Thinking of a 996

tim_haskins · May 17, 2010

Hi guys

what are the thoughts on the 996. I am thinking about getting one but it would involve selling the 964. What would be a fair price to ask for my 964 targa?

1993 guards red
new leather by southbound+new carpets
recent clutch + bills for over 10k for service items
cup wheels and mirrors
new engine tin/powder coated fan etc.
No leaks at all.
New wishbones and poly bushes
993 turbo big reds fitted 100 miles ago
refurbed targa roof
new shocks/springs h+r green and bilstien HD fitted 200 miles ago
full alignment carried out
135k miles
like new condition.....this is a genuine comment
Full history

totally immaculate....been told many times by indies it's the nices one they have seen.

tim_haskins · May 17, 2010

Thinking about 996 turbo or c2

So around 25-30k car

964 not for sale at the moment till I make up my mind. Another option is for a 3.4 996 and keep the 964.

Problem is I have had the 964 for 8 years and only covered 5000 miles in that time. Maybe a 996 would be more of every day car

I really can't make up my mind!

Tim

Dave Wilkinson · May 17, 2010

Tim,

I can't convince myself that you are seriously looking for encouragement on a 964 Forum to sell what must be one of the loveliest 964s on the planet in favour of one of the most scary prospects in the world of motoring!!

The 996 Turbo is quite another matter and, surely, the ONLY possible contender in your choices but I'm afraid someone would have to PAY ME a LOT of money to take on a regular 3.4 or 3.6 996 of any variety other than a Turbo or GT3. There are few that have risked such a move without the security of a Porsche warranty - and I suspect most of the cars you would consider would now be outside of that option. The potential costs of IMS failures, bore damage and the annoyance of RMS failures would, frankly, scare the hell out of me.

Maybe it's just that I'm a "dyed-in-the-wool" 964 fan!!

Regards

Dave

tim_haskins · May 17, 2010

Dave

engine failure is one of my major concerns and probably the one major factor in me keeping the 964. I do love the 964 hence why I have spent so much keeping it in immaculate shape. I have never driven the turbo or a c2 to compare if I want one enough to sell the 964.

I am only asking on here as most of the members love their 964 too and therefore to get an opinion from others who have driven the turbo or c2. It's such a tough descision as I don't want to regret selling one of the nicest 964's around. I am really undecided on the best thing to do! One half of me says the turbo would be great fun,more practical for everyday use etc and the other half of me thinks I love my 964 so why change, it's got classic lines with zero deprication and the 996 turbo is just a fast car that I would enjoy but would I like it as much as the 964?...I defo don't want a 993 as I personally don't like the shape. A gt3 would be nice but not really my cup of tea as I am not intending to track it. So as you say its gotta really be the turbo. In my eyes the 964 still has the edge on looks and wow factor...

Perhaps I should forget it.....

Tim

Spy · May 17, 2010

If it helps you to price your car, there is this one for sale here on PCGB http://www.porscheclubgb.com/Vehicle/980.aspx

As regards what to buy, I think the only way to go is a 996 Turbo, particularly if you are worried about the documented issues with the NA engines.

Here are some interesting examples (without knowing what your criteria are):

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1724092.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1578817.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1533374.htm

oldtimer · May 17, 2010

I do have a 964RS ( and a 911E) neither of which I would use everyday , and I DID have a 996C2 , an early 3.4 , that I ran for 7 years 1999-2006 with absolutely no problems , during which time mileage went from 9000 to 81000 !
So averaged 10k miles year and 30mpg. Replaced 1 set coils and 1 battery as well as various tyres. However it was a tiptronic , and someone at the OPC told me there were less engine problems ( RMS etc) with tips. Never even needed aircon regassing which was a big plus as the aircon works really well on the watercooled cars .

So keep the 964 and find a good 996C2 , prices are affordable.

mr pg · May 17, 2010

I was thinking the same about selling my 964 targa for a 996. Then had a big bill, and a great time in N Wales, and thought a 996 won't better this (and won't sound as good), so am now keeping it. In fact, intending to spend some (lots!) more on it to get it how I want it. Watch this space.

C2dweller · May 18, 2010

When I recently had my 964 inspected at a specialist (as part of the purchase) the mechanic mentioned how much better the build quality of the 964 was compared to the 996. The reason really being the cost controls applied to the 996 design & manufacture.

It came up in conversation as I had mentioned that I was initially in the market for a guards red 996 <£20K, but gave up due to lack of availability.

Again - not my opinion, but that of someone who sees a lot of Porsches. You are in the fortunate position of owning a 964, so you'll be able to spot this pretty quickly if true.

Lee

sawood12 · May 19, 2010

Beyond no doubt the later porsches are better build quality than later ones, but that is not to say that later cars are poor build quality. 996's/Boxsters are easily as reliable or moreso than any other modern car. I know of people amongst my circle of friends, family and work colleagues that have had some spectalular garage bills and breakdowns with pretty much any brand of car. The reality is that due to a combination of a much much higher production numbers with the later Porsches and the power that people have to tell others of their problems like forum such as this, then a unrealistic view of reality is often perceived by people.

Lets not forget that older cars were not without their issues when new either. In fact I remember one specialist telling me that the 964 got a reputation of poor reliability and various niggles when it first came out and I remember reading an old edition of a motoring mag that was reviewing then warning of Porsches reputation for bulletproof reliability is under threat.

I had a count up recently of the number of people I personally know of with Boxsters and 996's and the number came to 16 and out of that population not one has had an engine failure, RMS issue (though one had the RMS changed as part of a clutch replacement, but didn't suffer the symptoms) or anything. And we are talking about non Porsche enthusiasts here, people who treat their cars like Ford Focus' - daily drivers all year round in all weathers, not molly-coddled, minimum attention paid to servicing and maintenance, parked out on the drive every night exposed to the elements, lots of short journeys to the local Tesco Express etc. There have been a few coil packs replaced between them, a few prematurely replaced rear discs due to corrosion and quite a few replaced front rads.

So at the end of the day as long as you do what you can to make sure you pick a car that is not suffering any known engine problems then it is highly likely you will not suffer an engine failure - and RMS is just an annoyance due to the dripping oil - and lets face it, if there is one thing old Porsches are famous for it is oil leaks - it is why their undersides are usually so well preserved, not because of Galvanising but due to the liberal coating of oil. If you want a 996, then get one would be my advice. Can I have your 964?? (only joking - wont be able to get it past the finance commitee at the moment!)