Problems with vandalism?

[topgear253]

Hi

I'm a new member and am just looking at buying a 996 (1999 ish) for my one and only car. I've had a couple of test drives and am in no doubt that it will be fine from a driving aspect, although I'm worried about leaving it in car parks and general vandalsim. I am looking for a C2 with no aerokit on it so the car will be as 'inconspicuous' as possible - for a 911.

Is it feasible to use a 996 like this, have any of you guys had much experience of problems?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[beershark]

Hi Alex,

I have had a 'standard looking' 996 for the last 3 years in Central London and prior to that a 964, 968 Cab and 944 Turbo and the most I have had is a parking ding and a scuff on the bumper.

I use it regularly and park on my drive way and have no hesitation in using car parks whilst shopping etc. I am sure this is the kiss of death for me now []

However, I always try and park away from corners and driveways and in car parks away from tight spots even if it means an extra 30 seconds walk - bearing in mind, driving a 996 i probably got there sooner! []

Good luck,

Rob

 

[adrian996]

Hi Alex! Do you think that you could get £1000 - £1500 off the price if your future 996? If you can, then why don't you put that towards a knackered run-around with a years MOT on it? Have you seen what you get in the local Free-Ads and Auto-Trader for that sort of money these days?!! I agree with Rob; central London is safe! I drove my C2 996(MY2003) up to town from Wales and had no problems leaving it around. Why? Because there are so many high-end cars around, people don't really notice them. Only serious car thieves hang around London - not pathetic no-marks who are just envious of your car and do something to it to p**s you off!
If you had the option of using the run-around you could at least see how things pan-out with leaving the Porka around and if you're happy and don't have any probs then sell the shed for what ever you can claw back for it!
I've had the 911 for three years now and never had any real issues. However, I've returned to the car in a car park twice (once in south of France and once here) and come across a group of lads paying unhealthy attention to the car and on noticing me returning have power-walked away! Paranoid? Too stressed? Maybe, but I'm bloody glad I got back to the car when I did!
I paid £500 for a Merc E190 with 150,000 miles on it. Runs like a watch. Regularly leave it in Tescos with the keys in it and engine running - and it's always there when I get back!!
Good luck with the purrrrrrrchase! Adrian.

 

[mbwhitby]

Hi

I'm the Head of a school for 5-16 year olds with behaviour problems (the kind that get excluded from 'normal' schools). I had an M3 before my 996 and the kids were all over it, nothing malicious, just loved it and wanted to touch and sit in it. Since getting the Porsche only the true 'experts' pay any attention; the rest of them ignore it! They simply don't understand why I changed. Between them they have stolen many cars but never a Porsche. One of them thought it was a Beetle as it had the engine in the back. His mate just thought someone had nicked the engine!!!

Says it all really.

No body kit by the way!!

Mark

 

[Watty]

I have a 996 C4 with full GT3 aerokit as a daily driver and (tempting fate now) have never had it vandalised in any way. It is left outside my house at home (don't have a drive or garage) and the only damage I have ever had was here - when I was actually inside and a truck driver opened his door onto my wing!

OK, so I don't often go into London, but I do often leave it in airport car-parks, Waitrose, Tescos, hotels (inc. Travellodge, etc).

If the worst comes to the worst... That's what insurance is for!

Enjoy...

 

[Mark Elder]

Took mine to the OPC for an MOT, when I came back it had a door ding..... does not really matter where you leave it!

 

[howardyuill]

i agree , ive had two 996s and have to use mine everyday,the thing is if someone gonna scratch it they will. but i like to think that most d*** heads actualy admire the porsche
and would rather scratch up shiny bmw or audi.(thats my therory) how ever my cats have made the rear end a great kippin place !!! enjoy your chariot !!!!!

 

[rob.kellock]

I think howardyuill is right. Touchwood, mine has been completely unmolested to date. I did have one heart in the mouth moment once in central Manchester when 2 ASBO types were unhealthily close to mine when I returned to it with a third blatantly keeping nicks but when I got in, it was clear that I was simply interrupting a minor drug deal and they had no malicious interest in the car! I generally avoid tight parking spaces but other than that, I take my chances. The car is designed to be used everyday. Get one, they are fabulous and you will enjoy it.

 

[Bull996]

Mmm. Mine had every panel scratched in Jan...£8k respray. My fault as parked in a very bad area that I knew was bad...

 

[topgear253]

Thanks a load for those comments guys. I've just had a TT so I'm used to the careful parking thing, although you wont believe the amount of times I parked in the furthest corner away in a Tesco's car park with no cars within 100 yards, and come back to find some annoying idiot had come and parked next to me!

The run around is a possibility although things are a bit tight for parking spaces near me, hmm.

That was interesting what you said mbwhitby, I guess because the 996 has watered down the 911 shape a bit, it blends in a tiny bit more which helps the vandalism side....

 

[Guest]

Previous Audio A6 Quattro git the doors kicked in.
My 996 has had the top stabbed twice. OPC replaced the cab top and not only scratched the car but also dinged it.

But I guess I cant argue. This is Liverpool.....at least I still have the wheels.

 

[devans]

I have to say that if your buying a car that you enjoy driving then it should be used every day. I really don't see the point in buying a car which is locked up in the garage and just brought out at weekends for a polish. [&:] If you did, you would be thinking of buying a Ferrari. [] I use mine every day for work and am a deputy headteacher of an 11-18 tough boys school, where some of our students are on ASBOS and are definately in trouble with the police. Once the initial few weeks were out of the way when i first drove it to school, most boys appreciate the fact that as an older teacher, you have some taste with regard to cars.
However, one word of warning. Know the area you may be leaving the car parked in. There are definate areas i would not park my car for too long. Other than that, enjoy the driving experience. By the way, mine has a full aerokit and i would not change this for the world.[]

 

[topgear253]

I agree, it's infuriating to work hard for years to afford a nice car and have the decision whether to get it decided by whether I will be able to park it without it getting vandalised. I'm a bit twitchy about it as my TT was knifed along the whole side a year ago when I left it outside my girlfriends place. Luckily one of her neighbours very kindly said I could park the car in their back yard from then on.

From what you've all said it sounds like it could work which is excellent news!

 

[Guest]

Mine's suffered quite a lot of vandalism.

Badly scraped both sides of front PU.
Scratches on front and rear PUs.
Chipped LHS door by handle.
Lots of scuffs to interior.

All damage by the same vandal.
Me. [:'(]

 

[nottage]

Hi Alex,

Came out of my house on Sunday morning to find that some lovely person had tried to relieve me of my bonnet badge. Of course it wouldn't come off the car so they just settled for scratching the bonnet and making the badge v shaped.
Previously been lightened of my crested centre caps as well, but this could happen to any car. A VW also had it's badged removed on Sat night in my road.
Certainly wouldn't put me off buying a 911.

Regards,
Kevin