Where would you buy your Porsche from?
Discussion
Currently own an m235i which is fast and comfy but not very special feeling.
I have the urge to buy the cheaper end of an expensive car, rather than the expensive end of a cheaper car (if that makes sense). Something designed sporty, rather than made "sporty"
Hence have ended up looking at 911's
Initially 996's, then got scared and looked at 997.1 then read how the gen2 was better from a technology pov, newer and less risk of mechanicals.
Budget is around £35k which is a stretch for a 997.2 it feels.
After browsing autotrader and here and reading some threads I then start to discover previously unknown (to me) specialists, like 911virgin, JZM etc
So questions are:
Are there anymore specialists I should know about?
Would you buy from a specialist over an OPC / over a normal garage / over private?
If I bought private are there any specialists who could help with the purchase, or at least do checks after purchase (not sure whether that would give me piece of mind or make me cry!)
Am I chasing an impossible dream, with £35k for a 997.2?
Is buying a 997.2 rather than a 997.2S a silly move?
Is buying a 997.2 rather than a 997.1S a silly move?
I have an old corsa to drive to work in at the moment, which I got because I was putting too many miles on the BMW, so the Porsche would be used less, but then part of me thinks don't run two cars, just drive the porsche daily, but then that brings up the mileage question. I dont want to have a car that never gets used, but similarly I dont want to spend £35k and have a £16k car in three years time (like the BMW)
I have the urge to buy the cheaper end of an expensive car, rather than the expensive end of a cheaper car (if that makes sense). Something designed sporty, rather than made "sporty"
Hence have ended up looking at 911's
Initially 996's, then got scared and looked at 997.1 then read how the gen2 was better from a technology pov, newer and less risk of mechanicals.
Budget is around £35k which is a stretch for a 997.2 it feels.
After browsing autotrader and here and reading some threads I then start to discover previously unknown (to me) specialists, like 911virgin, JZM etc
So questions are:
Are there anymore specialists I should know about?
Would you buy from a specialist over an OPC / over a normal garage / over private?
If I bought private are there any specialists who could help with the purchase, or at least do checks after purchase (not sure whether that would give me piece of mind or make me cry!)
Am I chasing an impossible dream, with £35k for a 997.2?
Is buying a 997.2 rather than a 997.2S a silly move?
Is buying a 997.2 rather than a 997.1S a silly move?
I have an old corsa to drive to work in at the moment, which I got because I was putting too many miles on the BMW, so the Porsche would be used less, but then part of me thinks don't run two cars, just drive the porsche daily, but then that brings up the mileage question. I dont want to have a car that never gets used, but similarly I dont want to spend £35k and have a £16k car in three years time (like the BMW)
Get more for your money and buy privately! Why pay dealer premium and it doesn't always mean you get a cleaner car! Sold my Gt4 privately before Xmas and the buyer looked at two others,one in an OPC and one in a well known independent both had lower miles were £5k+more and in not as good condition as mine or as well looked after!
I sold and bought via a classic car dealer. Basically they buy the trade ins from the OPC and flog them on. If you do your homework i think you can get a good quality car and save nicely on dealer premiums. The OPC really take the pi** on part exchange and discounts. They work on 20-25% margin for used pre-prep.
There’s always a Cayman if two seats isn’t a problem? Your budget covers a nice 981. Last of the Cayman 6 cylinders. If you’ve got your heart set on a 911 appreciate a Cayman may not be ideal as you might risk always regretting not getting a 911. It was the same for me the other way around. I could’ve gone for a 996 but I’ve always wanted Cayman. The 911 I hanker after is a 997.2 Turbo but that’s not going to happen for me so happy to just admire them from afar 
Specialist wise I can only talk from my own single occasion but I had a very positive experience with Ashgood.
Specialist wise I can only talk from my own single occasion but I had a very positive experience with Ashgood.
As I’am sure you’ll know do your homework before looking at anything then you will have an idea what to look for.
Don’t be frightened off buying private just ask the owner to submit the car for a OPC 111 point check or a specialist inspection you will have to pay for this...if they refuse walk.
Try to drive as many cars as you can to get a feel for what you want.
Happy Porsche hunting they are well worth tracking down.
Don’t be frightened off buying private just ask the owner to submit the car for a OPC 111 point check or a specialist inspection you will have to pay for this...if they refuse walk.
Try to drive as many cars as you can to get a feel for what you want.
Happy Porsche hunting they are well worth tracking down.
I started by looking at cayman but we have a 7 month old and thought I should be a bit more sensible and get a four(ish) seater. I know it’s still not practical but we have a mokka for family duties.
In terms of the 111 point opc check, how much are these? Would you pay for that if you were selling a car? Just curious as to whether people would do it? How much it was.
