Buying a 911

[kris wood]

After a few month at last my Cerbera S6 has been sold. Which nows means that I am in a position to buy the 911 replacement. I am still quite keen on the 996 C2/4 but have started to seriously consider a 993T4 which will be about the same money.

Couple of questions, how do the costs of ownership differ between a 996 C2 & 993T4 (want UK spec RHD)?

Second, what are the web sites for the best porsche dealers in the UK (not OPC)? I have found Paragon's site but does anyone know of any other good dealers who are likely to stock one of the models that I seek?

Thanks, Kris

>>> Edited by kris wood on Friday 9th August 13:32

[domster]

There is a nice cheap 996C2 on PH classifieds today.

For 993TTs, you could try Henry at www.911virgin.co.uk

The guy can be a bit of a rude tosspot (vouched for by more than a few PHers) but has extremely cheap cars for sale.

What is your budget and do you want warranties etc? Searching the porsche official site may be good for finding an AFN car, like Turbofree did. More expensive but more peace of mind maybe.

Cheers
Domster
PS Glad HH got rid of your Speed Six.

[GregE240]

Dom,

It's www.911virgin.com - you can't imagine what Google gives back when you type in 911 virgin - basically a load of stuff about Dickie Branson and a load of filth sites

[manu]

Greg - now why did you type that into google...

[kris wood]

My budget is around £50K (will go up a bit for 993). Warranty is required and finance (although this can be arranged separatley). I want something that is at least 3 yrs old so that the depreciation is not as severe as my cerb has just been.

The other key point is running costs, how do they vary?

[BarryG]

I recently bought my 968CS from Henry at 911virgin. He is quite a character and probably rubs a few people up the wrong way.

But, he's straight-talking, very knowledgeable about all things Porsche and (in my opinion) as about as honest as you can get for a second hand car dealer.

[domster]

Errr, I wouldn't necessarily second the honesty comment, he was very cagey about some things I quizzed him about.

He is pretty knowledgable and very straight talking though.

For a 50k budget i would search on the porsche gb website, especially as porsche finance is quite good apparently

Sorry about the 911 virgin mix up - but it gave Greg an opportunity to trawl for filth, so no harm done eh?

[scottster]

I agree, Henry's Porkers are cheap for a reason, and it's not cos he's doing his bit for charidee!!

If you're bored one Sat morning and feel like being treated like a half brained f**kwit then I'd highly recommend a trip down there. If you want to be treated with the respect you deserve when you have £50k in your pocket to spend on a piece of Pork then don't go anywhere near Iver.

His cars are cheap I'll agree and if you are happy to make up your own mind on whether it's a good buy (without listening to those years of well educated car salesman bullshite) then you could get yourself a great deal BUT I don't happen to agree with his style and would happily pay the same money (or less) and but privatly from a nice chap who'll make you a cuppa and get his missus to clean your shoes while you chat.

I'm not prepared to give details but know a funny storey to prove that his cars are 'not' all he'd have you believe....... He'd hate me saying this here, probably try to sue me for slander but he's treated me like shit enough times so if you're listening H - tough poo matey.

[steve-p]

Come on, spill the beans! You can put allegedly every other word if it helps.

[scottster]

Domster knows the storey and studied law at uni so is in a better position to divulge if he feels this is fine



I guess this is nothing more than every other second hand car salesman but just underlined the attitude I detest.

[scottster]

I also went to look there when looking for a 3.2 Carrera and was told that for my budget there was 'No way I'd ever get a half decent example'....although he did have some *stunning* SCs that I should seriously consider. Drove straight to another garage and got one of the best examples of a 3.2 I've ever seen and saved £500 from my budget too. Just the kind of shite spiel that works on the uneducated Porsche driver which pisses me off. There's enough pitfalls to car ownership without every t**t trying to pull a fast one over you.

[domster]

Yeah, we can't slag off people here or tell stories about them - otherwise Ted will get into trouble.

But basically, in Scottster's opinion, and mine, Henry is not one of the better dealers we've dealt with.

[domster]

To say the least.

[danny hoffman]

I went to see him once and he seemed ok to me. After buying a car elsewhere I phoned him for some advice, which he quite happily gave me. I have never had to deal with him though.

If you want to start naming names there is an outfit on the A1/41 in Mill Hill.........................

Danny

[domster]

Yeah, we'd better stop there.

Contact myself or Scottster off list if you want a personal opinion on Henry, otherwise let's just praise the good guys, and go on recommendations!

[ADParker]

Try www.porsche-classified.co.uk/independ.htm for a list of Porsche used car dealer websites

[RUF 3]

I have bought a few Porsches from Cridfords of Surrey, despite living 400 miles away from them. They are very honest pleasant and well mannered !! They only sell correct cars and have been doing so for a long time. I would thoroughly recommend them. The guy who owns Cridfords is Jonathan Leech. Jonathan is a "proper person" who knows Porsches and exists by selling good cars at the right money. I have put a number of people in his direction over the years and every one of them has been well happy with the car, the price and the help and courtesy shown to them. They can be found on cridfords.co.uk. If he does not have what you want he will find the right car for you.

>> Edited by RUF 3 on Saturday 10th August 09:10

[kris wood]

thanks for the sites

[Richard92c2]

ERM ... He is an absolute idiot ... I cant believe some of you think he's a "Straight Talker" or "Down the line"

I went up there not having had no fore warning about him (a virgin)to view and possibly buy a turbo that he advertised on their site.He tried to sell me a pile of crap, I asked a few simple, what I though were important questions regarding the cars performance (lack of), servicing (No service history, even though it was advertised as having) , clutch that needed to be depressed by hydraulic jack (so stiff) etc .. I have never been spoken to so condescendingly by anyone trying to catch me for a coupla grand, Hell if you are going to try rip someone off at least have the decency to speak to them with a little respect! Hell, I got a better car (unfortunately not a Turbo , I never knew about this forum then!) for a load less ...

Ok, I'm done! I feel so much better!

[iguana]

Mate a 996 Carrera vs a 993 turb is realy no comparison in any respect. 993t is realy quick and for £50k you could get a ruf turbo r with a genuine 500bhp and they are very very quick. A standard one rhd should be low £40k ish. A 996 Carrera can be had for well under £30k if you want an early one and even like £26k if you can cope with driving on the left. If you like characterful cars forget the standard 996 it might as well have a BMW (non M)or Merc badge on it, unless you can strech to a 996 GT3 - avail for mid £50k lhd, forget 996 and get a sweet 993t well actually i prefer 993 RS's but yes less grunt but sooooo nice but untracked and sweet ones are rare as hell..

The Iguana.