Which 993 for £30k?

[Guest]

Have been doing my homework on the net and read endless reviews of 993/996 and 964 models. I prefer the looks of the 993 and 964 and have £30k to play with. I need a car that will hold its value (as everybody does ) and that I can use everyday without too many problems. Your advice would be much appreciated! [8|]

 

[Yoda]

Hi. 30k budget gives you plenty of model variants to choose from. If you are looking for something to use daily, I would stick to a Carrera 2 variant of either car (964/993). The S or RS cars hold their value best but you will pay more up front. RS isn't so good day to day. 993 S can be bought for 30k but you may have to bargain hard or buy a buy one with a little higher mileage than is normal for these cars. I don't have any experience of the 964 Turbo but I would guess they are a little more to run than normally aspirated. I also think the coupe is the most practical for regular use and will be easiest to resell when the time comes.

I think the best bet would be a nice 964/993 C2. 964 C2 would leave you plenty of change from 30k. Prices for these cars seem to have stabilised and some exceptional cars seem to be rising very slightly. C4s are available for the same price and feel similar to drive but are a little heavier, have a few more things to go wrong, a little less boot space but can offer greater security when you need it.

I think it really depends what you want to use the car for and your priorities. My brother and I both recently bought cars within a similar budget, both are relatively low mileage users and went through the same thought process. I bought a 964 RS for the rock solid residuals, fantastic drive and track ability. My brother went for a 993 C2S because he likes the "J Lo" look. In your situation, I think you would not be disappointed with either the 964/993 C2. Most important thing in my opinion is to buy a really good example of whatever you decide on as you will enjoy it more and it will hold its value well.

Happy hunting - I think that is half the fun []

 

[Guest]

That's a great response, Yoda. Thanks for your time - I really appreciate it. I also thought that the RS would be more fun but hard work everyday (and don't have the luxury of buying an RS for a second car ... tempting - I could always sell my wife). As far as 993 C2 variants go what would your advice be for getting a peach (places, prices, etc.)? I like the C2S but not sure whether it's worth it when I'd have to go for the extra mileage option to keep the price down. Only ever test driven a 966 - how did you take to the black number? Thanks again.

 

[968er]

Second what Umber said, C2 or C4, you will not go wrong.

First thing to do is go out and drive some cars. That is the quickest way to see if you like them.

Next history, and not just OPC, a good indie is sometimes better as the OPC do not always have the staff with the necessary knowledge when working on one. Speak to the places where a car you are interested in has been worked on to get some more info.

Finally get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) carried out.

 

[Yoda]

H. I think the RS is a fantastic car, definitely the right choice for me - I don't use it that often and it is a 2nd car which is important. I use it only for fun miles which is when it it is at its best and keeps the mileage down a bit (I have ltd mileage insurance policy) but I plan to go to the continent a couple of times this year where the roads are more enjoyable. If you were using the car daily, I think you would enjoy a regular C2 more but when you go for a blast or a track day the RS is in a different league. Drive the cars and see what you think, its the only way to tell.

Regarding where to buy and what to pay, I think you have to spend the time and familiarise yourself with what is on the market and go and look at some cars. Once I had decided on an RS (I was looking for a LHD 993 or 964 RS) it was a little easier as they are quite rare and I probably new about every car that was for sale or about to come up for sale. There are also a couple of very helpful dealers who specialise in RSs who were very honest and a great source of information.

964/993 C2s are a bit harder as there are a lot more for sale. There are some nice cars available through the Porsche Post or this forum but you need to take a look at some. Also hard to comment on price, depends whether you want good useable or really exceptional as the price will vary considerably. Again, look at some cars so you know what is out there and when a nice car comes up at the right price, you will know.

HPI check and an inspection is always a good idea. While I think a good service history is important, pay particular attention to what has been spent in the last 2-3 years as if the money hasn't been spent in that time you will be spending it soon. As for the C2S, if you like the look then shop around. I think there are quite a few of these around at the moment as people are asking big money for them and that makes them harder to sell. I went to look at one at a London dealer and he was asking 40k - stunning car but too pristine and expensive for my brother. The guy then called back several times and kept lowering the price until it wasn't too far off your budget. I wouldn't discount the car, it looks great and has all the other C2 virtues.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Sundeep]

and there are a lot of sites out there providing more info and choices of cars...

http://www.performance2and4.co.uk/index.html
http://www.911uk.com/

have you considered a LHD ? = more for less..... are you an Auto man or prefer the Cab ?

ironically the entire 993 range are IMHO different.... although condition is very important (althogh some say it is more!) for me the right colour combination is the starting point (=more important) after all I'm not going to drive a yellow car with a grey interior !

