Porsche Owners Thread - If you own one or just like or hate them! :)

I'm considering getting a 996 C2 or C4 as a first Porsche. As far as I can tell most of the stigma seems to be that it's not a pure 911 which doesn't really bother me.
 
Mr_Orange said:
I'm considering getting a 996 C2 or C4 as a first Porsche. As far as I can tell most of the stigma seems to be that it's not a pure 911 which doesn't really bother me.
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Its a pure 911, ignore it, the 996 got a hardtime because it was the first 911 to go water-cooled so all the purist had a crisis. It is better than the 993 nearly in every way, except looks (from front) and for some noise. They are great cars with only weakness being the engine, but a C2 or C4 is a good place, get it boroscoped or buy one that has had preventative IMS and bore scoring engine modifications done, or just buy and don't worry about it until it breaks.
 
The engine has some gremlins for sure, but they're the rare catastrophic failure gremlins rather than nagging problems. They offer enormous value for money if you like the looks and don't mind buying a 15 year old sports car. Good ones won't depreciate which is an added bonus. It's definitely harder to find a bargain on a car in good condition. There are plenty of dodgy ones around I'm sure so get a pre purchase inspection and be prepared to walk away.

Buy on condition rather than mileage and don't be too fussy about the specification. What are you looking to spend on one?

I agree with Gibbo - buy one and worry about it if it breaks, or buy one which has been rebuilt!
 
Gibbo said:

Not particular quick in a straight line, but damn can it maintain some seriously high speeds when cornering and those gear changes are rapid.
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But compare that to mine and look how easy this one is to pedal. It's like sitting on your sofa playing an Xpox game and I think this sums up modern cars. They are epic, but the challenge has moved so massively up the scale that you will never get close to the limit on the road unless you are driving like you and me, I mean like a nutter, sorry I mean not like you and me.
 
Housey said:
But compare that to mine and look how easy this one is to pedal. It's like sitting on your sofa playing an Xpox game and I think this sums up modern cars. They are epic, but the challenge has moved so massively up the scale that you will never get close to the limit on the road unless you are driving like you and me, I mean like a nutter, sorry I mean not like you and me.
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No it is very true indeed about nearly all modern cars now but also as we get older its not such a bad thing either haha. The Mustang is still very enjoyable as its fun at legal speeds can also be pedalled silly quick too if good enough behind the wheel. But next car will be something that makes going faster easier, so flappy pedal check for sure, no more clutch and three pedals for me after this car.
 
Thanks for the 996 advice. I've narrowed it down to a C2 manual coupe. I've set an absolute max limit of £15k. Most of the ones I've been looking at are ~£12k mark and are from 99-01. Point taken on the inspections, it seems too risky to not have it done.

edit: I've also found a reputable Porsche indy service centre in the town over from me so that's a result!
 
Buy with care and get any car you're looking at checked over by a reputable Porsche expert before you buy and you should be OK. The 996 is a good entry point as it's still a quick car with sublime steering. However at 15K you are going to have to spend money at some point within the first year. I would suggest a suspension refresh and probably a brake refresh is not untypical at this price and 911's with bad dampers are a horrible, rattly thing to be in. If 15K is your spent out then I would consider a 911 is a risk as you could face a situation with a 10K bill easily if you are unlucky.
 
Housey said:
Buy with care and get any car you're looking at checked over by a reputable Porsche expert before you buy and you should be OK. The 996 is a good entry point as it's still a quick car with sublime steering. However at 15K you are going to have to spend money at some point within the first year. I would suggest a suspension refresh and probably a brake refresh is not untypical at this price and 911's with bad dampers are a horrible, rattly thing to be in. If 15K is your spent out then I would consider a 911 is a risk as you could face a situation with a 10K bill easily if you are unlucky.
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Same advice for Boxster S's at the £20-25k price point?
 
Housey said:
Buy with care and get any car you're looking at checked over by a reputable Porsche expert before you buy and you should be OK. The 996 is a good entry point as it's still a quick car with sublime steering. However at 15K you are going to have to spend money at some point within the first year. I would suggest a suspension refresh and probably a brake refresh is not untypical at this price and 911's with bad dampers are a horrible, rattly thing to be in. If 15K is your spent out then I would consider a 911 is a risk as you could face a situation with a 10K bill easily if you are unlucky.
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Sadly they are getting on a bit and prices are increasing. A couple of years ago £15k would have bagged a decent one, but now would require quite a bit of shopping around. Prices are starting to nudge £20k for a good looking 996 facelift. The main problem is that as people are spending the big bucks on replacing the IMS and RMS and even rebuilding them, the prices are going up. The cheaper cars still require this work doing - early 996's are getting on for 20 years old so buy with your eyes open. At £15k you're pretty limited on choice currently - go out and drive some! I'm starting to like the look of the pre-facelift again, as I think they're ageing pretty well.

For aBoxster up to £25k, you'll get into a facelift 987 and should get the S model. This has the DFI engine and by all accounts is much more reliable. See if you can get one with a Porsche warranty and go and enjoy the sunny weather!
 
No one buys a 911 needing rear seats unless they can fit a small child there for the odd trip. They are hardly usable seats beyond luggage and the occasional journey for a small person. The only thing they have in common really is the badge,
 
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