Buying 1st Porsche
Discussion
Looking for some advice from existing 996 owners. I have cobbled together a budget in the mid-30's to get myself my 1st Porsche. I plan to start looking at cars actively soon and was planning to come down to the south east to give myself more choice (I am up in the North East of Scotland). This budget nudges me into some post-2001 facelifted cars with the 3.6 engine I've seen advertised, has anyone out there driven pre and post facelift cars and is it worth putting in the effort to find a post-facelift within budget rather than a specced-up low miles pre-facelift? I also have a hankering for a convertible rather than a coupe, although if the right spec coupe caught my eye then it could change my mind. How do the convertibles compare with the tin tops? is the convertible a big compromise from a drivers perspective? How do people who have the tiptronic like it? There seems to be a lot of tips around, I've always preferred manuals but am intrigued by how many tips there are out there, they must be pretty good. Ultimately some test drives when I am out seriously looking in a few weeks time will no doubt answer these questions 1st hand - just thought it would be good to get some perspective from people who already own these machines.
Any recommendations for good specialist dealers in the SE area welcomed also.
Cheers,
Steve.
>> Edited by stevegardyne on Thursday 4th May 00:49
Any recommendations for good specialist dealers in the SE area welcomed also.
Cheers,
Steve.
>> Edited by stevegardyne on Thursday 4th May 00:49
My advice (from bitter experience):
1. don't even think of buying it if it hasn't got either an OPC warranty or at least a full parts and labour warranty from the dealer itself for 12 months;
2. don't buy it from a dealer that doesn't offer one of the above;
3. get a HPI/similar report done before you buy it;
4. if you can, get someone who knows about 996's to do (if not already done) a full pre-purchase inspection;
p.s. I've got a 1999 C4 tip and I don't have a major problem with the tip gearbox.
1. don't even think of buying it if it hasn't got either an OPC warranty or at least a full parts and labour warranty from the dealer itself for 12 months;
2. don't buy it from a dealer that doesn't offer one of the above;
3. get a HPI/similar report done before you buy it;
4. if you can, get someone who knows about 996's to do (if not already done) a full pre-purchase inspection;
p.s. I've got a 1999 C4 tip and I don't have a major problem with the tip gearbox.
I have a 3.4 996 tip,& as you I have always had manuals, but after driving the tip I realy got into it, it does take a lot of geting used to but if you are planing on using it as your every day car as I do then it well worth a test drive before dismissing it.
Also I got mine in Edinburgh, might ease the traveling, try Kennydunn.co.uk, I found him to be a totally straight guy who knows his stuff. & he will give you a porsche warrenty if you want it.
Also I got mine in Edinburgh, might ease the traveling, try Kennydunn.co.uk, I found him to be a totally straight guy who knows his stuff. & he will give you a porsche warrenty if you want it.
theres a high spec manual C4 here, I'd actually sell mine for it if anyone wants to buy my C2? really?
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/75076.htm
[flamesuit] manuals are a better all round experience than the tip's, if its your first porsche you have to have the full fat experience. [/flamesuit]
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/75076.htm
[flamesuit] manuals are a better all round experience than the tip's, if its your first porsche you have to have the full fat experience. [/flamesuit]
Heavily optioned cars shouldn't really carry a big premium over lesser specced cars. There are enough 996s around to ensure relative parity in the same colours from one dealer to the next. PCMd cars look nice, but functionally they are inferior to a car with a TomTom or similar portable GPS.
In light of the above, I'd definitely go for a post-facelift car vs a heavily specced pre-facelift for the same money. There is more value in investing in the 3.6 engine plus improved build quality vs a big spec.
I would give a thumbs up for the guys at Camtune in Godalming. They have a good selection of cars with regular turnover and they provide their own 12 month warranty. If you still want an OPC extended warranty, they have a good relationship with OPC Guildford.
In light of the above, I'd definitely go for a post-facelift car vs a heavily specced pre-facelift for the same money. There is more value in investing in the 3.6 engine plus improved build quality vs a big spec.
