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Cheap 911's
CraigJ - 26/11/12 at 05:44 PM

Has anyone bought a cheap (996) 911?

Seeing lots dropping under the 10k mark now.

Looking for a weekend car and i really like the 911. Have a works van so it will be only weekend use. Insurance is cheap, but what are the normal running costs, servicing etc?

I'm aware of the IMS problem but from what i've read its not as common as its made out to be.

What are peoples thoughts?

rodgling - 26/11/12 at 05:47 PM

A £10k Boxster is a better car for the money? Apart from the image problem they are great cars.

CraigJ - 26/11/12 at 05:52 PM

Been looking at both the 911 and the newer Boxster but i prefer the 911. Just looks better IMO.

Benzo - 26/11/12 at 05:58 PM

I have a 2006 Cayman S that i run everyday, the car came from a Official porsche centre in Tonbridge so its been covered under 2year warranty, the only thing ive had to do it send it for an oil service, which are 22K mile intervals or 2years, mine only has 32k miles so it was a 2yr service, the oil service cost me £700!! quid, but thats required to keep the warranty..

Its had a Fuel Pump replace (1500quid)
1 x Cat (£1K)

This year.. & also had a coilpack because of a misfire..

If you can get one with warranty id go for it.. otherwise keep saving for a rainy day, my engine also has shaft problems too (3.4) and ive been told that the ECU clocks Over revs on down shifts... Replacement engine is £16K + Fitting.

[Edited on 26/11/12 by Benzo]

rodgling - 26/11/12 at 06:01 PM

It does look nicer but the choice is a 12 year old 911 or a 6 year old boxster - that's going to have a significant impact on running costs. Plus I imagine Porsche build quality, interior trim and gadgets, etc has improved a bit in that time.

I can say that running costs on a 2003 boxster have been painful at times (I suspect it wasn't well maintained before I bought it, I think it wasn't the smartest buy I ever made - I do really like it though), probably at least £1500 a year on tyres, brakes, rear main seal, ARB, exhaust, lambdas, clutch... so a 2000 911 will probably be similar cost to run even if you don't have to do all of those.

Benzo - 26/11/12 at 06:03 PM

I have yet to put tyres on mine, ive only done around 6k this year in it, but im sure im looking at £1200 a set

rodgling - 26/11/12 at 06:08 PM

Bloody hell, what tyres are you planning on using? Mine's on Falken 452s by the way which are pretty decent and about half that.

rgrs - 26/11/12 at 06:28 PM

Theres no such thing a cheap porsche !

Unless it's got a warantee steer clear, they also suffer from rms issues as well (oh and on some engines liner issues), however ignore most of what you read on the forums as you've already noted the failure rate is extremly low.

Parts are really not cheap and although some parts are available non genuine many are not.

The porsche parts system is however fantastic, every part for every car listed on line, if its not in stock in the UK they manage to move it from germany to the dealer inside of 48 Hrs ! Wish some other manufacturers would take note.

Access to work on them can be tight, before buying one find an independant specalist and get them to look over it.

Maintainance is very important and if its not kept up it can result in lots of electrical issues (and theres a lot of electronics on these cars)

Dont underestimate the running costs, even at low milage, mpg is about 24mpg (on the 3.6 (you really dont want the 3.4)) they are heavy on tyres and only certain tyres can be fitted(and they are not cheap).

As soon you mention the word porsche suppliers seem to double the price and then move the decimal place to the right.

Insurance, you will have to hunt around for a company that will accept it on a classic policy otherwise sit down first.

Having said that they are really great cars.

As for the boxster once you've driven a 911 the boxster just doesn't cut it.

Try giving chrisS a u2u as he has a 996 C4s.

Roger

Simon - 26/11/12 at 06:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Benzo
I have a 2006 Cayman S that i run everyday, the car came from a Official porsche centre in Tonbridge so its been covered under 2year warranty, the only thing ive had to do it send it for an oil service, which are 22K mile intervals or 2years, mine only has 32k miles so it was a 2yr service, the oil service cost me £700!! quid, but thats required to keep the warranty..

Its had a Fuel Pump replace (1500quid)
1 x Cat (£1K)

This year.. & also had a coilpack because of a misfire..

