Looking to buy my first Porsche

[shmirsh]

I've recently bought my first porsche, 2003 C2 Tip conv. Spent nearly 7 months looking, started at £25k and finished at £35k. Loads of trash out there, even on Pistonheads. I eventually found one with low mileage and in fantastic condition with an OPC warranty. It will take time if you, as I did, have a list of requirements.

Get yourself a buyers guide and memorise end to end. Go to an OPC and look at used cars to see what a used Porsche should be. Take atest drive.

Ask the seller lots of questions on service history, mileage, MOTs, accidents, etc before you even think about viewing. Get the info and cross check the details when you call back to arrange a viewing. Take tghe buyers guide with you when you go to see it. Take the options code list with you (dowload from the internet).

Happy hunting.

Shahid

 

[Dylan1]

well done shahid[] very thorough....only way to do it if you want to be sure........
enjoy!!

 

[rob.kellock]

or just buy the first one you see without even driving it...[]

worked for me!

the twist is that the car was owned by a member of my local PCGB region and had been known by a number of the more knowledgeable members for a couple of years who assured me it was the one 996 they'd buy without expert inspection. If you are not already a member, join PCGB and go to your local regional meeting, chat with owners and you never know what you'll find/learn. Enjoy the search and hope you find a good 'un.

 

[xaftershockx]

ORIGINAL: shmirsh

I've recently bought my first porsche, 2003 C2 Tip conv. Spent nearly 7 months looking, started at £25k and finished at £35k. Loads of trash out there, even on Pistonheads. I eventually found one with low mileage and in fantastic condition with an OPC warranty. It will take time if you, as I did, have a list of requirements.

Get yourself a buyers guide and memorise end to end. Go to an OPC and look at used cars to see what a used Porsche should be. Take atest drive.

Ask the seller lots of questions on service history, mileage, MOTs, accidents, etc before you even think about viewing. Get the info and cross check the details when you call back to arrange a viewing. Take tghe buyers guide with you when you go to see it. Take the options code list with you (dowload from the internet).

Happy hunting.

Shahid

Good advice Shahid

Thats what I did too!!

As you say there is so much trash out there when your forking out that much money you really want peace of mind!!!

 

[Guest]

Great advice but I'm too impatient (though I've mostly been lucky with that in the past).

I've seen an ad for a '99 cab around £20k. "Service book missing and dealer records lost when dealership changed hands" but reportedly been looked after by an indie for the last 5 years. Is it worth a 60 mile round trip or would you close the curtains if they brought it round for you to see?

Yes, it had a lady owner too (just used for pottering to the shops etc. Head says walk, gut says maybe...

This would be my first 'proper' porsche - I occasionally get to take my wife's cayenne to the petrol shop or drive it with both the children in [8|]

 

[Rodney Naghar]

If I was in the market for a Porsche, the last thing I'd want to hear is 'one careful lady owner'...all those short trips to the shops are the worst kind of use the car can get!
Well I guess if it was Gumballed/donutted to death and never had a service a la Lonmans GT2...that would be worse []

 

[Dylan1]

ORIGINAL: owb

Great advice but I'm too impatient (though I've mostly been lucky with that in the past).

I've seen an ad for a '99 cab around £20k. "Service book missing and dealer records lost when dealership changed hands" but reportedly been looked after by an indie for the last 5 years. Is it worth a 60 mile round trip or would you close the curtains if they brought it round for you to see?

Yes, it had a lady owner too (just used for pottering to the shops etc. Head says walk, gut says maybe...

This would be my first 'proper' porsche - I occasionally get to take my wife's cayenne to the petrol shop or drive it with both the children in [8|]

WALKIES.....!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: dyllan

ORIGINAL: owb

Great advice but I'm too impatient (though I've mostly been lucky with that in the past).

I've seen an ad for a '99 cab around £20k. "Service book missing and dealer records lost when dealership changed hands" but reportedly been looked after by an indie for the last 5 years. Is it worth a 60 mile round trip or would you close the curtains if they brought it round for you to see?

Yes, it had a lady owner too (just used for pottering to the shops etc. Head says walk, gut says maybe...

This would be my first 'proper' porsche - I occasionally get to take my wife's cayenne to the petrol shop or drive it with both the children in [8|]

WALKIES.....!

[flamesuit: on]

I'm going to throw the cat among the pidgeons and say it's worth a look. If you are going to keep it for a while, and can get the aforementioned indy to verify the history they have on the car you might be able to establish a service record of sorts by getting a replacement service book and having them stamp it up.

That's assuming it isn't a mega-miler, it is in very good nick, isn't an insurance Cat C or D, it gets a good report on a pre-purchase inspection, and you can buy it at a VERY attractive price. Buy low, sell low and enjoy driving it for a few years. Who really knows the full history of any second-hand car anyway?

[flamesuit: off]

 

[Vron]

I am a careful lady owner but always take my Honda CRV shopping []- what can you get in a 911???

 

[philippe]

I got my weeks shopping in mine, no problem you have to put the seats down, loads of room. It never gets used for this but the big advantage of a 911 is that you can use it, for almost everything.

Someone i know had a 996 a 1 lady owner and it was a very badly treated car. I would not want to buy a car that does not have a good history you may end up buying it cheap but it could cost a lot from now on. If you can spend as much as you can afford and get a good one, there are loads of cheap 996's but often reasons for this.

Phil

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dyllan - I've a horrible feeling you might be right but I'm going with Richard's suggestion for now as the owner is bringing over for me to see locally (tomorrow).

Would 90k+ make it a mega-miler? At that age it doesn't seem bad to me but I've never had a car like this before. I have a mate who's got a similar car and was hoping he might inspect first off and then maybe ask an indy to have a proper look - Can anyone recommend someone in the Lancashire/ Cheshire area?

Thanks everyone for the advice - Dyllan, watch this space for a sheepish update!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Not toooo bad.

Try Ninemeister in Warrington 01925 242342 or JMH Automotive at Holmes Chapel 01477 534499.

The seller seems a bit desperate if he/she is bringing it to you. Try and talk to the indy who was servicing it, to check the story, and definitely get an inspection.

 

[Diesel130]

a) I can get £150's worth of Sainsbury's in mine, without using the passenger seat.

b) Also, check they have the actual receipts for the 5 years at the indi, compare what's been done / hasn't been done to the recommened service schedule and make a judgement for yourself how well it has been looked after.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

a) I can get £150's worth of Sainsbury's in mine, without using the passenger seat.

But don't you find that all the ice cream has melted by the time you get home? [] [] It gets quite warm in there from the radiators.

 

[Dylan1]

ORIGINAL: owb

Thanks Dyllan - I've a horrible feeling you might be right but I'm going with Richard's suggestion for now as the owner is bringing over for me to see locally (tomorrow).

Would 90k+ make it a mega-miler? At that age it doesn't seem bad to me but I've never had a car like this before. I have a mate who's got a similar car and was hoping he might inspect first off and then maybe ask an indy to have a proper look - Can anyone recommend someone in the Lancashire/ Cheshire area?

Thanks everyone for the advice - Dyllan, watch this space for a sheepish update!

i dont know many lady owners who nip to the shops and do 90k miles unless the shops are a @@@@of a long way away[]
i know its 8 yrs old but....average mileage at best....
anyway interested to hear how you get on-you may be pleasantly surprised-just be careful and check those receipts[]