Upgrading from 993 C2S to RS

leesweeney · May 13, 2007

Convetsation with wife this afternoon

Wife "I've been thinking that as our house hasn't sold, instead of trebling the mortgage and being financially knackered for life, perhaps we could just stay put and have a nice extension, that way you can also have that RS thingy you've always wanted"

I remained admirably calm, despite wanting to break down in tears of joy. However, I have just realised I wouldn't know where to start to find a RHD RS. Checked out a few independants wbesites,as you do, but now realise just how rare these cars actualy are.

I thought the RS forum might be able to tell me where to start looking - I presume there are people who would provide a 'find you a car' service?

Any suggestions on price much appreciated - I'm thinking of average or prefeably lower mileage, excellent condition as anything less would drive me nuts, spec less important (or am I wrong for taking this view), oh and RHD or am I now asking too much. If so I could always go for a decet 3.2 track car and keep the 'S'. Not the same though.

Thanks

DESMO16 · May 13, 2007

Hi Lee,
I ve owned my 993RS for just over 8 years and its a rhd.
I think you will have your work cut out to find a nice original panelled car, with low/medium milage, since they only imported a total of 47 (7 clubsports).
I would expect the nice cars to be well known and invariably when the owner decides to sell ,word of mouth tends to beat most adverts and a lot change hands without even coming to the market.[&:]
The best way forward is to register your interest with Paul Howells and also speak to the well known RS specialists, like GT Classics or Gmund.
With regards to price, I guess for a nice car you may be in the region of 70k.
Good luck and don't give up they are fantastic!!!

Cheers

John

clubsport · May 13, 2007

A good rhd 993RS with low miles is likely to cost you at least £65k and more likely £70k+ now for the best. All depends what comes on the market and what the buyer thinks they can sell for, definitely more buyers than sellers, or so it would appear at the moment.

Many of us drive lhd examples, they have some (possible?) benefits over rhd and being more plentiful come in at roughly £15k cheaper than rhd on a like for like condition basis.
I wasn't keen on the idea of a lhd car at first, but am now on my 2nd lhd RS, a leftie may not be for you, but I wouldn't totally rule one out unless you have at least tried one.You may be pleasantly suprised?

Paul Mclean of www.gtclassics.co.uk would be a good place to start in sourcing a car......
Apparently there are 41 rhd UK standard spec cars, and 5 of 7 stripped out clubsports left so rare enough [

] A few HK, Aus,NZ etc... rhd cars to add to this, but not many.

They seem to trade of late by word of mouth if anything, as quite a few people know the various examples in circulation and stories both good and bad that go with the individual cars [

]

You mentioned a 3.2 track car....it may make sense if you don't fancy ragging £70k round a circuit?
Having said that an RS totally comes into it's own on track...give it some thought.

Best of luck with your search [

]

clubsport · May 13, 2007

John,,,,pretty similar thoughts,,,,,took me 10 mins to type mine.

DESMO16 · May 13, 2007

ORIGINAL: clubsport

John,,,,pretty similar thoughts,,,,,took me 10 mins to type mine.

Paul......."great minds..................[

][

]

clubsport · May 13, 2007

Absolutely! [

]

Sent you Email by the way......

vic cohen · May 13, 2007

And Paul = wet Sunday !

leesweeney · May 13, 2007

Thanks chaps,

I guess my pricing was out by about £10k - she'll just have to have a smaller conservatory!

Unbelievable to think that decent RS's are only just shy of a new GT3, hardly a shabby car. That was my first thought actually but then some financial common sense came over me - new GT3 = great car which will depreciate, RS = great car which will appreciate. No brainer really. (Actually the new GT3 and RS variants are the first of the watercooled cars to get me hot under the collar)

I knew the RHD drive examples were rare but hadn't realised they were that rare. I bought a 996 C4 off a chap in bath a couple of years ago who had an RS for all seasons 964, 993, 996 and now a 73 2.7RS (think he sold the 996 GT3RS to get the 2.7). Can't remember whether the 993 was rhd or not but maybe I should start by firing him an email to keep me informed if he is ever mad/stupid enough to sell it.

clubsport · May 13, 2007

Lee, Nigel is often on here, nice chap and certainly knows his cars, his black lhd 993 is about as good as they come

leesweeney · May 13, 2007

ORIGINAL: clubsport

Lee, Nigel is often on here, nice chap and certainly knows his cars, his black lhd 993 is about as good as they come

