Looking to buy a 996
Discussion
Morning all,
Thought I'd say hi in the Porsche forum having been a long term lurker, whilst mainly frequenting the BMW sections.
I'm in the process of selling my Z3M coupe which I've owned for a few years (Estoril blue in PH classifieds for £12,450 if anyone's interested
), with the intention of buying a 3.6 Carrera 996.
I've read the horror stories, understand some of the pitfalls and am still keen.
I've narrowed my search down to a late C2 or Anniversary edition and am now getting quite excited by the prospect of going shopping! I intend on doing limited track work with the car, so the Anniversary fits the bill well by having switchable suspension and LSD, as well as ticking the 'rare' & limited numbers' box that I quite like and hopefully should be slightly more resistant to depreciation... (fingers crossed!).
Anyway, moving on, any pointers to some nice cars for sale would be appreciated as would a nod in the direction of the best forum to frequent for 996's... Have browsed 911uk.com, but seems a bit quiet and doesn't have a particularly active classifieds.
Budget wise, I'll spend upto £24k for the 'right' car, as the last 3 years with my Z3M has been emotional, including engine rebuilds, upgrades, paint etc to get it right (i'm a bit OCD)... i'd rather spend the cash up front this time as I dont have the time or patience this time round!
cheers
andrew
Thought I'd say hi in the Porsche forum having been a long term lurker, whilst mainly frequenting the BMW sections.
I'm in the process of selling my Z3M coupe which I've owned for a few years (Estoril blue in PH classifieds for £12,450 if anyone's interested
), with the intention of buying a 3.6 Carrera 996.I've read the horror stories, understand some of the pitfalls and am still keen.
I've narrowed my search down to a late C2 or Anniversary edition and am now getting quite excited by the prospect of going shopping! I intend on doing limited track work with the car, so the Anniversary fits the bill well by having switchable suspension and LSD, as well as ticking the 'rare' & limited numbers' box that I quite like and hopefully should be slightly more resistant to depreciation... (fingers crossed!).
Anyway, moving on, any pointers to some nice cars for sale would be appreciated as would a nod in the direction of the best forum to frequent for 996's... Have browsed 911uk.com, but seems a bit quiet and doesn't have a particularly active classifieds.
Budget wise, I'll spend upto £24k for the 'right' car, as the last 3 years with my Z3M has been emotional, including engine rebuilds, upgrades, paint etc to get it right (i'm a bit OCD)... i'd rather spend the cash up front this time as I dont have the time or patience this time round!
cheers
andrew
Welcome.
Interesting dilema!
I think 24k is huge money for any 996 C2.
Personally I think the Anniversary looks wrong, but the mechanical spec is good, not sure about residuals, but not cast iron.
For 24k a mint 4S or older turbo are easily available but maybe not your bag?
If not I would be patient and find a good 997 C2S, 24k should cover that.
Interesting dilema!
I think 24k is huge money for any 996 C2.
Personally I think the Anniversary looks wrong, but the mechanical spec is good, not sure about residuals, but not cast iron.
For 24k a mint 4S or older turbo are easily available but maybe not your bag?
If not I would be patient and find a good 997 C2S, 24k should cover that.
I would tend to agree with the comments above.
£24k is very strong money for a 996 Carrera, and so if that's definitely the car you want and are looking for a totally pain free process, I would suggest keeping a close eye on Specialist Cars of Malton stock, simply as they have a very strong reputation for used Porsche and they offer a bumper to bumper warranty for anywhere in the country.
The anniversay model was quite nice, but its relative rarity won't hold up residuals much, and is not in line to be a future classic. One of the Porsche mags did a feature on 'limited edition' porsches recently, and 95% of them have just been forgotten in time. I would predict the anniversary model will go exactly the same way.
Can I suggest you at least try a 996 turbo - even as a frame of reference if nothing else.
Kepp us updated with your search.
£24k is very strong money for a 996 Carrera, and so if that's definitely the car you want and are looking for a totally pain free process, I would suggest keeping a close eye on Specialist Cars of Malton stock, simply as they have a very strong reputation for used Porsche and they offer a bumper to bumper warranty for anywhere in the country.
The anniversay model was quite nice, but its relative rarity won't hold up residuals much, and is not in line to be a future classic. One of the Porsche mags did a feature on 'limited edition' porsches recently, and 95% of them have just been forgotten in time. I would predict the anniversary model will go exactly the same way.
Can I suggest you at least try a 996 turbo - even as a frame of reference if nothing else.
Kepp us updated with your search.
