A good 911 possible for around 45K pounds?

[evoke]

I had a Boxster until August 2004 and now have a 5-Series Beemer. I want to get back to owning a Porsche. I will have a budget of around 45K pounds (which inlcudes the p/x for my Beemer) and want to change towards the end of the year.

I need a daily driver and I cover around 12,000 miles per year. Would I be able to get a decent 911 Coupe for that price that will last me around 5 years? I would be looking for leather, satnav, air-con, sound system as essential items. What would be the newest 911 I could get for that price?

Also, what things should I look out for when buying a secondhand 911 from a Porsche Dealer? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Rotorhead]

You would probably be looking at a 2002/03 'facelift' 3.6 996 C2/C4 from an OPC.

These are superb, well sorted cars and, apparently, there is a useful Buyer's Guide in the latest Evo magazine (see thread elsewhere on this Forum)

You might save quite a lot, and even stretch to a C4S, if you bought privately. If you are going to use it as your day to day car, to preserve its future value, try to find a car with as low a mileage as possible. Check out 'For Sale' or post a 'Wanted' ad on here.

 

[evoke]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Oliver. I take it that there will be no issues with a 2002/03 'facelift' 3.6 996 C2/C4 lasting 3-5 years with no major expense issues?

Also, what is the service interval for such a car and how much does servicing *typically* cost?

I was looking at a fully loaded Nissan 350Z or a Merc SLK-350 but would dearly love to own a Porsche 911 if I can afford one! So, any buying advice from owners on here would swing it for me. I'm looking to change towards late Autumn this year.

 

[Rotorhead]

The buyers guide should answer your questions.

Servicing is once a year/12,000 miles and you should budget for c.£600 plus renewables (tyres, brakes etc). For complete security get a car with the Porsche Approved Warranty and extend it each year (£725). Yes, it will cost a bit more to run than a Nissan, but it is a £60k+ (new) Porsche, and there really is no comparison.

Looked after, a Porsche should run for ever. I've got a 33 year old 911 and an 18 year old 911that are still as good as new. The 996 was a new design but the later cars, in particular, are very well built and robust.

Find a really nice one and you won't be disappointed.

 

[OGiii]

You'd find a great 911 for £45k, in fact Oliver has a for sale post on his at the moment, sounds like a superb car http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=167662

I nearly bought a 350Z before buying my 911 last year too but it just isn't the same. I saw the 350 as a safe bet i.e. 3 year warranty, Nissan reliability etc etc but, to me, a 911 is like no other car and I can;t imagine having anything else again!

Servicing costs seem pretty reasonable to me, particularly if you use a good Indy. I use Hartech in Bolton who are superb, they have a scheme called the Lifetime Maintenance Plan where you pay a fixed amount per month based on annual mileage that then covers all servicing the annual MOT AND labour for any reapirs including wear and tear stuff, you just pay for the parts. I pay about £70 per month based on 12,000 miles per year.

A lot of owners swear by the OPC warranty at £750 per year but that obviously doesn't include wear and tear and you have to pay the higher servicing costs.

I had what I thought was engine failure a few weeks ago, it turned out to be a broken valve spring. Hartech basically rebuilt the engine using all new springs and did a couple of other bits, I just paid for the oil, collant springs etc, cost me about £400 which was a relief because I expected a new engine.

Go get one, they are a great car!

 

[Dapster]

Rumba - £45k would get you a brand new Boxster S with plenty toys - you are considering an SLK so you dont sound as if you need the back seats. Perhaps a six month old 987S which has done a bit of depreciating would be a good financial bet, as well as being a sublime car. If it has to be a 911, then I'd be tempted to stretch to a C4S with PSE and all the nice toys as they look the business and seem to hold their value.

 

[pvernham]

Rumba

If you are seriously going to own for 5 years and want a 911, have you considered the possibility of buying a base 997 and adding the few essentials that you want. You may find that as a financial proposition, over 5 years a new car would make more sense. I would recommend that you at least talk to your local OPC.

