Questions re potential 981 GT4 or 991.2 CT purchase

[Edmundo2]

Hi All,

I previously owned a modded 987s and currently own an Exige S1. Whilst the Lotus is great at what it does its really a bit too raw for my use so I'm likely going to return to pork, ( unless I get sucked into buying another Evora ).

I'm hoping to have around £65k budget this Spring and the car will be used purely as a road toy on weekends and evenings poss with a very occasional track day.

A 981 GT4 really appeals and should be in budget unless the market jumps. I need to buy something that's not going to tank as the car is my man maths life savings alternative to more conventional investments..

The only other model of interest is 991.2 carrera T but probably a bit beyond my budget unless I could find a higher miles car. I'm thinking the GT4 is likely the right car for me but if I tried a T and liked it I need to consider running costs. From what I've read there's been the odd report of blown turbos which look like a big bill..? Not an issue on GT4 so another tick in that box..

One question i have is if I could get Porsche extended warranty can this be honoured using an independent? It could give peace of mind on T re turbo failure I assume? I'm in Leeds so would likely use Strasse or RPM in Knaresborough. Both reputable but not sure if recognised/honoured under porsche extended scheme?

Lots of questions and I think I know most of the answers but would be interested to hear any thoughts/advice.

TIA.

Ed

[GT03]

My local OPC told me last week that if my indy use genuine Porsche parts, it won't affect the extended warranty. I asked because the OPC service was more than double the price of my local Porsche specialist.

Another family member's car is always serviced by JZM, and it's since had repair work under extended Porsche warranty without any issues.

[LiamH66]

I've had a 981 GT4 for similar purposes to yours for about 5 1/2 years now, 2 1/2 years old when I bought it. Hasn't quite kept up with the intended man maths on investment, as it has definitely depreciated a bit (maybe £3k a year or so). Mine gets used as daily drive in better weather, as well as weekends and the odd track day.

Running costs have been pretty reasonable. Only ever serviced by the OPC I bought it from. Had new discs and pads this time last year, all genuine, but sourced and fitted by a local indie. Have kept it all completely standard, but suspension has been set up for road and occasional track.

I find it really hard to imagine what could have been a better choice for intended use. I've considered various 911s, both before and since getting the GT4. I've come to the conclusion that the only way I'll likely do it is if it's "as well as", rather than "instead of". It's just such a brilliant car, and puts a silly grin on my face whether hooning round the track, or setting off for work on a sunny morning.

Liam

[Youforreal.]

GT03 said:

My local OPC told me last week that if my indy use genuine Porsche parts, it won't affect the extended warranty. I asked because the OPC service was more than double the price of my local Porsche specialist.

Another family member's car is always serviced by JZM, and it's since had repair work under extended Porsche warranty without any issues.

So your family member has basically a full history with jzm and can keep extending the warranty with Porsche?

[elisered]

Using an Independent for work on a car with an existing extended warranty is unlikely to cause issues provided parts, consumables, intervals etc are OEM. But if you intend to extend the warranty again then the preceding service will need to be with an OPC regardless. Same if you want to add an extended warranty to a car not already covered and in that case you also need to have owned the car for at least 90 days and pay the inspection fee.
Exhaust actuators and PADM mounts would seem to be the main big ticket items on a GT4 so worth understanding if they’ve been done on any car you look at. Not sure I’d be running a 991 without a warranty but we all have different views on risk.
Plenty of threads on this subject if you search on here and other forums.

[c3m]

elisered said:

Using an Independent for work on a car with an existing extended warranty is unlikely to cause issues provided parts, consumables, intervals etc are OEM.

There's a common misconception that extended/approved warranty requires OPC servicing. That's certainly not true and can be checked in the T&Cs (search for "Porsche Approved Warranty Terms and Conditions").

It does however state: "A claim made under Your Policy for the repair or replacement of a defective system or component shall be invalid to the extent that the defect results from any of the following: ... [snip] c) Service, repair or maintenance has previously been performed on the Vehicle by you or a third party who is not an authorised Porsche Centre/Porsche Service Centre; ..."

The key part being "to the extent that the defect results from" - so, if you serviced it at an indepedent and the defect resulted due to the servicing at the independent, then that specific warranty claim is invalid.

elisered said:

But if you intend to extend the warranty again then the preceding service will need to be with an OPC regardless.

I'm not quite sure this is true, I haven't found this in the T&Cs and the contract. I know that you can extend the warranty by just calling them up without 111-point check in which case you won't be visiting an OPC.

@elisered do you have links/documents which state car needs to be serviced at OPC if warranty is being renewed without a 111-check?

[Edmundo2]

This is all good stuff re what to look for and how not to get caught out...

Anyone owned both GT4 and 991.2 T as a weekend blatter and can give feedback on which they preferred? I expect GT4 likely more thrilling and 991 T more useable but interested to hear off first hand experiences..

