£25k budget - forget being sensible?
Discussion
I'm about to find myself in the position of having a budget of £25k to spend on my daily driver. I currently do around 20k miles a year, mainly a motorway commute between Leicester and Derby.
I don't need anything practical and my wife in a moment most unlike her has told me to buy a Porsche ie. what she knows I've wanted for a long time.
However, strangely when presented with the opportunity I've been hankering after a long time, I'm now a bit torn as to what to do.
I could get a 997 Carrera S with less than 60k miles for this budget, which is what I want, however I'm a bit concerned that the running costs are going to be too high. I'm not too fussed about the fuel consumption, it's more the maintenance costs that bother me. I can afford to maintain it but I think my inner skinflint may take issue.
Another option is a newer Boxster or Cayman, and if non-Porsche then maybe an M3, C63, XFR, XKR etc.
But I want a 911, always have done! Should I just got for it and if I get fed up with the bills just sell it, knowing I've fulfilled an ambition?
Or are there other options I should be considering?
I don't need anything practical and my wife in a moment most unlike her has told me to buy a Porsche ie. what she knows I've wanted for a long time.
However, strangely when presented with the opportunity I've been hankering after a long time, I'm now a bit torn as to what to do.
I could get a 997 Carrera S with less than 60k miles for this budget, which is what I want, however I'm a bit concerned that the running costs are going to be too high. I'm not too fussed about the fuel consumption, it's more the maintenance costs that bother me. I can afford to maintain it but I think my inner skinflint may take issue.
Another option is a newer Boxster or Cayman, and if non-Porsche then maybe an M3, C63, XFR, XKR etc.
But I want a 911, always have done! Should I just got for it and if I get fed up with the bills just sell it, knowing I've fulfilled an ambition?
Or are there other options I should be considering?
If you get a 911 under warranty, the only big bills are servicing and tyres, neither of which will be much different from the costs of the other cars that you mention.
For £25k, the Boxster/Cayman will be a lot newer than the 997, but if you want a 911 go and test drive one and see whether or not you love it as much as you think you will!
The E90 M3 is a good shout (for the money) but very different from a Porsche. It's a great 3 series but still a 3 series.
For £25k, the Boxster/Cayman will be a lot newer than the 997, but if you want a 911 go and test drive one and see whether or not you love it as much as you think you will!
The E90 M3 is a good shout (for the money) but very different from a Porsche. It's a great 3 series but still a 3 series.
I've been in our situation many times and never really been sensible. Only now I have been as would like to start saving up for next house.
I would definitely recommend doing the test drives, if you don't buy one at least you've scratched that itch and no more what ifs.
I would also advise doing some research on maintenance and at least have a one year contingency budget put aside otherwise you may find yourself worrying over the costs after buying the car.
I would definitely recommend doing the test drives, if you don't buy one at least you've scratched that itch and no more what ifs.
I would also advise doing some research on maintenance and at least have a one year contingency budget put aside otherwise you may find yourself worrying over the costs after buying the car.
antspants said:
I'm about to find myself in the position of having a budget of £25k to spend on my daily driver. I currently do around 20k miles a year, mainly a motorway commute between Leicester and Derby.
I don't need anything practical and my wife in a moment most unlike her has told me to buy a Porsche ie. what she knows I've wanted for a long time.
However, strangely when presented with the opportunity I've been hankering after a long time, I'm now a bit torn as to what to do.
I could get a 997 Carrera S with less than 60k miles for this budget, which is what I want, however I'm a bit concerned that the running costs are going to be too high. I'm not too fussed about the fuel consumption, it's more the maintenance costs that bother me. I can afford to maintain it but I think my inner skinflint may take issue.
Another option is a newer Boxster or Cayman, and if non-Porsche then maybe an M3, C63, XFR, XKR etc.
But I want a 911, always have done! Should I just got for it and if I get fed up with the bills just sell it, knowing I've fulfilled an ambition?
Or are there other options I should be considering?
Bought my 996 five years ago after wanting one for 30+ years, had a wobble before purchasing & test drove E46 M3's, V8 Vantage & a Maserati 3200, this just confirmed it was a 911 that I had to own. I don't need anything practical and my wife in a moment most unlike her has told me to buy a Porsche ie. what she knows I've wanted for a long time.
However, strangely when presented with the opportunity I've been hankering after a long time, I'm now a bit torn as to what to do.
I could get a 997 Carrera S with less than 60k miles for this budget, which is what I want, however I'm a bit concerned that the running costs are going to be too high. I'm not too fussed about the fuel consumption, it's more the maintenance costs that bother me. I can afford to maintain it but I think my inner skinflint may take issue.
