A first 2CS purchase

[simonm]

Fifth visit to OPC on Saturday having previously viewed, sat in, taken children along etc. and now it's time to buy a 2CS. Started out with this in mind about a month ago.

Initially had a test drive at OPC near work, but local OPC is OK, and an opportunity to compare 3.6 (996) and 3.8 (997) engines - I prefer sound of the 3.8).

Colours choices are mostly silver, greys and black - for the most part very conservative.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[sidicks]

Some initial thoughts:
1) If you have definitely decided on a C2S, I'd seriously consider whether you want to go new or nearly new - there seems to be a vast range of cars within the OPC network, with considerable saving on list. Obviously I'd recommend the 4S, though!

2) re: colour. You are right that most people are playing very safe with colours and choosing black/grey or silver. I did the same, but Atlas grey was my preferred colour, rather than being chosen purely to maximise residual value. You should choose the colour that you want to live with for 3 years, or however long you plan to keep the car - no point spending £75k on a grey car and then wishing you'd gone for red whenever you use it! However, it is possible that yellow/red may be harder to sell in the future.
You may be able to use this to your advantage - if you can find an unusual colour with the spec you want in the OPC network, then they may be keen to off-load this car to you at a good price.

Worth considering................

Having said all that, I'm extremely satisfied with my 'boring' grey C4S!!

Sidicks

 

[oldtimer]

Why not buy a used 997 ? Should not affect the trade-in for your current non-porsche , and there's plenty of real cars out there to see in the flesh to help firm up on spec. The 997C2S is safe model choice and with a slightly used car you can get some nice options already loaded and heavily discounted that you might not be able to run to on a new order. At least someone else has taken the decisions for you ! []

 

[Michael Downing]

Picking the "right" colours is a mug's game. The OPC salesman is telling you which colours secondhand buyers want NOW. 3 years ago he would have told you to buy silver ... take that car back to him now and he'll mutter about how every other car is silver, people want something different.... etc etc. Of course, silver is common precisely because everyone followed the official line three years ago that solver was the right colour...

If you can say which colours people will want in three years time then get that one (and let me know the lottery numbers!). Otherwise, buy the one you think looks best. Cobalt blue looks beautiful, btw. And I do think that Speed Yellow will make a comeback soon!

 

[Manxviking]

Have to say that the service level of the OPC has dented the joy of my first Porsche. I have resorted to contacting them by email as they seem to have a faulty phone system, ie only able to receive incoming calls!

The build date has been confirmed as early next week so hope to take delivery of the car within the next couple of weeks. I will be back for advice nearer the time.

 

[nsm3]

Seriously consider buying nearly new/approved used as posted above (unless money is no object of course!). I did this with my C2S and saved about £9k from list, getting a well specced car from an OPC that someone else had run-in for me.

I had reservations initially as I have been down the new route with the last 4 cars, but 5 months down the road and sporting a private plate, I couldn't be more chuffed with it.

And you effectively get more warranty if the car is new enough as the OPC will start the 12 months extended from the 2 years old date, which if you buy new, will have you shelling out the £720 a little earlier.

 

[simonm]

Point taken about buying a pre-owned car and getting a few more toys for the money.

I have agreed to buy the 2CS with a September build from local OPC.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[Ronnie C]

I'm starting to come round to the same conclusion on this nearly new or completely new thing.

I got my C2S new cause I've always gone for brand new... spec the car how you like, waste even more money on options during that kid in a candy shop phase, get hit by even more depreciation, etc. []

The main factor for me has always been that I want to be the first to ramp the b'jesus out of a car and not pick up one where you're thinking I wonder what history this machine / engine has, how many people have 'demonstrated' in it... but tbh, that's what they're designed for and can tolerate the abuse.

In my defense I took delivery in early 05 and 997s were still comanding list or premium for nearly new.

Whatever you get, you'll have great fun Simon.

 

[simonm]

Ronnie,

I looked at the OPC dealer list of 2CS models, and the prices being asked are on a parity to a new car specced with the options I want, or mostly at a premium, especially where there is an extensive list of options. To be fair I don't know how the actual price these cars will sell on for.

The attraction for many of the offered cars seems to be that they are available now - if one is impatient this may be an important factor. There is also the opportunity to pick up extra goodies. My official line is I'm happy to wait - OK so I want them to build one this weekend just for me!

