Thoughts on this 997 C2S

[Sevo]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Advice and thoughts appreciated. Test driving shortly.

Age and engine worries me although its got a decent 12 month warranty.

Thanks.

[Sevo]

I appreciate the warning, I seem to remember your car had bore scoring?

I asked the dealer to contact the warranty company, they have confirmed cover. I want to have that in writing before I commit though.

[Tuscanny]

Have a bore scope done. It will be the best £160 you will spend for peace of mind.

[Geoff997]

Add states car tax renewal of £295. For that to be correct car would have to be registered before 23 March 2006.

[Sevo]

Geoff997 said:

Add states car tax renewal of £295. For that to be correct car would have to be registered before 23 March 2006.

Yeah, it was registered 1st march I think. Does that matter?

I can't work out whether it'll have the improved IMS or not, google gives answers ranging from 2005-2007 for that.

[Sevo]

Tuscanny said:

Have a bore scope done. It will be the best £160 you will spend for peace of mind.

Replied to your PM, thanks.

[mikees]

Is a gen 1 s really 33k? I bought my wife's 3.6 a year ago at 50k miles and it was a shade under 20k private. Not such high spec but that's a big difference. Have 997 prices firmed up? I've been in air cooled land for the last year.

[ooid]

mikees said:

Is a gen 1 s really 33k? I bought my wife's 3.6 a year ago at 50k miles and it was a shade under 20k private..

I agree. You could still get a basic 997, fairly high miles under 20k. Anything over 30k, I would be looking at 997.2 or 993, too much £££ for a dodgy/risky 3.8 engine imho.

[griffter]

It looks very very nice, albeit very expensive. But I get the appeal. Great colour combination, sports seats, aero kit and sports chrono. Good mileage and from a franchised sports car dealer (albeit not Porsche).

Yes you could spend less on a gen1 but find another with that spec. On the basis it would be £40k if it was a gen2 l'd venture it's a fair price - if spec is more important than budget and if you accept the engine risk.

Is it you that's put down the holding deposit?

[Dr S]

Aerokit is an acquired taste...

[boringbeige]

I did 40,000 miles in a 997 c2s during 2009 and 2010. Never missed a beat, caused no worries or problems, replaced only tyres and pads, loved every minute. Buy it. You might die next week.

[tenfour]

boringbeige said:

I did 40,000 miles in a 997 c2s during 2009 and 2010. Never missed a beat, caused no worries or problems, replaced only tyres and pads, loved every minute. Buy it. You might die next week.

Likewise. Did 20k miles in my 3.8 in six months. Drove it like I stole it through Europe and back. Never missed a beat. Regret selling it sometimes. Wonderful car.

Four M96/7 engine cars have been through the family in the past ten years and not one of them has ever put a foot wrong. Current one (a 2.7 Boxster) is now 12 yrs old and runs like a sewing machine.

From my perspective, I can only wonder in bemusement as to why their reputation is so terrible.

[jakesmith]

I don't really see gen 1 997s being early £30's cars now that there are gen 2's available at / very close to the same pricepoint. I know the one you linked to has aerokit which is rare and personally I love but if you're keeping for any length of time I'd say something like this makes more sense, still has nav & Bose if not chrono & sports seats. I'm not sure how likely the engine issue is to happen but if you can avoid it, why take a chance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Sevo]

Thanks for all the replies, been working so just got chance to respond now. It's all helpful food for thought. I need to drive it and see how it feels (test drive got delayed, hopefully this weekend now), it does need to be used as a daily including the school run.

ooid said:

mikees said:

Is a gen 1 s really 33k? I bought my wife's 3.6 a year ago at 50k miles and it was a shade under 20k private..

I agree. You could still get a basic 997, fairly high miles under 20k. Anything over 30k, I would be looking at 997.2 or 993, too much £££ for a dodgy/risky 3.8 engine imho.

I wondered this, initial budget plan was 25-30k, but then I pretty much though exactly this...

griffter said:

It looks very very nice, albeit very expensive. But I get the appeal. Great colour combination, sports seats, aero kit and sports chrono. Good mileage and from a franchised sports car dealer (albeit not Porsche).

Yes you could spend less on a gen1 but find another with that spec. On the basis it would be £40k if it was a gen2 l'd venture it's a fair price - if spec is more important than budget and if you accept the engine risk.

Is it you that's put down the holding deposit?

Convoluted story on the deposit, not mine but that has fallen through, I have first refusal.

Dr S said:

Aerokit is an acquired taste...

True, I like it, can fully see why others don't. It's in the nice to have but not essential box for me.

boringbeige said:

I did 40,000 miles in a 997 c2s during 2009 and 2010. Never missed a beat, caused no worries or problems, replaced only tyres and pads, loved every minute. Buy it. You might die next week.

