Help .. what to change my 3.2Carerra for?

[Sandman]

Looking to change my '88 3.2 Carerra (in black with cream leather.. a stunning example) for a 996. Is this a good move?
Currently looking at a 2004 C4S, FPSH, 45k miles, in gd condition apart from a few stone chips for £27k (private sale). Any hints or tips on what to look out for? Does it sound a reasonable price?
How does this model compare to a C2S or C2...
Or should I spend an addition £15k to get a 997?
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[jdpef356]

Is this a good move?

Depends what you want it for. If the 996 is for a daily driver probably yes.
If the 996 is for high days and holidays driving I would say no - take a look at the 993.

 

[Diesel130]

Of course, depends what you want it for. C4's have smaller boot than C2's.

My choice for your presumably max budget of 42 (27 + 15) would be a 996 GT3.

 

[Mario149]

My choice for your presumably max budget of 42 (27 + 15) would be a 996 GT3.

Despite my limited experience of Porsche ownership, for what it's worth, that's what I'd do!

My only (unfounded?) issue would be a niggling worry in the back of my mind about having to replace the engine for some horrificly unlucky reason. I hear they're rather more pricey than in a regular 996....but then again I can be a bit pessimistic at times

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: mt0859

My choice for your presumably max budget of 42 (27 + 15) would be a 996 GT3.

Despite my limited experience of Porsche ownership, for what it's worth, that's what I'd do!

My only (unfounded?) issue would be a niggling worry in the back of my mind about having to replace the engine for some horrificly unlucky reason. I hear they're rather more pricey than in a regular 996....but then again I can be a bit pessimistic at times

That's very very unlikely and if something does go wrong it's never an entire engine replacement.
Just take one for a test drive, you won't be dissapointed

 

[Mario149]

That's very very unlikely and if something does go wrong it's never an entire engine replacement.

It's probably my (not so []) subconscious jealousy that he's able to consider one which is clouding my post!!

I'm a bad person! []

 

[andrew symms]

I had a 85 3.2 Carrera for 5 years and had a similar dilema, looked at 993's but ended up with a Mk1 GT3, loving every minute of it. Hopefully because of the limited numbers the value of them should hold up quite well. Had the 3.2 for 5 years and lost £1k on it[]. There are plenty of GT3's for sale, just make sure you get one will full history and in excellent condtion

 

[h_____]

I had the same move, 3.2 for 7 years, I didnt need the car every day, wanted something involving, so I bought a 964RS, I think its fantastic. Real feel, and a proper 911. I found the others a little sanitised for me. That said I always regretted not getting a clubsport 3.2 first time around, I kept looking at the leccy windows, seats and sunroof and thinking, what do I need these for!!?

 

[Dylan1]

you wont need to!!as i reckon the £27k is a little on the high side only another 10k will get you into a nice little early 997C2 if its a daily drive you want
something more special and yes i agree with the others

 

[Bertroex]

For a "special" high day Porsche, your 3.2 will be hard to beat. Be it a 50 year old or a 5 year old: people will be beaming when seeing an impact bumper 911 in great condition, and the kids in yet another silver 996 will be taking pictures of your car rather than daddy's and loving the sound of it.

For it to be "worthwhile" in smiles per mile, you'd best upgrade to something "special", i.e. 964 RS, 964 Turbo, 996 GT3.

 

[Diesel130]

ORIGINAL: mt0859

...My only (unfounded?) issue would be a niggling worry in the back of my mind about having to replace the engine ...

... says a man who drives a maserati?!

 

[Mario149]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

ORIGINAL: mt0859

...My only (unfounded?) issue would be a niggling worry in the back of my mind about having to replace the engine ...

... says a man who drives a maserati?!

i should have seen that coming really shouldn't i?! [] now why do you think i sold it and got the 996?!

on a serious note though, fear of something happening to the engine after warranty expired, which i could simply not afford to replace, was one of the reasons i sold it. that said, it was a total pleasure to own (nothing i've driven before or since has turned heads like it!) - i had the dealer do about £2,500 worth of work to it when i bought it, as well as getting 6% of the sticker price. i had it for 9-10 months, did everything i wanted to do in it, then sold it in one week while it was still in great order with a service miles (no pun intended) off, with the only cost being my (substantial!) fuel bill. i got credit crunched on the selling price, but then i picked up my 996 for an absolute steal so it evened out in the end []