If you can get one with warranty id go for it.. otherwise keep saving for a rainy day, my engine also has shaft problems too (3.4) and ive been told that the ECU clocks Over revs on down shifts... Replacement engine is £16K + Fitting.

[Edited on 26/11/12 by Benzo]


'kin 'ell. Glad I bought a french car if that's the fabled great german reliablilty

ATB

Simon

StevieB - 26/11/12 at 06:42 PM

There's a place in Bury that does a service plan for 911's, and as part of the package they effectively underwrite a large %age of the cost of certain known (but costly) problems.

I'm currenrly saving toward getting one myself - 996 appeals more than the boxster simply because I have two kids. We used to have an elise but it only ever got used for the odd solo drive out and going to/from the shops because any weekend trips out needed back seats and some luggage capacity etc.

If the weathers good and I want a solo drive out (or the kids are away for the weekend and we go out together) then we have the Westy in the garage.

Dualist - 26/11/12 at 07:13 PM

I was looking at one of these the other month until I got chatting to a guy who owns one and he had to get a couple of rear tires fitted as his were down to the canvas, £500 a pop he paid and he only had the last lot 3k ago

Needless to say I won't be getting one now.

Benzo - 26/11/12 at 07:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Dualist
I was looking at one of these the other month until I got chatting to a guy who owns one and he had to get a couple of rear tires fitted as his were down to the canvas, £500 a pop he paid and he only had the last lot 3k ago

Needless to say I won't be getting one now.


Putting the right tyres on them isnt cheap, in saying that ive had 10k out of my set of rears on the Cayman.

ReMan - 26/11/12 at 07:40 PM

Well I could have posted this myself!
Been watching them and yes as low as £8k, albeit with 90000 mls on them and a 3.4.
Are the ones in the know then saying not even with a barge pole?
My ambition to own one because I owe it to myself even if only for 6mths or so I know it's not going to be free, but I'd hope 5000miles wouldnt cost too much and be able to re-sell for similar to cost.
Am I barking then?

Hellfire - 26/11/12 at 07:44 PM

Save your pennies and get a 993 or 997. The 996 is the worst/ugliest 911 ever made IMHO. There's a reason why they're so cheap...........

Phil

StevieB - 26/11/12 at 08:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
Save your pennies and get a 993 or 997. The 996 is the worst/ugliest 911 ever made IMHO. There's a reason why they're so cheap...........

Phil


A good(ish) point (though I do quite like the 996 as well, but not the prettiest 911 ever made).

If you stretch the budget a little further and get a 964, then chances are you'd be selling it for more money than you paid in the first place

mark chandler - 26/11/12 at 08:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
Well I could have posted this myself!
Been watching them and yes as low as £8k, albeit with 90000 mls on them and a 3.4.
Are the ones in the know then saying not even with a barge pole?
My ambition to own one because I owe it to myself even if only for 6mths or so I know it's not going to be free, but I'd hope 5000miles wouldnt cost too much and be able to re-sell for similar to cost.
Am I barking then?


I did this 10 years ago, for a 928 S4, fantastic car lost £1,500 in just under 2 years of ownership and 20,000 miles, when accelerating it could keep the rear wheels spinning up to 80mph and carried on to around 170mph.

Just buy right, look after and sell on is my advice, mine needed a condensing rad, engine mounts, rear wheel bearing and tyres none of which were extortionate.

Regards Mark

MK9R - 26/11/12 at 10:09 PM

A few years ago I was looking at 911's, 964's had just bottomed out, decent ones were achievable for 10k, 993's were too expensive but 996 just entered the budget. Test drove both, totally different cars, 996 was nice enough but just didnt feel special or stood out parked out on the street, the. 964 on the other hand just felt wonderful, unlike any other car I had driven, mad me smile every second, a proper occasion and classic look to die for!! Save your pennys and buy a 964!

rb968 - 26/11/12 at 10:37 PM

My money would go on a 964. I owned an '88 3.2 Carrera and wish I had never sold it. Also owned a 968 CS. Both looked after by me and specialists running costs were not too bad and they were not terrifying to work on. The Porsche Centre at Kendal tried the N rated tyre game when my 968 went in to have some warranty work done on the brakes. I understand sticking with them on newer Porsches but mine were a brand new set of PZero Rossos but because the fronts were not a size N rated by Porsche they said I should change them even though that would mean a different brand on the front ! (I declined the offer).