There is an element of "you only live once" to this purchase, not a wise time on paper. The market crashing concerns me slightly. Reassuring to hear reliability stories. I couldn't take a 10k bill so it needs a warranty or a Hartech type plan.

jakesmith said:

I don't really see gen 1 997s being early £30's cars now that there are gen 2's available at / very close to the same pricepoint. I know the one you linked to has aerokit which is rare and personally I love but if you're keeping for any length of time I'd say something like this makes more sense, still has nav & Bose if not chrono & sports seats. I'm not sure how likely the engine issue is to happen but if you can avoid it, why take a chance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I've spotted that one. Rational or not I do want an S though, and I cant find a 997.2 S below 35k trade (I'm not keen on a private sale). 35k is my absolute upper limit currently. If I don't like the car on test drive (still never actually driven a 911!) then plan B is wait till savings rise/prices fall on mk2s.

[jakesmith]

Sevo said:

I've spotted that one. Rational or not I do want an S though, and I cant find a 997.2 S below 35k trade (I'm not keen on a private sale). 35k is my absolute upper limit currently. If I don't like the car on test drive (still never actually driven a 911!) then plan B is wait til
l savings rise/prices fall on mk2s.

I get that and felt the same way, buying a high spec gen 1 with all the goodies. It's nice to have sport seats as they set it apart a bit. I wish I hadn't gone gen 1 now as they aren't confidence inspiring long term. The gen 2 3.6 is as fast as the gen 1 3.8 but won't have the 'S' flourishes like red calipers and white dials although I prefer the black dials personally.

Have another look at gen 2, I think the gen 1 fog lights and rear lights look very dated now

Opc warranty is fine but you have to spend money to keep it going and using their extortionate servicing and parts. Over 5 years it's probably cheaper to buy the more reliable and economical gen 2 and not worry about a warranty, and be in the nicer car for that time, the interior is deffo better gen 2. Anecdotal but reports on here are that it feels a lot faster than the 30bhp increase over gen 1 s suggests too, although some of that may be due to people testing what was the new pdk with sport plus.

[v12v8]

I have almost exactly the same car in silver. I've had the car 2 years and done 20,000 miles. Apart from tyres (they eat them) the car has been flawless and is one of the best cars I've owned. I did not buy from an OPC. In my experience they have been rubbish. I did my research and bought from a very reputable dealer who had checked the engine for bore scoring. Buy on condition, from a dealer who has a good reputation, with your eyes open. It's a cracking car and life is too short so go indulge yourself!

[jakesmith]

jakesmith said:

I get that and felt the same way, buying a high spec gen 1 with all the goodies. It's nice to have sport seats as they set it apart a bit. I wish I hadn't gone gen 1 now as they aren't confidence inspiring long term. The gen 2 3.6 is as fast as the gen 1 3.8 but won't have the 'S' flourishes like red calipers and white dials although I prefer the black dials personally.

Have another look at gen 2, I think the gen 1 fog lights and rear lights look very dated now

Opc warranty is fine but you have to spend money to keep it going and using their extortionate servicing and parts. Over 5 years it's probably cheaper to buy the more reliable and economical gen 2 and not worry about a warranty, and be in the nicer car for that time, the interior is deffo better gen 2.

If you're holding out for an S, anecdotal reports on here are that the gen 2 3.8 feels a lot faster than the 30bhp increase over gen 1 3.8 suggests too, although some of that may be due to people testing what was the new pdk with sport plus.

[Sevo]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Something I hadn't considered, thanks.

jakesmith said:

Opc warranty is fine but you have to spend money to keep it going and using their extortionate servicing and parts. Over 5 years it's probably cheaper to buy the more reliable and economical gen 2 and not worry about a warranty, and be in the nicer car for that time, the interior is deffo better gen 2. Anecdotal but reports on here are that it feels a lot faster than the 30bhp increase over gen 1 s suggests too, although some of that may be due to people testing what was the new pdk with sport plus.

As I understand it having and keeping the warranty means Porsche must service it? There are also people on some forums complaining that their OPC was insisting on extra items at service to keep the warranty valid. Any non OEM part invalidates the warranty, at least for anything vaguely related to the altered part (i.e. replacing PCM 2 with a Apple Car Play stereo)? As for 385 vs 355, it'd be nice for sure.

I'm not sure I'd be keen to run even a gen 2 without any warranty at all. Risk vs cost decision I suppose.

v12v8 said:

It's a cracking car and life is too short so go indulge yourself!

I've been fairly financially selfless over the last few years due to young family/mat leave/house moves so there is a huge part of me thinking exactly that. Want to choose the best car I can though, hence the seeking of wisdom.

[philipbrown123]

Who exactly are the very reputable specialists rather than the OPC ?

[fastgerman]

philipbrown123 said:

Who exactly are the very reputable specialists rather than the OPC ?

911 Virgin
Hartech - sometimes have cars for sale
JZM
Cridfords
RPM Porsche

All in my opinion anyway :-)

Completely agree with Cmoose, if you buy any car privately that still has manufacturers warranty, its as good as buying from the main dealer