Just bought this Porsche 996 c4s - opinions?
Discussion
Well i've been searching for a fair while and ended up bidding on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superb-2004-PORSCHE-911-99...
It looks like a decent well maintained car with the positive of a recentish engine. So, i'm just looking to get your guys observerul eyes onto it to see if you can spot anything bad i haven't and tell me what to look out for when i go to view!
One thing of concern for me is when i use the reg to see if insured or get insurance quotes it can't be found, i still need to do a hpi check though.
Yes i'm a pretty big worrier but I just like to be as thorough as possible, i've never spent this much on a car before!
It looks like a decent well maintained car with the positive of a recentish engine. So, i'm just looking to get your guys observerul eyes onto it to see if you can spot anything bad i haven't and tell me what to look out for when i go to view!
One thing of concern for me is when i use the reg to see if insured or get insurance quotes it can't be found, i still need to do a hpi check though.
Yes i'm a pretty big worrier but I just like to be as thorough as possible, i've never spent this much on a car before!
Why do you checks after you are contractually bound to buy it - just opening yourself up to downside - bit like continuing to check the price of an item after you bought it (to make sure you couldn't have bought it cheaper) 
The ad appears to be light on detail and poor photos (unless I'm looking at the wrong thing)
Late car (2004) is good due to 2 year service intervals, also sunroof is a plus, popular colour combo.
Porsche supplied engine - it would great if that is a genuine official Porsche centre supplied and fitted engine (with 2 years warranty) - unforunately the term "Porsche supplied" could be extended to mean something less great.
Lots of stuff to ask and check, but as said above - none of it really matters - as you bought it legally.
service history - last serviced
All books, spare keys, history with the car.
Tyres, matching and condition (they can wear excessively on the inside edges)
number of owners and length of last one would be useful (the ads has some suggestions of a 'amateur trader' about it)
I would have had a look underneath - over years the underside covers go missing, exhaust stays rust.
The ad appears to be light on detail and poor photos (unless I'm looking at the wrong thing)
Late car (2004) is good due to 2 year service intervals, also sunroof is a plus, popular colour combo.
Porsche supplied engine - it would great if that is a genuine official Porsche centre supplied and fitted engine (with 2 years warranty) - unforunately the term "Porsche supplied" could be extended to mean something less great.
Lots of stuff to ask and check, but as said above - none of it really matters - as you bought it legally.
service history - last serviced
All books, spare keys, history with the car.
Tyres, matching and condition (they can wear excessively on the inside edges)
number of owners and length of last one would be useful (the ads has some suggestions of a 'amateur trader' about it)
I would have had a look underneath - over years the underside covers go missing, exhaust stays rust.
I haven't actually bought it, I was pipped at the post by the auction winner who has backed out - I've been offered it in second place so to speak so I'm not obliged to, hence why I haven't yet done HPI checks etc...
To me it seems a decent price considering next cheapest on AT is £18,250 and hasn't had the engine and has more miles.
Thanks for the advise on what to check, going to see it Saturday so
To me it seems a decent price considering next cheapest on AT is £18,250 and hasn't had the engine and has more miles.
Thanks for the advise on what to check, going to see it Saturday so
lewisf182 said:
I haven't actually bought it, I was pipped at the post by the auction winner who has backed out - I've been offered it in second place so to speak so I'm not obliged to, hence why I haven't yet done HPI checks etc...
To me it seems a decent price considering next cheapest on AT is £18,250 and hasn't had the engine and has more miles.
Thanks for the advise on what to check, going to see it Saturday so
Good looking cars - and your right good price at that - the diff between a good un and poor one can be thousands in prep (assuming no engine issues).To me it seems a decent price considering next cheapest on AT is £18,250 and hasn't had the engine and has more miles.
Thanks for the advise on what to check, going to see it Saturday so
lewisf182 said:
Is the tip that bad? I've actually only driven a 996 manual so far.
lets not get into that debate but some like them , and some (like me) would never buy one which should answer the question - should I try one to check one of the key decision makers is correct before I spend £20k on a car?other than that looks nice, check front rads for damage, replacement is £2k odd
This is my old car.
I bought it from RSJ in 2012 and it had a new engine from Porsche due to IMS failure. Doctor (don't they all) owned it. OPC Guildford replaced the engine at a cost of around 15k (ad says 17 but I though it was around 15 as it had other stuff done as well but it was ages ago), receipt was in the glovebox when I bought it. I had it around 2 years (2014 March I think) until I bought my Aston.
At start of the ownership has some minor warranty work done, all covered by RSJ but apart from small niggles (headlight switch for instance needed replacing) it was faultless.
I had it serviced at either RSJ or Guildford if I remember rightly. Its has factory PSE but I had the interior baffles go and had the silencers opened up and re-welded. Lot cheaper than factory replacement.
Tip didn't bother me to be honest, never drove it in auto religiously, pulled away always in 1st etc etc.
But apart from the fact I was able to buy a 4.7 Man Vantage, I wanted to get rid because miles were mounting and although it had gone through the IMS drama, its always in the back of your mind. Obviously the bloke that bought it off me didn't keep it very long and he was being very picky when he bought it. Good to see though that its still going.
He mentions tyres. I kept 2 of the rears that I had replaced before I sold it. They are now 2 large flower/plant pots in my back garden!
I bought it from RSJ in 2012 and it had a new engine from Porsche due to IMS failure. Doctor (don't they all) owned it. OPC Guildford replaced the engine at a cost of around 15k (ad says 17 but I though it was around 15 as it had other stuff done as well but it was ages ago), receipt was in the glovebox when I bought it. I had it around 2 years (2014 March I think) until I bought my Aston.
At start of the ownership has some minor warranty work done, all covered by RSJ but apart from small niggles (headlight switch for instance needed replacing) it was faultless.
I had it serviced at either RSJ or Guildford if I remember rightly. Its has factory PSE but I had the interior baffles go and had the silencers opened up and re-welded. Lot cheaper than factory replacement.
Tip didn't bother me to be honest, never drove it in auto religiously, pulled away always in 1st etc etc.
But apart from the fact I was able to buy a 4.7 Man Vantage, I wanted to get rid because miles were mounting and although it had gone through the IMS drama, its always in the back of your mind. Obviously the bloke that bought it off me didn't keep it very long and he was being very picky when he bought it. Good to see though that its still going.
He mentions tyres. I kept 2 of the rears that I had replaced before I sold it. They are now 2 large flower/plant pots in my back garden!
Edited by petop on Saturday 1st April 11:42
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