new buyer tips ?

[proenca]

hi there,

im trying to amass the best info I can ( two buyers guide bought and on the way ) for my First 911 964. I always wanted a 968 but after checking the insurance prices were nuts ( i have 2 years of driving license ) and specially after checking that a 911 964 could be insured for far less ( due to falling in classic car insurance, were the 968 pays a premium, go figure ) and last but not least because the 964 was my teenager dream, Im on the market for one.

Any good websites with tips to check a car ? What should I check/ask on buying a 964 ? Any help, even if very basic, please share

Is 12/13k a decent amount to buy one ? I would prefer C4, LHD, and black. Im being too unrealistic or for this amount of money I only getting lemons ? I just dont like very much the guards red ( ok shoot me now ) and the weird colours ( ametist and so on ), so Im really keen on black, slate grey and silver ( by this order ). Dark blue not bad as well.

Apart from autotrader, fuchs, ebay, eporsch and 911virgin, what other dealers you recommend ? I know that the 964 can be a money pit and I just want to make sure what Im getting into.

Thank you in advance for the help,

Goncalo

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Goncalo,

Your budget should be fine for a half decent LHD car - there are many on the market for less. The one place you didn't mention where the standard is generally very good is PistonHeads (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk). There is a mix of private and trade cars but it is well respected as a place to sell good quality cars - much better than eBay. Currently more than 40 964 related ads are running.

As far as web sites are concerned, the first port of call should be John Miles excellent 964 site at http://www.porsche964.co.uk. The 964 Yahoo Group at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/porsche964/ is a mine of information - there is a short buyers guide in the Files section too.

There are a few other dealers like Gmund and Specialist Cars of Malton but they tend to stock the pricier cars - RS'es and Turbos - so your budget may be under some pressure there. Roly and Henry (Eporsch and 911Virgin respectively) are good and know the cars well

Good luck with the search.

Regards

Dave.

 

[TJW964]

I have had a Guards Red C2 for 18 months now. I did not do the research you are doing and the more time you take the better your buy will be. The only point I would add is to get a full check from an indie BEFORE parting with any money. Well worth a couple of hundred now, than a few thousand later.

They are holding their money quite well and from what I see if you pay less than you would expect, expect to pay it back on making the car proper again! Sellers often know what they are doing. Don't be fooled by nice sellers.

Also, look through receipts for what is not there, e.g. last 12k service, changes of clutch, DMF, etc.

Finally, the web sites mentioned above are very helpful and expect to pay less in UK for a LHD C4. Good Luck. Let us know how you get on.