Recommend me a 996
Discussion
Hi Guys,
After owning a 911 from a young age (yes it was a yellow matchbox one at the age of four!), I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy one. I am looking at a budget of up to 12k max, I just wonder what car you would recommend as I think a private 3.6 might just slip into the 12 k category but am I better just going for a nice 3.4 with sensible mileage which would be a bit cheaper?
I have read various forums and there seems to be a lot of talk about main shaft failure but after looking through all the scaremongering it seems to be a relatively unlikely failure. Would I be right in thinking if it hasn't happened to a 10 year old plus car by now it's unlikely to happen?
I will use the car as a daily driver but I don't do many miles at all so I would like some good advice from guys who have experience of these cars and not people who kust hang around forums and pass on "information" they have read elsewhere and have never owned or worked on a 996! :-)
Cheers, Davie.
After owning a 911 from a young age (yes it was a yellow matchbox one at the age of four!), I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy one. I am looking at a budget of up to 12k max, I just wonder what car you would recommend as I think a private 3.6 might just slip into the 12 k category but am I better just going for a nice 3.4 with sensible mileage which would be a bit cheaper?
I have read various forums and there seems to be a lot of talk about main shaft failure but after looking through all the scaremongering it seems to be a relatively unlikely failure. Would I be right in thinking if it hasn't happened to a 10 year old plus car by now it's unlikely to happen?
I will use the car as a daily driver but I don't do many miles at all so I would like some good advice from guys who have experience of these cars and not people who kust hang around forums and pass on "information" they have read elsewhere and have never owned or worked on a 996! :-)
Cheers, Davie.
I would say your better off getting a good 3.4 than a 3.6, as the cheapest ones start at around 12k.
I had a 3.4 C2 manual for about three years with no problems. I stayed clear of tiptronic and 4wd, just costs more if something go's wrong.
Get an inspection by a Porsche specialist, and keep 1k for any problems you might have.
Good luck.
I had a 3.4 C2 manual for about three years with no problems. I stayed clear of tiptronic and 4wd, just costs more if something go's wrong.
Get an inspection by a Porsche specialist, and keep 1k for any problems you might have.
Good luck.
I just brought a 3.4 Carrera2 with 70k on the clock, a folder as thick as a book and it is awesome. It's made me think about giving back the company car ( a 50k car) and running the Porsche daily as its that good. If it goes bang I'll visit Hartech as the rebuilds seem to pretty much hold the expense in resale value (from the ads I've seen?). I might be biased but for the money you are hard pushed to beat a well looked after 3.4. You'll be looking at a ropey 3.6 for 12k probably?
You will be able to get a 3.4 with recent clutch, discs, pads etc... I'd stay 2wd and Manual, with PSM, and without Sat Nav.
Happy hunting.
You will be able to get a 3.4 with recent clutch, discs, pads etc... I'd stay 2wd and Manual, with PSM, and without Sat Nav.
Happy hunting.
Edited by Sallen43 on Sunday 13th January 19:36
I just out mine up for sale: http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Seems to fit your criteria, let me know if interested.
Seems to fit your criteria, let me know if interested.
I bought a 3.6 for £12250 about 8 months ago, with 95K miles, and immaculate throughout.
It's been superb - really, *really* good - I own a garage so I get to drive lots of cars, but this is my favourite thing for ages.
I was in an E60 M5 all day today - just nowhere near as much fun to drive.
The 996 takes the miles well, and arguably the 3.6s are less prone to the IMS failure problem.
Only problem I've had is a brake line failed (slowly, and I just lost pedal travel. New lines were £150 delivered and about 4 hours workshop time (free to me, oddly...). Apart from that, it's been faultless.
I went for a manual C2, and I haven't regretted it for a moment.
It's been superb - really, *really* good - I own a garage so I get to drive lots of cars, but this is my favourite thing for ages.
I was in an E60 M5 all day today - just nowhere near as much fun to drive.
The 996 takes the miles well, and arguably the 3.6s are less prone to the IMS failure problem.
Only problem I've had is a brake line failed (slowly, and I just lost pedal travel. New lines were £150 delivered and about 4 hours workshop time (free to me, oddly...). Apart from that, it's been faultless.
I went for a manual C2, and I haven't regretted it for a moment.
I paid £12750, for a 99 C2 3.4, manual - from a dealer, about 6 weeks ago, on the high side, but mileage at 60k is good, been serviced every year, low owners and in mint condition. and given a lot have been heavily used i think that's quite important, nice carpets and leather etc, etc, switches not all worn. Nice and simple too, only extras being extended leather, rear wiper and no sunroof. Silver with Blue Metropole trim. Using it as my daily alongside the van for work so not clocking up too many miles and it's great, would thoroughly recommend one, you've just got to be brave about the IMS thing, my plan is to get the uprated part fitted as soon as some share dividends come in !
r4_rick said:
I paid £12750, for a 99 C2 3.4, manual - from a dealer, about 6 weeks ago, on the high side, but mileage at 60k is good, been serviced every year, low owners and in mint condition. and given a lot have been heavily used i think that's quite important, nice carpets and leather etc, etc, switches not all worn. Nice and simple too, only extras being extended leather, rear wiper and no sunroof. Silver with Blue Metropole trim. Using it as my daily alongside the van for work so not clocking up too many miles and it's great, would thoroughly recommend one, you've just got to be brave about the IMS thing, my plan is to get the uprated part fitted as soon as some share dividends come in !
