The Right C2 or is it?

ABOUT TO JUMP IN HEAD FIRST and finally buy the C2... as the really high spec low mileage fly out... This 996 has few minor scuff on the bumper, service is due after another 4k miles, (says full service, but claim that not all were donre at Porsche, however at Specialists? how would i know? T plate 1999, has 83K miles if it drives well, (spec below) is it worth the £15K price tag or should i deduct the cost of a standard service (how much is that by the way?) MOT till May Next year What would be the best approach, should i wait for the right one- (what is the right one?) as i can pick this up early next week anything to look out for when viewing and test driving? ARE THE SPECS GOOD? (below) 2 Doors, Automatic, Convertible, Petrol, 83,000 miles, Metallic Ocean Blue. Air Bags, Power Steering, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Remote Central Locking, Dual Zone Digital Climate Control, Air Condition, CD Player, Traction Control, Full Leather Interior, Electric Seats, Heated Seats, Memory Seats, Electric Roof, Colour Coded Hard Top, Trip Computer, Sports Automatic Tiptronic Gearbox With F1 Style Paddle Shift On Steering, 18" GT3 Alloy Wheels, 2001 Spec Clear Lights, Electric Boot Spoiler, Parking Sensors [/img]http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=984539726

I paid a little bit more for my 2000 C2 tip with 85k on the clock, but I brought it because the following had just been done by the owner New brakes all round (disks and pads) New tyres all round New MOT Just serviced Front end re-spray Spotless alloys Spotless interior Indy service history isn't so much of a problem, just check it all out first. Check condition of tyres and brakes, and listen out for exhaust leaks. For £15 to £16k you will get a smart 99/2000 C2, so if this one doesn't stack up walk away, there will be another along soon.

Seems a fair price. I paid 15.7 in May 09 for a 99 C2 on 78k. But it depends how well its been looked after/serviced... Have any suspension bits been done? Brakes? Clutch? A/C all ok? Big service due?... :dont know:

Hi Sid007, welcome and congrats on your potential future purchase. I have highlighted in bold what the options are as fitted to this car, the rest are standard features in all 996's of that era: ARE THE SPECS GOOD? (below) 2 Doors, Automatic , Convertible, Petrol, 83,000 miles, Metallic Ocean Blue. Air Bags, Power Steering, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Remote Central Locking, Dual Zone Digital Climate Control??? , Air Condition, CD Player , Traction Control , Full Leather Interior, Electric Seats, Heated Seats, Memory Seats, Electric Roof , Colour Coded Hard Top, Trip Computer , Sports Automatic Tiptronic Gearbox With F1 Style Paddle Shift On Steering , 18" GT3 Alloy Wheels, 2001 Spec Clear Lights, Electric Boot Spoiler, Parking Sensors Dual Zone CC was not available and is still not offered as an option. The 'paddles' are actually just buttons on the steering wheel as opposed to full size paddles behind the steering wheel as you might get on other cars. Get an independent inspection carried out prior to purchase and that should allow you to decide whether to go for the car or not. ~ Maxie :thumb:

I think some of your bold switches have wandered. I make the STD/ OPT list as follows (some are duplicated ie Auto and Sports Auto etc) : STD: (assuming Manual Coupe as base) 2 Doors Petrol Air Bags Power Steering Electric Windows Electric Mirrors Remote Central Locking [ONE] Zone Digital Climate Control = Air Condition[ing] Full Leather Interior Electric Boot Spoiler Traction Control [ASR but NOT PSM] OPT: Parking Sensors 2001 Spec Clear Lights [AFTER MARKET BY DEFINITION] - EDIT: ignore this see later reply 18" GT3 Alloy Wheels Trip Computer [OBD] Memory Seats = Electric Seats [+ FORE/AFT and MEMORY] Heated Seats CD Player Metallic Ocean Blue Automatic = Sports Automatic Tiptronic Gearbox With F1 Style Paddle Shift On Steering [BUTTONS!] Convertible = Electric Roof = Colour Coded Hard Top

Hardtop was standard for 996 Cabs. It's just that some got lost by owner's over the years, or they weren't passed on. The ad doen't appear to say if it is C2 or C4. Weren't clear lights standard on C4's?

