbug!

If they truly value heritage, perhaps they should think about opening up authentic/clasic parts dept. eexperience centres!

[gsewell]

My understanding of EU law is that manufacturers are legally obliged to maintain a parts supply for cars up to 10 years after manufacture ceases. Therefore, after year 10 they may be desupported or classed as "classic".

[MogulBoy]

I think that you are right and I had a bad experience with this in the 90's as I believe that Alfa destroyed a heap of inventory of parts for the Alfetta GTV as they were no longer oblidged to keep them and wing mirrors became un-sourceable.

I also recall hearing somthing about Lotus trashing parts at one point but it boggles the mind that those responsible couldn't have found a solution to pass on these inventories to third parties.

Things have moved on of course and these days manufacturers like to 'support' their classics (presumably if they beleve that it is finacially worth while to do so or to be seen to be doing so) and I believe that the recent spurt of OPC restoration challenges has been to promote the fact that some previously discontinued parts are now being manufactured again..

[Sexual Chocolate]

Does this mean that the prices off 996s can now be doubled as its a "classic"?

[marky911]

Yep, they're now worth £18 instead of £9.

[Sexual Chocolate]

Sod the pension fund then I'm off to go buy a 996.

[Carl_Docklands]

marky911 said:

Yep, they're now worth £18 instead of £9.

Lol

[spyderman8]

OPCs have been offering discounted "menu" service prices on cars older than 6 years for quite a while - which is one reason why I switched back to using them as they were actually cheaper than all my local indies for regular servicing. The other reason is the loaner! My 550 Anniversary 986 is 10 this June.

Chris.

[supersport]

I would be careful with such crazy ideas, there are early car owners who firmly believe that only anything pre 74 will ever be a classic and the rest of us belong in a box of frogs for thinking anything else.

The notion that anything water cooled could ever considered classic will have them frothing at the mouth

[Sexual Chocolate]

supersport said:

I would be careful with such crazy ideas, there are early car owners who firmly believe that only anything pre 74 will ever be a classic and the rest of us belong in a box of frogs for thinking anything else.

The notion that anything water cooled could ever considered classic will have them frothing at the mouth

There will be beards being furiously stroked after reading this.

[marky911]

You can almost hear the tins of sandal cleaner being flung against walls in rage as we speak.

Mind you everyone has a favourite era that they class as the best or latest to be considered classic, be that 993, pre-89 or whatever.
With every new, bigger model, the one before looks better/purer. Also as the old stuff rockets then the next model in line becomes popular and so forth.

For me the 89 and earlier (back to '63) cars look best, but I can't live with how they drive, 964s and 993s are a happy medium and the new cars feel a lot newer but are still 100% 911. They'll all be appreciated one day.

[tr7v8]

spyderman8 said:

OPCs have been offering discounted "menu" service prices on cars older than 6 years for quite a while - which is one reason why I switched back to using them as they were actually cheaper than all my local indies for regular servicing. The other reason is the loaner! My 550 Anniversary 986 is 10 this June.

Chris.

This, my Boxster has full history but a mix of OPC & indies. But with an OPC doing a minor for £295 & a major for £395 inc VAT then I can see no point to using an indie.

[marky911]

I prefer indys. Much more personal and in general they aren't out to hit any times or targets. Honesty and a good job are the order of the day.
Plus my OPC aren't really renowned for much. The parts guys are helpful enough but apart from that I avoid the place.

[marky911]

I prefer indys. Much more personal and in general they aren't out to hit any times or targets. Honesty and a good job are the order of the day.
Plus my OPC aren't really renowned for much. The parts guys are helpful enough but apart from that I avoid the place.

[tr7v8]

marky911 said:

I prefer indys. Much more personal and in general they aren't out to hit any times or targets. Honesty and a good job are the order of the day.
Plus my OPC aren't really renowned for much. The parts guys are helpful enough but apart from that I avoid the place.

Not my experience, all of the issues I've had have been with indies, several of which I wouldn't trust with a push bike. My OPC are very friendly, we have a great relationship with them both personally & on a TIPEC regional level. We know most of the guys there on first name terms. They know the Boxster is a second car & spread the work accordingly, fitting it around the day to day stuff. I get a decent loaner (Cayman, Panamera) & they keep me updated. And they also use the oil I supply & deduct from the bill.

[marky911]

Cool. You have take places as you find them. There are indys up here I wouldn't touch but equally there are good ones. I travel over 60 miles to my Indy and get a lift home then collect it a week later. Worth it though to know that he'll treat the car like his own and I won't get charged a single penny more than I should.

PS. Minor service at my Indy is £180. No OPC can touch that.

[shoestring7]

I wouldn't worry. I have 40 and 25 year old 911s and I'm staggered at the level of spares support Porsche still provide.

A few years ago I wanted a brake m/c rebuild kit for a 10 year old Lancia. The main dealer just laughed. When I needed the little bit of plastic trim that goes around the bonnet release of my 964 it was with me in 2 days. A small piece of cardboard to seal off the hole in the bulkhead under the heater of my 1973 911 took a bit longer; 3 days.

SS7

[EJH]

shoestring7 said:

I wouldn't worry. I have 40 and 25 year old 911s and I'm staggered at the level of spares support Porsche still provide.

A few years ago I wanted a brake m/c rebuild kit for a 10 year old Lancia. The main dealer just laughed. When I needed the little bit of plastic trim that goes around the bonnet release of my 964 it was with me in 2 days. A small piece of cardboard to seal off the hole in the bulkhead under the heater of my 1973 911 took a bit longer; 3 days.

SS7

This.

Porsche's part supply for old cars (classifying 26 years old as "old") is nothing short of stunning! BMW's isn't far behind as the only part they can't supply for my 1996 M3 Saloon is a wooden gearknob (it was standard - it's hateful but done very nicely...)