Discussion
I thought i'd start a thread where people could write about their experiences of test driving Porsches, friendliness of dealer if applicable, and any interesting snippets whilst in the pursuit of a 'new' Porsche.
So, on Saturday I popped down to Camtune (having rang first) with an interest in test-driving cars in the sub 35K bracket. This nicely encapsulated 993 C2, and Turbo 2's both of which they had. On my arrival, there was a reasonable amount of prescreening before anyone took me seriously. I'd explained that for one reason or another I wouldn't be buying until January, but wanted to start the process now so that when January came it was just a matter of finding a good example of the car I wanted.
Given that disclosure I was persuaded not to bother with the T2 as it was a rare car and will probably have sold by then. Must admit I was a bit disappointed by this but couldn't fault the argument.
So, after all this banter we took out a 993 C2 with tip-tronic (sic). I had expressly said that I was a manual man, so to speak, and automatics are for girls, etc, etc. But a bit of salemans chitchat and we were out in a tip-tronic (TT). The guy was very chatty and helpfully spent a lot of time explaining the dynamics of the car and the TT transmission. Most of these were backed up with practical demonstrations.
All I can say is ******* hell. Fantastic car. I'd been disappointed with 3.2s that I had driven before, but this was in a different league. It just pulls to the red line in every gear with absolutely no let up. And the TT gearbox was great (never thought i'd say that). OK, 0-60 times are slower but in real world driving the TT is fantastic, and probably a good bit quicker (over taking etc). One of the demonstrations was how good TT can be when you get things a bit wrong (over cooking it into a corner). A lesson on grip and a very clever gear box.
Demonstrations over and it was my turn. I was a bit nervous, I must admit, given that I don't drive autos and especial expensive ones with lots of clever bits and pieces. Anyway two seconds later I felt completely at home and was positively encouraged to give it some stick. It all felt very natural and being able to change gear so quickly and with significantly less mental overhead allowed me to really enjoy the car. Anyway I’m completely taken by the car and very happy with the service I got from Camtune. I will certainly pay them a visit come January.
So, on Saturday I popped down to Camtune (having rang first) with an interest in test-driving cars in the sub 35K bracket. This nicely encapsulated 993 C2, and Turbo 2's both of which they had. On my arrival, there was a reasonable amount of prescreening before anyone took me seriously. I'd explained that for one reason or another I wouldn't be buying until January, but wanted to start the process now so that when January came it was just a matter of finding a good example of the car I wanted.
Given that disclosure I was persuaded not to bother with the T2 as it was a rare car and will probably have sold by then. Must admit I was a bit disappointed by this but couldn't fault the argument.
So, after all this banter we took out a 993 C2 with tip-tronic (sic). I had expressly said that I was a manual man, so to speak, and automatics are for girls, etc, etc. But a bit of salemans chitchat and we were out in a tip-tronic (TT). The guy was very chatty and helpfully spent a lot of time explaining the dynamics of the car and the TT transmission. Most of these were backed up with practical demonstrations.
All I can say is ******* hell. Fantastic car. I'd been disappointed with 3.2s that I had driven before, but this was in a different league. It just pulls to the red line in every gear with absolutely no let up. And the TT gearbox was great (never thought i'd say that). OK, 0-60 times are slower but in real world driving the TT is fantastic, and probably a good bit quicker (over taking etc). One of the demonstrations was how good TT can be when you get things a bit wrong (over cooking it into a corner). A lesson on grip and a very clever gear box.
Demonstrations over and it was my turn. I was a bit nervous, I must admit, given that I don't drive autos and especial expensive ones with lots of clever bits and pieces. Anyway two seconds later I felt completely at home and was positively encouraged to give it some stick. It all felt very natural and being able to change gear so quickly and with significantly less mental overhead allowed me to really enjoy the car. Anyway I’m completely taken by the car and very happy with the service I got from Camtune. I will certainly pay them a visit come January.