I use my car every day without problems, although these supercars do obviously need looking after...

My targa is C2 based with mere 17" alloys ! = slightly larger boot (although it's anway more a like a fox hole!) then the C4 with less harsh ride than 18" alloys and less expensive tyres to run...

but the health warning is that it is indeed a "Slippery slope".. yes indeed.. but the rewards are amazing

the real problem that I am finding is that when you've owned a 993, it's difficult to consider any other car every again ! as there is a lot you can still do to your 993 to improve / modernise / customise it !

for me if I had £30k to spend I would put £28k on the car and keep the other £2k for the 1st year's running costs (just in case)

but whatever 911 you get (964 or 993) you won't be disappointed, the 911 is indeed a premier league super car....

regards

 

[stephen belcher]

As i have just put a grand deposit on a 993 c4 to hold the car . Im thinking after reading your post that i should be having a ppi done b4 parting with the remainder of the agreed price,even tho it has full opc service history { short of bills and receipts } and fairly low mileage. If i dont will i be regreting buying the c4 .What large bills am i likley to encounter with the c4 , what should i budget for the !st year. it has done only 65000 at present and is an 95 on N plate. any info would be much appreciated
regards Steve B
ps its black

 

[dw49]

I bought C4 couple of months ago, same plate, bit lower mileage. From other threads you will see clutch would have expected to be replaced around 50,000. brake discs are also common.

I bought mine from Autobahn with 12 months warranty but still had ppi. I didn't want anything that had any major repairs etc and although bought the books wasn't competent to detect anything other than the obvious. I used Peter Morgan who also does HPi and it cost about £250. You get a comprehensive report with pictures whch is good to keep with car plus it gives you opportunity to get dealer to deal with any issues. Peter will also explain if any of the points he picked up are a real problem and in worst case will advise against purchase.

 

[Sundeep]

a PPI is well worth while.... esp on an 8 year old car that was about £65k new !

as for Peter Morgan.. rumour has it he's the best !

mine had a full OPC history and still needed a few £'s to bring it up to tip top condition......

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Sundeep993

a PPI is well worth while.... esp on an 8 year old car that was about £65k new !

as for Peter Morgan.. rumour has it he's the best !

mine had a full OPC history and still needed a few £'s to bring it up to tip top condition......

I've used Peter for 2 PPIs and he has provided excellent reports that the salesman (true p-car afficionado as well) concurred that he DID know his stuff. For the peace of mind a thorough 180 point inspection gives you, it's the best £250 you can spend on the car-to-be imho. Peter's advice and opinions on the cars I looked at were invaluable, and I also appreciated his far greater experience when it came to discussing 911s in general - including those other ones he had recently seen around the country...

 

[968er]

I have now had my C4 for 6months and a C2 before that. The biggest expense has been a clutch replacement on the C4, which did not show up in the inspection unfortunately.

 

[38F3E1]

ORIGINAL: umber

I need a car that will hold its value (as everybody does ) and that I can use everyday without too many problems.

Tricky ....

I don't think the 993 has fully depreciated yet. Yes the low low mileage cars might but then you can't use it regularly. Nothing depreciates a low mileage car faster than turning it into a non low mileage car.

964 cars are that much older and therefore are further down the depreciation curve so are better value. The 964RS would be the best bet for depreciation but not an ideal car to use as a daily driver and it is very difficult to find a good one. Great as a weekend car though.

In summary what ever you buy will probably depreciate more than you would like (join the club LOL). Unless its an RS or a Turbo they will all end up at about the same value over the long term.

Hi
Ian.

 

[stephen belcher]

Thanks Chaps. After checking history of car found faults requiring approx. £7,000, opc figure, of repairs so have decided not to go ahead with the purchase. Will look again at later date as depreciation doesn't appear to have bottomed out yet.

Happy motoring
Regards
Steve B

 

[jcosh]

ORIGINAL: KYO


I've used Peter for 2 PPIs and he has provided excellent reports that the salesman (true p-car afficionado as well) concurred that he DID know his stuff. For the peace of mind a thorough 180 point inspection gives you, it's the best £250 you can spend on the car-to-be imho. Peter's advice and opinions on the cars I looked at were invaluable, and I also appreciated his far greater experience when it came to discussing 911s in general - including those other ones he had recently seen around the country...

