Considering 997 purchase

[John Cooper]

Having traded in my Boxster S when 2 kids arrived I now feel they're big enough to fit in the back of a 911. I have a '71 2.2E for sunny days but now need a second everyday car and can justify a budget of £40-50k.

I'm fairly sure I want a manual 997 C2S, but was wondering if anyone had any general advice if there were any particular years/options worth avoiding, I'm conscious there seem to have been some issues with the earlier cars. I intend to purchase from a reputable specialist or OPC.

Any general steers welcomed!

Thanks

John

 

[eddtheduck]

I've got a well specced 2005 C2S which I got with considerably less than your budget and I think you should have a pretty good choice open to you. Best decision I ever made - no doubt about it. Space in the back for kids is fine. Mine are 15 and 13 years old and would still rather squeeze in the 911, pack less makeup and PSP games than relax in the Discovery 3! The only thing you have to watch out for is the 911's handling does decline massively when it's loaded up to the brim! I'll still never know how I did it but I managed to persuade SWMBO that the 911 is a practical sports car before we took ownership. She still feels she made the right choice which means everyone is happy[]

 

[paulmichele]

John I went through this same thought process last summer and ended up buying a manual 05 c2S - and I am absolutely delighted. As are my kids (15, and 6' 2" through to a 9 year old)! who absolutely want to go everywhere in it. I bought one with relatively high mileage and so came in well under your budget. The research I did showed up quite a few issues (radiators, coil pack, RMS, gear linkages) but then you realise that actually the costs aren't really horrendous and nor are the numbers of failures; IMHO I don't think that there are any major problems and certainly not with specific years and or models. The main (=expensive) problem seems to be the RMS. The cars are remarkably well built and whilst reliability can never be guaranteed, I'd take a Porsche over most other marques any day. The car I bought had the RMS replaced only three months before I bought it as it was done (by Strasse) for ca £300 at the same time as the clutch was replaced so I'm hoping that should stave off any problems. You could also budget 5k less and buy an extended warranty [] Have a great time buying and an even better one driving.

 

[Rotorhead]

997 C2S is a great choice for everyday, to accompany your 2.2E. Safest route is to go to an OPC - they'll have nice stock, carefully prepared and the Official warranty is very thorough, but you'll pay a premium for the privilege. Private purchase can yield the best value, but you'll need to take a lot more care. I'd start by looking at OPC cars to gauge the standard, then see how the other options compare.

 

[davidcross]

i actually quite like the sound of your 71 2.2....

 

[grover]

Dont muck around A 2s with sport pack is what yuo shoudl look for, great fun, noise and a good package Agree go to an OPC or small independent though

 

[circleace]

With that budget you should get a great car. OPC have plenty of cars around that budget and this time of year, a deal can easily be done. I bought a few months ago and love it, kids love it and wife also but bought a manual so no one else can drive it! Don't worry to much about mileage, as long as its not too high and got FMSH with Porsche. Anything higher than 48000 miles, make sure clutch has been changed, coil pack done, otherwise buy one and you will love it!

 

[Helen Goff]

i have just bought a 2005 C4S from my local OPC, with extra power & only 1.000 miles on the clock. well within your budget [8D] i have just sold a 1968 911S, and my 1964 356C but, decided to keep my 1958 356a [8D]. I have had many classic Porsches but i really needed something that could cope all year around. so thought i'd go for a 993 turbo 4. however i couldn't find one i liked. one day i visted OPC Notts to collect some goodies i'd won in a Concours and they had the yellow 997C4S in. and the price was much the same as i had been looking at spending on a 993. after a test drive i needed no more persuading. Here i am 3,000 miles later in 2 months with some of the worst weather we've had in many years. i am very very happy with it. i am also very impressed with just how comfortable it is.

 

[davidcross]

Question is would you have another 1968 model Helen? Im guessing you got top dollar for the older model?

 

[Helen Goff]

ORIGINAL: davidcross Question is would you have another 1968 model Helen? Im guessing you got top dollar for the older model?

ah yes indeed i would. but i would go for a T or E with a softer more everyday spec rather than the S which i found to hard/noisy/manic as its design to work best at over 5,000 revs. [&o] I guess that dosn't sound much by modern standards but a T or E will be happy at between 2-3,000 revs so you can imagine the noise diffrence. (sorry didn't mean to hijack this thread [])

 

[davidcross]

Was your old car LHD Helen? ive been looking at some older models but im nervous of buying a car thats full of rot!

