Another "what 911 to start" post

[Rudolf R]

Hi,

Been lurking for a while but just signed up. I'm very keen to join the ranks of Porsche owners- and have reason to believe my greatest hurdle so far might have been overcome. That said, I have to tread carefully, so appreciate advice.

Do I get a 996 for about 11/12k- which will be seen as sensible price for a car etc, and then have potentially super expensive maintenance/repairs that will put the Mrs off me ever having a better one- OR- do I stretch for a 997 24/5K- and pray nothing expensive breaks/ take the flak if it does?

It wouldn't be a DD, but the fact there is the option to put the little one in the back and use it regularly/reliably has been part of my sales pitch.

Thanks!

[mollytherocker]

I think your question is almost impossible to answer. How much do you want to spend and how much can you?

[foreverme]

No difference between the cars if you are thinking about the dreaded engine pop...

[Rudolf R]

I could theoretically spend 25K, but as I don't have sole charge on family finances, I need to be diplomatic. What I'm really asking advice on, is whether a 997 would be a prudent call over a cheaper looking 996 -in the long run. I just want to try and make the odds of a happy first 911 experience higher, meaning my Porsche dreams don't end with car no.1

[foreverme]

Rudolf R said:

I could theoretically spend 25K, but as I don't have sole charge on family finances, I need to be diplomatic. What I'm really asking advice on, is whether a 997 would be a prudent call over a cheaper looking 996 -in the long run. I just want to try and make the odds of a happy first 911 experience higher, meaning my Porsche dreams don't end with car no.1

I would say no, buy a 996 turbo for your 25K, and you will not have the chocolate engine, but the running costs and maintenance are higher....

[mollytherocker]

Rudolf R said:

I could theoretically spend 25K, but as I don't have sole charge on family finances, I need to be diplomatic. What I'm really asking advice on, is whether a 997 would be a prudent call over a cheaper looking 996 -in the long run. I just want to try and make the odds of a happy first 911 experience higher, meaning my Porsche dreams don't end with car no.1

With what you have given us to go on, I will suggest a Hartech engined 996 for circa 14k.

[chiark]

I was in pretty much exactly the situation you are... Up to 25k potential budget, but at that level I would be in trouble if something major happened. It's my first Porsche after a couple of 6 pot BMWs and turbocharged Subarus...

Almost bought a 997 C2 with nearly 90k miles on it for under 20k, but the engine issues kept worrying me,

Then along came a 2002 996 C2 with a hartech rebuild 3 years, 20k ago, for £15k. The rest, as they say, is history: fantastic car, well cared for with a full folder of service history, invoices... Just what I wanted.

I did see a couple of rough cars before parting with my hard earned, so buy very much with your head as well as your heart.

[Mr Ping]

I think the interesting thing in this dilemma is that you are deciding between spending 10-11k on a 996 which can potentially suffer a catastrophic engine failure from the IMS "issue", or spending 24/25k on a 997....which can also suffer from the same problem.

Whichever one your get you can expect to spend an extra grand on either car for a retrofit IMS bearing / Mod to sleep soundly at night (if it bothers you that much) or just get a 996 Turbo.

Personally I'd say get a 996, get an IMS mod and a PSE, then run it into the ground. If it ever blows up then you won't feel anywhere near as depressed about it!

[chiark]

...or bore score (which is why my car had a rebuild). Or D-Chunking for older engines.

I like the suggestion of running it into the ground .

[retreat]

991

Go in at the top

Blow the lot on finance, makes little sense if you are self employed, non if you are PAYE but blimey, what a fantastic motor. After a few years go back to the Focus and bore your mates with tales of the 991 without worrying about oil leaks and over revving!

[davek_964]

Remember that even if the 997 is newer and hence requires a lower maintenance fund, you will still pay for it in other ways. It will depreciate much further / faster than a £12k 996.

[r4_rick]

Aren't these scenarios an even proposition........if the 996 pops you'll fix it for less than £10k, whereas the 997, will shed that in depreciation over time..........the 997 is nicer inside and prettier but then it's 10k more for fundamentally the same driving experience ?

I would keep an open mind and buy the one that impresses you in terms of condition, spec and history. On either I'd be looking for PSE

[r4_rick]

Aren't these scenarios an even proposition........if the 996 pops you'll fix it for less than £10k, whereas the 997, will shed that in depreciation over time..........the 997 is nicer inside and prettier but then it's 10k more for fundamentally the same driving experience ?

I would keep an open mind and buy the one that impresses you in terms of condition, spec and history. On either I'd be looking for PSE

[Magic919]

The only guarantee is the depreciation bit. If the 997 suffers IMS or bore problems then the pendulum swings the other way.

I still think early 997 is a bad idea. Some of those older ones are pretty unloved and will need a few bob spending to get straight.

[dank]

Get a 996 Turbo, engines are bullet proof ( so i hear ! ) running costs higher that C2, but much much faster and has the gorgeous Turbo rump, depreciation has virtually stopped, so a good one, well looked after should see a decent return on your money if you sell it in a few years, could even go the way of other Turbo models, and increase in price ( wishful thinking !!!! )

I was in the same situation, seems like it's a common route into Porsche ownership, ie. have a low ish budget, fear of buying something at that low budget, see much better cars for more money, budget extends...Turbo sits on drive way....

There's no guarantees with any cars that will prevent having to spend money out eventually, Porsche are not a cheap car to own, but very very rewarding an experience! Life is too short, buy the best you can, stick the 25k into a Turbo and get a years warranty,

[Steviesam]

Or get one on an Indys "Maintenance Plan".

[Crimp a Length!]

Start off with a nice 996 c2 with a warranty.
Lost all residuals now and if you get a nice one you'll be great.

Then work your way to a Turbo, they are awesome (on my second-have a host of 911's)
On my second.

[dank]

or don't wait and go for the Turbo first!