996 Turbo Buying Advice

[WakeFlakes]

Hi guys,

I think I’ve settled on wanting a 996 turbo. I’ve found this one on autotrader, but it almost seems to good to be true.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025022093...

It seems to have had a lot of work done in the last few thousand miles, including clutch and engine/gearbox rebuilds. It also has the aero kit which I quite like, as I’ve read the mechanical spoilers can be quite troublesome when they go wrong.

It’s also not silver (although I would prefer red or yellow, they seem very rare!). It’s also a manual. All of those things make think there’s something I’m missing with this car. As it seems to be priced fairly low for the level of work that needs doing especially considering it’s at a trader and not a private sale.

Just wondering if anyone can spot anything in the advert that I may have missed or not thought about?

[samoht]

First listed 20 Feb for £38,999

Previously sold here with 78k miles
https://www.burevalleyclassics.co.uk/listings/pors...

Probably worth asking in the 911 forum for more knowledgeable answers
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

On the face of it, I don't see a reason not to go have a look and then arrange an independent inspection if you think it presents well.

Although it's had a lot of work and some mods, I'm not sure that really adds market value over a car that "hasn't needed" such work.

Edited by samoht on Sunday 13th July 23:38

[Belle427]

I find the engine rebuild a bit strange as they were not plagued with similar issues as other models.
Got to be worth a look though, the price seems about right to me but as you say if the description isnt total waffle its probably had the best part of £20k spent on it.

[SWoll]

Didn't have an MOT test between 2017 and 2023 during which time it covered only 1200 miles.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?regis...

So bought in 2017, covered 1200 miles in a yesr then sat for 5 years before having a load of money thrown at it for engine upgrades and selling after another <2k miles.

[WakeFlakes]

samoht said:

First listed 20 Feb for £38,999

Previously sold here with 78k miles
https://www.burevalleyclassics.co.uk/listings/pors...

Probably worth asking in the 911 forum for more knowledgeable answers
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

On the face of it, I don't see a reason not to go have a look and then arrange an independent inspection if you think it presents well.

Although it's had a lot of work and some mods, I'm not sure that really adds market value over a car that "hasn't needed" such work.

Edited by samoht on Sunday 13th July 23:38

Wow thanks for finding the previous advert. That’s quite cool! You are probably right it’s best to just go have a look.

Belle427 said:

I find the engine rebuild a bit strange as they were not plagued with similar issues as other models.
Got to be worth a look though, the price seems about right to me but as you say if the description isnt total waffle its probably had the best part of £20k spent on it.

That was my thoughts as well. The engines in these, I thought, were supposed to be bulletproof (as much as a 20+ year old twin turbo engine can be!). It’s the potential amount spent, having only done 3k miles and then listed for sale seems odd. But I guess there is any number of potential explanations for it.

SWoll said:

Didn't have an MOT test between 2017 and 2023 during which time it covered only 1200 miles.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?regis...

So bought in 2017, covered 1200 miles in a yesr then sat for 5 years before having a load of money thrown at it for engine upgrades and selling after another <2k miles.

That was my original concern I guess. Why spend so much on getting a car refreshed to sell? But I guess there’s a lot of reasons.

Having read the previous advert that someone linked further up though. It looks like portions of the work was done years and years ago (although not long in mileage terms) so it seems less weird now.

[davek_964]

Could it be that it did so few miles because the engine was knackered for some reason - and then it was finally sorted out?

(I agree with earlier comments though - engines are generally not an issue on these. I owned one for about 5 years).

[RSstuff]

A 996tt is a car I've considered recently, but aside from the usual things like turbos, radiators, a clutch and water pipes, it seems odd that it's needed an engine and gearbox rebuild before 80k miles. It's probably a good idea to have £10k in reserve in case something else goes wrong too.

[ChocolateFrog]

That's been sat in my eBay inbox too. Been for sale for quite a while by the looks of it.

[maz8062]

I always suggest do you own research first; go and see the car, kick the tyres, do an HPi test, look at MOT’s and get a feel for the car. Once you’ve done that, if you’re still unsure, ask opinions of others. As you’ve seen so far, not one poster has given the car a glowing review - folk don’t do that on forums unless you’re buying the crème de la crème.

What do I think? For the money and the work done, a manual turbo - if it checks out, it’s as good a 996 Turbo as you’ll find at that price. Grab it before it’s gone.

[n3il123]

I had a Lapis blue c4s with that colour interior and it was horrible, the inside was like a throwback to a 1970s grey slip on loafer. Looked great on the outside though.

Check the centre console and the dash for the crappy rubber/ fake leather material peeling off.

I'd still love a 996tt and lapis would be my goto external colour.

[Magnum 475]

davek_964 said:

Could it be that it did so few miles because the engine was knackered for some reason - and then it was finally sorted out?

(I agree with earlier comments though - engines are generally not an issue on these. I owned one for about 5 years).

Could also be the other way around - the engine was in need of work after sitting unused for several years. These cars need to be driven, not left sitting around for that length of time.

[InformationSuperHighway]

While known to be 'bullet proof' no engine deign is completely without weak points or fully protected from issues.