I'm sure Boxster S is a great car, but I do want that extra performance. I have zero concern for practicality (apart from to get my golf clubs in). I think Porsche have an interesting problem with the Boxster, it has so much potential but I doubt they'll ever produce one that will upstage the 911 (not that it couldn't be done...)
The real problem isn't how to get performance out of the Boxster, but the way in which it has been marketed. Porsche has made a big thing out of it being affordable, which is a good thing, unless you want something that isn't. Personally I like Q cars, so much fun to be had at the lights 
) so am already stretched. This is a pity because i'm a big fan of horses, especially large groups of them hiding under the bonnet of my car. Although if any of you lot like golf and want to rent a villa...OK, the 993 I had my eye on (P plate with 43K, tip-tronic...) has been sold. Doh. I'm now faced with the choice of waiting for another good example to pop up or go for a 91 Turbo 2 with 26K on the clock. It looks fantastic, and i'll take it for a test drive in the next week.
I'd be interested in people opinions/experiences of this car (i assume it doesn't suffer the 964 oil leak problems given it's a 930 derivative???)
I'd be interested in people opinions/experiences of this car (i assume it doesn't suffer the 964 oil leak problems given it's a 930 derivative???)
Domster, thanks for the replies. Although I would like to spend more time tinkering with cars I haven't, so when it comes to looking over a potential car I'm not really sure what to look for. I will almost certainly be buying from Camtune in Surrey (the car is on their web site if you are interested), and hope they are honest guys and don't sell me a lemon.
So, if I turn up and take this Turbo 2 out what are the signs of a problematic engine (a part from oil all over the place). Will I have easy access to view the cylinder head/head bolts. Would a problem likely be visible after a 20min test drive? The car in question only has 26k on the clock, in your view am I likely to suffer problems from perished ancillaries (given it probably hasn't been serviced that often) and general under use?
Apologies if these are basic questions but now its actually about to happen i'm getting nervous about spending 35k.
So, if I turn up and take this Turbo 2 out what are the signs of a problematic engine (a part from oil all over the place). Will I have easy access to view the cylinder head/head bolts. Would a problem likely be visible after a 20min test drive? The car in question only has 26k on the clock, in your view am I likely to suffer problems from perished ancillaries (given it probably hasn't been serviced that often) and general under use?
Apologies if these are basic questions but now its actually about to happen i'm getting nervous about spending 35k.
OK, just got back from Shirley’s in Birmingham. I went out in both a J plate Turbo 2 with 40K on the clock, and a K plate RS LWT with 23K miles under its belt.
Two very different cars. In summary:
The T2 has a Techart back box and the intermediate silencers removed. This apparently could be adding as much as 40BHP. It has RS suspension (it is very low) and what looks like new Boxter wheels (just fitted). It sounds bloody great. Not over powering or annoying, just menacing. The ride was firm but not uncomfortable, and extremely stable (got it to 90MPH). It felt really direct, in the same way a go-kart is. Saving the best bit till last....... It goes like stink!!! I've been in a number of low 5sec (0-60) cars and this would kick their ass. I don't know if it’s those alleged 40 extra horses, or whether its just been a while since i've been in a turbo car. It, disturbingly, accelerated quicker than I could process what was going on around me. I hope I get a bit better at this or it could be an early end to 911 ownership. In summary a great fun car for an every day person (i.e. not a motor sport pro).
So the RS. Well, the car is immaculate, almost looks brand new. It's not as bare as I was expecting, but there are no concessions on the ride front. It is harsh and very jittery. You just can't relax, you feel every stone/blemish/change of camber and you need too. As you’ll be fidgeting with the steering wheel, making tiny corrections (which probably aren’t necessary). Talking to the mechanic, he say’s a lot of people stack RS's because they react to every change in road surface, which will inevitably catch some people out. Non-the-less a fantastic car with more noises than a winging left-wing politician. Very much suited to a motor sport pro (or aspiring…).
