911 advice

Hi Guys, I haven't been on here for a while as I've been very busy with work and other comitments. To cut a long story short, my budget for a 911 ended up being spent on other things (my wifes new car, spoiling my daughter as well as home improvements in the end!). I'm currently in a position to purchase a 911 as a second car, a sort of project car and spare car if you will. However, my budget has substantially decreased. As a result, I can't buy a later low mileage model, but I have seen a model for what seems a very reasonable price in the colour and specification I would like. Below is a link to the car in question, I would appreciate your advice on whether it would be worth taking the plunge now and at least having a 911, or waiting. The issue is, my disposable income for the foreseeable will be spent on further improvements to our family home, at least for the next couple of years as we are planning on a lot of building work and which will quash further substanial advancements in my 911 fund. We are also in the process of setting up a small business for my wife, so it's all spend spend spend at the moment! http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201037368031203/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/911/make/porsche/page/5/radius/100/postcode/sn34pd?logcode=p The car has the GT3 kit on with my choice in wheels as well. The car would see little use to be honest as it would be a weekend car, and only taken out of the garage on the odd sunny day. Thanks, Steve

I've been in correspondence with the seller today, he has no problem whatsoever with arranging a porsche or RAC / AA inspection on the vehicle. Their policy also states that if anything is found, it is corrected within the sale price. The car is also taxed and MOT'd until mid next year, although before POS I would request a full 12 month MOT as part of the package. I also forgot to mention that I got a fantastic quote on a limited mileage policy, with the tracker, car garaged, kit declared and social only use for £380.00 fully comp (400 excess). The only downside it would seem is that the car is a 1998 and was registered prior to aug, which means my S registration private plate can not go on the vehicle As part of this process I would also be sacrificing my brand new CBR, a shame such as it is, I think I would rather have a 911.

The mileage is high, but this is reflected in the price, and if it is going to be a second car, you won't be stacking loads more on top. As cheap as it is, don't think you won't lose any money if you come to sell it in a couple of years time. It just won't be a huge amount. On paper it looks OK, but I would say an inspection is essential. Forget the RAC or AA - you need a specialist Porsche inspection. I don't know the dealer, but I would suggest someone like Peter Morgan, or one of the specialists close to Hounslow. I don't know many, but Peter Tognola in Datchet, or GT1 in Chertsey spring to mind.

Thanks for the advice Richard.

Looks a nice weekend car steve, and great value too I sold all my bikes and embarked on porsche ownership many moons ago...so youre not alone [ ]

Hi, Be carefull as I went to look at a 996 C4S some time ago at this place and it was a bit of a mess, needed a lot of paint like a full respray, all wheels badly kerbed, really dirty inside although it drove well and had full Porsche service history. Wanted top money for it as well. Left it alone.

It has the important FSH and looks great - someone has obviously loved it to bits, so take it for a test drive, and go for it. I made a similar purchase about a year ago, very much on the spur of the moment, and with no more than a 10 minute test drive, but mine's a '99 C4 cabriolet, similar mileage, and like you, planned for it to be a sunny day fun car. I'd not consider any other car with that kind of mileage, and have not regretted my decision at all, my reasoning being that if it were to have any problems, the likelyhood was that by 90,000 miles they'd have come to light and been sorted, and this summer has seen it in fairly regular use at weekends and the odd nice evening. I love it to bits and remain amazed that such great cars can be purchased for around 15k.

Thanks again guys. I'm going to arrange to look at it this weekend, and I will be taking the all important club checklist with me to go over it with. If I'm happy, then I will arrange an inspection and take it from there depending on what the outcome is.

Gareth!! If you can stretch to high teens, and it is a daily driver, I think you would be able to find a very tidy late 3.4 car in your budget, with quite a few less miles. I think good Porsche inspection by a specialist would cost between about £200 and £350. If you aren't an experienced Porsche buyer it is worth every penny.

Hi Gareth, The 911 is such a lovely car, I've done a few track days and the like in various 911's, the most recent was this year in a 997 Turbo, it only enforced the fact that I wanted one sooner rather than later (a 911 that is, a 997 turbo would be a pipe dream right now!). I'd love to be able to get a later car with lower mileage, but I just don't have the funds at present. I keep thinking I should wait a little longer, perhaps another couple of years until eveything settles down, but then I think about owning one now and start getting impatient and the money I do have starts to burn a hole in my pocket! Not knowing what the next couple of years may hold I suppose I am thinking I should do it now while I can. Knowing my luck I will purchase a 911 now and the engine will drop out 6 months down the line and I will be thinking I should have waited, still, fingers crossed. Good luck in your hunt by the way Oh and an authorised Porsche Garage will charge 180 for a 2 hour inspection or 150 for a 1 hour inspection. There are other specialists that Richard has suggested earlier in the thread that charge aprox 300, but you do get more for your money. Regards, Steve