Looking for a 996
Discussion
Hi all - I'm looking to buy a 996.
I've always wanted a 911 since I was a kid and now having saved my pennies up I'm going to take the plunge.
Having read lots about how great the experience of driving a 911 is I can't wait to own my own model.
I've a budget of £30K - might stretch a few more thousand for the right one.
Research suggests I might get an 02 facelift model, not sure about 4 wheel drive or not.
I'm really a novice when it comes to this but want to avoid going to an OPC - if anyone can recommend model, what I can get for my money and any dealers who they approved of I'd be really appreciative.
Thanks in advance - nat0
I've always wanted a 911 since I was a kid and now having saved my pennies up I'm going to take the plunge.
Having read lots about how great the experience of driving a 911 is I can't wait to own my own model.
I've a budget of £30K - might stretch a few more thousand for the right one.
Research suggests I might get an 02 facelift model, not sure about 4 wheel drive or not.
I'm really a novice when it comes to this but want to avoid going to an OPC - if anyone can recommend model, what I can get for my money and any dealers who they approved of I'd be really appreciative.
Thanks in advance - nat0
nat0 said:
want to avoid going to an OPC
Do a search here on warranty issues and then decide if you still want to avoid an OPC. Plenty of nice cars out there, look in PH classifieds and at dealers who advertise here. Test drive a few to get a feel for what you want and then focus on finding the right colour, interior, options etc for your own taste.
Once you've done all the above negotiate the price you pay to include the OPC check over, any work they say needs doing and then buy the 1 year warranty the OPC can offer for cars up to 9 years old. You may get away with no problems as there are a few excellent cars out there who's owners look after them properly. However, if you are extending your finances to buy a 911 without an OPC warranty remember that they are very expensive cars to put right if certain things go wrong. Most warranties on offer from dealers have maximum payout levels per claim, most of which won't be enough to cover some issues that could come up.
Look hard for the right car as it is out there,
Yex
Hi & welcome...
Still not quite managed to enter the world of 996 ownership yet buy have been 'trying' since around April on a similar budget to your own. The only difference being that I am a bit more picky in that I want a manual Targa.
Advice I can give though is based on where I am upto with extensive research, testdrives and weekly / daily checking of classifieds and national Auto Trader ads!
In terms of your budget, I think you are expecting a bit much for an 02 facelift for 30k. I reckon you're looking at £34k min. for a clean example and that would be from a Private sale.
If you have set your budget around the early - mid 30's and keen to get an 02 facelift, I suggest you are limited to private sales for a really clean example. Obviously, there is a little more risk here so look to cover that as much as you can. Ideally, look for a vehicle which has some OPC warranty cover left or negotiate an OPC check (£250) & warranty (£750) into your budget.
Alternatively, independent garages (Hartech, Strausse, etc) or individuals (Peter Morgan) will come out and do a buyer's check on the vehicle for you.
Cool,
M
Still not quite managed to enter the world of 996 ownership yet buy have been 'trying' since around April on a similar budget to your own. The only difference being that I am a bit more picky in that I want a manual Targa.
Advice I can give though is based on where I am upto with extensive research, testdrives and weekly / daily checking of classifieds and national Auto Trader ads!
In terms of your budget, I think you are expecting a bit much for an 02 facelift for 30k. I reckon you're looking at £34k min. for a clean example and that would be from a Private sale.
If you have set your budget around the early - mid 30's and keen to get an 02 facelift, I suggest you are limited to private sales for a really clean example. Obviously, there is a little more risk here so look to cover that as much as you can. Ideally, look for a vehicle which has some OPC warranty cover left or negotiate an OPC check (£250) & warranty (£750) into your budget.
Alternatively, independent garages (Hartech, Strausse, etc) or individuals (Peter Morgan) will come out and do a buyer's check on the vehicle for you.
Cool,
M
Hi,
Mine may be up for sale soon at your kind of budget. Will let you know more if you are interested. It is not as new as you'd like but its mint and very nice spec.
