Newbie Advise

[chard]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and haven't yet aquired my first Porsche. I've got a budget of somewhere between £14-15K and have been eye balling some early 996's. Am I on a path the financial self destruction going down this route or can these models be ok?

Is the boxster a better bet or even a 3.2 carrera?
Any advise would be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks

Richard

 

[Mike58]

wow what a dilema
I owned a 3.2 for 17 yrs and can vouch for its bulletproofness in the mechanics but they are made of metal and are old
I resisted the obvious route to 964 ownership as they were looking v expensive to maintain, by now most will have the big bills spent.
993 are loverly but just because they are air cooled shouldn't make you pay over the odds
S will be less prone to corrosion simply because they are younger.
My advice ( correct spelling [8|] ) is to drive and inspect any cars that fall within your price range and see which model suits you best , that in itself is 1. great fun and 2. can dispel myth and prejudice from reading motoring journals.3. Will define which spec is a must have - some cars can be a compromise too far.
Bottom line is that a well kept ( pampered) Porsche of any vintage from '69 - 09 will provide you with immense motoring pleasure , but but the wrong one will hurt both financially and mentally.
We have an experienced and knowledgeable membership in R1 from the Randolph like Brian Woods to the fearsome creature of Hobbit like proportions that some call Sean Grant. Between them and the combined brain power of Boydy and Big Al there is wise advice to be had, albeit with a strange accent from the last two.

Mike

 

[2fast4u]

Unfortunately, 3 out of those 4 don't frequent the forum (that often)!!

Maybe try and come along to a club meeting Richard, there are plenty who attend those who would advise on the do's and don'ts of buying a 911.

Hope you find one soon, although, maybe you would be better waiting till after the winter.............they're no good in the snow!!!

Kim

 

[GreigM]

The answer to your question is "maybe".

The 996 has fundamentally the same engine (M96/97) as the boxster (and similarly 997 and cayman - excluding turbo and GT models which is a whole different engine) - which means its built to be replaced rather than repaired. If you are unlucky enough to be one of the few who has a significant engine issue then it can be costly as the only real route is to replace (there are some rebuild options coming through, but these aren't cheap either). Its also commonly regarded that the lifespan of a 996 engine is around 160K miles - although some will go to 200K+ with no issues whatsoever.

Apart from that there are few common issues and it really is a well built car, and for the price you pay its a great deal....so you need to really ask if you can live with the "what if" scenario. Chances are very slim it'll happen to you.

Boxster isn't necessarily a better bet except for the same money you will get a far younger car, and also the Boxster is fundamentally the same engine bored out less, so there is a benefit there.

Can't comment on older cars as I've not owned any, except as mike says, these are some very old bits of metal now....

 

[John H]

That budget puts you right at the cusp of ownership for something like a 996. Sure you could get one for that money, but it leaves you little or nothing in reserve for maintenance, and ALL porsches like maintenance, and it is never cheap. Would this be your daily driver? ... if so I'd be even more concerned. Less of a problem if its a weekend toy, and you have something cheap and reliable to get to work in!

Perhaps a better route would be to spend £10k on a really good 968, which would leave you several thousand in your trouser pocket for maintenance, insurance and petrol!

 

[Alan Woods]

Depends what you want it for.

For a weekend car a 964 or 3.2/SC (3.2 my choice)
For more regular use a Boxster/996 (Boxster my choice).

 

[lauris]

ORIGINAL: chard

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and haven't yet aquired my first Porsche. I've got a budget of somewhere between £14-15K and have been eye balling some early 996's. Am I on a path the financial self destruction going down this route or can these models be ok?

Is the boxster a better bet or even a 3.2 carrera?
Any advise would be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks

Richard

Hi Richard

I'm the Reional Organiser for the club, we have Glasgow meets the first tuesday of each month at Sherbrooke hotel, near ibrox, around 8pm and at the Dakota hotel at South Queensferry the first thursday of each month, 8pm onward, both are very informal chat with a few of the members,

You would be most welcome to come along and have a chat at any of them and hear peoples thoughts on whats the best car for you. All have their good points and bad points. All depends on what you want to use the car for, what service budget you can afford and if you are concerned about deprication. If it was my pennies, for £15 you would get nice 964 or very nice 3.2 carrera with a G50 box, 993s will be scruffy at that price. 996 will be more comfy and easier to drive with a much much more modern feeling, (for some that means lack of soul !) but 996's dont have the same cult status as the air cooled cars and they have less robust engines.

You should drive them all before you make up your mind,

regards
Scott.
0780 326 0417

 

[chard]

Thanks for all the advise.

