How many 911 owners is too many?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
So it got me thinking about the reasons one car would have had so many owners. Is it just coincidence? How often do people tend to swap out cars like a C2S? Is it a result of the recession? Pregnancy? Upgrading to something else like I hope I'll do? Is the C2S a kind of mid-level high performance car (if the range runs from BMW M cars and Merc AMDs through Porsches, Jags and Astons on to Ferraris, etc.) that people keep for a year before moving on to something a bit more desirable?
If I was looking at a 2009 Mondeo with three previous owners but with 10,000 miles I'd probably just move on as it doesn't smell quite right. But 911s and other £70k and £80k cars are different second hand, aren't they? Or are they.....?
S&C
I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
So it got me thinking about the reasons one car would have had so many owners. Is it just coincidence? How often do people tend to swap out cars like a C2S? Is it a result of the recession? Pregnancy? Upgrading to something else like I hope I'll do? Is the C2S a kind of mid-level high performance car (if the range runs from BMW M cars and Merc AMDs through Porsches, Jags and Astons on to Ferraris, etc.) that people keep for a year before moving on to something a bit more desirable?
If I was looking at a 2009 Mondeo with three previous owners but with 10,000 miles I'd probably just move on as it doesn't smell quite right. But 911s and other £70k and £80k cars are different second hand, aren't they? Or are they.....?
S&C
Edited by steakandchips on Monday 29th April 20:22
Edited by steakandchips on Monday 29th April 20:23
Mine is same car, same vintage, including me has had 3 owners. 1st owner owned for 2+yrs and did 20+k, 2nd owner owned for a 1+yr and did maybe 1k. I've already done more than that in just over a month.
I thought of selling after a couple of weeks for various reasons, none the fault of the car which is perfect. Had I gone through with it, it'd be a 3 owner car, which knowing it I would be happy to buy again.
3 owners isn't a lot, these cars aren't all bought buy enthusiasts, I'm guessing many are aspirational and disposable purchases and never really driven in anger (I have friends with them and they don't ever want to go for a drive, yet they keep buying them every year or so).
You can always contact one of the previous owners from the V5, I did prior to purchasing mine.
I thought of selling after a couple of weeks for various reasons, none the fault of the car which is perfect. Had I gone through with it, it'd be a 3 owner car, which knowing it I would be happy to buy again.
3 owners isn't a lot, these cars aren't all bought buy enthusiasts, I'm guessing many are aspirational and disposable purchases and never really driven in anger (I have friends with them and they don't ever want to go for a drive, yet they keep buying them every year or so).
You can always contact one of the previous owners from the V5, I did prior to purchasing mine.
Means nothing.
I have never found any correlation between number of owners and condition and if one exists, I actually think it would be negatively correlated. For me, condition is the number one thing.
Won't stop a minority of folks grumbling about it though. You still see the occasional purchaser come along who only wants a one owner car above all else. But they really are a minority, and distinctly so in the enthusiast group.
I have never found any correlation between number of owners and condition and if one exists, I actually think it would be negatively correlated. For me, condition is the number one thing.
Won't stop a minority of folks grumbling about it though. You still see the occasional purchaser come along who only wants a one owner car above all else. But they really are a minority, and distinctly so in the enthusiast group.
OK, thanks for replying. Sets my mind at ease. So out of interest, and at the risk of changing the topic, assuming the price and spec is perfect for me, what else should I look for when buying from an OPC? Maybe the tyres? The clutch? Should I ask for a report of some description and if I did, what should I look for? Or should pay for an independent assessment?
I did search the forum but didn't find anything that really related to this although I'm sure it's all there, but maybe in the form of complaints about OPCs after the purchase has been made.
S&C
I did search the forum but didn't find anything that really related to this although I'm sure it's all there, but maybe in the form of complaints about OPCs after the purchase has been made.
S&C
Have a browse around 911uk.com for more material. You pay a premium at OPC but with a 2 year warranty thrown in you shouldn't have much to worry about. I bought my first from a good independent and my second a couple of weeks ago from OPC. Early days but the preparation was excellent and the whole process very professional. I gather some OPC's are better than others so do a bit of research for your own piece of mind
Gen 2 C2S pricing is hardly any higher at OPCs, I found. The Porsche warranty is a must-have and it's expensive to buy elsewhere, get 111 check then warranty if the car needs any work to qualify.
