Discussion
Ever since I've been interested in cars I have always wanted a 911 and 18 months ago I brought a 996.2 C2 manual. I'm reasonably handy with the spanners and can do most things - changed all the shocks and springs, discs all round, brake & rack hard lines etc. I'm on a journey with it and have a repair fund set aside. Engine and gearbox rebuilds I wouldn't take on. It's lovely to drive and every journey puts a smile on my face.
However, the car I fell in love with as a lad, was an air cooled, the first Porsche I went in was an air cooled (1978 T reg) so my eye's are beginning to stray......
996 +ve's Known quantity, manageable financially should the worse happen, no rust issues, incredible to drive, stronger / safer shell. -ve's too fast, lots of electronics to go wrong, not air cooled.
Air Cooled +ve's Smaller, Simpler so easier to work on, exploitable at sensible speeds, looks, its air cooled! -ve's At least double the purchase price of the 996 (which would need to go), still needs a slush fund, rust, repair costs.
I don't want a garage queen and would rather have something that is basically sound and has a strong rust free / well repaired shell that needs a bit of ongoing fettling. Non standard but 'accepted' mods would be fine as would those with engine swaps. There have been a few for sale recently that would fit the bill. Not sure about LHD albeit they are generally cheaper and it would need to be manual.
Just wondered if any others been down this path and any general advice / guidance eg would it be worth getting a non-standard car inspected even just to rule out accident damage / check shell integrity?
I'm probably a year away from doing it so lots of time to ponder.
Advice on a postcard to.....
Regards
Ian
However, the car I fell in love with as a lad, was an air cooled, the first Porsche I went in was an air cooled (1978 T reg) so my eye's are beginning to stray......
996 +ve's Known quantity, manageable financially should the worse happen, no rust issues, incredible to drive, stronger / safer shell. -ve's too fast, lots of electronics to go wrong, not air cooled.
Air Cooled +ve's Smaller, Simpler so easier to work on, exploitable at sensible speeds, looks, its air cooled! -ve's At least double the purchase price of the 996 (which would need to go), still needs a slush fund, rust, repair costs.
I don't want a garage queen and would rather have something that is basically sound and has a strong rust free / well repaired shell that needs a bit of ongoing fettling. Non standard but 'accepted' mods would be fine as would those with engine swaps. There have been a few for sale recently that would fit the bill. Not sure about LHD albeit they are generally cheaper and it would need to be manual.
Just wondered if any others been down this path and any general advice / guidance eg would it be worth getting a non-standard car inspected even just to rule out accident damage / check shell integrity?
I'm probably a year away from doing it so lots of time to ponder.
Advice on a postcard to.....
Regards
Ian
That's a good point - no not driven one.
The value thing is partly why I said in a years time when hopefully the brexit debacle will be onto the next stage with a bit more certainty and also better for 996 resale if I've kept it a bit. Hopefully there will be a price correction. As an aside, I went to the new Caterham dealership opening at Silverstone last weekend. They are a Lotus dealer too - They have a lot of Lotus cars in stock.
I know what you mean older / poorer condition car costing 2 or 3 times what I have - I'd struggle to write a business case for it!
Ian
The value thing is partly why I said in a years time when hopefully the brexit debacle will be onto the next stage with a bit more certainty and also better for 996 resale if I've kept it a bit. Hopefully there will be a price correction. As an aside, I went to the new Caterham dealership opening at Silverstone last weekend. They are a Lotus dealer too - They have a lot of Lotus cars in stock.
I know what you mean older / poorer condition car costing 2 or 3 times what I have - I'd struggle to write a business case for it!
Ian
Having read all the interesting comments and views I’m erring towards keeping the 996. Just booked it in for clutch, AOS, RMS and over gearbox brake pipe at GCR. Chris will check the IMS if the seal is weeping (and the filter for debris).
There are a few things on the to-do/ wish list - exhaust manifold bolts, arch liner removal / clean / waxoil, Momo 07, seat refurb (spray backs / re connolise leather), sunroof seal . Wish list incl set of Oz wheels & exhaust system.
Lots to do!!
Ian
There are a few things on the to-do/ wish list - exhaust manifold bolts, arch liner removal / clean / waxoil, Momo 07, seat refurb (spray backs / re connolise leather), sunroof seal . Wish list incl set of Oz wheels & exhaust system.
Lots to do!!
Ian
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