Thanks for the advice all.
I would like a 997, however I'd prefer a really clean 996 than an average 997.
Hopefully I can find the car I need for less than £24k however I'm prepared to pay good money for the right car.
I'm in no hurry, but want one before Xmas.
Interesting points re anniversary. What do we think it's worth over a regular C2? +10/15%
I would like a 997, however I'd prefer a really clean 996 than an average 997.
Hopefully I can find the car I need for less than £24k however I'm prepared to pay good money for the right car.
I'm in no hurry, but want one before Xmas.
Interesting points re anniversary. What do we think it's worth over a regular C2? +10/15%
andrewturner said:
Thanks for the advice all.
I would like a 997, however I'd prefer a really clean 996 than an average 997.
Hopefully I can find the car I need for less than £24k however I'm prepared to pay good money for the right car.
I'm in no hurry, but want one before Xmas.
Interesting points re anniversary. What do we think it's worth over a regular C2? +10/15%
trust me you can get a really clean 997 for slightly more than your budget... my advise is get out and have a look at some cars, the difference in condition at the same price point is astonishing! I would like a 997, however I'd prefer a really clean 996 than an average 997.
Hopefully I can find the car I need for less than £24k however I'm prepared to pay good money for the right car.
I'm in no hurry, but want one before Xmas.
Interesting points re anniversary. What do we think it's worth over a regular C2? +10/15%
I'd agree with the above that £24K is way over-budget for a 996 C2. You should be able to find a nice clean low mileage example for well under £20K. I wouldn't bother with the anniversary model personally, although it is well specced with the power upgrade and LSD. But it will limit your choice considerably and probably will cost a premium. When I last looked they were similar money to a C4S i.e. a good few grand more expensive than a standard C2.
It's interesting that the Anniversary model has always seemed a bit unloved. They seem to take a while to sell and I'm not sure that they should fetch particularly much more than a good equivalent spec 3.6 C2.
From my own experience of 996s I would say for road use make sure you get one with the switchable Porsche sports exhaust as it really transforms the experience, but if you're going to track it then be careful as mine (on a C4S) tested at 103db on the quiet setting, and 107 on noisy!
For residuals you would be much much better off going for a C4S or a Turbo at this money.
From my own experience of 996s I would say for road use make sure you get one with the switchable Porsche sports exhaust as it really transforms the experience, but if you're going to track it then be careful as mine (on a C4S) tested at 103db on the quiet setting, and 107 on noisy!
For residuals you would be much much better off going for a C4S or a Turbo at this money.
It's interesting that the Anniversary model has always seemed a bit unloved. They seem to take a while to sell and I'm not sure that they should fetch particularly much more than a good equivalent spec 3.6 C2.
From my own experience of 996s I would say for road use make sure you get one with the switchable Porsche sports exhaust as it really transforms the experience, but if you're going to track it then be careful as mine (on a C4S) tested at 103db on the quiet setting, and 107 on noisy!
For residuals you would be much much better off going for a C4S or a Turbo at this money.
From my own experience of 996s I would say for road use make sure you get one with the switchable Porsche sports exhaust as it really transforms the experience, but if you're going to track it then be careful as mine (on a C4S) tested at 103db on the quiet setting, and 107 on noisy!
For residuals you would be much much better off going for a C4S or a Turbo at this money.
Edited by Cavey on Friday 31st August 12:24
andrewturner said:
Stuff
24k will buy you a very nice example of a 996 C2. Just a quick thing - no 996 models have switchable suspension (PASM), only some 997 models and beyond have that. Two examples that spring to mind at dealers;996 C4 - Paragon
996 C2 - 911 Virgin
Just to make the decision process even harder, if you do change your mind and go down the modification route (and decide to stuff residuals!), some money on the second one will get you a 3.9l, 380bhp engine, rebuilt 'box, LSD, and sports exhaust. And you'll still be within budget!
I'd just like to say how nice it is to see a thread in which someone is willing to pay the extra for a high standard car, not the usual "want a perfect 996 with no more than 10,000 miles and my budget is five pounds eighty."
Good luck with the search OP, you appear to have the right attitude to buying a car.
Good luck with the search OP, you appear to have the right attitude to buying a car.
If you fancy the 40 year car then don't be swayed by the naysayers. I've got one and think the X51 is well worth having. If you can get one with PSE then grab it. Mine lacks it and I have to suffer the fact our C4S has it and sounds great.
I don't think it's worth any extra money but I have seen them marked up at a premium. Bear in mind the dodgy chrome wheels suffer a lot in the UK.
