Another newbie seeks advice

[mikfinch]

Hi guys, I've been dipping in and out of the forum for a while now as I've been thinking about buying a 996 as a weekend fun car and for occasional track day use . I have a budget of about £35k and I'm planning to buy an early C2 or maybe a C4 if I can find one within my budget. However I'm getting cold feet about the whole thing thanks to the number of threads on this forum about what seem to be major endemic faults with the 996. The trouble is that, for the budget I have, I'm going to be buying a vehicle outside the OPC network, probably from an independent dealer and that means a limited warranty. So, a few questions

1. The biggest thing that worries me is an engine failure which does'nt seem to be uncommon. A typical used car warranty is not going to cover anywhere near the £10k required for a new engine. So how common is engine failure and should I be worried? Whilst we're on the subject how commom are RMS failures?
2. Why do 911's in general seem to have had so many owners? I'm looking at '98 -00 cars which have had 3, 4, 5 owners or more. Is this typical and should I be worried by cars with large numbers of owners?
3. What options are considered desirable? PSM? Larger wheels?
4. What colours are best for resale and which should I avoid? I dont want silver or black
5. Can anyone recommend an independent dealer from whom to buy?

I had set my heart on a 911 but I'm starting to think I should buy something more sensible like a M3 or something more reliable like a TVR[] Somebody reassure me!

 

[garyandjanet]

Hi and Welcome
Hope this helps -

1 Engine failures are not that common, however RMS. This effects both 996 and Boxsters and in most cases once the seal is changed you ill be ok.

2 - When i bought my first car (Boxster) i kept it for 4 mths, my 911 I have had for 6 mths. I was told the averga ownership period is about 15mths, but i have no clue why.

3 - Options Good one - PSM for me and the holy grail a Porsche sports exhaust.

4 - Seal grey, Sliver and Colbart Blue

5 - Were aabouts are you in the country - you could try www.lhdporsche.com - They have a GT3 FOR £38K http://www.lhdporsche.com/clients/LHDPorsche/DisplayCar.asp?id=290&m=1&t=24012005071704

All the best, hope the above helps

 

[Dapster]

For 35k you should also have a drive in a Boxster S - for that money you can get a last of the line just replaced shape which will be newer than the equivalent 911 and you can get one from the OPC network.

For sure, what ever Porsche you go for, choose carefully and you will be rewarded by a very rich driving experiance. The M3's and the like are all excellent cars, but are just fast washing machines by comparison. Oh, and friends don't let friends buy a TVR.....

 

[Rotorhead]

1. Your budget should get you a late(ish) 3.4, pre-facelift, car. I believe there may have been a few problems with some early 3.4s but, as far as I know the later cars and particularly the 3.6s are fine. I think BMW has had more problems with the M3. No one seems to know the true extent of the RMS failures. Apparently most cars don't have an RMS problem, although quite a lot have had it replaced. Multiple RMS failures are very rare, but very unfortunate. Have it checked, but don't let it put you off buying a 996.

2. Some cars will have had several owners, some just one. Not really sure what difference it makes. However, there is still a stigma attached to cars with several previous owners so they are generally worth less.

3. 18" wheels, PSM, full leather, sound upgrade or Bose, Porsche sports exhaust (PSE) and, for me, heated seats.

4. Colours are personal. Silver/Seal/blues are popular, Red is making a comeback and black you either love or hate.

5. Can't comment on independents, always use an OPC. Or, buy privately. With care, and an independent inspection, you are more likely to get a bargain.

Also, the difference between C2 and C4 is personal. I prefer C2. Avoid lhd unless you are spending a lot of time abroad or it is a rare GT3 or RS. And, even if rhd, check country of origin code. A non-UK car or personal import is worth less than an officially supplied PCGB car.

Happy hunting

 

[Guest]

Hi there, i have just asked the same question as you [] so have a look at my thread.
It seems that you can have any Porsche checked by Porsche for £100 approx.

If it passes they will offer you an OPC warranty, if not you have some bargining power with the dealer supplying the car.

For 35k you will definatley get a C2/4 around the 1999/2000 with lowish miles

 

[Guest]

From my recollection Porsche will offer a warranty subject to the car passing the 72pt check providing that:-
a) It has been serviced and maintained in the OPC network
b) Any faults found during the check are rectified (ussually by them!)
c) No non-Porsche approved extras have been added
Now in a car of 5+ years of age it is probably marginal as to whether it meets all of the above criteria. However if it does then they charge you £720 for the OPC 12 month warranty.
With regard to (c) I have a little anecdote - I've just bought a new GT3 and sourced a Becker Traffic Pro radio that is a direct replacement for the original - Before delivery I asked if the OPC would fit it for me? - They refused, as they say its not an approved Porsche item (even though Porsche fits Becker units as std) and if they were to do it it would invalidate my warranty!!!
I think that if I had an unrelated claim Porsche would find it difficult to get out of their obligation - however.....

 

[mikfinch]

Thanks to all for good advice. I've decided that only way to go is to up my budget a bit and buy from an OPC. I'll pay way over the odds but at least I'll get a sound warranty. Walked into my local OPC today and accosted salesman with questions about failed engines and RMS's. He said he'd never heard of either and he kept a straight face as well[]

 

[mikfinch]

Thats an interesting website. Do you have any advice on lhd Porsches? Do they cost more to insure? Do they take longer to resell? Is an official used car warranty from a European OPC also valid at a UK OPC?

 

[Guest]

Yes they're good at keeping straight faced.....I had a funny incident at the launch of the 997 - when I asked the Service Manager whether he thought they would suffer from similar problems to the 996? - his immediate response was "Well they basically share the same engine so I suppose so......" then quickly retracted the comment.........Ooops!! Now I see on Rennlist that there are a few 997's getting RMS failures! However its like anything in life, there will be a proportion of Boxters/996/997 that will get the problem and there will be others that don't.....
I intended an initial ceiling of £35k and ended up spending £48k at an OPC.....then £58k on the next and now £70k+ its a drug!