Thinking of Porsche 996 Turbo - Buying advice and tips pls

[[OcUK]Gibbo]

Hi there

I am thinking that in the next 6-12 months I will be looking to purchase a 2000-2003 996 Turbo.
They are depreciating quite a bit at the moment it seems due to the new 997 model with examples been available from 36k with decent lower mileage newer examples around 45-50k.

I feel in 6-12 months will be the best time to buy.

However I know very little about these cars, is there a buying guide anywhere?
Also what are the service intervals and how much does a Porsche dealer charge and are there any specialist around Midlands/North West who offer more fair rates?
When are major or should I say expensive services due like cambelt changes, spark plugs etc?

What problems should I be looking out for on these cars?
Was there any major revision revision changes in the years, or is there a particular best year to go for?

Also how does the performance of the manual and tiptronic differ?

Lastly what tuning options are available that don't cost the earth such as say remaps, exhaust and induction? Also on a tiptronic can an ECU remap speed up gear changes?

At the moment I am driving a 532BHP RWD Mustang but am now planning my next possible car and favourite is either a Porsche Turbo or Corvette Z06.

Edited by [OcUK]Gibbo on Monday 29th January 15:59

[[OcUK]Gibbo]

Anybody?

[turbo tim]

OcUKGibbo said:

purchase a 2000-2003 996 Turbo.... with examples been available from 36k

I doubt you'll get one (worth buying) at that price, but feel free to prove me wrong and post some examples (might be tempted to have a punt myself)

Edited by turbo tim on Monday 29th January 17:28

Edited by turbo tim on Monday 29th January 17:28

[cableguy]

Try "Ultimate Buyers' Guide" for the Porsche 911 Carrera, Turbo & GT (996), written by Grant Neal and Peter Morgan, published by Peter Morgan Media Ltd.

Its a superb guide and very informative.

Have a search on the forum also as this has been discussed previously in detail.

C.

[[OcUK]Gibbo]

cableguy said:

Try "Ultimate Buyers' Guide" for the Porsche 911 Carrera, Turbo & GT (996), written by Grant Neal and Peter Morgan, published by Peter Morgan Media Ltd.

Its a superb guide and very informative.

Have a search on the forum also as this has been discussed previously in detail.

C.

Hi there

Where can I get this guide from? Is it web based or magazine/book based?

[cableguy]

Ordered mine over the phone, Tel No. 01932 865051 Price was £9.95 + £1.00 postage.

HTH.

C.

[Dr S]

What a surprise that kayc hasn't jumped into this thread yet...

[Adam B]

[quote=[OcUK]Gibbo]
Also how does the performance of the manual and tiptronic differ?
[/quote]

Doesn't really but they feel very different to drive. I would not consider one of them at all, so would strongly recommend you try both before buying.

[[OcUK]Gibbo]

Hi there

I shall certainly try both the manual and tiptronic.

On the manual what is the clutch lifespan for a car thats been driven spirited but not abused?

I take it on a manual the main two things to look out for is 2nd gear pop out, so plonk it in 2nd and accelerate upto 6000ish RPM and then let off and let the car de-accelerate to approx 2000rpm and repeat the process?

The other issue been type 2 over revs? I take this is only something a Porsche dealer can check with the computer?

[guyvert1]

The easiest thing to do is either pay for an expert to take a look or pop down your local OPC for a pre-warranty check, either a must considering cost of something you may miss, remember you're talking about a car that cost £100k+ when new. Personally I think it should be mandatory , aka surveys etc...