I like the idea of not buying from an opc, at least it means it won’t lose £5k just by me getting in it!
In terms of the 111 point opc check, how much are these? Would you pay for that if you were selling a car? Just curious as to whether people would do it? How much it was.
I like the idea of not buying from an opc, at least it means it won’t lose £5k just by me getting in it!
You've wandered into a well trodden minefield!
I bought my 981 from a reputable specialist because I thought OPC's were a rip off and buying privately filled me with dread because you never really know what you're buying. You can mitigate the risk by having an inspection specialist like Peter Morgan do a pre-purchase inspection, but its not cheap. The OPC 111 inspection is pretty superficial in comparison.
So doing the sums, I decided a good used Porsche specialist was the best option for me. Finding the right car is a big challenge, but you should be able to find a 911.2 for £35k. Prices for the same model vary enormously with mileage, spec and service history being the 3 biggest drivers. Condition is obviously important, but can generally be fixed within reason.
You've mentioned a couple of well known good specialists, but the specialist I used was Ashgood Porsche near Heathrow. A good bunch of guys who are happy to help out newbies. I had a problem with my car after purchase and they were quick to help.
Do your homework, identify the spec that makes sense to you and then the hunt begins! Good luck.
I bought my 981 from a reputable specialist because I thought OPC's were a rip off and buying privately filled me with dread because you never really know what you're buying. You can mitigate the risk by having an inspection specialist like Peter Morgan do a pre-purchase inspection, but its not cheap. The OPC 111 inspection is pretty superficial in comparison.
So doing the sums, I decided a good used Porsche specialist was the best option for me. Finding the right car is a big challenge, but you should be able to find a 911.2 for £35k. Prices for the same model vary enormously with mileage, spec and service history being the 3 biggest drivers. Condition is obviously important, but can generally be fixed within reason.
You've mentioned a couple of well known good specialists, but the specialist I used was Ashgood Porsche near Heathrow. A good bunch of guys who are happy to help out newbies. I had a problem with my car after purchase and they were quick to help.
Do your homework, identify the spec that makes sense to you and then the hunt begins! Good luck.
Cabsi said:
You've mentioned a couple of well known good specialists, but the specialist I used was Ashgood Porsche near Heathrow. A good bunch of guys who are happy to help out newbies. I had a problem with my car after purchase and they were quick to help.
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Plus you get a free pack of homemade sausages with every Porsche .
. You’ve summed up my experience of why I chose from an indi. I had no idea about Porsches apart from my research. I didn’t want to go through the awkward minefield that can be private viewing yet I was a little bit intimidated by the idea of going into random Porsche places as didn’t know if they would be a bit er, sniffy. How wrong! Ashgood are a really friendly bunch and happy for you to sit with a tea and just natter cars which was ideal for someone with limited knowledge and they’ve been very helpful to me after I bought the car. I personally react to that far better than a salesman in a suit.
Like the OP I moved from a BMW235i to a 911 earlier this year. The BMW is an excellent car. In my case I took the radical decision to buy a high mileage 993 and to use it as a daily driver.
While my decision defies all logic I decided life’s too short not to enjoy every drive.
RPM Techic looked after me and gave me a good trade in on the BMW
While my decision defies all logic I decided life’s too short not to enjoy every drive.
RPM Techic looked after me and gave me a good trade in on the BMW
At that price point, buying from a reputable independant specialist will probably give you the best value and best post-purchase experience, if you tell us whereabouts you are, someone will know a good one near you.
Of course I ignored that and bought my bargain basement Boxster from a backstreet garage in Stevenage, but it went straight into my local Specialist for the once-over!
Of course I ignored that and bought my bargain basement Boxster from a backstreet garage in Stevenage, but it went straight into my local Specialist for the once-over!
Cheers guys. Some great info and attitudes!
I am based in rugby, Warwickshire so pretty central.
Glad to hear someone else has ditched a Bmw for a porsche as is enjoying it!
Does feel like a decent specialist is the way to go, mid point between opc costs and the risks of full private.
I know from trying to sell my car privately that it’s a lot of effort and it feels like few people want to spend lots of money buying a car off someone’s drive so would tend to sell to a dealer of some sort.
Plenty of research still to do in terms of options but really I don’t feel like I will be that precious in terms of “must haves”
I am based in rugby, Warwickshire so pretty central.
Glad to hear someone else has ditched a Bmw for a porsche as is enjoying it!
Does feel like a decent specialist is the way to go, mid point between opc costs and the risks of full private.
I know from trying to sell my car privately that it’s a lot of effort and it feels like few people want to spend lots of money buying a car off someone’s drive so would tend to sell to a dealer of some sort.
Plenty of research still to do in terms of options but really I don’t feel like I will be that precious in terms of “must haves”
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