The IMS & RMS interestingly do not care how much you pay for your pride and joy...I still bought one, and the chance of something happening is relatively small, but if it does go, then its £5000 - £7000 down the swanny, or sell the car on eBay as a non runner!
(and a decent service history is no safeguard against it either, only receipts for the aforementioned parts having been replaced for upgraded items)
Great cars never the less, and more fun per £££'s than just about anything on four wheels!!
davektm said:
Hi Guys,
After owning a 911 from a young age (yes it was a yellow matchbox one at the age of four!), I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy one. I am looking at a budget of up to 12k max, I just wonder what car you would recommend as I think a private 3.6 might just slip into the 12 k category but am I better just going for a nice 3.4 with sensible mileage which would be a bit cheaper?
I have read various forums and there seems to be a lot of talk about main shaft failure but after looking through all the scaremongering it seems to be a relatively unlikely failure. Would I be right in thinking if it hasn't happened to a 10 year old plus car by now it's unlikely to happen?
I will use the car as a daily driver but I don't do many miles at all so I would like some good advice from guys who have experience of these cars and not people who kust hang around forums and pass on "information" they have read elsewhere and have never owned or worked on a 996! :-)
Cheers, Davie.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/911-carrera-996/porsche-911-996-carrera-2001/993625After owning a 911 from a young age (yes it was a yellow matchbox one at the age of four!), I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy one. I am looking at a budget of up to 12k max, I just wonder what car you would recommend as I think a private 3.6 might just slip into the 12 k category but am I better just going for a nice 3.4 with sensible mileage which would be a bit cheaper?
I have read various forums and there seems to be a lot of talk about main shaft failure but after looking through all the scaremongering it seems to be a relatively unlikely failure. Would I be right in thinking if it hasn't happened to a 10 year old plus car by now it's unlikely to happen?
I will use the car as a daily driver but I don't do many miles at all so I would like some good advice from guys who have experience of these cars and not people who kust hang around forums and pass on "information" they have read elsewhere and have never owned or worked on a 996! :-)
Cheers, Davie.
he will budge alot on this price. i know him give him a call
On the value of a Hartech rebuild front, I'll add my tuppence 
I was looking last year for a 996 (almost bought a targa, then almost bought something else) and was absolutely terrified of the thought of buying something that would need an 8k rebuild... I decided to buy from a recognised independent, and get as much inspection as I could.
Then a car came up - this one, in fact http://www.rpmspecialistcars.co.uk/sales/view/35 - at a Porsche specialist and it had already had a rebuild 2 years ago at Hartech, with 2 cylinder linings replaced and 2 pistons replaced along with strengthening work. I went on the fact that RPM had known the car for quite a while, and told me it wanted for nothing, so bought it.
I've had it for 4 weeks, and it is simply wonderful .
I was looking last year for a 996 (almost bought a targa, then almost bought something else) and was absolutely terrified of the thought of buying something that would need an 8k rebuild... I decided to buy from a recognised independent, and get as much inspection as I could.
Then a car came up - this one, in fact http://www.rpmspecialistcars.co.uk/sales/view/35 - at a Porsche specialist and it had already had a rebuild 2 years ago at Hartech, with 2 cylinder linings replaced and 2 pistons replaced along with strengthening work. I went on the fact that RPM had known the car for quite a while, and told me it wanted for nothing, so bought it.
I've had it for 4 weeks, and it is simply wonderful
.Dave, this really polarizes opinion. Anyone who's coughed up for a rebuild will be (understandably) bitter. I've had a C4S for two and a half years now, it's been fabulous. I bought it to use every (most) days and its been everything I hoped it would. Buy the best condition you can, go in with eyes open ref the possible failings. If you can get it warrantied, that's even better.
On model, I don't think you'll be disappointed by any, the 3.6 cars have slightly better interior, but its still nothing special. Buy the nicest one you can find and enjoy.
On model, I don't think you'll be disappointed by any, the 3.6 cars have slightly better interior, but its still nothing special. Buy the nicest one you can find and enjoy.
Completely agree: I think for the vast majority of the public, the idea of buying a rebuild means you're buying something not factory spec. I don't think there was any premium for the rebuild, and I don't think it reduced the price either.
It certainly made the car a lot more appealing to me.
It certainly made the car a lot more appealing to me.
bridey0 said:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
he will budge alot on this price. i know him give him a call
Should call this guy if you're serious about buying onehe will budge alot on this price. i know him give him a call
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