"996s are cool again"

[BK911]

Friend of mine sent me this article after boring him stupid with how much I love mine... went for a drive and he's sold on the idea

Didn't think there would be an issue finding one as it was a high production number car but if you type in 996, Coupe, manual and <60k miles (reasonable wear and tear) there's only 22 of them for sale on here.

Putting that into context there's currently more 964's with the same search criteria... Goes to show the 996 was never a garage queen and a great everyday car, but only 22!

[MrC986]

I'm guessing your friend has watched Jethro Bovingdons YouTube clip?....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w6jCiB9dt0A

[jonny996]

under 60K! try some motor museums.

[miles2018]

BK911 said:

Friend of mine sent me this article after boring him stupid with how much I love mine... went for a drive and he's sold on the idea

<60k miles (reasonable wear and tear)

Putting that into context there's currently more 964's with the same search criteria... Goes to show the 996 was never a garage queen and a great everyday car, but only 22!

Exactly that, and all the better for it. I've had many low mileage classic cars in the past that have failed me miserably. Give me something that's been kept in regular use and well serviced every time.

[tjlees]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

What is the opinion on miles that are ‘ok’ in 996s and 997s
The pricing gulf across cars carrying 50,000 versus 70,000 is huge whichbin reality is no more than 3 or 4 years ‘use’

One theory stands that once up beyond 65k a lot of the big bills HAVE tripped in and been taken care of versus a 50k queen (Clutch for example)

I can not judge the spread in market prices.

I’ve seen them with 220k+ without an engine refresh - we’ll worn but still serviceable - so around 75k avoiding the 100k physiological barrier seems good

As always judge on condition and wad of service/repair bills indicating new clutch, suspension refresh, a/c refresh/condenser etc

Check and triple check for ims, bore scoring, oil leaks, white smoke etc etc.

[rival38]

They are very usable, nicely proportioned and fun to drive. The design does seem to be aging well, and although the handling is much less tricky than earlier versions, to get the best from them it is necessary to engage with the car and pay attention. This is a big plus, a capable car that makes the driver concentrate and work a little to extract its performance while being an essentially user friendly platform. The soundtrack is good (also easily improvable) and the fun happens at speeds which are not necessarily headline grabbing.
They are cheap for what they are in many ways. But we all know a major engine rebuild will cost into 5 figures, it may even be a `when` rather than an `if` event. This is a big limiting factor prices. That said, I bought mine 2 years ago and no regrets.

[Fastlane]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

What is the opinion on miles that are ‘ok’ in 996s and 997s
The pricing gulf across cars carrying 50,000 versus 70,000 is huge whichbin reality is no more than 3 or 4 years ‘use’

One theory stands that once up beyond 65k a lot of the big bills HAVE tripped in and been taken care of versus a 50k queen (Clutch for example)

I can not judge the spread in market prices.

For narrow bodied 996s as has already been said, there aren't very many good cars out there any more - and very few lower mileage cars, so there isn't much of a market price as such - you have to judge each car on its own merits. Many so called "garage queens" (my 2001 996.1 only has 48.5k miles on it) are owned by enthusiasts and are very well looked after. Bottom line is you need at least £20k to get a well sorted, well historied, low mileage narrow-bodied manual 996 now. You may pay less than £20k to buy a car, but you will need to spend the difference on it to get it perfect. As with all older Porsches, desirable rarer colours and options have a big effect on prices too - I know of three narrow bodied aerokitted manual 996.1s in rare colours with less than 55k miles which last year sold for over £20k - one was over £25k.

[harleywilma]

Gave up ownership on a lovely gen 1 2007 c4s x51 tip with only 25k, I was the second owner. Only did 3000 miles in I8 mnths of ownership
It had an oil leak from the gearbox that cost a st load and started to show soot from the ends of the left exhaust pipe, On one occasion
I started it up after it had been left for a while and it made some horrible metallic noises and I nearly shat myself thinking it was going to grenade itself, but it then went quite and all appeared fine. I soon got on the phone that afternoon to a few dealers and sold ASAP.
Not a very good experience all in all of Porsche ownership. Car was probably fine but those engines are scary things, not what you would expect from a so called German engineering. Ive had several german cars and motorcycles to date, all have had reliability issues so not really been that impressed at all.

