996 Turbo, should I take the plunge... again

[jetbox]

The 911 itch has come back.... got it bad.

I have previously had a 996 c4 manual and more recently a 997 c2s Pdk. Both sold as I was getting fed up not getting the kids in the back any longer and feeling a bit selfish just having the car for me...

Well the kids are growing up ( and staying home or out and about) and the 911 itch is back.

A 996 Turbo has always had my eye and are now at a place where values are starting to creep up so I think the time is right to find a good one...

Should I take the plunge and any advise on what to look out for?

Thanks

[shantybeater]

I think now is a good time to buy, prices have calmed in the last year or so (and possibly fallen to some extent) so its a buyers market, whether they rise again in the future who knows. It's still a hell of a bargain for a '911 Turbo' and the brutal performance it still offers 18~ years on.

Things to look out for:
- 2nd gear pop out (manual only)- an expensive fix, known fault with 'some' gearboxes. It's not a widespread problem but add it to the test drive checklist
- Radiator leaks - Three of them, seen as a consumable as they are susceptible to stones/corrosion if the front bumper isn't cleaned out once in a while
- Manifold/turbo bolts etc.. No engine covers so they rust, if not replaced/protected its an expensive job to get the old ones out
- Rear spoiler rams leak/fail, cost of 1K+ to fix, kits available to stick spoiler in 'always up' position for those who want to skimp on paying to repair

All in all they are incredibly reliable cars, especially given their age & the level of performance they offer. A few other things:
- Tiptronics fetch lower prices than the manual equivalent
- X50 performance pack commands a premium and offers a very different personality (for the better imo)
- Black interior is the most desirable, so if you like tan or grey its a good bargaining point

I have had mine 6 years now and I usually swap cars every year or so, the more you learn to drive them the better the experience. The time is finally looming for me now

Best of luck on the hunt, you won't be disappointed

Edited by shantybeater on Sunday 28th October 21:30

[g7jhp]

Yes. The top has come off the market and they're now keenly priced.

Manual, coupe in a good colour with black interior.

Sports seats are sought after, but the shape doesn't suit all. The wings don't fit broad shoulders.

Check turbos, rads, rear spoiler working and suspension. Plus over revs and if modified (not bad if done properly).

X50 is same 450bhp output same as Turbo S but without ceramic brake discs and S badge.

[IMI A]

I remember a good low miles 996 turbo, S or X50 being £35k to £45k for a low mileage turbo with say up to 30,000 miles back in 2008 all time low. They're still more than double this. I think I'd be waiting till Xmas/New Year when things really slow down.These look v.nice. Fab cars - nothing can really touch them as a fast sports GT.

http://www.nineexcellence.com/porsche-sales/sales-...

http://www.nineexcellence.com/porsche-sales/sales-...

https://www.jzmporsche.com/used-vehicle-details/Po...

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/1317/996Tu...

This 997 looks a bargain by comparison

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/1324/997Tu...

[Theone8181]

Ridiculous considering I part-exed my 107,000 miles 996 turbo for 21,500 due to lack of interest. It was very well maintained (probably better than most cars out there) but I used it daily so it racked up miles.

[foreverme]

Thinking of moving mine on, x50, manual, black interior, aero pack, 65k, not 100% yet but only done 400 miles last year

[Smollet]

Yes yes and extra double yes. If I wasn’t so happy with my 2001 C2 manual 3.4 coupe I’d seriously be looking at the 996 Turbo Renaissance at Ripley had for sale recently

[jetbox]

Thanks all.

Will keep a look out and see what comes up.

Foreverme. Pm me the details, I might be tempted

[pete]

I'd definitely recommend a 996 turbo. I've had my 2005 'S' for 6 years and 22k miles now, and although I keep thinking about selling, the blend of performance and practicality, combined with enough "old world" rawness has kept me in it.

Ken and the team at Nine Excellence look after my car. When I bought it with 55k miles, I had it PPI'd by an official Porsche centre and given a clean bill of health, but 9e still found boost leaks that were probably robbing me of 100+bhp and various other subtle problems at the first service. Although the car has been extremely reliable and probably cheap compared to most £100k sports cars, it has required money spending on it to stay in top mechanical condition. Examples are the aforementioned boost leaks; new rads and condensers before I fitted intake mesh; a full suspension refresh at 70k miles; clutch slave and accumulator; air con pipe leaks in difficult places; water pump failure; new turbo and manifold bolts to replace the ones that looked like they'd been under the sea; you get the idea. They're all the sort of thing that are common failures on 996 turbos, and are pretty much treated as inevitable wear and tear. A good PPI will give you an idea how close you are to any of those 4-figure bills.

Although the price rises have softened a little, beware of the dynamic which has afflicted the air cooled cars as some owners cash in: i.e. cars which have been owned for a few years with minimal spend on regular servicing, but which hide a big backlog of pricey work.

Good luck with the search though!

[jetbox]

:-)

Let the search begin then!

[Carlson W6]

Amazing.

I started looking in 2014, but ended up with a 997 Turbo (man maths took over).

However, at that point it was possible to purchase a leggy but decent 996 Turbo for less than 25K, really nice -50,000 mile examples were going for around 27K, and 35K would buy a 996 Turbo S, or a low miles X50.

i even saw a couple of 996 Turbo's at 19K (albeit rough ones).

Good luck with your search.

For what it is worth, the 997 Turbo i ended up buying instead is worth would also be worth more today than i paid for it from OPC in 2014.