Advice on Buying first 911 (a 996)

I'm thinking of buying this car but need some advice from those 'in the know': AUTOTRADER 996 LINK My questions are the following - any advice in addition to these also much welcome: 1) The colour is BRG and the interior is a pale cream - which I like but don't know what the implications are for general resale. Any advice? 2) The aircon isn't working and the seller will have fixed as part of the sale. Is this okay or should I be worried? 3) The clutch is heavier than a C4 I tried at Portiacraft in North London last weekend. Is this a sign it is on the way out? 4) There are cracks in the paint above the front number plate which will be resprayed as part of the sale. Again should I be worried? (The original factory stickers are all present and all the panels are straight) Does anyone think this is linked to the aircon issue? (I know the condensers are in the nose.....) 5) The original owner deselected a sunroof. How much does this affect the value? 6) I've contacted Peter Morgan to act for me on a PPI this week. Has anyone worked with him? Is he any good? Any other recommendations? (The car is in Guildford) Sorry to ask lots of questions but just hoping to avoid the obvious novice traps!!! Many thanks for anyone who takes the time to help!!

When I first saw the price I thought it was too much - but then again only 36k miles :thumb: OK Here's my perspective: 1) Bit of a marmite car so this will limit any future sale - although when you start getting to the £10k secondhand prices buyers will be less fussy. In any event always buy on condition. 2) AC is a 'normal' fix given the age. Chances are it will need a new radiator (condensor) and a regass. If its teh evaporator then its a bigger job given where it is but parts are both sub £150. Then it will need a regass. If this is being fixed as part of the deal dont worry about it. 3) Dont know on that one but PPI will pick any issues up. Led to beleive that a lighter clutch is a good sign - but 36k miles and unless the previous owner wore a trilby or practised 0-60 times I would expect it to be good. 4) Front bumper is plastic so expect the odd chip etc. Most will have been sprayed at some time so just make sure its a good job and blends well. BRG that is 9 years old will be hard to match up. 5) Is this an import? Usual continental/Jap driver to delete this. Doesn't both me as long as AC works well as most new cars dont have sunroof any more. Again thsi will take a knock on future part-ex. 6) Cant get much better than Peter Morgan - enough said. :thumb:

Regarding point 6) When I sold my 1997 993 a few years ago Peter Morgan performed the check for the buyer. The car was lifted up on my drive way using little troley jacks and the car checked. I don't recall any use of an electronics disgnostic on the car. I gather it cost £250 and the potential buyer bought the car with no issue. I don't know much about 996s or performing these checks, but RGA Vauxhall wanted £150 to check a 996 I saw last week. The car would have been formally checked on a ramp and have an electronic diagnostic check . Without a diagnostic check the analysis of the car is 20 years out of date. But I don't know if that has changed now?

Hi Disregarding all the questions, it seems a very expensive car to me due to colour. Its a German sports car so BRG is a big problem IMHO :dont know: There are some very nice 996's out there for that money, i reckon it would be very difficult to sell on. Seriously really think about this, even with miles its more a 14-15K car max. Pluis with the heavy clutch taboot, you can buy a car cheaper with a brand new clutch

If it's not silver, grey, black or blue 996s tend to be less attractive come resale. Not really. Unless you have grills fitted, either stones chips or corrosive road debris will kill coolant or a/c rads in time. Certainly a heavy clutch can indicate a clutch is on the way out and a clutch may last anywhere between 30 and 50k miles, dependent on use. As this is a low mileage car it is likely the journeys have been short. This also possibly indicates a city life. In which case a lower mileage would suffer higher clutch wear than average. I would suggest this is from a low speed shunt. Could easily be another car just reversing into the front reg plate holder/nose-cone. Unlikely to be related to rads as the most likely cause is as wear and tear as explained above. As a sunroof on a 996 Carrera (in fact most 996, exc. Turbo etc) was an option, this has no detraction of value, just possibly less attractive, but some dislike or due to height can't have a sunroof anyway. AFAIK Peter Morgan is very well respected, possibly the best reknowned PPI service. (even advertised on this forum) Better to ask first. Personally, not my cup of tea (certainly not a fan or green or ruffled leather). One thing to bear in mind is that this is one of the last 996.1 (pre-facelift) and as it it on a "Y" (March 2001 onwards) it almost certainly is CO2 rated for tax (rather than earlier capacity based VED). At the moment this makes little difference (about £15 a year), but this may change, and certainly if raised in line with post-2006 ratings, would cost about £400 a year to tax. Not a really a big issue (and not yet actioned), but may influence resale at a later date. Keep looking and make sure nothing else comes close.

Thanks Many thanks all that took the time to contribute to my questions. I take it from them all that I should consider the following: 1) Peter Morgan has a good rep but understand if he can access the electronic diagnostics? 2) The colour and sunroof aren't deal breakers as the important issue is genuine provenance, decent history and condition. However they could limit the appeal of this car to the enthusiast audience and therefore impact ultimate resale value? Though if the car passes the inspection and I then maintain it well, these will be the main criteria that someone will by it from me on? 3) Make sure the aircon is fixed as well as any other niggles for the price that is being sought? (I forgot to mention a wobble in the steering at speed on some surfaces - but not all. Probably from the same incident that damaged the bumper...?) This is pretty top wack for a phase one so make sure it is handed over in pretty tip top condition? Thanks again and hopefully I'll be a member of the owners club if all pans out as ideal - or if not be patient and wait for a better car!! Paul

That price is surely absolute 'top dollar' for a 996.1 and in that colour combo is definitely 'ott' as values are normally hit hard by the 'unusual'. BUT If you like it, and the PPI checks out, then go for it as it will take a while to find another one the same. Personally for that money I'd definitely be looking for a 996.2. Good luck

Hi Just to say I like the colour. It is a bit different. I hope that the cvar checks out and it all goes well. Berni

Update Thanks All Peter Morgan will be checking the car on Wed so will post the outcome. Appreciate the advice on the colour - which Harry at Portiacraft made clear he wouldn't be touching as a trade in when the time comes to by the 996 Turbo in 3 years time! Will take the overall advice that good condition rules so will ultimately follow PM's advice and take it from there.....! Many thanks again for all your input. Paul

996 Purchase Just to update those on the forum that I had Peter Morgan inspect the 996.1 and he gave it a clean bill of health. It has a few niggles but nothing that would be a worry and is in fantastic condition that matches a 37k miles car. I picked it up today and am very happy with it. Advice on the following would be helpful in making it perfect. It needs an 80 amp battery - any hints on where best to source one near Harrow? Also I am planning to look at the central locking / immobiliser as its a bit temperamental. Any experience of a similar fault? Many thanks and happy to be part of the community Paul

Unless you need an "official" battery for warranty etc, don't bother with a Mol (the Porsche brand). Very expensive and not really very good. Plus only 2 years guarantee. Get a Varta (it is a rebadged Bosch, but cheaper) 315*175*175 mm 85 Ah and 800 CCA FIVE year warrany Varta Silver 585 200 080 (short code F18) = Bosch Silver 0092 S5 010 (short code S5 010) Go to somewhere like ManBat = approx £80 http://www.manbat.co.uk Or find out their price as a guide (I found them quite competitive) and do a google for Varta dealers near you.

Congratulations on your purchase & welcome to the community. Glad to hear that your happy with the car you found. Cheers, Wayne

I can highl recommend porticraft if you end up buying from them. I brought an absolute minter from them this year and the service has been excellent.

+1 for Portiacraft Bought my 996 form them this year in Feb and they have been great.

Re: 996 Purchase Great stuff, welcome aboard! :bye: Any pics? The Autotrader link is dead now...