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[robertpoole]

Hello Simon,

having an interesting colour is no sin! I have read several articles recently (probably in Purely Porsche GT etc) about Guards Red being THE colour for a 997. I didn't need to be told - got mine in G Red last autumn - just beautiful. We had owned a G Red Boxster S too and loved it but worried that the red roof as well on the 997 coupe would be too much, but NO! Actually, the sales exec at OPC Sheffield also said they look great in G Red and we agree. The brake callipers match too!

Never quite been tempted by the 4WD though........

I'd definitely go with the factory Sports Exhaust too since you seem to enjoy the sound.

Enjoy!

Robert
(G Red 997C2S)

 

[simonm]

I'd definitely go with the factory Sports Exhaust too since you seem to enjoy the sound.

The sound of the standard 2CS was better than I expected - not intrusive but there when you (need) want it.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[Guest]

Simon,

You would be most wise to check the thread about the Sports Exhaust. In summary, and to answer your questions, the switch (if you get one, which, if you have the Sports Chrono pack, you don't) is low down on the centre consule (it has a picture of the back of the exhaust pipes on it), it defaults to off when switching the ignition off, no issue with insurance, cost to retro fit is much higher, increases noise only (I have seen no evidence of anything to the contrary and I bet it would be unnoticeable if there were to be a claimed slight increase in the bhp), it is road legal as it is supposed to not actually be effective at the 30-40 mph range- this is obviously somewhat dependent on your choice of gear as the system works on a rev range, not the car's velocity.

Mine? C4S, but I won't criticise a C2S choice. Black, which is, apparently, safe and dull. In my opinion black is beautiful- get yourself down to a clean one to see for yourself. I also happen to think that silver is as good looking, but, as has been mentioned, half of all cars on the road seem to be silver.

New or Used Approved? With a C2S you may be slightly better off than with a C4S, as it is further into its shelf-life. However, OPCs make money at every opportunity and, essentially, the UA cars are priced on the basis that someone can't wait and will pay nearly new money for something 12 months/9K old. Please remember what the OPC offers you for your UA car in 12/24/36 months time bears NO RELATION to what they re-sell it for. There is only one reason why Porsche are the worlds most profitable car manufacturer and this is it!

Get sat nav and phone, even if you, like me, will never even use it. Otherwise you will lose even more upon re-sell.

Everything else is individual.

Try Gordon McConnell, who is a buyer for Porsche, if you want the real-world lowdown on re-sale. His details are in the Porsche section of the Driving section of the Sunday Times.

I happen to think that my C4S is fantastic in every way (and I had a 996 C4S before to make some comparison) and I am yet to get it on the track, which I will be rectifying soon.

Good luck,

Derek

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Derek A

In my opinion black is beautiful- get yourself down to a clean one to see for yourself.

I'd get yourself down to look at a dirty one as well! I was keen on Basalt after seeing several nice shiny cars in the showroom, but looking at an unwashed one in the car park put me right off!

 

[melsomp]

ORIGINAL: drcarrera

ORIGINAL: Derek A

In my opinion black is beautiful- get yourself down to a clean one to see for yourself.

I'd get yourself down to look at a dirty one as well! I was keen on Basalt after seeing several nice shiny cars in the showroom, but looking at an unwashed one in the car park put me right off!

I have a black Golf, it only ever looks clean for 5 minutes, that's why my 993 is silver.

 

[simonm]

Point taken about silver being easy to pass off as clean and I also find a slightly dirty car looks OK with clean wheels.

But wanting a change means I'm happy to go one or two steps up from silver e.g. a mid grey.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[sidicks]

ORIGINAL: simonm

But wanting a change means I'm happy to go one/two steps up from silver e.g. a grey.

Kind regards,
Simon

I can strongly recommend both Seal Grey and Atlas Grey (which I've got) - You need to see a car in the flesh to make an informed decision!!

sidicks

 

[simonm]

Sidicks,

I have also decided to go for Atlas Grey. I've gone for a plain black leather interior.

OPC had a Carrera 4S with Atlas Grey + black leather which looked really good IMHO.

Seal Grey is gone from MY 2007 colours and Slate Grey remains as a 'special' colour.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[graham m]

Unfortunately the Porsche colour range is quite boring - I chose Cobalt and love it. I took a picture last year at the Old Timer GP and mine stood out amongst all the silver greys and blacks. It's your choice but ....... difficult with the limited choice.
Graham