Newbie requiring opinions on 996 for sale

Hi As some of you may have read in my newbie post looking into 996 turbos with a budget of 30 to 35k max. Been looking at this example on Pistonheads and keep coming back to it, so asked dealer a few questions. http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1785109.htm What attracts me is the addition of the Gt2 kit (which is something I was definately considering in the future), safe colour, manual and it has full service history, 4 stamps porsche, 4 stamps specialist with a milage of 72k. Just had major service 3k ago with new clutch & waterpump. However whats good and bad and whats spinning my head is that it could be too modified ( I think the alloys and rear debadging doesnt help? ) yet alot of saving long term and really for me suspension and alloys would only need changing.......for now. I asked about the fitment of the bodykit and a good quality fitment by Strasse? Good Porsche specialists? Im based in Edinburgh so Bradford is a 4hour drive down the road to check it out but just after opinions and mainly fitment of the Gt2 front bumper - any modifications to intercoolers,etc to be made? Thanks in advance and apologies for the long winded post!

Looks like a nice car. Agreed though, I'm not a fan of the wheels, 18s are big enough for a 996, bigger ones won't help the handling, plus the original hollow-spoke turbo wheels are very good and light anyway. Has the engine been chipped/modded at all? Strasse have been around a long time, and I've not heard anything bad about them, I'd have thought they'd do a proper job. Might be worth giving them a call, see if they know anything about the car. I don't know how it stacks up price-wise, but I'd say its worth a closer look. You could get an independent inspection done before-hand to save a wasted journey if something obvious doesnt check out.

Wheels are easy enough to change, and if it's a deal breaker maybe ask the seller to change. They can probably sell them on for the same price as new OEM style wheels. Above all get the car checked out by someone who knows Turbos. Looks like a potential good buy though... :thumb:

Might be worth looking at other dealers who are Porsche specialists. As far as I am aware, WRC focus on importing cars from Japan. Might be worth checking out feedback from people who have used WRC before on the Pistonheads forum etc. Others to consider: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1804544.htm http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1806122.htm

I suspect this will be a Jap import - tend to get a few that get over modified from the far east. Worth a call to find out

Price looks about right for the mileage and the mods may be some peoples taste (bar the wheels surely) I have seen the RPM one in the flesh and very tidy it is too and its just gone down by £2k... I think that would be the better bet in my opinion, given the 50k less miles? Mind you if want the look of the cheaper one then its a good deal if all is well.

I don't know anything about the dealer in question, but the car appears to be worth a look (lower mileage, same price): http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=02_Porsche_996&id=1517

I went to go and see this one at Portiacraft, it is very nice inside and out. They were going to get the rads/condensors changed before sale and didnt want to budge onthe asking price. Just so you know. Also the PCM2 satnav isnt the greatest as you cannot input in a postcode only street names...so might be worth investing in a tomtom if you do go for this this one. Also it was £28,999 a few weeks back when I went to see it. :what:

Thanks Robert, engine is standard apart from an upgraded exhuast? I'll give Strasse a phone on Monday. Ive already looked into a PPI, could anyone recommend anyone in the Bradford area? Thanks for the suggestions guys, low milage black one does look good, im not a fan of silver or Triptronic boxes though im afraid. Thanks

Any worries about imports is easily sorted by asking the dealer to scan the ID sticker and look at the Cxx number.

Plus you can check out all the other factory options (and even the exact colour if the dealer just describes it as "grey", "silver", "blue" - as there are many variations of these favourite Porsche colours). Pop option numbers in here: OPTION Decoder www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp (or just a list = http://www.porschemag.com/ - choose from LHS) Check out VIN Decoder aswell http://www.renntech.org/images/vin_decoder/PorscheVINDecoder.html (or just a list = http://www.porschemag.com/render.cfm?source=Op400~Porsche_VIN_Decoder ) ... and colour/trim OPTION Decoder http://www.porschemag.com/render.cfm?source=Op050~Colour_Codes_for_external_paintwork http://www.porschemag.com/render.cf...odes_for_interior_carpets_and_cabriolet_hoods

I think it looks awesome....if it makes your heart race, just go buy it. Not sure i like the wheels though, but its all a matter of taste. If you are not going to track it, not much harm they can do.