Potential new 996 owner
Discussion
Hi All,
I've been reading this section of PH's for some time now and have just signed up as a member. Its a great source of knowledge and banter and here lies my opening question....... I'm going to see a 1999 'manual' 996 C4 tomorrow at an established Porsche specialist. Car has fpsh and 50k miles on the clock. Car is being sold with 'third party warranty.' Would this make a decent daily driver? I do 20-30 miles per day. My current car is a 2002 Audi S3, which is a good car, cheap to run and practical too.
Any of you PHer's use a '99 C4 as a daily driver? Opinions please......
I've been reading this section of PH's for some time now and have just signed up as a member. Its a great source of knowledge and banter and here lies my opening question....... I'm going to see a 1999 'manual' 996 C4 tomorrow at an established Porsche specialist. Car has fpsh and 50k miles on the clock. Car is being sold with 'third party warranty.' Would this make a decent daily driver? I do 20-30 miles per day. My current car is a 2002 Audi S3, which is a good car, cheap to run and practical too.
Any of you PHer's use a '99 C4 as a daily driver? Opinions please......
i use a 98 C2 as a daily... so yes, you will have problems with it.
However, a word of warning.
Check the claim limit on the indepedant warranty - see if you can convince them to get an Official OPC warranty with the car (though you need to buy it direct, if they knock money off, perhaps pay for the 111 point check to allow you to purchase it).
Other than that, ignore all the scaremongers - they are a great car, just buy on condition and be subjective rather than getting wrapped up in the car..
However, a word of warning.
Check the claim limit on the indepedant warranty - see if you can convince them to get an Official OPC warranty with the car (though you need to buy it direct, if they knock money off, perhaps pay for the 111 point check to allow you to purchase it).
Other than that, ignore all the scaremongers - they are a great car, just buy on condition and be subjective rather than getting wrapped up in the car..
Thanks for the quick responses. I know that they aren't 'cheap' cars to run. I've previously had a Mitsu Evo8 which was being driven 500 miles a week and therefore in the dealers every nine weeks or so for a service (service interval 4500 miles) and it had a drink problem. So, routine maintenance costs, although painful, don't worry me. I'd be getting the car serviced and maintained at the specialist and not using OPC.
I have been thinking alot about the OPC warranty and think for piece of mind I might go for it.
I have been thinking alot about the OPC warranty and think for piece of mind I might go for it.
yeah, compared to the Evo, it'll be fine.
Service intervals are 12 mo/12k - tyres arent cheap and dont last that long (depending on how you drive), and again, not that thirsty depending on how you drive.
As an incidental point, I did 300 miles in mine on Wednesday, including spending nearly 2 hours in stop-start traffic on the M4, the clutch had by then started to make my left knee ache a bit, and suddenly tiptronics didnt seem that bad, but then, with any clutch I imagine after 2 hours it would be annoying.
But having had a Lexus previously, for comfy cruising, the 996 is about 90% of the lexus, but also has the sportcar fun on a twisty road, not to mention a great torque curve, making motorway driving really easy..
Service intervals are 12 mo/12k - tyres arent cheap and dont last that long (depending on how you drive), and again, not that thirsty depending on how you drive.
As an incidental point, I did 300 miles in mine on Wednesday, including spending nearly 2 hours in stop-start traffic on the M4, the clutch had by then started to make my left knee ache a bit, and suddenly tiptronics didnt seem that bad, but then, with any clutch I imagine after 2 hours it would be annoying.
But having had a Lexus previously, for comfy cruising, the 996 is about 90% of the lexus, but also has the sportcar fun on a twisty road, not to mention a great torque curve, making motorway driving really easy..
I went from a 2001 S3 to a 2.7L Boxster a few years ago and did not notice a huge difference in running costs or comfort and the handling was in a different league! To say nothing of the buzz I got whenever i looked at the steering wheel and saw the Porsche crest beaming up at me!
Edited by thorny on Friday 16th February 11:13
Bull996 said:
FWIW I would not have my car without a OPC warranty. It just gives me that peace of mind so that I cab drive it as was intended. After its too old I will be considering Hartechs warranty plan.
Ditto.
Independent warranties are utterly worthless. Get them to knock the cost of it off.
Get the car inspected by OPC (111 point check) for £200 and make it a condition of purchase that it passes. Then buy the OPC warranty.
Vesuvius 996 said:
Bull996 said:
FWIW I would not have my car without a OPC warranty. It just gives me that peace of mind so that I cab drive it as was intended. After its too old I will be considering Hartechs warranty plan.
Ditto.
Independent warranties are utterly worthless. Get them to knock the cost of it off.
Get the car inspected by OPC (111 point check) for £200 and make it a condition of purchase that it passes. Then buy the OPC warranty.
I would favour the Hartech approach to the OPC one if I lived in the north. Seems more inclusive to me.
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