 

[Helen Goff]

ORIGINAL: davidcross Was your old car LHD Helen? ive been looking at some older models but im nervous of buying a car thats full of rot!

No it's RHD. i've owned both LHD and RHD though with no problems. Rot is always a risk with a old car. Mine has been fully (and i mean fully) restored where needed using brand new body panels from Porsche. Hence the selling price of £54k = you get what you pay for with classic cars. its for sale here (nothing to do with me any longer) [link=http://sherwoodrestorations.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=495606&p_i=495606]http://sherwoodrestorations.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=495606&p_i=495606[/link] BTW its a 1968 model year NOT a 1967. includes its original one year only elephant hide interior. my advise when looking is to get an expert opinion Not the AA or "friend" it's taken me years to learn the ins and out of these pre 1973 cars and i still have much to learn.

 

[Helen Goff]

ORIGINAL: John Cooper Having traded in my Boxster S when 2 kids arrived I now feel they're big enough to fit in the back of a 911. I have a '71 2.2E for sunny days but now need a second everyday car and can justify a budget of £40-50k. I'm fairly sure I want a manual 997 C2S, but was wondering if anyone had any general advice if there were any particular years/options worth avoiding, I'm conscious there seem to have been some issues with the earlier cars. I intend to purchase from a reputable specialist or OPC. Any general steers welcomed! Thanks John

to get this thread back on topic: my advice is go to a dealer and ask questions drive a few and then decide. you won't be dissapointed. i wasn't.

 

[davidcross]

Funny heheln as ive been looking at your old car for ages on Car and Classic! I spoke to Export56 as well. they have a couple in that look interesting and around the 60k mark. I think i need to drive one and see if i could actually live with one. I have someone thats interested in my 997. Tks for the advice

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: John Cooper I'm fairly sure I want a manual 997 C2S, but was wondering if anyone had any general advice if there were any particular years/options worth avoiding, I'm conscious there seem to have been some issues with the earlier cars. I intend to purchase from a reputable specialist or OPC. Thanks John

Why are you so sure you want a manual C2S? I agree that a tiptronic is a poor relation, but have you driven PDK? The 997 Gen 2 with PDK is now available within your budget. Don't listen to anyone unless they have driven PDK for more than a 1000 miles. I have yet to find anyone in that bracket who does not love the option and would not spec it again. I certainly would... I did!!! It is a driver's option, so much so that that ultimate driver's car, a Ferrari 458 Italia will not be offered without the PDK equivalent.

 

[Dylan1]

"The 997 Gen 2 with PDK is now available within your budget" dont think so derek-i havent seen a pdk 997 anywhere near 50k yet-maybe in a yrs time but not yet-certainly the cheapest on opc network currently nearer 60k-just dont want to mislead the poor chap who started the thread!!

 

[spyderman]

I agree, dyllan - I'm looking myself and even a "poverty spec" C2 with PDK can't be had for less than £55k; from a reputable dealer, its more like £65k.

 

[tscaptain]

Hi John, A quick flick through P/H reveals hundreds to choose from to match your budget! Certainly at the top end you should be looking at a 2-3 year old car max. If it were my £50k I would look for C2S, manual with short shift (tip is rubbish unlike PDK which is brilliant) Sport Chrono, PSE as the main "must haves". Then the rest is a bonus but cruise, electric/heated seats, BOSE, Carrera Sport wheels are nice to have. Then there is the colour...........[] Happy hunting!

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: dyllan "The 997 Gen 2 with PDK is now available within your budget" dont think so derek-i havent seen a pdk 997 anywhere near 50k yet-maybe in a yrs time but not yet-certainly the cheapest on opc network currently nearer 60k-just dont want to mislead the poor chap who started the thread!!

Not true, well not exactly. I have seen at least one PDK 997 for £54K. Given the current climate I'm sure that could be had for £50K

 

[Peely]

Not true, well not exactly. I have seen at least one PDK 997 for £54K. Given the current climate I'm sure that could be had for £50K I think that in the 'current climate' quite the opposite is happening ........ s/h cars are selling for more than they where 12mths ago