I would give a thumbs up for the guys at Camtune in Godalming. They have a good selection of cars with regular turnover and they provide their own 12 month warranty. If you still want an OPC extended warranty, they have a good relationship with OPC Guildford.
The convertibles are great, very refined soft top, hard top for the winter.
The only compromise, in my opinion is the looks, the convertible is the ugly sister to the beautiful coupe.
But, put a sports exhaust on, get the top down, and you'll be
Don't get a Tiptronic, especially if you live in North East Scotland. I have one, and I hate it!
The only compromise, in my opinion is the looks, the convertible is the ugly sister to the beautiful coupe.
But, put a sports exhaust on, get the top down, and you'll be
Don't get a Tiptronic, especially if you live in North East Scotland. I have one, and I hate it!
Thanks a lot for the responses so far, much appreciated advice. I have read the 911 & Porsche World Mags 996 buyers guide and a lot of what is being said here overlaps well with that article. Really appreciate the advice & recommendations regards independents to check out as it certainly helps to know if someone has had a positive experience with a particular trader - keep any further rec's coming. I checked out the ad for the C4 that was featured in Evo - looks a v. nice car I love the colour. I'll definitely make a point of trying a tip given some of the comments, I was going to dimiss it out of hand but as I plan to use it pretty much as an everyday car it's probably worth a go.
One other question, I have a couple of brats in the sub 5 y/o range. One needs a booster and the other a stage 2 car seat. Clearly the 996 won't be the primary family car but it would be useful to know that if we want to go out in as a family once in a while it will sustain the two sprogs in the back - anyone has experience of shoe-horning juniors into the back of a 996? Is there a significant difference between the Cab and the tin-top if the back seat is likely to be used for little ones?
Cheers Again,
Steve.
One other question, I have a couple of brats in the sub 5 y/o range. One needs a booster and the other a stage 2 car seat. Clearly the 996 won't be the primary family car but it would be useful to know that if we want to go out in as a family once in a while it will sustain the two sprogs in the back - anyone has experience of shoe-horning juniors into the back of a 996? Is there a significant difference between the Cab and the tin-top if the back seat is likely to be used for little ones?
Cheers Again,
Steve.
I used to run a 993 C4 (smaller than the 996) before when my son was just 3-4 yrs old. I had the Porsche Zoom seat and it fitted in the back and front seats fine over longer journeys. My son is now almost 5 and the additional space of the 996 is much better suited to small ones - even though he only sits in the front of the GT3.
The key issue is the amount of boot space you will have between the C2 and C4 models. Apart from having purer/better driving characteristics, the C2 has measurably more boot space - useful for all the "stuff".
The key issue is the amount of boot space you will have between the C2 and C4 models. Apart from having purer/better driving characteristics, the C2 has measurably more boot space - useful for all the "stuff".
Best buy would probably be:
- 2002 'facelift' 3.6
- UK/OPC suplied and serviced
- Lowish mileage
- Extended Porsche Approved Warranty
- Good colour combination (personal)
- Highish spec
- Excellent condition
You would need to buy privately to get a good one for c.£35k
My personal preference would be a C2 Coupe with 6-spd and PSE (can be fitted later)
Rear seating in cab is more compromised.
- 2002 'facelift' 3.6
- UK/OPC suplied and serviced
- Lowish mileage
- Extended Porsche Approved Warranty
- Good colour combination (personal)
- Highish spec
- Excellent condition
You would need to buy privately to get a good one for c.£35k
My personal preference would be a C2 Coupe with 6-spd and PSE (can be fitted later)
Rear seating in cab is more compromised.
I'm really only repeating what's been said, but...
* You'll get more 'boot' space in a C2, which you will probably need for all the kids' accoutrements
* Try a Tiptronic vs a Manual before you decide which you prefer. If this is going to be your first Porsche, and a car you've saved up and waited to buy, then I think you should be looking at a manual. There are a few cars in the previously owned section of your profile that suggest you like driving. I'd suggest that those who want the buzz of driving a Porsche go for manuals, and those that want the buzz of owning one go for Tiptronics.
