Best places to look...

[Murph7355]

Sold a car so now on the lookout for something else.

911 is an itch to scratch. 997.2 seems to be what I need (don't think I want to spend 991 money tbh as it will be a daily/all year car, 997.1 not as good inside and slight engine concerns. 996 not for me in or out. 993 too old. Don't need a GT as have a Caterham etc).

Looking for a 4S or Targa 4S.

Prices are all over the place IMO, and very toppy mostly. But occasionally sensible stuff crops up.

Examples... A 2008 Targa with 70k miles and good spec incl 20mths warranty, private sale. Sub 40k. A 2009, same miles, lesser spec (no PSE, no paddle wheel) at an OPC. 47K. A 2009, same spec as OPC car, 55k miles. 49k.

Low to mid 40s feels right from a dealer to me. Sub 40 private... But the ads don't seem to agree even if cars stick around for a while. Thoughts?

Also, where else to look? I check here and AT. But have noticed all OPC stock doesn't necessarily show on there. Any places I'm missing?

[AinsleyB]

Try RSJ in Slough.

Good reputation and good range of stock. (Other independents are available, but I can personally recommend these guys)

[Koln-RS]

Understand the ‘911 itch’, but have you considered a well specd 981 S or GTS?
Brilliant Porsche for day to day use and you would get newer and lower miles for your budget.
Apart from the small rear seats, it matches the 997 and 991 in most areas and beats it in others.

[Murph7355]

The small rear seats are a bit of a pre-req as reckon I could get my two boys in them (or one in the passenger seat and one in the rear at least).

I also wasn't too enamoured with the Cayman I passengered in a while ago unfortunately.

Will check RSJ out. Their prices aren't too bad and they have a selection - need to drive/be driven in a couple I think.

Another question... Service history. Does a wonky service history preclude Porsche extended warranty cover? Looking at a couple on AT I don't get why some owners find it hard to stick to schedules! (I'm assuming it's 2yrs or 20k miles whichever is sooner?).

Mileage doesn't bother me unduly and the prices seem to reflect that's common on these - is that the perception on here? I'll do 8k miles or so a year in it possibly, and a number of the cars I'm looking at have circa 70k on them.

[SSJ197]

OP, it’s not a gen 1 / gen 2 difference regarding the prices is it? Gen 2 cars obviously considered safer regards engine issues and if I recall were during 2009 onwards.

[Murph7355]

SSJ197 said:

OP, it’s not a gen 1 / gen 2 difference regarding the prices is it? Gen 2 cars obviously considered safer regards engine issues and if I recall were during 2009 onwards.

Nope. All gen2 (late 2008 onwards from what I've gleaned).

Gen2 hold a big premium. As do PDK. As do 4S. So I'm not looking in the cheapest sweets pot granted... But an 11k (30%) spread on cars that aren't obviously that dissimilar is huge IMO.

Edited to add one I missed... 2008, lesser spec, less miles at 60k, specialist dealer. Advertised at £42k.

Which shows (maybe) there wasn't just one private outlier

[GameofCars]

Have had dealings with the following & can totally recommend them: Dovehouse, RSJ, JZM. RSJ bought a 997 Gen 2 from me sometime ago & were very thorough, but have heard they don't tend to do test drives - if they felt you were very serious they might. Have bought a few cars from Dovehouse & rate them highly & bought/sold with JZM who are also very good IMO.