Been a passenger in both 964s and 993s and I would love either. However if it was a more modern Porsche I was after it would have to be a Cayman S.

Rich

CraigJ - 16/1/13 at 08:44 PM

Just an update on this.

Bought a 1999 Carrera 2 (996) 71K with full history which i checked up on and found to be legit.

Only had it a few days but not driven it much due to the weather.

Very happy with it.

StevieB - 16/1/13 at 08:50 PM

Nice one.

I'd be keen to know how you're getting on with it as I want to take the plunge on this myself one day soonish.

Dangle_kt - 16/1/13 at 08:52 PM

great news

CraigJ - 16/1/13 at 09:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by StevieB
Nice one.

I'd be keen to know how you're getting on with it as I want to take the plunge on this myself one day soonish.



Only picked it up on Saturday but very happy with it. Looked at a few and this was the best for the money but a very good car all-round.

Covered about 140 miles in it so far. Driving position is fantastic and handles great. Big difference from my VW Transporter that i use every day lol.

hobbsy - 17/1/13 at 12:24 AM

I would like a 993 or 997 or 964. So tempted on price by a 996 Turbo with a remap and then 600bhp but as others said they aren't loved, although the Turbo has the Metzger (sp?) engine so none of the issues that the other 996's have...

Worth getting one even if you only keep it a year just to get the tick in the box and if you buy wisely and have a bit of luck then you won't lose much (other than running costs, fuel, insurance, tyres )

DanP - 17/1/13 at 07:47 AM

Tyres won't cost you 1200, a pair of rears on my 996 turbo (285/30/18) just cost me 450, and 320 for a pair of fronts and that is using the Porsche fitment tyres (Conti sport 2's).

I've owned my turbo with 40k miles on it for coming up for a year, it cost a fair bit more than 10k and has had a few small niggles needing doing under the warranty. Spoke to the dealer that sold it to me and he believe that he could sell it now fir the same price as a year ago, which is good as it needs to go soon.

I personally wouldn't go for a cheap 996, try reading the article in pistonheads, I would spend the money on a newer boxster or an older previous model in better nick, I personasly don't think the 996 c2 shape has aged very well.

beaver34 - 17/1/13 at 08:18 AM

nice 911!

ive been looking at 987 boxster s

do they have the rear crank seal issues still does anyone know or anything else to be looking for that is prone to fail?

CraigJ - 17/1/13 at 10:41 AM

I don't think the 987 had the seal problems but still had the same chance off the IMS as all the Porsche range with the M96 engine.

Don't read too much into the problems as it may put you off and the chance of you getting any issues are slim.

If you like the Boxster Just drive one and see if you like it.

Buy on condition and service history. Just as you would on any car really.

CraigJ - 17/1/13 at 10:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DanP
Tyres won't cost you 1200, a pair of rears on my 996 turbo (285/30/18) just cost me 450, and 320 for a pair of fronts and that is using the Porsche fitment tyres (Conti sport 2's).

I've owned my turbo with 40k miles on it for coming up for a year, it cost a fair bit more than 10k and has had a few small niggles needing doing under the warranty. Spoke to the dealer that sold it to me and he believe that he could sell it now fir the same price as a year ago, which is good as it needs to go soon.

I personally wouldn't go for a cheap 996, try reading the article in pistonheads, I would spend the money on a newer boxster or an older previous model in better nick, I personasly don't think the 996 c2 shape has aged very well.


All down to personal taste. For me the 996 looks good. Always liked it. I'm not as keen on the older 993 and 964's.

dhutch - 17/1/13 at 11:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rodgling
A £10k Boxster is a better car for the money? Apart from the image problem they are great cars.
Sorry, I fail to see your point...

StevieB - 17/1/13 at 11:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CraigJ

Buy on condition and service history. Just as you would on any car really.


A fine point - almost any car will be reliable as long as you keep it serviced and repaired correctly.

That said, my current Saab Aero is about 20k past it's service interval, so I really should sort that out before something bad happens

designer - 17/1/13 at 12:03 PM

I've ran a 911 and a Boxster and, as said 'Theres no such thing a cheap porsche!'.