Adrien

You bought a car then I assume. What did you end up with.

 

[huw dolphin]

just a word of warning i bought a 993 c4 from 911virgin at the bug price ie no warranty. within 5 months it was off the road having bodywork attended to from a botched repair by an opc which wasn't apparent when i bought it but became so after paint started falling off - an expert would have spotted it though! even worse, while this was being done it was diagnosed with a broken transmission tube which had caused an unusual vibration. it was off the road for over 2 months (and it's my main car) while the part had to sourced from the factory. in fairness to the car i am told this a v unusual failure. cost of these two repairs = £4k!! and it's got a buckled rear wheel which needs replacing and which must have been there when i bought it as i haven't thumped any kerbs or potholes.

so if that doesn't persuade you to get a ppi and a warranty i don't know what will.

other than that it's a great car........hmmm

 

[Sundeep]

although the I had a fully PPI done by Tognola Engineering, which came up with a clean bill of health so I was very pleased ! (a few minor points in terms of trim, etc)

but a weeks later and only 100 or so miles down the road the Differential on my gearbox chew itself up and needed a £1500 rebuild [] []

so as you can imagine I wasn't so impressed with the PPI done by Tongola.....[&o]

and come to think of it, I'm going to check the papers they gave me as I know the car wasn't road tested for the PPI (as the car did not put any miles on while it was there) to see if a road test was supposed to be part of the PPI....[>:]

 

[Sundeep]

although no other issues with the quality of work down by Tognola... although I did suffer from an Oil Leak that was traced back to a faulty Oil Filter a few months later !!! [8|]

 

[Guest]

HUW

That bug price thing is a bit of a 'cop out' and must save them fortunes. I've never heard of this before, I thought every dealer was obliged to give a 3mth. warranty.

If they can reduce (eg) a £9995 car to £7995 with the 'bug price', there seems to be a pretty healthy margin....but one has to make a living.

Even though it was at bug price I'm sure for an 'uncontroversial' problem' such as yours Henry would 'help' you out a bit?


YODA

You mention the dealer dropping his asking price of £40K to a much more affordable sum. Can you say exactly how much? Was this recently?

Thanks

Charles ( New member/ first post & looking for a 993)

 

[Yoda]

Hi Charles

My brother was looking for a car around September/October and picked one up in Oct. The dealer car was a very nice low mileage example, good spec and very well maintained. He went as low as 33k and was looking for an offer - at that price it would have been a great buy. The car was silver and the dealer had 2 C2Ss in stock plus it was coming up to winter so I think he didn't want to hold it. My brother had already put some money down on an Ocean Blue car otherwise he may well have bought it.

There were a couple of cars for sale on the forum around that time, one in particular was similar spec to the car my brother bought. The car belonged to Peter Comisky and looked stunning, I think he was looking for around 35k for it but some people are open to offers if they want to sell.

Just keep an eye out and see a few cars so you know what your money will buy. My brothers car has slightly higher miles than most C2Ss (I think around 75k) but this is not especially high for a 1997 car. The car had money spent on it when ever it needed it and drove considerably better than some of the lower mileage cars we saw. The car is in beautiful condition and cleaned up very well. Build quality is superb and I must say I enjoy driving it (when he lets me!!). He kept some money back for expenditure and other than a puncture it has so far been trouble free. He decided to spend the money on an Alpine 6CD + sat nav unit which is pretty useful around London.

I think there is lots of choice between GBP30-35k when you start looking.

Hope you find something you like.

Regards

 

[Guest]

Cheers Yoda

That guy reduced that car a fair hell of a lot. I suppose it proves that if you choose the right time...............

Hope your brother is happy with his car.

Originally I fancied a C4 , but then decided on the C2 for track fun reasons, which naturally progressed to the C2S, cn you see where this is going?

Now I'm exploring theLHD 993 RS possibilities, although I need to develop a feel of what they SELL for. Are such 'discounts' available on these?
How much are they actually changing hands for?

Would I have to pay duty importing from Germany?

Warranty from Germany????????

Does the 'more questions than answers' rule apply here ?

Charles

( PcGB member enthusiast) Surrey section