Advice on 911 Purchase

[monet100]

Hi everyone I have just joined up but I have been lurking in the shadows for a while trying to educate myself.

Sorry beforehand because I know you have probably seen these types of questions by newbies hundreds of times!

Well like most people I have always dreamed of owning a 911, and after putting my head down and driving an old car whilst trying to save I have managed to put together around 30k.

Yeah it's coming lol. So in which 911 would you guys recommend I put it? My guess is a 997, but you hear so many things about the right colour, spec and model for depreciation and such that I need your advice. Obviously I would want a warranty and reading about them the best would be an OPC one. I just don't want to throw money away that I have saved hard for without getting as much advice as I can.

Thanks very much for any advice in advance.

[996TT02]

I had your budget and plumped for a 996 Turbo.

Concerns about IMS-RMS etc did it for me plus the 996 Turbo was/is the cheapest Turbo around so if not at, must be rather close to the bottom of the depreciation curve.

And, since I also considered absolutely all options except pre-impact bumper cars, not half as likely to kill me as an earlier car with (starting from) less than half the power.

[dank]

Agreed, I was in same position, went for a very good, indie specialist 996 Turbo, has all the toys, and the power and is a 911 Turbo !

Depreciation is definitely trailing off, although I bought mine to enjoy and not worried about what I may or may not get in X years time, i try and drive it everyday, amazing machine, go out and drive one, then drive a 997, see and feel the difference!!!

It's a great position to be in, so enjoy the whole purchasing process as it's part of the game, buy the car YOU like, and the spec you like, don't care what anyone else thinks or says, its your money and you'll be driving it, I would suggest a good indie for your budget is the bets bet, wouldn't want to drop 30k into a car privately ( personal choice ), too many things to go wrong on a car like this!

[Magic919]

You'll struggle to get an OPC 997 as £30k is the lower end of their 997 stock. I think it's the only warranty worth having, so either spend a bit more or prepare for limited choice.

[mollytherocker]

Magic919 said:

You'll struggle to get an OPC 997 as £30k is the lower end of their 997 stock. I think it's the only warranty worth having, so either spend a bit more or prepare for limited choice.

Just had a quick look and there is only one! And it's £29668.

In fact there is only 8 between 30 and 35k. I guess they are moving away from gen 1 997's now.

[Fattrader]

A 996 turbo is likely to have higher running costs than a NA. Fighting depreciation is a losing battle. Buy the best you can afford and fits your lifestyle the best. All the cars are superb. I would buy off of someone like 911v. They hold high quality stock and any car from them is unlikely to fail outside of your own personal abuse. Far cheaper to buy from them and get them to recommend a good indy close to you to look after the car.

Have fun and enjoy. The searching and educating is part of the fun. I would consider a well sorted 996 C2 or C4s or if you do not want back seats Spyder or Cayman R. I had a similar budget and ended up with a GT3.

[StuB]

You really have to see what is in your budget, then actually try them to see what appeals to you.

[SEE YA]

Why not go for an A/C 911 they are holding there money well these days.
You will not lose money come selling time?

[monet100]

Thanks for the comments so far!

You get a lot more car for your money buying privately, but without that warranty it's too much of a gamble. What are the warranties like at indi garages? Would I be better off trying to stretch my budget and go for a 997 gen 2. I could possibly stretch it and get a c2. Just loads of thoughts going through my head at the moment. It may be worth asking a private buyer to put a car through the warranty process as long as I pay.

[Magic919]

If you can skip Gen 1 entirely, it'll be easier to get an OPC car and you'll get the bonus of it being Gen 2. I'd probably have considered a non-S rather than a Gen 1 in the same position. It'll give you more years of OPC warranty as it's a newer car( you can renew until 9th birthday).

[monet100]

Decisions decisions, it's a bit like a mine field.

I did consider a Cayman but I really need back seats. The car is unlikely to do for than 5k miles a year, but if it only had two seats the opportunities to use it would be a lot less.