Make sure you are happy with the cosmetic state of the car, as the OPCs vary. Expect front bumpers to have received attention, but check alloys. Tyres need to have at least 3.5mm of tread, but you can try to wangle new ones if they don't have lots of meat.
You don't need to be so worried about mechanics if you have the OPC warranty. You can't really check the clutch, except by feel. Bear in mind the PDKs are an easier sell for them and try to squeeze the price a bit on a manual.
Make sure you are happy with the cosmetic state of the car, as the OPCs vary. Expect front bumpers to have received attention, but check alloys. Tyres need to have at least 3.5mm of tread, but you can try to wangle new ones if they don't have lots of meat.
You don't need to be so worried about mechanics if you have the OPC warranty. You can't really check the clutch, except by feel. Bear in mind the PDKs are an easier sell for them and try to squeeze the price a bit on a manual.
steakandchips said:
Hi,
I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
So three owners in just over 3 years and then you're looking to keep it for a year or two....I think you've answered your own question. I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
steakandchips said:
Hi,
I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
So it got me thinking about the reasons one car would have had so many owners. Is it just coincidence? How often do people tend to swap out cars like a C2S? Is it a result of the recession? Pregnancy? Upgrading to something else like I hope I'll do? Is the C2S a kind of mid-level high performance car (if the range runs from BMW M cars and Merc AMDs through Porsches, Jags and Astons on to Ferraris, etc.) that people keep for a year before moving on to something a bit more desirable?
If I was looking at a 2009 Mondeo with three previous owners but with 10,000 miles I'd probably just move on as it doesn't smell quite right. But 911s and other £70k and £80k cars are different second hand, aren't they? Or are they.....?
S&C
I've had 3 Porsches - Cayman S I had 11 months, 997 C2 PDK I had 10 months, 997 GTS I had maybe a year.I'm looking at a late 2009 C2S from an OPC that has had three previous owners. The mileage is very low, just over 10,000, which seems good, but is it a problem that the car will have effectively had four owners in less than four years as soon as I buy it (including me, obviously)? I'm thinking about when I go to sell it again in maybe a year or two's time, maybe when I can afford a 991!
So it got me thinking about the reasons one car would have had so many owners. Is it just coincidence? How often do people tend to swap out cars like a C2S? Is it a result of the recession? Pregnancy? Upgrading to something else like I hope I'll do? Is the C2S a kind of mid-level high performance car (if the range runs from BMW M cars and Merc AMDs through Porsches, Jags and Astons on to Ferraris, etc.) that people keep for a year before moving on to something a bit more desirable?
If I was looking at a 2009 Mondeo with three previous owners but with 10,000 miles I'd probably just move on as it doesn't smell quite right. But 911s and other £70k and £80k cars are different second hand, aren't they? Or are they.....?
S&C
Edited by steakandchips on Monday 29th April 20:22
Edited by steakandchips on Monday 29th April 20:23
Many people just like to change cars because they get a bit bored and fancy something new.
Edited by kbf1981 on Tuesday 30th April 20:15
Porsches are like trinkets to many owners,as soon as a new one comes out, they have to buy it as it's the latest thing.Short ownership is very common as is little annual mileage.Mine's done more miles in it's 1st 2 months with me than it did for the last 2 years with it's previous 2 owners.Seems a waste,but that's high end sports cars for you.
..My 4S has had 6 .., didn't bother me at all, priced accordingly.
People often use C2/C4/S cars as these middle price cars are stepping stones on the way up to a turbo, or a GT car, they then use them on the way back again when they either lose their licence, or realize how much they cost to run or depreciate ..!
People often use C2/C4/S cars as these middle price cars are stepping stones on the way up to a turbo, or a GT car, they then use them on the way back again when they either lose their licence, or realize how much they cost to run or depreciate ..!
steakandchips said:
....... the only immediately obvious thing to look for is the mileage?
Oh Yes! One of the first things I learned about Porsche ownership is how the OPCs love to stock low mileage cars. To be honest with the exception of many Cayennes that spend their lives as kid taxis, many fairly recent cars will have low mileage.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff