Thoughts on these 2 - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Morning All, After a few months of messing about I have settled on getting myself a 997. On missing out on a private sale yesterday (honestly, amazing deal!!) I wanted to see peoples thoughts were on these 2 and the associated dealers. Also do you think I should go down the OPC 111 point check and warranty route? (anyone know how much they cost these days?) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... I love the colour combo of these 2 and like the idea of 4wd on the C4S (as we have nothing but s tty weather!) but also love the white with the X51 upgrade! So, any thoughts greatly appreciated! Cheers!

I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car.

The first dealer have an excellent reputation - I have no personal knowledge of the second. Both look to be nice, clean cars, but white would be easier to resell than Guards. That said, the above advice is the best.

Yep, both look nice but i wouldn't touch a Gen 1 myself. If you're dead set, you want an OPC warranty or ideally a car which has the necessary changes made to the engine. Also, the difference in the Gen 2 is more that a set of flashy DRLs, it is a much better car.

Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!!

Zanderman said: Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!! If your heart/budget is set on a Gen 1, then go for a 111 point check (around £230 plus anything that they find that needs replacing), plus a major service on top, and then the warranty which is around £1100 per annum. Alternatively, have a boroscope done prior to purchase to gauge for any bore scoring, and then keep an emergency fund just in case.

g7jhp said: I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car. Is there a significant difference in a Gen 2 car?

Ravi355 said: g7jhp said: I'd add/save up a bit more and go for a Gen 2 car. Is there a significant difference in a Gen 2 car? The Gen 2 cars (2009 model year) got a new direct injection engine. The Carrera S power is 380bhp and the PDK twin-clutch auto was introduced. There are other detail changes such as new rear lights etc.

Zanderman said: Would love a gen 2 car but budget wont stretch to it, another £10+k....... And then we are into gen 1 Turbo money and then things become really difficult!! If you're looking for a manual 997.1 C2S at circa £33k, but don't want to stretch to 997.2 C2S (and 997.1 turbo would enter into the equation) have you considered a 996 turbo? This looks nice at £32k and there are fewer good manual 996 turbo. If you really can't do a 996 turbo I'd go for the 997.2 C2S for peace of mind (if the 997.1 C2S engine lets go you'll be paying more than £10k).

As much as I admire the 996 Turbo I really dont want to go for a 11+ year old car. I am struggling with a 7 year old car to be fair.........

What about a Cayman S with a DFI then?

Hadnt really considered a Cayman as the 911 is what I am hankering after. I have heard amazing things about the Cayman though. Just worried that if I got one I would spend all my time wishing I was surrounded by a 911! Not getting very good support for the 997 gen 1, are they really that bad?? mollytherocker said: What about a Cayman S with a DFI then?

Zanderman said: As much as I admire the 996 Turbo I really dont want to go for a 11+ year old car. I am struggling with a 7 year old car to be fair......... You're worried about buying a car on age, but you'll still buy a car which has a documented engine issue?

No necessarily, just dont want a 996. Had one and want to move forward, trying to get the newest car my budget will allow. As for the engine problems - if I got a 111 point check and warranty wouldn't it be covered if something went wrong? g7jhp said: You're worried about buying a car on age, but you'll still buy a car which has a documented engine issue?

Zanderman said: As for the engine problems - if I got a 111 point check and warranty wouldn't it be covered if something went wrong? You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty.

I had the warranty on my 996 and it was worth all the extra hassle for a good nights sleep! Trev450 said: You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty.

Zanderman said: I had the warranty on my 996 and it was worth all the extra hassle for a good nights sleep! Trev450 said: You would be covered for the issues previously mentioned, but any components replaced would of course still be the originally flawed designed ones. That and you would be tied into using only geniune Porsche parts for the duration of the warranty. I think you've answered your own question then.

I know it sounds a bit negative on the Gen 1, but do you really want the engine issues hanging over your head every time you go to start it up? So for me, if it is a Gen 1 car it has to come with a full OPC warranty. However, in my eyes, the Gen 2 looks so much 'fresher' with the DRLs and LED rear lights. It also rides and handles noticeably better. If you're willing to compromise, you can get in a Gen 2 for under £38k, even from an OPC - i've just looked! The compromise involves either high mileage or non S; something i'd rather do personally. Do the man maths and make it work - just don't use Porsche for finance as they are quite expensive. Here are two good value Carreras with nice spec (Sport Chrono, etc.). http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... And to stretch the man maths... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