[monet100]

There is this one advertised what do you think? It;s being sold privately so I would have to ask them to get the warranty put on. I think this is about the right price but like i've said, that's why I am on here to learn from you guys/girls. Only thing I can think of is that it's got 19" wheels and no PASM.

911 (997) GEN 2, 28900 miles FULL PORSCHE SERVICE HISTORY, full service recently carried out, Only 1 Owner, Brand New MOT, Gen 2 Engine Gives Higher BHP, Better Reliability & Improved Body Styling, Fantastic condition, 19" Sport Design Alloys, Multifunction Steering Wheel, PCM Touch Screen Extended Navigation System, MP3 / I Phone Plug In, Bose Surround Sound, Sports Seats, Heated Seats, Rear Parking Sensors, Bluetooth Phone Module, Leather Dash, Porsche Stability Module, Climate Control. £37,500

[johnycarrera]

monet100 said:

Thanks for the comments so far!

You get a lot more car for your money buying privately, but without that warranty it's too much of a gamble. What are the warranties like at indi garages? Would I be better off trying to stretch my budget and go for a 997 gen 2. I could possibly stretch it and get a c2. Just loads of thoughts going through my head at the moment. It may be worth asking a private buyer to put a car through the warranty process as long as I pay.

Shouldn't be any issues with asking the current private owner to put car through 111 point check and OPC warranty and you will pay, especially if they then have to accept the cost of anything thrown up by the 111 point check.
I wouldn't touch an independent warranty from personal experience. If you can stretch to a gen 2 997, that's a no brainer, but if not i'd go for a gen 1 and get the OPC warranty.
Only due to aesthetics though as i'm not a 996 fan. If you don't mind the looks go for the 996 turbo's awesome performance and hope it doesn't break stuff. Turbos are heavy cars and if you drive them hard they break/ wear out things more quickly and the parts are dearer........

What do you love about 911s or why do you want one?

[mollytherocker]

monet100 said:

There is this one advertised what do you think? It;s being sold privately so I would have to ask them to get the warranty put on. I think this is about the right price but like i've said, that's why I am on here to learn from you guys/girls. Only thing I can think of is that it's got 19" wheels and no PASM.

911 (997) GEN 2, 28900 miles FULL PORSCHE SERVICE HISTORY, full service recently carried out, Only 1 Owner, Brand New MOT, Gen 2 Engine Gives Higher BHP, Better Reliability & Improved Body Styling, Fantastic condition, 19" Sport Design Alloys, Multifunction Steering Wheel, PCM Touch Screen Extended Navigation System, MP3 / I Phone Plug In, Bose Surround Sound, Sports Seats, Heated Seats, Rear Parking Sensors, Bluetooth Phone Module, Leather Dash, Porsche Stability Module, Climate Control. £37,500

That's a low price. Be very careful. Do you have a link?

[monet100]

The car is in Pistonheads classifieds. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[johnycarrera]

monet100 said:

The car is in Pistonheads classifieds. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

That looks lovely and priced as it should be.

[Magic919]

For a non-S without PDK it's ok for a private sale.

I'd pay a bit more and get the PDK one at Leeds.

[monet100]

Which one in Leeds?

[monet100]

I keep going from one car to another and my budget keeps creeping up

How many people would go for a 996 turbo over a 997 gen 2 carerra and how many people would choose the car below

PORSCHE 911 (997) TURBO 3.6

06 - 2006 480 bhp
Cobalt blue with black leather
3.6 litre twin turbo
4 wheel drive
6 speed manual gearbox
Climate control
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
Satellite Navigation (PCM 2) & Tel
Sports chrono
Electric sunroof
Bose sound upgrade
Parking distance control
Fully electric memory seats
Cruise control
Tyre pressure monitoring
Litronic headlights
Rear wiper
19 inch turbo wheels

FULL SERVICE HISTORY £43,000 This is advertised on RSJ

[johnycarrera]

997 Turbo definitely!

You've just increased your budget by 13 grand, top man maths!