Another option is a newer Boxster or Cayman, and if non-Porsche then maybe an M3, C63, XFR, XKR etc.
But I want a 911, always have done! Should I just got for it and if I get fed up with the bills just sell it, knowing I've fulfilled an ambition?
Or are there other options I should be considering?
The plan was to keep it for two years & scratch that itch, it now looks like a keeper
Running costs shouldn't be any higher than M3, C63 etc barring an unlikely & financially catastrophic engine fsilure, just do it!
Buy it. If you decide it doesn't work for you after 6 months and 10,000 miles you won't have lost much when you sell it, plus you'd have had your dream car.
I'm in year 6 of having an S1 Elise for a year. It turned out to be much less of a compromise than I thought it would be and far cheaper to run than I feared.
I'm in year 6 of having an S1 Elise for a year. It turned out to be much less of a compromise than I thought it would be and far cheaper to run than I feared.
Steve_F said:
If using this for 20k per year work miles if you're in any doubt it could become a very resented car and spoil ownership. Personally, I'd split the budget and get a typical mile muncher diesel and something you'd enjoy as a weekend car.
IMO 20k miles PA isn't THAT much and one is just as well enjoying a great car every day by the time you pay two lots of VED/insurance etc. Probably not what you want to hear, but if big bills are a concern with these cars then you really need to consider getting one with a warranty, preferably through a Porsche dealer (OPC). If you buy private you can transfer the (Porsche) warranty as well.
The reason I say this is that its fairly common knowledge that 987/986 Cayman/Boxsters have serious issues with their engines. I believe the 996 & 997 is affected too, but am not clear on which engines or years this affects. The short version is that it is possible under certain circumstances, and as far as I'm aware it's not something you would be able to proactively avoid (without remedial mechanical work), for them to start scoring their bores. If this happens before long they'll start smoking and eventually lead to failure requiring an expensive rebuild.
If you have the Porsche warranty you won't need to worry about this, but I'd check the terms very closely for third party warranties.
When I had my Cayman S I only found out about this issue post-purchase, and spent the next 90 days (the time before you can put the Porsche warranty on it if you buy through non-Porsche trade) driving it with kid gloves. I'd be lying if I said it didn't take the shine off the ownership experience.
It is one of those things that you'd have to be pretty unlucky to encounter, but if it's your dream car and you'll be driving it daily and within a budget it's only fair that you know.
Also bear in mind that you won't get change from £100 from anything from a Porsche dealer, except the complimentary coffee.
Lastly, obviously, if you're going to put on 20k+ miles on one then don't look for a low mileage example - as they can be a bit mileage sensitive (for reasons I've never quite understood - they aren't supercars).
The reason I say this is that its fairly common knowledge that 987/986 Cayman/Boxsters have serious issues with their engines. I believe the 996 & 997 is affected too, but am not clear on which engines or years this affects. The short version is that it is possible under certain circumstances, and as far as I'm aware it's not something you would be able to proactively avoid (without remedial mechanical work), for them to start scoring their bores. If this happens before long they'll start smoking and eventually lead to failure requiring an expensive rebuild.
If you have the Porsche warranty you won't need to worry about this, but I'd check the terms very closely for third party warranties.
When I had my Cayman S I only found out about this issue post-purchase, and spent the next 90 days (the time before you can put the Porsche warranty on it if you buy through non-Porsche trade) driving it with kid gloves. I'd be lying if I said it didn't take the shine off the ownership experience.
It is one of those things that you'd have to be pretty unlucky to encounter, but if it's your dream car and you'll be driving it daily and within a budget it's only fair that you know.
Also bear in mind that you won't get change from £100 from anything from a Porsche dealer, except the complimentary coffee.
Lastly, obviously, if you're going to put on 20k+ miles on one then don't look for a low mileage example - as they can be a bit mileage sensitive (for reasons I've never quite understood - they aren't supercars).
HonestIago said:
Steve_F said:
If using this for 20k per year work miles if you're in any doubt it could become a very resented car and spoil ownership. Personally, I'd split the budget and get a typical mile muncher diesel and something you'd enjoy as a weekend car.
IMO 20k miles PA isn't THAT much and one is just as well enjoying a great car every day by the time you pay two lots of VED/insurance etc. HonestIago said:
Steve_F said:
If using this for 20k per year work miles if you're in any doubt it could become a very resented car and spoil ownership. Personally, I'd split the budget and get a typical mile muncher diesel and something you'd enjoy as a weekend car.
IMO 20k miles PA isn't THAT much and one is just as well enjoying a great car every day by the time you pay two lots of VED/insurance etc. Personally.......I'd be looking at a £1k diesel saloon/hatchback and the rest on soemthing a bit daft.