I've finally taken the plunge and finished up with a 2005 987 Boxster s with 15K on the clock and FPSH. Although I've stretched my origional buget quite a bit I felt the deal I was offered was good in being quite a lot less than most of the classified add.
I just hope I haven't bought a pup as I've bought it from a Jaguar dealer.[8|]

Are there any common problems I should check? The dealer says that they will check the car over prior to collection but I have my reservations.

I look forward to going to the meets and having a good chat with you all.

Ps Any insurance recommedations for a high days and sunny days driver?

Thanks

Rich

 

[John H]

ORIGINAL: chard

... 2005 987 Boxster s with 15K on the clock and FPSH.

Good choice, and about as low risk as you can get in used Porschedom.

If you really want the full "belt and braces" option, you could always buy a Porsche used car warranty for it. Expensive (circa £1000 as I recall) and the OPC has to do a full check over on it, but the closest thing you can get to a new car warranty. Ask any of the OPC's for details.

Enjoy! []

 

[kitchens]

If you haven't handed over your well earned cash to the dealer ,you could insist they take the car to a Porsche OPC and get them to do the full 111point check that way any issues will be brought to your attention that way it will give you a bargaining tool to get anything sorted.
I have owned several (10) porsches over the years and my current one is a 06 2.7 987 Boxster and they are a great car this is my second one .They are a very balanced car and you will not be disappointed in the performance esp the 3.2 and at 15k miles should be a sound car .What colour spec etc is it .I would not bother about the warranty as it now costs over £1200 just set aside that for a big service and brake pads discs tyres every 2 years
welcome to the fold
Brian

 

[Mike58]

Wise words from the ancient sage

 

[chard]

ORIGINAL: kitchens

If you haven't handed over your well earned cash to the dealer ,you could insist they take the car to a Porsche OPC and get them to do the full 111point check that way any issues will be brought to your attention that way it will give you a bargaining tool to get anything sorted.
I have owned several (10) porsches over the years and my current one is a 06 2.7  987 Boxster and they are a great car this is my second one  .They are a very balanced car and you will not be disappointed in the performance esp the 3.2 and at 15k miles should be a sound car .What colour spec etc is it .I would not bother about the warranty as it now costs over £1200 just set aside that for a big service and brake pads discs tyres every 2 years
welcome to the fold 
Brian

Hi, its a pretty standard car other than 19" carrera wheels, metalic black paint, leather seats and just above base radio/cd.
I've already paid the deposit and the cars currently being prepared. For what is worth parks have put their own 1 year warranty on the car but I fear the worst if something does go wrong[8|]. However I save £5k on the OPC price on similar cars.
You roll the dice and take your chances

 

[kitchens]

Saw the car nice wheels easy to keep clean...the fact you got 1 year warranty is a bonus ..enjoy get the hood down heater on []

 

[loc944]

Hi Richard, sounds like you have made a safe choice in your chosen purchase. As new as you could for your budget (Although increased). I couldn't advise earlier as no experience yet with any of the cars you mentioned , I drive a 944. Hope to see you and your new purchase at a meet soon. I usually go to Glasgow meet at Sherbrooke Castle Hotel , Dumbreck on first Tuesday of month from 8.

Cheers Alan.

 

[loc944]

Hi Richard, have you picked your car up yet? What's your thoughts? Though you won't be getting out much.

Alan.

 

[chard]

Hi Allan,

The car is still at the dealer so I've got no idea what it's really like yet. With 2 feet of snow in the drive it's not likely to get collect any time soon which is a pain.
The only good thing is it's given me more time to look for the best insurance. Not having much luck so far.

 

[loc944]

Have you tried the insurers that advertise in 911&PORSCHE WORLD or GT PURELY PORSCHE magazines? Some offer discounts to PCGB members. I am just about to renew with MAYFAIR INSURANCE GROUP they advertise as PERFORMANCE INSURANCE.

What is your location?

ALAN

 

[chard]

At last the snow has melted enough to collect the car. This maybe an amateur question but here goes, when the car is ideling there is a ticcking noise coming from the right hand side engine air intake. Is this normal? Also the front bonnet opens with the key fob but not the switch inside the car. Anyone had this and if so do you know the fix? Thanks

 

[John H]

ORIGINAL: chard

... when the car is ideling there is a ticcking noise coming from the right hand side engine air intake. Is this normal?

Don't worry about it, mine does that, and so does every other one I've driven.

 

[chard]

Don't worry about it, mine does that, and so does every other one I've driven.

Thanks for the reassurance, I had a terrible feeling that I was going to have to explain to my wife that I'd purchased a dud and believe me that would not have been a pleasurable experience![]