When did 996 911's get so cheap?!
Discussion
I was curious after last night's Top Gear, so I decided to have a little look on the Auto Trader. To my amazement, I found nice looking examples, if a little high on miles, of 996 911's for under £12000. Has anybody taken the plunge on one of these?
Had me thinking that in 2 or 3 years' time I may well buy one when I get bored of the MR2 Turbo I've been building for the last 6 months.
What are they like to drive? And how do the standard N/A cars perform? I bet servicing and parts costs are still very high, despite the relatively low purchase price?
I must admit though, I think the 993 is a much nicer looking car, with nicer proportions and lines. I guess this, and being the last aircooled 911 (IIRC) is why they command a much higher price still?
Had me thinking that in 2 or 3 years' time I may well buy one when I get bored of the MR2 Turbo I've been building for the last 6 months.
What are they like to drive? And how do the standard N/A cars perform? I bet servicing and parts costs are still very high, despite the relatively low purchase price?
I must admit though, I think the 993 is a much nicer looking car, with nicer proportions and lines. I guess this, and being the last aircooled 911 (IIRC) is why they command a much higher price still?
996s are still depreciating, from what I can see. I think they suffer from the rather ugly front end; the fact that narrow minded people write them off as "not a proper 911" because they're water cooled; and the fact that they're so common. The reputation they have for IMS/RMS failures puts people off too, despite being very rare on older cars.
Fantastic value for money and not expensive to run for their ability, but still expensive compared to "normal" cars.
Fantastic value for money and not expensive to run for their ability, but still expensive compared to "normal" cars.
I was very tempted with a 996
started looking at the £12-15k cars but then
started looking at the £17k cars as they generally looked nicer / lower miles, then
started looking at the £19-22k cars as the decent 3.6 cars were around this money.
Then did a complete U turn and bought an M3 CSL.
I think the 996 suffer from not being one of the nice looking 911's, IMHO the 993 and 997 are better looking, and for me the slight risk of the IMS failure was off putting.
started looking at the £12-15k cars but then
started looking at the £17k cars as they generally looked nicer / lower miles, then
started looking at the £19-22k cars as the decent 3.6 cars were around this money.
Then did a complete U turn and bought an M3 CSL.
I think the 996 suffer from not being one of the nice looking 911's, IMHO the 993 and 997 are better looking, and for me the slight risk of the IMS failure was off putting.
Edited by andye30m3 on Monday 24th January 11:57
As I start to approach 30, I really am warming to them, despite never really being a 911 fan in the past.
I agree that it's not as attractive as the other models, but it's still a lovely car in its own right. I can't believe it'd be that hard to alter the front end if you really wanted to?
I agree that it's not as attractive as the other models, but it's still a lovely car in its own right. I can't believe it'd be that hard to alter the front end if you really wanted to?
I've driven 4 different 996 models.
3 of them were standard Carrera models with various mileages. One had suffered from RMS failure which was a slight oil weep. All 3 felt very solid and more lively than the 300BHP suggested. I got very tempted with one of the cars at 15K but knew it would be ruinous to run based on my income at the time. I'd seriously looked at it, some parts were surprisingly cheap, some were horrendous.
The 4th was a Carrera 4 Cabrio, tiptronic box. Horrid as it sounds it was a lovely place to be but much more of a cruiser. The 4 wheel drive felt very planted but I wasn't overly fussed on the gearbox. The car had been updated with clear front indicators and some later Turbo wheels but the interior (in all 996's) is definately dated compared to Porsche's latest offerings.
The 996 still has alot of road presence but is falling into the hands of ass hole owners. For the money I'd be more interested in a decent Boxster personally but the attraction of owning it's big brother is very hard to resist.
3 of them were standard Carrera models with various mileages. One had suffered from RMS failure which was a slight oil weep. All 3 felt very solid and more lively than the 300BHP suggested. I got very tempted with one of the cars at 15K but knew it would be ruinous to run based on my income at the time. I'd seriously looked at it, some parts were surprisingly cheap, some were horrendous.
