Porsche 996 3.4
Discussion
TL;DR - man buys 986. sells it. regrets it. buys 996.
So I jumped on the 996 bandwagon whilst they're still affordable. I've gone in pretty much the bottom of the market, but with a car that I hope will hold its head up over the years and start to appreciate - if it doesn't blow up
Story begins about 3 years ago, my first spell of Porsche ownership was a 2003 986 Boxster S. Loved it, bought it very carefully and with the intention of keeping it long term. However, I'm not good at holding onto cars, and when our second child was born, I made a bit of a snap decision and regrettably chopped it in for an X5
Few years down the line, I haven't been able to shake the itch and have been combing through the market for months looking for a decent affordable 996
My spec was quite specific but probably fairly PH typical - it had to be a manual coupe. It should be an early 3.4, or at least have a wealth of history with it. Preferably 2-wheel drive, and preferably not silver
Went to see a couple, didn't buy the first one I saw (well done me!) - and settled in my head that the one I wanted was ~250 miles away. Couldn't really pop down and view it, so exchanged emails with the seller, everything seemed to line up... finally broke the news to my wife (in order to get this one passed off I've had to agree to book a holiday - not a bad result)
So there I was, arranged a meet with the seller, popped a handful of brave pills and booked a one-way train ticket from Uttoxeter to Dartford
Thankfully everything checked out, the car was as expected (managed to knock a few quid off for only having 1 key), and I drove the car away
Straight into a hideous traffic jam at Dartford crossing. If I've ever been in an uncomfortable situation, its sitting in horrible traffic, in an unknown 22 year old Porsche with a quick-shift gearlinkage, on a hot July day. With a worried eye on the temperature gauge, a pulsating left leg and a hangover to boot I eased my way through the tunnel
After an eternity I finally got going again and all seemed well and remainder of the journey was easy going
So the car then, is a 1997 996 C2 coupe, black with ambers. early 3.4 engine with cable throttle (it's second one actually, documented replacement engine from Porsche in 2004). Manual box with aftermarket quick-shifter. Its got a factory LSD, the original 17s and to my eye has a lovely retro 'club-sport' kind of vibe to it
I think I'm right in saying its the lightest of the 996 generation including the gt3
Fairly well spec'd inside, sunroof, heated electric seats, cruise, and a really decent aftermarket doubledin headunit
So I jumped on the 996 bandwagon whilst they're still affordable. I've gone in pretty much the bottom of the market, but with a car that I hope will hold its head up over the years and start to appreciate - if it doesn't blow up
Story begins about 3 years ago, my first spell of Porsche ownership was a 2003 986 Boxster S. Loved it, bought it very carefully and with the intention of keeping it long term. However, I'm not good at holding onto cars, and when our second child was born, I made a bit of a snap decision and regrettably chopped it in for an X5
Few years down the line, I haven't been able to shake the itch and have been combing through the market for months looking for a decent affordable 996
My spec was quite specific but probably fairly PH typical - it had to be a manual coupe. It should be an early 3.4, or at least have a wealth of history with it. Preferably 2-wheel drive, and preferably not silver
Went to see a couple, didn't buy the first one I saw (well done me!) - and settled in my head that the one I wanted was ~250 miles away. Couldn't really pop down and view it, so exchanged emails with the seller, everything seemed to line up... finally broke the news to my wife (in order to get this one passed off I've had to agree to book a holiday - not a bad result)
So there I was, arranged a meet with the seller, popped a handful of brave pills and booked a one-way train ticket from Uttoxeter to Dartford
Thankfully everything checked out, the car was as expected (managed to knock a few quid off for only having 1 key), and I drove the car away
Straight into a hideous traffic jam at Dartford crossing. If I've ever been in an uncomfortable situation, its sitting in horrible traffic, in an unknown 22 year old Porsche with a quick-shift gearlinkage, on a hot July day. With a worried eye on the temperature gauge, a pulsating left leg and a hangover to boot I eased my way through the tunnel
After an eternity I finally got going again and all seemed well and remainder of the journey was easy going
So the car then, is a 1997 996 C2 coupe, black with ambers. early 3.4 engine with cable throttle (it's second one actually, documented replacement engine from Porsche in 2004). Manual box with aftermarket quick-shifter. Its got a factory LSD, the original 17s and to my eye has a lovely retro 'club-sport' kind of vibe to it
I think I'm right in saying its the lightest of the 996 generation including the gt3
Fairly well spec'd inside, sunroof, heated electric seats, cruise, and a really decent aftermarket doubledin headunit
Or pay top dollar for a car from a garage and still have to chuck lots of money at it. First car I looked at was a 996.1 at a dealer in Oxford - top money with loads wrong with it - walked away and didnt even bother driving it.
Welcome to the club - if you can do a bit of spannering most bits are just the same as the next car!
I’ve always wanted an air cooled but the more I read about them the more I love my 996.
Welcome to the club - if you can do a bit of spannering most bits are just the same as the next car!
I’ve always wanted an air cooled but the more I read about them the more I love my 996.
Welcome to the club. I’ve got an early one. Minenis high mileage at 156k, and it doesn’t get used anywhere near as often as it should!
If this is second car, my advice, DRIVE IT. I keep neglecting to do so, thinking it’s time to sell it, then I drive it and love it all over again.
I’m currently in a busy life phase so it’s in my mind to move it on.
If this is second car, my advice, DRIVE IT. I keep neglecting to do so, thinking it’s time to sell it, then I drive it and love it all over again.
I’m currently in a busy life phase so it’s in my mind to move it on.
These are a bargain still, to think you can get a decent 911 that is pretty sorted for under £15k these days, surely it wont be like this for too long?
I have had mine for two years nearly now, an early 3.4 (although without ambers) you should get the bypass mod done on the exhausts, it sounds wonderful.
Not too bad in terms of running costs if you can either do some maintenance yourself or some that you trust that will, parts are the same price as a boxster, this is what made me change up from one to the 996. Fab cars and will never sell mine
I have had mine for two years nearly now, an early 3.4 (although without ambers) you should get the bypass mod done on the exhausts, it sounds wonderful.
Not too bad in terms of running costs if you can either do some maintenance yourself or some that you trust that will, parts are the same price as a boxster, this is what made me change up from one to the 996. Fab cars and will never sell mine
This is seriously making me regret selling my 996 c4s with a hartech rebuild.. £17k I managed to get for it with not much else interest, must have been due to the 113k miles, I shoulda just kept it, moment of madness!
Enjoy OP they are sublime when pressing on and feel so special all the time
Enjoy OP they are sublime when pressing on and feel so special all the time
Thanks all! I'm very much enjoying it so far
Considering its similarities to the 986 boxster, it does feel totally different
Here's a question. one of my main haggles was the fact it only has one key, something I intend to rectify asap. any suggestions? Presumably there's nothing much to it other than the body, blade and a basic transducer?
Have some pics of it with the other little black coupe - which I really should find a new home for - got too many cars again!
edited to say - I really should start hosting these pics somewhere that doesn't plaster a massive logo over half the photo
Considering its similarities to the 986 boxster, it does feel totally different
Here's a question. one of my main haggles was the fact it only has one key, something I intend to rectify asap. any suggestions? Presumably there's nothing much to it other than the body, blade and a basic transducer?
Have some pics of it with the other little black coupe - which I really should find a new home for - got too many cars again!
edited to say - I really should start hosting these pics somewhere that doesn't plaster a massive logo over half the photo
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