Hi, thought I'd add something as an owner of a '99 C2 for the last three and a half years. I bought my car at 50k miles and now approaching 80k and have spent money on all of the following. In terms of viewing I would recommend a thorough test drive and, although it may well be an unfamiliar car (brakes may well feel underservoed compared to other modern cars), you should get the car warmed up to check running temps etc. Also, make sure you drive the car on some uneven road very slowly (at walking pace, if not below) to listen out for any noises from the suspension. Not wanting to put you off but I have been working my way through the majority of my cars susp components since I bought it. Maybe yours will have receipts showing the previous owners have already done work, or maybe living in London with the pot holes and sleeping policemen accelerated the wear on my car but it has been fairly costly and time consuming job tracking down the succession of noises (and, in fairness, I'm dead ***** about this sort of thing!). After that, I'd check the air con, should obviously be cold with no excessive noise from the compressor. This is another area where I've spent some money tracking down leaks etc. I'd also check everything works, from lights (all bulbs and LED's in high level brake light), to brake light (my switch has just gone) to wing mirror adjuster (switch also just gone!), radio (my original Becker fried itself) and back lights on dash etc. The car you describe has the GT3 style split rims which are lovely but highly prone to corrosion under the lacquer. Can obviously be refurbed but more costly than single piece rims. For the visual inspection I'd get down on your hands and knees and check the condition of the rads - these are visible from the front and are very exposed due to the lack of any grille to protect them. Leaves and general crud collect around them and rot them over time. The colling rads sit in front of the air con condensors (I think) so you won't be able to do a full inspection but if they are very bad then hopefully you'd be able to spot it. Whilst on your hands and knees do a visual inspection on the brakes, particularly the disks as these can appear fine from the outside but groove badly on the inside edge resulting in vibration. And at the rear, try and get a look at the exhaust back boxes, my originals look like they are not long for this world though aren't blowing yet. Other thing to check is the coolant header tank (on left hand side of the engine bay), these are prone to leaking and the caps also suffer from sticky valves resulting in them building up too much pressure. Unless there is an obvious leak, the first warning of this will be the flashing light on the water temp gauge (though, in my experience the actual water temp always remained rock solid). Oh, and I'm sure you will have read about the RMS issue, not sure how easy this is to spot without the car up on ramps but this ones worth a quick google as it's a common but overly hyped issue. Hope the list doesn't put you off, none of the above would be a deal breaker but add them up and you'd be looking at a very big bill.

Not sure if your first comment/reply relates to my reply re: hardtop (I couldn't see any mention elsewhere specifically relating to loss etc) Anywhere I used "=" in the list was to indicate that the first option included the subsequent specification also. ie "Convertible = Electric Roof = Colour Coded Hard Top" I meant that if you "optioned" a convertible you got an electric roof (as there is no manual version, so detail put in by seller for non-Porsche officianados!) and you also got a hard top. You are right that, unfortunately, over time they go their separate ways though! As for the C2 /C4 question. I though the OP was only looking at C2s? (Post subject: The Right C2 or is it?). No badge, but "dark" (black) looking calipers indicates a C2 (although the images aren't clear). EDIT: just did a car check it is a C2 Cab (fair enough that second bit is obvious!) Although you are correct all C4s were post "Fried-Egg", looking at this again so were ALL 2000MY - including 99T (assuming no old stock). Which seems to just indicate this particular "specification" as "2001" is a red herring and should be ignored and is in fact standard.

Sorry if I misunderstood you. It wasn't obvious to my simple brain. I thought you were listing electric roof/hardtop as an option, when both were standard on a 996 cab. Crossed wires. You would have thought that the seller would have stated if it was C2 or C4, especially as they sell quite a few Porsches.

Interesting point that about the hard tops not always passed on. I guess the more snidey owners will not offer it unless asked for. Probably make an easy £500 on fleabay?

6 previous owners.. Well this car drives well, good breaks, mostly seems fine.. the seller would agree £14500. Major Service Due in november... But has had 6 previous owners thats making me hesitate... Should i or shouldnt I.. I guess If I do buy it will need to spend a further £1000 on a major service and parts. totalling £15.5K is it Worth it???

Re: 6 previous owners.. Mate, if you were looking at a 911 for over £30k then go to the trouble of an inspection and walk away if it doesn't all add up. But at £14,500 you are getting into the realms of a 'reasonably priced car', people pay more than that for crusty LHD split-screen VW camper vans! We all worry about RMS, rads, exhausts etc, but usually without foundation, as in the purchase stage and the first few months of 911 ownership paranoia sets in about the slightest noise/knock/puff of smoke. If it puts a smile on your face just put the cash on the table and enjoy whats left of our Indian summer.