Thinking about moving from TVR Chimaera to 911(996)
Discussion
Having had a TVR 350i followed by a Chimaera 450 for 4 and 6 years respectively, I am now considering changing to a Porsche 911 (996) but I am a bit concerned about their reliability and would welcome some advice about what should I be looking for? In the 10 years of TVR ownership I have had no problems whatsoever, but reading some of the forums on 911(996s) they sound even worse that Speed6/AJP TVRs!
Having changed from a Tuscan to a 996 almost a year ago I have to say it was the best decision I have ever made. The Tuscan was forever throwing up niggly little issues and at some points seemed to spend more time in the garage being repaired than I spent driving it. The 996 however has only ever been to the garage for the usual service & routine work.
Both cars where purchased with extensive service histories so I was confident that both had been well looked after but even with the Tuscan having a quarter of the miles the Porsche had the constant problems finally made my mind up and I went for the 996. The only thing I miss about the Tuscan is the awesome power compared to the Porsche but the Porsche more than makes up for it in reliability and comfort. As for engine reliability I cannot say I have had any problems although an extensive check is well worth paying for as this will throw up any potential wallet disasters.
In my opinion go for it you will not be disappointed in the least.
Both cars where purchased with extensive service histories so I was confident that both had been well looked after but even with the Tuscan having a quarter of the miles the Porsche had the constant problems finally made my mind up and I went for the 996. The only thing I miss about the Tuscan is the awesome power compared to the Porsche but the Porsche more than makes up for it in reliability and comfort. As for engine reliability I cannot say I have had any problems although an extensive check is well worth paying for as this will throw up any potential wallet disasters.
In my opinion go for it you will not be disappointed in the least.
A good mate of mine just sold his Cerbera 4.5 before Xmas and had a strict £14k-£15k budget.
Given that that wouldn't get him anything other than a 996 he decided upon a pre-facelift C2 manual coupe but it had to have the aero-kit, as he's been hanging around my GT3 too long.
We've just found him an absolute gem of a car coming from a P'header, magazine featured for a series about its full Hartech rebuild. It also has KWV3s, bespoke retimmed interior which is a work of art, etc, etc.
We're off to Birmingham next Saturday to collect it. I'll keep schtum til then.
I'm so excited I've already called first refusal on it for when he sells in a few years.
Having spent a fair bit of time in his Cerb, I think you'll miss the noise, maybe the quirky interior and maybe the styling as it's a bit more daring than 911s, especially 996s.
However, you'll instantly appreciate how well screwed together a 911 is, yes even a 996. People always go on about how the door sounds on the old cars when you shut it. I think it sounds horrible, like a tinny "clack" noise. I love the fact my 996 sounds solid, like a quality product.
You'll also find loads of confidence in the chassis. I never felt safe in the Cerbera. A combination of poor visibilty through the letter-box windscreen, all that power and not a particularly confidence inspiring feel from the steering or chassis.
I say go for it. Get a fruity exhaust on there, maybe the aerokit depending on your tastes and you'll love it.
As far as the engine problems go, they do exist! This is what we decided when looking for my mates.
1) Buy a car with a Hartech rebuild with all known issues/weakpoints sorted. This is the best route.
2) If you can't find a Hartech rebuilt car, then just budget for some Hartech mods or at least a new IMS bearing to be fitted at some point. You'll still have the risk of bore-scoring but will have at least eliminated one of the main things, the IMS.
If you get a nice 996 and aren't too unlucky, they are a fantastic buy.
Good luck.
Given that that wouldn't get him anything other than a 996 he decided upon a pre-facelift C2 manual coupe but it had to have the aero-kit, as he's been hanging around my GT3 too long.
We've just found him an absolute gem of a car coming from a P'header, magazine featured for a series about its full Hartech rebuild. It also has KWV3s, bespoke retimmed interior which is a work of art, etc, etc.
We're off to Birmingham next Saturday to collect it. I'll keep schtum til then.
I'm so excited I've already called first refusal on it for when he sells in a few years.
Having spent a fair bit of time in his Cerb, I think you'll miss the noise, maybe the quirky interior and maybe the styling as it's a bit more daring than 911s, especially 996s.
However, you'll instantly appreciate how well screwed together a 911 is, yes even a 996. People always go on about how the door sounds on the old cars when you shut it. I think it sounds horrible, like a tinny "clack" noise. I love the fact my 996 sounds solid, like a quality product.
You'll also find loads of confidence in the chassis. I never felt safe in the Cerbera. A combination of poor visibilty through the letter-box windscreen, all that power and not a particularly confidence inspiring feel from the steering or chassis.
I say go for it. Get a fruity exhaust on there, maybe the aerokit depending on your tastes and you'll love it.
As far as the engine problems go, they do exist! This is what we decided when looking for my mates.