Cheers

[Armitage.Shanks]

The extended warranty is an insurance backed product. They can therefore set their on T&Cs. To comply with extended warranty the car must be serviced by an OPC as part of the service schedule.

Yes an Indy could fit parts falling outside of a general service ie brake discs/pads as long as they are OEM Porsche parts. Irrelevant given consumables are not covered by the extended warranty unless there's a defect in the part itself outside of wear and tear. This is the cheaper approach given the high OPC labour rates.

If the car is less than 3yrs old and therefore within the manufacturers warranty period you have more flexibility but you'll come unstuck at the end of the 3yr period when you want to buy the extended warranty and the last service was not at an OPC.

ETA The extended warranty on a Boxster/Cayman including ther GT4 is just over half the price of a 911 so it's a no brainer if you want it. You'll just have to suck up the high service costs.

Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Friday 9th February 13:53

[c3m]

Armitage.Shanks said:

The extended warranty is an insurance backed product. They can therefore set their on T&Cs. To comply with extended warranty the car must be serviced by an OPC as part of the service schedule.

This is categorically not true. The T&Cs do not require you to service the car at an OPC, there’s no such clause.

Here are the T&Cs: https://www.porscheretailgroup.co.uk/binary/getasy...

As I mentioned above, servicing outside OPC can only invalidate a specific claim if it’s proven that the defect being claimed for was caused by the independent servicing. This is what the T&Cs say.

For example, if your AC broke and you got your brake pads changed by an Indy, the warranty claim would be honoured and warranty still applies.

If you remap your engine and it goes boom, that specific claim would be rejected (as it should).

[numbercruncher]

Hi Ed
I ran a 981 GT4 for a year or so back in 2018, it never really got under my skin but that was coming out of a 997.2 GT3 (and previously 997.1 GT3) so the 991 Carrera engine just didn't feel that special in comparison. Also at 6'3 or so the 981 cabin is just a little tight for me and I missed the extra leg room the 911 affords you. In short I moved it on and used the cash to buy a property.
The Porsche itch came back a year or so later so I then ran a 997.2 C2S for a couple of years, great car but I found myself yearning something a little newer and quicker, started looking at 991.2's and given the budget wouldn't stretch to another GT3 the T really jumped out as a nice option.
I looked around for a while, 3 months or so, then a lovely yellow manual 5k example popped up at my local OPC in York, love at first sight.
I've had the car just coming up 2 years now, weekend use only but have got it up to 11k so not a garage queen, still absolutely love it, nice and modern inside but somehow still feels a little old school, nice size on the road, adequate performance - always the Litchfield mapping option if you want it.
The warranty has been worthwhile with the common water pump issue and more recently a TPMS issue, I'm pretty sure I'll renew given the turbo issue you mention.
The six speed box in the 981 is better than the 7 speed in the 991 but that doesn't mean the 991 is bad, in all other respects I can't fault the T, guess if you're a 911 guy it's difficult not to have one in your life, nice choice you have though.

[Edmundo2]

numbercruncher said:

Hi Ed
I ran a 981 GT4 for a year or so back in 2018, it never really got under my skin but that was coming out of a 997.2 GT3 (and previously 997.1 GT3) so the 991 Carrera engine just didn't feel that special in comparison. Also at 6'3 or so the 981 cabin is just a little tight for me and I missed the extra leg room the 911 affords you. In short I moved it on and used the cash to buy a property.
The Porsche itch came back a year or so later so I then ran a 997.2 C2S for a couple of years, great car but I found myself yearning something a little newer and quicker, started looking at 991.2's and given the budget wouldn't stretch to another GT3 the T really jumped out as a nice option.
I looked around for a while, 3 months or so, then a lovely yellow manual 5k example popped up at my local OPC in York, love at first sight.
I've had the car just coming up 2 years now, weekend use only but have got it up to 11k so not a garage queen, still absolutely love it, nice and modern inside but somehow still feels a little old school, nice size on the road, adequate performance - always the Litchfield mapping option if you want it.
The warranty has been worthwhile with the common water pump issue and more recently a TPMS issue, I'm pretty sure I'll renew given the turbo issue you mention.
The six speed box in the 981 is better than the 7 speed in the 991 but that doesn't mean the 991 is bad, in all other respects I can't fault the T, guess if you're a 911 guy it's difficult not to have one in your life, nice choice you have though.

That's great info thanks.. Each time I've tried a 911 I've tended to find I.prefer the Cayman platform but they're still an itch I need to scratch. I was thinking 997 gts manual could be good until I checked the prices which I think are nuts...You can but a 991.2 T for the same or less it seems and whilst I'd sort of mentally labelled them as too new, too big, I've since seen a few in the flesh and been pleasantly surprised as to the size and feel. As you say they some how have an almost old school char....Amazing how modern stuff creeps into being old... Does a Litchfield map void any extended warranty do you know?