dreaming of a 996 in France

Hey guys, I'm new to this board. I'm much more of a regular to wine forums. I'm from California, but recently moved to Burgundy, France to start a winery. I've owned all types of fast cars, but Porsches have always been on my mind. I've waved at them most of my driving life. I've driven a few too, but passed on them for Corvettes, Evos, or other toys. Now we are in France, my wife, daughter and myself and now things are falling into place. I've searched out some pre-1974s as well as some 996s. What I have found is that the prices in France are RIDICULOUS compared to UK pricing. As an example, the average pricing for a 1982-1987 model in France is the same price as a 996 c2 with less miles in the UK. Sure, I've never driven a RHD car, but the prices here are unbearable. So, a few questions: Any thoughts on why prices are so low in the UK (or high in France)? Are LHD 996s truly that rare in the UK? Would you have any advice on bringing a UK car into France? Are the specs typically different for UK or France delivered examples? Any help is greatly appreciated. I can understand that being a newbie asking for help in another country won't get many replies but this seems to be my best best since this forum seems to be the best on this side of the pond. Thanks again. Cheers, Ray Walker

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be easier to source a LHD from Germany rather than the UK? Excuse my ignorance, but you probably have a good reason for not doing this?

Welcome to 911uk! I saw the prices in France on holiday, couldnt believe it, early 996 3.4 going for nearly 40.000Euros. My advice would be to get a UK but LHD car. You could potentially make some profit too. The LHD question has always been a funny one, many over here see it as a cheaper way (ironically) to getting a 911, others as the 'pure' option, but I think most would say a LHD in the UK is less desirable/saleable (unless going back to Germany). I'd say specs are pretty similar. Porsches are a rare sight in France IMHO, unless its Le Mans weekend Porsche sold a lot of 996 in the UK, not least because of the booming economy through the 996 years, and with the 997 the pressure on prices meant residuals dropped. I would call Mark Pearce from Stirlings for a chat. He can source you a vehicle and then get it on a ferry from SW England to France quite easily. http://www.stirlings.co.uk/

The price differential also reflects the state of the economy - the UK economy is in a very bad state hopefully for only a relatively short period of time. I have a beautiful 2002 996 tt for sale with only 27.5K miles, with Porsche warranty etc and I cannot even sell it for £32K To answer your question it is not difficult to register in France a RHD or LHD car bought (and registered) in the UK. I did this in the past with a Mazda MX5. The speedometer needs to read kmph as opposed to mph but this is not a problem for 996s as the speedometer in 996s reads both mph and kmph. You may need to adjust the front light but again this is not difficult. If you buy a LHD car in the UK be careful where you buy it from. I recall that there was a company I do not recall the exact name (the left hand drive company ?) that had very bad publicity. Hope this helps.

Take a look at official dealers in Italy. The prices are (usually) better than in Germany! I don't know about taxes regarding imports in France, but the problem should apply either you do it from the UK or any other European Union country, without the hassle of RHD to LHD conversions. I sourced mine in Italy ;-) The guy told me he had many customers coming from France. Ignoring the problem with broken shock absorbers that official Porsche warranty didn't want to cover neither the dealer, I'm very happy with my deal (2 years ago).

Thanks for your responses guys! There was a member here w a 2001 cab for cheap so I came to London for the first time after confirming that imwas coming from France, bankers check in hand and the guy totally squirmed out of it. He has only one post here, and the car was for 14,950£. Be wanted a wire before I saw the car and ultimately tried to pressure me into doing so. Once I told him I was here, he became evasive, not answering phone calls, or emails. I am thinking this was a scam. Either way, we are still here now, in Oxford with a bunch of cars to see in the UK but it is a bit difficult having them spread out everywhere in a country that we are unfamiliar with. We are trying to pay cash (wired cash that is) so I imagine we will find something here soon. Thank you again for the rec's. 911uk is a great source, Autotrader turns up some results as well. By the way, the search has been refined for 15,000£, cabrio 996, 2001/2002+ (facelift not necessary for the 2001), manual box, c2 or c4 will work. Hardtop is a big plus. All the other preferences are there as well, but of course condition and full stamped Porsche history is the biggie along with miles ticked. I am trying to search these few bits out as I know they are somewhere but: Does the spoiler not move in the cab c2/4? Why are there so many tip S versions here, and why are there no manual box S to be seen? Brake pads, expensive for the c4 generally speaking? Any reliability issues with a c4 over c2? Thanks again!

15k might be a bit tight for a good 996 cab, having said that there is one here that ticks most of your boxes just a bit older. tip S is the type of tiptronic box, not to be confused with c2s/c4s which refers to the widebody variants. don't think cab came in widebody format?? so hence why you won't find a manual cab 's' your first run in sounds like a scam, don't part with any money just to see car or test-drive it. spoiler goes up at 50mph or there abouts, on all coupe's cabs etc. (unless bigger fixed wing fitted) can be manually overridden/lifted with switch for cleaning etc. get pads etc from type 911 parts: you can get oem brand ones- same pads just not in porsche branded box. be aware changing them sometimes the bolts can bind in the caliper body and need drilling out which a bit tedious don't believe any major reliability differences between c2 and c4, ims rms issues possible on all engines, not cheap to fix, but some good solutions out there now but uk based. coil packs rot and need replacing, I guess you can find an independent porsche specialist in france as OPC servicing can be quite pricey?