So what did I do? Well of the 2 cars the Turbo 2 was definitely the car for me. Made the RS feel slow! I spent a long time with the mechanic talking/looking over the car. He got it up on a ramp and we gave it a good look over. There were 3 oil leaks. Superfical thankfully, 2 from rusted oil feed back pipes and one from the turbo sump, due to a warped washer (probably been grounded). The heads where dry as a bone. The clutch seemed to be on its way out and there was a cracked fog light. Bodywork almost perfect, hard to believe on car that is 10 years old.
So I took the plunge, and agreed a price of £33K on the condition a new clutch was fitted, all 4 oil feed back pipes were replaced, the engine was steam cleaned and wax-oiled.
So the people, very pleasant. Picked me up from the station. Made me a brew (counted for a lot at the time, bloody northern whether...), and entertained all my questions. They will even come down to London and pick my car up when it needs servicing. The mechanic was also happy for me to help in the servicing of my car (something I’ve always wanted to do).
I pick the car up in a week. Oh and I get the private plate as well (J1LOF).
Two very different cars. In summary:
The T2 has a Techart back box and the intermediate silencers removed. This apparently could be adding as much as 40BHP. It has RS suspension (it is very low) and what looks like new Boxter wheels (just fitted). It sounds bloody great. Not over powering or annoying, just menacing. The ride was firm but not uncomfortable, and extremely stable (got it to 90MPH). It felt really direct, in the same way a go-kart is. Saving the best bit till last....... It goes like stink!!! I've been in a number of low 5sec (0-60) cars and this would kick their ass. I don't know if it’s those alleged 40 extra horses, or whether its just been a while since i've been in a turbo car. It, disturbingly, accelerated quicker than I could process what was going on around me. I hope I get a bit better at this or it could be an early end to 911 ownership. In summary a great fun car for an every day person (i.e. not a motor sport pro).
So the RS. Well, the car is immaculate, almost looks brand new. It's not as bare as I was expecting, but there are no concessions on the ride front. It is harsh and very jittery. You just can't relax, you feel every stone/blemish/change of camber and you need too. As you’ll be fidgeting with the steering wheel, making tiny corrections (which probably aren’t necessary). Talking to the mechanic, he say’s a lot of people stack RS's because they react to every change in road surface, which will inevitably catch some people out. Non-the-less a fantastic car with more noises than a winging left-wing politician. Very much suited to a motor sport pro (or aspiring…).
So what did I do? Well of the 2 cars the Turbo 2 was definitely the car for me. Made the RS feel slow! I spent a long time with the mechanic talking/looking over the car. He got it up on a ramp and we gave it a good look over. There were 3 oil leaks. Superfical thankfully, 2 from rusted oil feed back pipes and one from the turbo sump, due to a warped washer (probably been grounded). The heads where dry as a bone. The clutch seemed to be on its way out and there was a cracked fog light. Bodywork almost perfect, hard to believe on car that is 10 years old.
So I took the plunge, and agreed a price of £33K on the condition a new clutch was fitted, all 4 oil feed back pipes were replaced, the engine was steam cleaned and wax-oiled.
So the people, very pleasant. Picked me up from the station. Made me a brew (counted for a lot at the time, bloody northern whether...), and entertained all my questions. They will even come down to London and pick my car up when it needs servicing. The mechanic was also happy for me to help in the servicing of my car (something I’ve always wanted to do).
I pick the car up in a week. Oh and I get the private plate as well (J1LOF).
One thing I forgot to mention was, in my questioning I asked whether the 965 inherited the dual mass flywheel. It does, so next obvious question is, what is it, and why does it go wrong. Well, what better way to help explain than to go and get one. Off he pops, 10 secs latter i'm playing with a dual mass fly wheel. In his opinion they are not the trouble people would have you believe. However, they will ware out quicker than a tarts’ elastic if you try and wheel spin the car. This completely shags them. It's OK once you've got moving but not from a stand still. It's also very easy to tell when someone has done it. The one I was looking at end life that way.
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