The M030 suspension is not that compliant, so make sure you drive one before committing.
I took the view that early 997s are best avoided and I'll sit tight until I move to a later one. That said, finding a 997 with X51 has proved hard so far.
I don't think it's worth any extra money but I have seen them marked up at a premium. Bear in mind the dodgy chrome wheels suffer a lot in the UK.
The M030 suspension is not that compliant, so make sure you drive one before committing.
I took the view that early 997s are best avoided and I'll sit tight until I move to a later one. That said, finding a 997 with X51 has proved hard so far.
Thanks all.
Some good points.
I have been looking at 997's however the ones that fall into my budget haven't been what I hoped for. Cridfords have a black 3.8 with pasm and slippy diff however for £28 it was too rough round the edges for my liking. This is why I've semi decided on a nice 996.
I appreciate I could buy 2 996's for my 'max' budget however is a £12k 996 what ive described I want?... No.
I know it's contentious however ive waited for this moment for about 5 years and a really nice 996 I think will fit the bill.
Re the C4 and C4S, I'd prefer to stay 2wd for the proper 911 experience, and re turbo, I don't have the budget or deep enough pockets to run one of those in my price bracket.
Will check out Malton cars and ive been keeping an eye on the usual suspects (911 virgin etc).
Will probably look at all 5 anniversarys on the trader and go from there although it might take a few weeks.
Some good points.
I have been looking at 997's however the ones that fall into my budget haven't been what I hoped for. Cridfords have a black 3.8 with pasm and slippy diff however for £28 it was too rough round the edges for my liking. This is why I've semi decided on a nice 996.
I appreciate I could buy 2 996's for my 'max' budget however is a £12k 996 what ive described I want?... No.
I know it's contentious however ive waited for this moment for about 5 years and a really nice 996 I think will fit the bill.
Re the C4 and C4S, I'd prefer to stay 2wd for the proper 911 experience, and re turbo, I don't have the budget or deep enough pockets to run one of those in my price bracket.
Will check out Malton cars and ive been keeping an eye on the usual suspects (911 virgin etc).
Will probably look at all 5 anniversarys on the trader and go from there although it might take a few weeks.
andrewturner said:
Re the C4 and C4S, I'd prefer to stay 2wd for the proper 911 experience, and re turbo, I don't have the budget or deep enough pockets to run one of those in my price bracket.
Andrew - have you driven a good range of 996s? The 4WD models are 95-60% RWD so are very much a 911 to drive.
As far as Turbo running costs go, I think you would be very surprised how close they are to a Carrera once you find a good indie.
6C4GTS said:
andrewturner said:
Re the C4 and C4S, I'd prefer to stay 2wd for the proper 911 experience, and re turbo, I don't have the budget or deep enough pockets to run one of those in my price bracket.
Andrew - have you driven a good range of 996s? The 4WD models are 95-60% RWD so are very much a 911 to drive.
As far as Turbo running costs go, I think you would be very surprised how close they are to a Carrera once you find a good indie.
I've driven a few 997 c4s' and found them to under steer a fair bit however I will accept there is lots to learn with driving a 911 vs my m coupe.
I think a turbo would be all the car id ever want, but trying to keep things sensible at the moment, remember my OCD obsession and I do want a minter...
mikees said:
Noooooooo. 997 surely.
My 997 C2s with new clutch, pads disks and £2.5k of new paintwork/wheels and 18 months of OPC warranty would only be 23ish.
Keep looking.
Mike
Ok, show me a 997 c2s for £23k and I'll be round this afternoon. Nothing in classifieds. My 997 C2s with new clutch, pads disks and £2.5k of new paintwork/wheels and 18 months of OPC warranty would only be 23ish.
Keep looking.
Mike
There have been a few low 20's ones over the last few months but they're all leggy and being sold due to 'financial' issues which scares me (how looked after is a 911 run on a budget?).
Trust me I'd love a 997 over a 996 but really don't want to be spending another couple of grand putting it 'right' with a front bumper repaint, get the dent man out, redyeing bolsters, new disks& pads and a decent service. This puts me in to a £26k+ car which I don't want to spend.
Who's got some links any anything they'd recommend for such a fussy bugger
Here a pic of my coupe, have a look at my profile for running costs. Not afraid of spending money maintaining something but I got the m coupe wrong, bought one needin paint to be perfect on top of the usual bits. Don't want to go here again.
Edited by andrewturner on Saturday 1st September 07:51
Edited by andrewturner on Saturday 1st September 07:52
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