996 Turbo buying advice

Hi all I'm hoping to buy a 2000 996TT from my local OPC this week and would really appreciate some advice. I've been looking at buying a really good one to keep for a long time and wasn't sure if I should go for a later model? The attraction is it's very low mileage (6.5k with 2 owners) and seems a reasonable price (37k) but not the best colour combination (silver with lurid green interior). Apparently owner cossetetd it and rarely used except sunny days. All recalls and big service/ new radiators etc just done OPC. Said they don't usually do older cars but this was 'special' due to low mileage/condition and owner had upgraded to 997TT. Anyway just wanted to check it's worth going for a very early 996TT if looking for a long term car? Is a later 2002/3 model better? Is it mostly just cosmetic changes as other websites mention later cars have different turbos/intercoolers etc (or is this just the X50)? Also is such an infrequently used car a potential problem? Was hoping the OPC servicing would be keeping it in tip top condition? I appreciate I'm probably paying through the nose for the mileage and the pretty OPC premises but hoping that gives me some peace of mind. Many thanks for your help. Chris PS - please excuse the daft username - a fit of rage after another frustrating day in the NHS!

I would guess the previous owner hid it and rarely used it except for very dark nights! The turquiose Nephrite green is, to my eyes hideous on any car. On a Porsche - very dodgy! I am sure if you buy it you will be keeping it for a long time, but that may not be your choice if you can't move it on. AFAIK very minor changes were made from 2002 to 2004/5 on 996 Turbos. OBC has radio info, new ABS software, new steering angle sensors - mostly invisible stuff. The "Turbo S" or X50 equipped cars have mechanical changes you mention. Buy on condition, if low mileage results in good condition, buy a low mileage one. If higher miles results in good condition (because evertything has been maintained or changed), buy that one.

Hi Chris, I have a 996TT 2000 as well - 37k for that is quite high. Thats OPC inflation, for sure, and I usually would recommend OPC buying since they come with Porsche Extended Warranty but that car falls out of that bracket ( can be renewed up to the 9th anniversary of the car ). Nothing wrong with a pre 2002-3 model, the changes were minimal - Bose as standard, PCM2 vs PCM1, bigger service intervals ( although the components are the same..... ) but in a nutshell they are the same car. I did drove a 2004 TT and found it bit softer that mine - the steering on mine is more direct, if I can express myself properly. I know others that said the same thing - maybe just has to do with the geometry setup ? 996TT are bulletproof if serviced well and regulary - check those invoices 6.500 miles for a 9 year old car .. hummm... thats 720ish miles per year... thats low. Too low in my humble opinion : owners might do the annual check and skip the large and medium maintenance schedules.. and big bills might be coming. Like any 911, buy on condition, condition, condition. Instead of doing what is JUST needed, look for proofs of nice ownership : 4 tyres the same, extra service, etc. Common problems in 996TTs are the rads, suspension arms and that's about it. Clutches go at usually 60-80k, gearboxes are strong although they hate being pushed when cold.

You are paying a fairly large premium for an OPC car in my opinion, would be concerned about colour combination come resale, You would get a very nice 03/04 car from an indi or private sale for similar money (probably higher miles though) and would have the comfort of being able to get a Porsche Warranty for another 3/4 years, Depends how much you really want this car and the glitz of an OPC??

It does seem like a hefty premium to me - I reckon the Indy price for a "normal" car of that age and mileage might be closer to £32-33k. And that's before any discount for the rather garish colour For that kind of money there's a private 2003 Black manual with 43k miles for £33k on this site or a trade 2003 Silver Tip with 35k miles on autotrader for just over £34k. The one thing I've noticed is that there are a LOT of cars out there, especially if you're not restricting yourself to local searches. It's up to you as to whether you're willing to travel to see a lot of cars (and therefore likely get a bargain) or whether you're time is more valuable and you're happy to perhaps pay a premium and restrict yourself to nearby OPCs etc. When I do come to buy I won't have that luxury anyway, as, living in Scotland, there are relatively few TTs for sale nearby.

Colour interior big issue, can you live with it then resale big problem.Price way to high.Lack of use big problem.With 996 go for independent then use independent to service