LHD is it? I sent him an email anyway as I didn't know. Yes, Nigel was an absolute top chap. When I collected the 996 C4 I bought from him he had lunch ready and waiting for me! I never got to see the rest of his collection, more's the pity. However, I've seen the 2.7 a few times in magazines and he has a picture under his name in the members section - funny how those lurid colours (Nigel's is green) are making a come back. My friend had Specialist Cars of Malton prepare his 996 Turbo in Viper Green last month (it's in GT Purely Porcshce this month) along with Revo power and various other upgrades and I thought he'd made a big mistake until I saw it - really beautiful in the flesh. I'd still prefer the real thing though.

Anyway, thanks for your help. My search looks like being a long one.

johnny senna · May 14, 2007

Chris Harris (writes for Autocar and GT Porsche) recently bought a RHD one (comfort spec, small wings) in dark blue. He doesn't tend to hold onto his cars for long. Maybe send him an e-mail asking if he wants to sell?

Mind you, I like having such a cool journo driving one of our fine cars!

I wouldn't rule out LHD. Much better value, bigger fuel tank and many more to choose from.

carreraboy · May 14, 2007

LHD as a non-everyday driver good option....have you driven a LHD? Most UK 964RS Buyers start looking for RHD, but once driven the LHD have been smitten....good luck with your search....

leesweeney · May 14, 2007

ORIGINAL: johnny senna

Chris Harris (writes for Autocar and GT Porsche) recently bought a RHD one (comfort spec, small wings) in dark blue. He doesn't tend to hold onto his cars for long. Maybe send him an e-mail asking if he wants to sell?

Mind you, I like having such a cool journo driving one of our fine cars!

I wouldn't rule out LHD. Much better value, bigger fuel tank and many more to choose from.

That sounds like a good idea - have GT Porsche in front of me now and it does look good (even with the small wing).

A few other contributors keep mentioned LHD and I just can't bring myself to do it - yes I have driven LHD cars and never got on with them. I find overtaking a pain which when I'm out round Yorkshire's lovely roads I'm sure would take the shine off it.

pilotpaul · May 14, 2007

Hi Lee,

I am a 'recent' convert to the RS brigade after 7 happy years with a 993 Targa. All the chaps who have replied to your original posting were a great help when I was in the purchasing phase last autumn.

As Jonny, Clubsport and Des have said, don't worry too much about LHD vs RHD. There are so few RHD cars about you may be looking for a suitable car for the next 5 years without success ! I have converted to LHD without too many difficulties and as Jonny said, you get a nice big - 92 ltr - fuel tank as a bonus. I am looking forward to our trip to Spa for the PCF meet in 10 days. It will be a nice bonding exercise for me and the car.

They really are amazing vehicles - rare, tactile, almost emotional to own and drive. My car is a real weekend toy and I really cannot see myself in anything else now. I tried all sorts last year when I decided to sell the Targa - GT3's, 996 Turbo, one or two non-Porsche and nothing really compared to an air-cooled RS. It isn't the fastest, it isn't the newest with all the mod-cons, it isn't the most comfortable but I really don't care.

I am certainly no driving God like Mr Harris (and John P !) but even I can appreciate the purity of the machine. When I had the Targa it felt like my own little private jet, the RS feels like my own personal fighter plane, it is completely different.

As Paul (Clubsport) and John have said, speak to Paul at GT Classics, that is where I got mine from. A thoroughly decent chap with a great knowledge of the cars he sells. I strongly recommend a test drive if you can find one to test !

A word of warning to you though. If you do test one out prepare your wallet accordingly [

]

Good luck in your search.

PP
[8D]

paul howells · May 15, 2007

a nice yellow uk rhd car,has just come available.
Very genuine car,original panels,well serviced etc,i have known the car for about 6 years,belongs to a 70 yr old gent.Spare set of wheels with it.
Its done 66k miles,and he is looking for around 62 ish
If seriuosly interested,give me a call.

John P,can you get adrian to give me a call,i have lost his number.he needs the speedline offset numbers.

leesweeney · May 15, 2007

ORIGINAL: paul howells

a nice yellow uk rhd car,has just come available.
Very genuine car,original panels,well serviced etc,i have known the car for about 6 years,belongs to a 70 yr old gent.Spare set of wheels with it.
Its done 66k miles,and he is looking for around 62 ish
If seriuosly interested,give me a call.