Does the same thing apply to gen 1 as gen 2 i.e. the S variant is the one to go for? If I was going to stretch to £37/£38k then I might as well wait and go to £41k for an S variant. Like I say though things get really complicate because we are then into R8/4.7 Vantage/GTR/997 Turbo territory and then we have even more worries!! I have set myself an early £30'sk limit and have to stick to it, it has already crept up from mid £20's so cant spend anymore as this will be a third car. hondansx said: I know it sounds a bit negative on the Gen 1, but do you really want the engine issues hanging over your head every time you go to start it up? So for me, if it is a Gen 1 car it has to come with a full OPC warranty. However, in my eyes, the Gen 2 looks so much 'fresher' with the DRLs and LED rear lights. It also rides and handles noticeably better. If you're willing to compromise, you can get in a Gen 2 for under £38k, even from an OPC - i've just looked! The compromise involves either high mileage or non S; something i'd rather do personally. Do the man maths and make it work - just don't use Porsche for finance as they are quite expensive. Here are two good value Carreras with nice spec (Sport Chrono, etc.). http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p... And to stretch the man maths... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

I know it's already been mentioned and dismissed but at that budget and for a 3rd car my money would go on a 996TT. Mechanicals are bullet proof in comparison to the 7.1 and residually it'll do way, way better. I get the fact the looks aren't to everyone's tastes but they're really starting to look very good now. Saw a bog standard Silver TT on the M6 the other day, couldn't believe how small and "Porsche like" it looked.

I used to love the looks but to me they are now looking very dated. As good as I am sure they are just not for me. ArcticGT3 said: I know it's already been mentioned and dismissed but at that budget and for a 3rd car my money would go on a 996TT. Mechanicals are bullet proof in comparison to the 7.1 and residually it'll do way, way better. I get the fact the looks aren't to everyone's tastes but they're really starting to look very good now. Saw a bog standard Silver TT on the M6 the other day, couldn't believe how small and "Porsche like" it looked.

Guess you need to decide if value and risk is worth it on a 997.1 C2S. The value still has some room to drop at £33k and the engine is an issue which will always hang over it (dragging prices down). If you have to have a 997.1 C2S I'd buy something like this 997.1 C2S from RSJ with 55k miles at £26k. You'd then still have £7k in the bank to cover any potential engine issues further down the line and you'll get less depreciation. RSJ are great to deal with and they should give you some piece of mind! Being a 3rd car I'd be looking at (with a 996 turbo ruled out) 993 C2, 964 C2 or 3.2 Carrera as I'd want a fun car with close to zero depreciation. Buying a new Porsche is always an exciting position to be in!

Not the right car for me but thanks! I think I will give it some thought over the next few weeks and see where I am money wise etc. You know what its like when pork fever takes over though, very difficult to put the breaks on!! g7jhp said: Guess you need to decide if value and risk is worth it on a 997.1 C2S. The value still has some room to drop at £33k and the engine is an issue which will always hang over it (dragging prices down). If you have to have a 997.1 C2S I'd buy something like this 997.1 C2S from RSJ with 55k miles at £26k. You'd then still have £7k in the bank to cover any potential engine issues further down the line and you'll get less depreciation. RSJ are great to deal with and they should give you some piece of mind! Being a 3rd car I'd be looking at (with a 996 turbo ruled out) 993 C2, 964 C2 or 3.2 Carrera as I'd want a fun car with close to zero depreciation. Buying a new Porsche is always an exciting position to be in!

Don't be fooled by 996 Turbo bulletproof claims - block and head may be strong but these are old cars now and can require a lot of money. Turbo, waste gate , and actuator corrosion common and can be very costly. Search on here for more info. My wife runs a gen 1 (2008) 4S cab no warranty - and has done for a while now. Money saved on warranty - and Indy brakes and servicing - quickly mounts up and makes for big slush fund.

There is a Gen 1 Carrera S on Auotrader with X51 power pack, Aerokit and PCCBs for just under £30k. If i didn't have my current car, i would be pondering the Gen 1 risk - difficult to argue with - what - £20k for those three options alone when new?

Zanderman said: Not getting very good support for the 997 gen 1, are they really that bad?? NO Not at all, it's kind of the other way around. I had a Gen1 car and was happy with it (not 100% as it had no iPod dock or Bluetooth), I only went to test drive a Gen2 car out of curiosity, and ended up big fat monkey buying it. I couldn't believe how much the Gen2 had moved the game on, in practically ALL areas. PCM being one, ride, handling, turn in, all much better. PCM3 has acceptable Nav, iPod dock, USB, and very good Bluetooth. (None of these on PCM2 and Nav is crap) If you like a paddle shift PDK is astonishingly good. Try one, IMHO, the £10k budget creep is well worthwhile. No engine worries with the DFI unit.

man up and get a 2wd car. our weather is not that bad. its hardly Germany or the Nordics where you do need 4wd. got to be a C2s and manual.