Its 1999/T, Ocean Blue, Carrera 4, Factory fitted bodykit, full leather black/charcoal grey, sports seats, ali pack, white dials, sports tips (factory option), sports chasis, white dials, sports 3 spoke steering wheel, sound upgrade package...all these are factory options....there are loads to list....can send more details if interested.
Its got 43k on the clock and hasn't got kerbed alloys or any surprises.....2 owners. FPSH, all you'd expect etc
Dave
Mine may be up for sale soon at your kind of budget. Will let you know more if you are interested. It is not as new as you'd like but its mint and very nice spec.
Its 1999/T, Ocean Blue, Carrera 4, Factory fitted bodykit, full leather black/charcoal grey, sports seats, ali pack, white dials, sports tips (factory option), sports chasis, white dials, sports 3 spoke steering wheel, sound upgrade package...all these are factory options....there are loads to list....can send more details if interested.
Its got 43k on the clock and hasn't got kerbed alloys or any surprises.....2 owners. FPSH, all you'd expect etc
Dave
Hi Nat,
You sound to be shopping for a similar car to me.
I'll be frank - for 30k, you wont get a facelift. The cheapest I have seen was a 51 at 32,995 - but it had 70k on the clock and savannah interior. If you really want a facelift, your going to have to spend about 35k at least (IMHO of course, but ive looked a lot) unless you either fall very lucky or get an unwanted spec/accident damaged car.
For the 4WD, I recently started a topic discussing the relative points - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=301938&f=48&h=0
Basically, the C4 has a smaller boot - as for the relative driving pros/cons - try both see if you prefer either. I found the C4 tended to hunt for the grooves in the road a little more than the C2 - but then, come winter, well, read the topic it might help.
Basically, for your money, your going to get up to a 99/2000 non-facelift with around 50k (adjust per miles/features accordingly), dont bother with an OPC, an indepdent might be worthwhile, but you need to bear in mind you'll be paying a couple of grand over a [reasonably priced] private sale - but you will get some peace of mind.
It may pay to pay extra (or get an older car with) for the OPC warranty - then you can easily renew for 700 a year.
The golden rule is buy on condition - i've seen some dogs advertised at 25k!
As for spec, you may have to comprimise, but it would be good to decide what your after and use that to filter - for instance, if you'd have a silver one, you'll be able to get more car for your money.
At the end of the day, if its a dream, dont rush it - there's a lot out there (and a lot asking more than they're worth), make sure you have a look at a good selection to figure out whats a good car and whats not.
You sound to be shopping for a similar car to me.
I'll be frank - for 30k, you wont get a facelift. The cheapest I have seen was a 51 at 32,995 - but it had 70k on the clock and savannah interior. If you really want a facelift, your going to have to spend about 35k at least (IMHO of course, but ive looked a lot) unless you either fall very lucky or get an unwanted spec/accident damaged car.
For the 4WD, I recently started a topic discussing the relative points - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=301938&f=48&h=0
Basically, the C4 has a smaller boot - as for the relative driving pros/cons - try both see if you prefer either. I found the C4 tended to hunt for the grooves in the road a little more than the C2 - but then, come winter, well, read the topic it might help.
Basically, for your money, your going to get up to a 99/2000 non-facelift with around 50k (adjust per miles/features accordingly), dont bother with an OPC, an indepdent might be worthwhile, but you need to bear in mind you'll be paying a couple of grand over a [reasonably priced] private sale - but you will get some peace of mind.
It may pay to pay extra (or get an older car with) for the OPC warranty - then you can easily renew for 700 a year.
The golden rule is buy on condition - i've seen some dogs advertised at 25k!
As for spec, you may have to comprimise, but it would be good to decide what your after and use that to filter - for instance, if you'd have a silver one, you'll be able to get more car for your money.
At the end of the day, if its a dream, dont rush it - there's a lot out there (and a lot asking more than they're worth), make sure you have a look at a good selection to figure out whats a good car and whats not.
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