[nebpor]

It's not depressing if you own one - the appreciation over the last few years has covered the 5K I've spent putting the car right.

[hunter 66]

Sure are......

[DJMC]

I noticed a few 996s at RPM a few weeks back: https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/sales/?sort=pricehigh

Used to hate the headlamps, but they've grown on me as "different" rather than hateful now.

[nebpor]

I can see your point and agree to an extent, but I don't think that long-term my 1999 90K mile 996 is going to appreciate like air-cooled has though, so what I mean is that the popularity at least means there are people who want one, which keeps the price strong rather than it depreciating.

You can then balance the running costs against the potential depreciation, meaning it's much easier to swallow.

There is a truth on this forum that any 996 costs you 5K because that's pretty much exactly what mine has cost, and that came from a friend who had lovingly looked after it for the 4 years prior to me! Sadly I could easily find another 5K to spend on it (gearbox pinion, all the glass seals, paint etc etc etc), but I'm prepared to live with it the way it is for now ....

[EGTE]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Well said!

[Fast Bug]

harleywilma said:

Gave up ownership on a lovely gen 1 2007 c4s x51 tip with only 25k, I was the second owner. Only did 3000 miles in I8 mnths of ownership
It had an oil leak from the gearbox that cost a st load and started to show soot from the ends of the left exhaust pipe, On one occasion
I started it up after it had been left for a while and it made some horrible metallic noises and I nearly shat myself thinking it was going to grenade itself, but it then went quite and all appeared fine. I soon got on the phone that afternoon to a few dealers and sold ASAP.
Not a very good experience all in all of Porsche ownership. Car was probably fine but those engines are scary things, not what you would expect from a so called German engineering. Ive had several german cars and motorcycles to date, all have had reliability issues so not really been that impressed at all.

So it had an oil leak, and a noise that went after start up that you didn't get checked out and that makes it unreliable? My 996 has a bit of a metallic chatter when it's been stood for a while, as soon as the oil circulate round the engine it's fine and is pretty common so hardly a fault.

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

each to their own, I always was rather found of even the 911 C4S - to me looks great, even with its egg yoke lights.

[nebpor]

I hear you, but you've got to think the prices won't go stratospheric .... in saying that, who would have thought the shonky old air-cooled ones would?!

I too live in the real world. I've other things to spend my cash on except cars. I can afford a 5K bill if it hits, but I'd rather spend it on my house!

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I know you weren't just more voicing that I agree in some guises they have aged well. Not met many people that don't like the 996 wide body versions or indeed the GT or turbo variants. The bongo ones sure, they lack shape imo.

Ps. have you still got your 987 cayman or did you move it on after you had it fixed last year? and if so what did you get?

I guess for this fraternity I've made a cardinal sin, just about to collect my new 991.2 C2GTS - only way I could get a manual and spec I wanted. Last time 911 I drove was the 997 GTS so hoping this won't disappoint too much.

[porkey]

I bought a 996 earlier this year having sold my 964T after 15 years ownership. My thinking was that while it is unlikely to really appreciate in value it is also unlikely to drop much. Essentially apart from routine servicing and the odd thing here and there it should, touch wood, cost very little over the next few years. Nice low mileage, well maintained cars seem to be thin on the ground though.

[Trotmant]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Lol. yeah but the fun is in using them... you 2nd engine has lasted longer than mine did - if you recall my first grenaded at 60k and 2nd rebuild at 80k due to bore scoring loved that car. But I think that whole experience has always made ever since by new cars - too scared it happens again

[BK911]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This very point has made daily 911 ownership a reality for me again. It's such a wonderful thing to drive everyday, park wherever and not be worried because it cost me the same price as a used MK2 Focus RS! It gets a few stone chips here and there, one of my family opened the door onto a curb.. I dont flinch &#128578;

Bought this C4s last year (2 previous owners and all the IMS, RMS, Clutch etc etc) and have so far put on about 4K of miles. So far a replacement Lambda sensor is the only hiccup in six months.

I had a V8 M3 directly before and an Evora before that. Of the three cars which I had for between 24-36 months each and used as daily cars ( a few trackdays too) the 996 is the best imho. The combination of that flat six, steering, ride comfort and solid build quality makes it the perfect all rounder. Those headlights actually work quite well too &#128521;