When I needed it I had a Clio diesel for work, and an R26.R + Elise for fun. It'd kill me knowing I was putting empty miles on them every day going to work and back.
A £25k 911 will do 20k miles a year very well, but not cheaply, especially if it's going to be a short-term ownership - expect it to be worth very little after a few years when you come to sell it. I'd get a cheap (£5k?) commuter and something fun, be that a 911 if you particularly want one or something more exciting.
Alternatively buy a 911 that's already near the bottom of its depreciation curve and stick the rest in the bank for servicing/repairs/beer.
Mind you, if you really want a £25k 911 buy one. Life's sometimes too short for worrying about running costs.
Alternatively buy a 911 that's already near the bottom of its depreciation curve and stick the rest in the bank for servicing/repairs/beer.
Mind you, if you really want a £25k 911 buy one. Life's sometimes too short for worrying about running costs.
Edited by kambites on Monday 15th September 14:54
lukefreeman said:
HonestIago said:
Steve_F said:
If using this for 20k per year work miles if you're in any doubt it could become a very resented car and spoil ownership. Personally, I'd split the budget and get a typical mile muncher diesel and something you'd enjoy as a weekend car.
IMO 20k miles PA isn't THAT much and one is just as well enjoying a great car every day by the time you pay two lots of VED/insurance etc. Personally.......I'd be looking at a £1k diesel saloon/hatchback and the rest on soemthing a bit daft.
When I needed it I had a Clio diesel for work, and an R26.R + Elise for fun. It'd kill me knowing I was putting empty miles on them every day going to work and back.
Service it religiously and chances are there will be someone out there who'll recognise that cars are for driving and buy it off you for reasonable money when you come to sell with 100k+ miles on it.
It baffles me that some petrolheads spend 90%+ of their time behind the wheel of a boring diesel just to save a few £k per annum. I can understand that mentality for 30-40k miles PA but not at 20k.
HonestIago said:
It baffles me that some petrolheads spend 90%+ of their time behind the wheel of a boring diesel just to save a few £k per annum. I can understand that mentality for 30-40k miles PA but not at 20k.
Totally agree. Perhaps that's why there appear to be so many frustrated diesel drivers on the roads!Buy the 911. And enjoy it.
HonestIago said:
lukefreeman said:
HonestIago said:
Steve_F said:
If using this for 20k per year work miles if you're in any doubt it could become a very resented car and spoil ownership. Personally, I'd split the budget and get a typical mile muncher diesel and something you'd enjoy as a weekend car.
IMO 20k miles PA isn't THAT much and one is just as well enjoying a great car every day by the time you pay two lots of VED/insurance etc. Personally.......I'd be looking at a £1k diesel saloon/hatchback and the rest on soemthing a bit daft.
When I needed it I had a Clio diesel for work, and an R26.R + Elise for fun. It'd kill me knowing I was putting empty miles on them every day going to work and back.
Service it religiously and chances are there will be someone out there who'll recognise that cars are for driving and buy it off you for reasonable money when you come to sell with 100k+ miles on it.
It baffles me that some petrolheads spend 90%+ of their time behind the wheel of a boring diesel just to save a few £k per annum. I can understand that mentality for 30-40k miles PA but not at 20k.
It makes it that extra bit speacial too, when you do take it for a drive.
What's your opinion towards a pre facelift 996? I have wanted a 911 all my life, bur didn't had the opportunity just yet.
The past 10 years I have been a sucker for the 964, but as prices rise, I have come to the conclusion that I really like the original 996 front (never thought that possible, but here we are). I myself do like them especially in dark blue. Or dark grey. A shade not to light (silver) or too dark (black) suits them best IMHO.
If I'd be in your situation, I'd go for a clean, unmolested 996 for up to 15k and bank the rest for a new engine, should the inevitable big bang occur. Than you could blueprint the engine and end up with an ever better car than before.
I can see only one direction where prices for clean 996 are heading. Have a look at 964 prices from 10 years ago.
Have a look at this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
The past 10 years I have been a sucker for the 964, but as prices rise, I have come to the conclusion that I really like the original 996 front (never thought that possible, but here we are). I myself do like them especially in dark blue. Or dark grey. A shade not to light (silver) or too dark (black) suits them best IMHO.
If I'd be in your situation, I'd go for a clean, unmolested 996 for up to 15k and bank the rest for a new engine, should the inevitable big bang occur. Than you could blueprint the engine and end up with an ever better car than before.
I can see only one direction where prices for clean 996 are heading. Have a look at 964 prices from 10 years ago.
Have a look at this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
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