The 4th was a Carrera 4 Cabrio, tiptronic box. Horrid as it sounds it was a lovely place to be but much more of a cruiser. The 4 wheel drive felt very planted but I wasn't overly fussed on the gearbox. The car had been updated with clear front indicators and some later Turbo wheels but the interior (in all 996's) is definately dated compared to Porsche's latest offerings.
The 996 still has alot of road presence but is falling into the hands of ass hole owners. For the money I'd be more interested in a decent Boxster personally but the attraction of owning it's big brother is very hard to resist.
I disagree with a lot of the posts above. The 996 is a fantastic car in every aspect, fair enough a few cars have suffered from problems such as RMS etc, but im sure this will only be a very small percentage of cars actually built. Besides, not many cars, as good as the 996 & in the same price bracket have not suffered a problem.
Personally they are one of the most useable sports cars around, they handle great, they sound fantastic, and they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Personally they are one of the most useable sports cars around, they handle great, they sound fantastic, and they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
BlueTwo2 said:
I bet servicing and parts costs are still very high, despite the relatively low purchase price?
I must admit though, I think the 993 is a much nicer looking car, with nicer proportions and lines. I guess this, and being the last aircooled 911 (IIRC) is why they command a much higher price still?
993 prices supported by the 'air-cooled' community.I must admit though, I think the 993 is a much nicer looking car, with nicer proportions and lines. I guess this, and being the last aircooled 911 (IIRC) is why they command a much higher price still?
996 running costs are high, no matter what people say I've found it does cost approx £2-3k p.a. on just keep the car ticking over (excludes fuel and depreciation) - sometimes this can be quite "lumpy" - one year I paid nearly £5k and the next year less than £400.
996 have an associated engine failure fear - rightly or wrongly this has an impact.
996 interiors have aged very badly.
Then there's the production numbers debate.
steve singh said:
k-ink said:
R360 said:
They are guaranteed to put a smile on your face [as a driver]
...unfortunately not on any bystanders face who is looking The face lift is essential, or don't bother IMHO.
k-ink said:
No not really. Going from a 993 to that ugly duckling was unforgivable. This is reflected in the price. Thank God the 997 returned them properly back on track to what a 911 should look like - round lights. Without that it's a joke.
Your opinion. Many (myself included) would disagree.I personally think the 997 headlight design was a step backwards, but there is no point in arguing about this, as everyone will have a different opinion.
A step backwards. Your kidding. So what, maybe it should have square lights? Come off it. It's a 911. It's all about gentle evolution whilst keeping the essential key elements. To me those elements are a flat six, round lights, sexy curves. Take any one of those away and it starts to become something else.
Edit: rubbish typing
Edit: rubbish typing
Edited by k-ink on Monday 24th January 13:42
But I am not alone. See prices to confirm!They are excellent cars and contrary to the 'guesses' they are actually cheap to run, particularly in comparison to similar performance cars. Services alternate between £200 and £350 every 12000 miles, for example. Fuel economy is far better than anything comparable too, with a mid twenties average easily achievable.
I bought one after uhmming and ahhing for years every time I bought a new car.
Despite everything I have said above I have never liked it at all. I appreciate everything good about it but it just doesn't excite me. In a performance car I want something frightening that feels fast and gets my adrenaline going.
The 996 doesnt do that for me at all. It feels boring and slow, although to fans this would definitely be seen as a good thing.
Each to thier own I suppose. If you're considering them then test drive one and you will wither love it or be indifferent. I can vouch for the fact that you will never grow to love it.
I bought one after uhmming and ahhing for years every time I bought a new car.
Despite everything I have said above I have never liked it at all. I appreciate everything good about it but it just doesn't excite me. In a performance car I want something frightening that feels fast and gets my adrenaline going.
The 996 doesnt do that for me at all. It feels boring and slow, although to fans this would definitely be seen as a good thing.
Each to thier own I suppose. If you're considering them then test drive one and you will wither love it or be indifferent. I can vouch for the fact that you will never grow to love it.
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