* If anything is to be garnered from the wealth of experience here on the Porsche board, it's that 996s do tend to go wrong from time to time (though I never had problems with mine) - sometimes seriously. A full Porsche warranty seems essential, and you should probably make every effort to have any car you decide to buy thoroughly examined at an OPC.
* If it wasn't essential to have a Cabriolet, I'd keep myself open for a Coupe or a Targa, and would let condition be the decider. Personally, with 30k in my pocket, I'd be looking for the best 993 I could find. If using it to buy a 996, I'd consider year irrelevant, and would look for the most mollycoddled and cared for car that I could.
* You'll get more 'boot' space in a C2, which you will probably need for all the kids' accoutrements
* Try a Tiptronic vs a Manual before you decide which you prefer. If this is going to be your first Porsche, and a car you've saved up and waited to buy, then I think you should be looking at a manual. There are a few cars in the previously owned section of your profile that suggest you like driving. I'd suggest that those who want the buzz of driving a Porsche go for manuals, and those that want the buzz of owning one go for Tiptronics.
* If anything is to be garnered from the wealth of experience here on the Porsche board, it's that 996s do tend to go wrong from time to time (though I never had problems with mine) - sometimes seriously. A full Porsche warranty seems essential, and you should probably make every effort to have any car you decide to buy thoroughly examined at an OPC.
* If it wasn't essential to have a Cabriolet, I'd keep myself open for a Coupe or a Targa, and would let condition be the decider. Personally, with 30k in my pocket, I'd be looking for the best 993 I could find. If using it to buy a 996, I'd consider year irrelevant, and would look for the most mollycoddled and cared for car that I could.
stevegardyne said:
One other question, I have a couple of brats in the sub 5 y/o range. One needs a booster and the other a stage 2 car seat.
Me too. I've got a Carrera 2, and we managed three nights away in it. That's with my wife's packing! The boot really is Tardis like, and I'm still somewhat shocked with how practical it is.
My wife's got a five-door Polo, and I thought we'd need an additional family car. We don't, the kids love it, and they're easy to get in and out of the back.
The main piece of advice I would give is get it OPC (or specialist) inspected, and get an OPC warranty. Even if it's already got an OPC warranty, get it inspected.
Well - just bought it!!!!
Decided on a 02 facelift C2 coupe with a GT3 kit in Lapis Blue with Savanna. Not a huge spec car but seems mint and has only 20K on the clock and has just had new discs and the RMS replaced at OPC. It probably wasn't a bargain but I did see a few elsewhere that were nothing like as clean as his stock so to be honest I thought stuff it and did the deal.
I bought it from an independent in Edinburgh called Kenny Dunn and to be honest he was a dream to deal with. The car is full OPC SH (just serviced) but out of the OPC warranty. Kenny offered me his own personal warranty inclusive to the sale for 6 months or £500 to get into the OPC warranty now (including the inspection). I think it's a no-brainer - what do you reckon?
On another note is there a way of interfacing an Ipod with the CDR22 stereo?
Decided on a 02 facelift C2 coupe with a GT3 kit in Lapis Blue with Savanna. Not a huge spec car but seems mint and has only 20K on the clock and has just had new discs and the RMS replaced at OPC. It probably wasn't a bargain but I did see a few elsewhere that were nothing like as clean as his stock so to be honest I thought stuff it and did the deal.
I bought it from an independent in Edinburgh called Kenny Dunn and to be honest he was a dream to deal with. The car is full OPC SH (just serviced) but out of the OPC warranty. Kenny offered me his own personal warranty inclusive to the sale for 6 months or £500 to get into the OPC warranty now (including the inspection). I think it's a no-brainer - what do you reckon?
On another note is there a way of interfacing an Ipod with the CDR22 stereo?
johnny996, Yip - well happy with the recommendation
. Have only had a short test drive in Edinburgh traffic and then driven it back up to Aberdeen but so far so good. Felt a wee bit self conscious in it at times though! Guess I'll get used to it. Nervous - I'll have a look for the Dension Ice link, does it hook in through the multichanger cable?
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