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YOUR RESEARCH996 Buyer's Guides
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Use car it was a must read, several times over
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For me when buying a relatively expensive used car it was a must read, several times over.
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However, I used Rennlist more than anything to get ideas and feedback.
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Just pulled Used Story out to answer your other post; mine is well-used and I'm doubling-down on my recommendation to at least start with this one, despite the limitations on 996 data.
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Just pulled Used Story out to answer your other post; mine is well-used and I'm doubling-down on my recommendation to at least start with this one, despite the limitations on 996 data.
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19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Any thoughts on either of these buying guides or buyer's guides in general?
I also found a Buyer's Guide on the Total 911 magazine site (which was suggested in the archives on this forum) but the back issues are out of stock. Are there any other useful guides for the first timer or are they...
-- Just a lot of hot air?
-- Waste of money?
-- A good idea?
-- Fine but most of the information could easily be found on this site?
Thoughts?
-Eric
I had looked at getting these also when I did my research earlier this year. However, I used Rennlist more than anything to get ideas and feedback. The unique thing about RL is that you will get great advice from a number of Porsche enthusiasts who have had their vehicles for a substattial amount of time and who have probably between them seen every possible issue there is with these cars. And by test driving a few cars you will probably get a good idea of what you want. Especially with private sellers who I have found are more than willing to talk about their cars.
Good luck in your search.
This site and specifically the 996 thread can be a wealth of information for you. As for a book/guide, that may very well give you a solid, coherent background...but, I think that after you read the guide(s), you will be in a much better position to ask better, more specific questions and thus, get much better answers, in here. There are, no doubt, plenty of 996 owners, in here, who love their cars, swear by their performance and the bullet proof reliability. Having said that, there are maintenance issues that need to be addressed and any "skimping" will not payoff in the long run. You will need to try to find a car that has had all the work done, properly and regularly. Do your homework, make sure you have in your price budget the proper amount ($$$) to get a thorough PPI from someone that is trusted and don't give up looking for what you want.......those babies are out there, it just might take a while to find the one that fits your bill, is in great shape and is mechanically solid. You may even find that the car you want is being offered for sale by someone in here. Good luck and happy hunting. Just my .02 and I think I speak for most if not all, in here, just ask, we are happy to try to help. No dumb questions, (well, maybe the oil question..........to think of one)....yikes.....I will be flamed for that one!
While I have no direct experience with those I'd consider getting them. When I'm first coming up to speed on a marque I like lots of input from various sources to help me know the marque as good as I can without of course doing it the hard way: through experience buying/owning examples of the marque.
There is good info here but you should not let this site be the sole source of your info about the 996.
BTW, for Total 911 I think you can buy back issues on DVD or some other electronic media.
Sincerely,
Macster.
I'm going to state the obvious, which may be perceived as slightly offensive: you're thinking about a $20,000 - $40,000 used car, and the total price of those two books bought and shipped via the internet will total less than the price of a full tank of high-octane gas that you will be buying bi-weekly.
So, yes; buy them both and read them.
Ok, that said, I know very little about these cars as I readily admit, and I did buy and read thoroughly both books. I enjoyed both; the Used Story is great for specific faults in individual models, but of course your car won't match exactly. There are also VIN decoders for earlier models, and if you like the 911 as a car, it's interesting reading regarding the evolution of the brand. My vote is yes for the used car guide. Mine is marked up with notes and highlights.
On the 996 guide, I also very much enjoyed reading Adrian's book. So much so, that I recently purchased his 600-page Essential Companion but again, this is more to learn about my car, how it became what it is, and how it works.
If you like to learn by reading, buy the books. If you like to internet surf, pocket the change and save for
one
more tank of gas, plus-minus a few gallons.
Just my two cents.
Just pulled Used Story out to answer your other post; mine is well-used and I'm doubling-down on my recommendation to at least start with this one, despite the limitations on 996 data.
I wasn't worried about the cost of the books. I was just wondering whether they were decent. FWIW, I ordered them both from Amazon tonight. I'm supposed to be heading out to France on business next week. At least I'll have some good reading for my flight!
-Eric
Reading is good. I found RL is pretty good as there are some good fellas here that will help you (or make fun of your comments)
Glad you order the books and best of luck on the search!
Absolutely; no offense meant although it certainly came out that way. I recall wondering on my 944 whether I should buy the $5 knock-off, or the $35 dollar real-version relay. End of the day, it was once a $30K car, and it deserved a proper relay. You will enjoy the books.
If you are specifically buying a 996, I think you'll find the Used 911 Story too vague. The Essential Buyer's Guide is a good series and much more focused for what you want. And if you want some real in depth info, as Peter 642 said, get the 996 Essential Companion. Highly recommended - I refer to my copy often. Wouldn't want to carry it on a plane to France though ... it's a biggie.
Hey, is that a Saab Sonnet?
I saw the Essential Companion and figured I should probably have a 996 before I buy its literary companion! lol Good eyes on the Saab. It's a '73 Sonett III in California Burgundy or as my daughter says "purple."
-Eric
It might look funny but this IMHO is the best buyers guide also by Adrian Crawford, online, for your specific year:
www.911secrets.com
I am a car guy and have owned lots of cars but this guide really got into 911 details, especially what to look for both mechanically and how to spot body and panel work (has detailed pictures, checklists etc). For me when buying a relatively expensive used car it was a must read, several times over. In the end it gave me the knowledge to walk away from many of the cars I visited and helped me pick the right one.
Just my $.02
[/QUOTE]It's a '73 Sonett III in California Burgundy or as my daughter says "purple."
-Eric[/QUOTE]
Looks like it's in great shape. So will the 996 replace it as the "fun car"? Bit of a power difference