1) Buy a car with a Hartech rebuild with all known issues/weakpoints sorted. This is the best route.
2) If you can't find a Hartech rebuilt car, then just budget for some Hartech mods or at least a new IMS bearing to be fitted at some point. You'll still have the risk of bore-scoring but will have at least eliminated one of the main things, the IMS.
If you get a nice 996 and aren't too unlucky, they are a fantastic buy.
Good luck.
Edited by marky911 on Wednesday 30th January 18:35
Yeah I'm on drugs. My life revolves around them. 
The noise I'm talking about is the noise people always bang on about on 993s and earlier, the "thunk" as you put it. It may have a slight thunk to it, although no more than any other car, but that is drowned out by the "clack" you get from the catch or whatever.
I can't believe we're discussing thunks and clacks, it actually is almost like dope talk.
Anyway, I just laugh when I read peoples comments about the door shutting noise. It's bloody horrible. A 996 door sounds much, much better than the old stuff.
It's of little relevance to either car though and not on most peoples shopping lists I'd imagine (mine included), which is why I mentioned it. It really isn't a sign of quality, that noise. If it was, other manufacturers would have engineered it in by now.
My god, I cannot believe I've just had to sit and explain why I don't like that noise.
The noise I'm talking about is the noise people always bang on about on 993s and earlier, the "thunk" as you put it. It may have a slight thunk to it, although no more than any other car, but that is drowned out by the "clack" you get from the catch or whatever.
I can't believe we're discussing thunks and clacks, it actually is almost like dope talk.
Anyway, I just laugh when I read peoples comments about the door shutting noise. It's bloody horrible. A 996 door sounds much, much better than the old stuff.
It's of little relevance to either car though and not on most peoples shopping lists I'd imagine (mine included), which is why I mentioned it. It really isn't a sign of quality, that noise. If it was, other manufacturers would have engineered it in by now.
My god, I cannot believe I've just had to sit and explain why I don't like that noise.
I moved from TVR to Porsche and can recommend it greatly, Now have a 964 got there via a Boxster S and a 996, both were great cars but somehow lacked a sense of occasion that the Chimaera's gave me, did not feel special, while the 964 has that 'something' that makes it special (to me anyway)
There's some other threads running in here at the minute about abuse etc.
I get way more positive comments than negative. Infact I can count the negative situations on one hand. I wouldn't even let it register in your thoughts when deciding to buy something you've worked hard for and aspire to own.
I get way more positive comments than negative. Infact I can count the negative situations on one hand. I wouldn't even let it register in your thoughts when deciding to buy something you've worked hard for and aspire to own.
I've recently moved from a Chimaera 400 and Impreza WRX to a 996 C2 3.6. Wasn't using the Chim enough so decided to buy one car that I could use every day but would replace both.
I loved both of the other cars but I'm also delighted with the Porker. The Chim was great and I had no big bills in 5 years ownership but it always felt like a car built in a shed in Blackpool with niggly problems and bits dropping off, although I think lack of use may have been a factor. It never felt that safe at speed either, although that did add to the excitement!
The 911 feels very well engineered and solid and is easy to use daily but still very quick and rewarding to drive, especially with the sports exhaust, which you'll probably need after the tremendous aural pleasure of the TVR!
I've only had it a couple of months but it's been faultless so far and I have no regrets. Can't help feeling all the scaremongery of engine failure may be a little over-hyped? (I have fingers crossed though!)
I loved both of the other cars but I'm also delighted with the Porker. The Chim was great and I had no big bills in 5 years ownership but it always felt like a car built in a shed in Blackpool with niggly problems and bits dropping off, although I think lack of use may have been a factor. It never felt that safe at speed either, although that did add to the excitement!
The 911 feels very well engineered and solid and is easy to use daily but still very quick and rewarding to drive, especially with the sports exhaust, which you'll probably need after the tremendous aural pleasure of the TVR!
I've only had it a couple of months but it's been faultless so far and I have no regrets. Can't help feeling all the scaremongery of engine failure may be a little over-hyped? (I have fingers crossed though!)
Gazza450 said:
Guys, Thanks for the great response, so far no real horror stories about the engine and nobody regretting the change to Porsche. Have to say that the debate on door thunks went over my head since a TVR has a different sound all of its own!
Yes, the gentle creaking sound of corroding outriggers.mollytherocker said:
Gazza450 said:
Guys, Thanks for the great response, so far no real horror stories about the engine and nobody regretting the change to Porsche. Have to say that the debate on door thunks went over my head since a TVR has a different sound all of its own!
Yes, the gentle creaking sound of corroding outriggers.
i have my car up for sale & it has the engine issues sorted if you would like to discuss further
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
kind regards
m
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
kind regards
m
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