If a 911 is not essential, the same arguements could be applied to a new Boxster S.

You would get peace of mind over a new car's history, buy exactly the car you want and I would bet that the financing cost and overall cost of ownership would be very similar to a two or three year old car over five years (which are more likely to get into higher maintenance costs once they get older). One danger is that a modestly specced 997 Carrera at £61k or £62K can soon get more expensive if you keep ticking the options boxes [].

Good luck.

 

[evoke]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I am holiday at the moment and will pop into Chiswick when I get back to see what options are available. I prefer a coupe at the moment and the Cayman S costs around 52K to 55K pounds with anything approaching a decent spec brand new. As that car is new there are no secondhand ones available.

A Boxster S would be a good proposition but it's a cabriolet.

Obviously a 911 is the ultimate car and it's now or never for me!

 

[Grant]

If you shop around, could get yourself a nice C4S, it's the pick of the bunch at that price!

 

[evoke]

I've looked at the 996 that Oliver is selling and it looks a beauty. Unfortunately i'm not in a position to buy just yet. I've browsed the Porsche UK site and the prices are much higher than other sources (i.e. private, independents) - sometimes a difference of £5K for very similarly specced cars.

Where is the best place to get a reliable 996?

 

[Rotorhead]

ORIGINAL: rumba

I've looked at the 996 that Oliver is selling and it looks a beauty. Unfortunately i'm not in a position to buy just yet. I've browsed the Porsche UK site and the prices are much higher than other sources (i.e. private, independents) - sometimes a difference of £5K for very similarly specced cars.

Where is the best place to get a reliable 996?

Tarik, I didn't realise you had been in touch. Did I send you the photos?

In theory the OPCs have the best cars. They have to be prepared to a very high standard and they come with Approved Warranty and a pretty high level of 'peace of mind'. But you will pay a premium price.

Independents may be better value, but they are a mixed bunch, so you have to be far more careful, and it may still be worth having the car checked by Porsche and get a Porsche Warranty.

However, the 'best buy' would probably be a low mileage private purchase. But here you have to be much more careful. You need to find an exceptional car that ticks all the right boxes, has been meticulously maintained and, ideally, has the Approved Warranty. And, again, have it thoroughly inspected by an OPC. It's not so easy, but this is where you can save 10 to 15%, which is significant.

 

[evoke]

ORIGINAL: oliver

ORIGINAL: rumba

I've looked at the 996 that Oliver is selling and it looks a beauty. Unfortunately i'm not in a position to buy just yet. I've browsed the Porsche UK site and the prices are much higher than other sources (i.e. private, independents) - sometimes a difference of £5K for very similarly specced cars.

Where is the best place to get a reliable 996?

Tarik, I didn't realise you had been in touch. Did I send you the photos?

In theory the OPCs have the best cars. They have to be prepared to a very high standard and they come with Approved Warranty and a pretty high level of 'peace of mind'. But you will pay a premium price.

Independents may be better value, but they are a mixed bunch, so you have to be far more careful, and it may still be worth having the car checked by Porsche and get a Porsche Warranty.

However, the 'best buy' would probably be a low mileage private purchase. But here you have to be much more careful. You need to find an exceptional car that ticks all the right boxes, has been meticulously maintained and, ideally, has the Approved Warranty. And, again, have it thoroughly inspected by an OPC. It's not so easy, but this is where you can save 10 to 15%, which is significant.

No Oliver, I haven't been in touch. I just looked at the description of your car in the For Sale section. It seems a pretty good deal. My original plan was to buy a 996 in late Autumn of this year (around October), but if the right car came along then I could change my plans. I have to sell my current car first. Please e-mail me the pictures anyway.

Tarik

 

[Rotorhead]

Tarik

Your e.mail is hidden. If you e.mail me I can reply

 

[evoke]

ORIGINAL: oliver

Tarik

Your e.mail is hidden. If you e.mail me I can reply

Hi Oliver, you have mail.

Regards,

Tarik