John P,can you get adrian to give me a call,i have lost his number.he needs the speedline offset numbers.

Paul,

I could be interested. I have emailed you with my number as I don't have yours - perhaps we can speak.

Cheers

DESMO16 · May 15, 2007

ORIGINAL: paul howells

John P,can you get adrian to give me a call,i have lost his number.he needs the speedline offset numbers.

Hi Paul,
I have asked him to give you a call but his number is 07831 572087

Cheers

John

johnnyb · May 15, 2007

Hi Lee,

Just to say that I agree with pretty much everything already said... as always, good advice from the usual suspects! I was lucky enough to get my hands on a RHD RS from John Hawkins at Specialist Cars in Malton last year and the car is a joy to own and drive. At the time, I only really searched for a RHD example, but in retrospect a LHD example would probably have served me just as well ( and saved me a few quid!!) as I the car only gets taken out on sunny days and on trackdays (2 very enjoyable days, so far!).

That said, I was delighted to find a good car with the wheel on the right, purely as there are so few of them around... there is a good feeling associated with owning one of 50 odd examples!

Which ever way you go, I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed; not only as an ownership proposition with minimal depreciation, but as a driving experience. These cars drive wonderfully, even in the hands of a novice like me!

My own experience of Specialist Cars was a good one. I could recommend contacting John as he does seem to get his hands on the odd RHD example, and he may know of any examples coming up for sale. It would appear on recent evidence, that good cars are selling before they hit the open market.

Good luck in your quest!

Cheers

Johnny

leesweeney · May 15, 2007

ORIGINAL: johnnyb

Hi Lee,

Just to say that I agree with pretty much everything already said... as always, good advice from the usual suspects! I was lucky enough to get my hands on a RHD RS from John Hawkins at Specialist Cars in Malton last year and the car is a joy to own and drive. At the time, I only really searched for a RHD example, but in retrospect a LHD example would probably have served me just as well ( and saved me a few quid!!) as I the car only gets taken out on sunny days and on trackdays (2 very enjoyable days, so far!).

That said, I was delighted to find a good car with the wheel on the right, purely as there are so few of them around... there is a good feeling associated with owning one of 50 odd examples!

Which ever way you go, I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed; not only as an ownership proposition with minimal depreciation, but as a driving experience. These cars drive wonderfully, even in the hands of a novice like me!

My own experience of Specialist Cars was a good one. I could recommend contacting John as he does seem to get his hands on the odd RHD example, and he may know of any examples coming up for sale. It would appear on recent evidence, that good cars are selling before they hit the open market.

Good luck in your quest!

Cheers

Johnny

Thanks Johnny,

I have already spoken to John at Specialist Cars as I know him reasonably well (I am at their track day at croft a week on Thursday - don't suppose you'll be there?).

John mentioned he had sold two recently so yours must be one of them. John has a good reputation and prepares the cars to an extremely high standard but I have noted that you have to pay for it - he always seems around 5-10% more expensive than equivalent cars elsewhere which on cars of this value, is a fair few quid.

Never the less he said he'd give me a call if he comes across any.

My biggest difficulty is my current car. It is a near mint 993 C2S with only 27000 miles, pastel yellow (which they only did for one year and looks great), factory ordered Turbo S from spoiler and rear wing, won Yorkshire's PCGB best in class concourse last year and is such a good car to let go (Wayne Schofield at Chip Wizards worked his magic with a live re-map last year so it has 300 bhp and 278lbft), 100 cell cats and RSR's mufflers. You get the idea - just about perfect in every way, goes like stink and sounds like your sat by the Mulsanne straight. I have neither the finances nor the garage space to keep hold of it and half of me can't believe I am even thinking of changing it.

I guess I'll see whether anything really tempting comes up and take it from there.

Good to see that yours and everyone elses posts about the RS are so positive.

johnnyb · May 16, 2007

Lee

Unfortunately work commitments mean I won't be able to make it to the Croft track day, so give my best to John. I know he's expensive, but I cannot fault my car. I drove a 900 mile round trip to see the car in Yorkshire: it was exactly as he described and prepared to perfection. I wanted the right car, as we all do, and managed to convince my wife that it was worth paying that little bit extra!

Your 993 sounds great...... decisions decisions!! If you can get a drive in an RS at the track day, or even a passenger seat ride, it would definitely help in the decision making process.

Good luck,

Johnny