What to buy and where from (911) ? - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

if I were you I would take a look at Autofarm or even better Northway / Northwood?? Porsche in Reading. You will get the number out of 911 and Porsche world, Ray at his garage in reading has loads of 911's for sale - from 86/87 carrera's (nice cab at £13K) through to a couple of very smart 993's. If I were you I would try to stretch to 27/28K and buy a 993, the running costs are way lower than a 964 and the car is likely to attain classic status. Just my 2p worth I did the same thing but went from a Cerby to a 996, and contrary to popular opinion it does not seem much slower.... Edited by bennno on Tuesday 20th November 18:17

I also went from a Cerbera SS to a 996 C4 with a GT3 kit etc... best car I have owned by a long way.

Thanks for the replies, not even considered that a little extra might stretch to a 993. I also might get a better trade in on the A8 against a more expensive motor. How do 993 running costs compare with pre964 models?? I currently live in Surrey, but will be moving to mid-Wales in December, and since a lot of the specialists are in M4/M40 area, I start looking soon

Get hold of a copy of 911 and Porsche World Nov 2001. There is a buying guide for the 993 that they reckon can be bought RHD from £28K. If you dont mind LHD they can be bought for about 25% less. The servicing costs are much lower because the 993 went to hydraulic tappets, and power increased from 250 to 272 BHP. You also get a 6 speed box. Rear suspension gets wishbones inatead of trailing arms. If you can't run to a 993 look at a LHD 964 Carrera RS, considered by many Porsche people to be the ultimate (reasonably priced) track day car, but harsh on the road. LHD from £20 up

Just my two cents, I've been looking into a 964 for about 2 months, don't own one so for those owners out there I bow to your superior wisdom. However just though I'd share the results of my research. First, yes you can get a 993 for 28k, but it will be high milage, and maybe not the best looked after example. Also you won't get aircon at that price. (if it matters - and for resale on these it does) Seems that decent 993's with a 'normal' spec and reasonable miles cost about 31-33 min from a specialist. I can't run to that, but a decent late model 964 can be had for about 22k from a specialist. Running costs are higher, but not massively, and for 10k less you should get a spotless 964 rather than a possibly tatty 993. Power is only 250bhp verses 272, but for 300 quid a rechip sorts this out. The recieved wisdom here is that the 964 was deliberatly hamstrung by porsche so that the 993 would have something to persuade people to buy it rather than a just the new bodyshape. As I said just my two cents. I'l be driving both at the weekend so if anyone is interested I'll post my thoughts.

mr tony - please publish your findings next week nick-moss - I could live with LHD, but does the RS have rear seats? one of the reasons for getting rid of so many two seater cars is that I can take my (young) children with me. Harsh on the road is no problem having already got a near race spec suspened TVR and having had a modified Impreza and Griff500. I have no fillings and my children already have neck muscles like Mike Tyson!! Thanks for the replies

You can get a very good 1995 RHD 968 Clubsport for £15- £20K, super handling on the track and very refined and comfortable on the road. Again Porsche and 911 World has a good selection fer sale every month. www.chpltd.com/test/shop/911coverupdate.html

Not 100% sure, but I think that part of the lightening procedure was to strip out the rear seats along with most of the sound deadening, electric windows, aircon etc. Of course some people specced their new RS's with all the options, rather defeating the point of the RS in the first place. Aircon is definitely a selling point in the road car, but IMO, because the engine is in the back, there is very little heat soak and aircon isn't the essential it is in front or mid engined cars.

davidy, if you are free tomorrow (Friday) there is a track day at Goodwood, mostly Porsches, you can get the answers directly from the guys who use the cars the way you intend to. Email me for mor info.

Whose track day is it?

Will post findings - I'm off to Paragon on Saturday am, so expect my thoughts on Monday.

Unfortunately despite working for myself I'm tied up in meetings tomorrow, shame though, all this talk is getting me really itchy to change all my cars again! Keep sending the advice, the change to a Porsche is only a TVR Taimar sale away!

The track day is a private affair run by a chap called Robert Barrie, an early 911 afficianado. He invites a few friends along. The last one I went to had 911's from 1965-1995 plus other interesting exotica.

A 964RS does have back seats but all the padding is removed. However as most RS's have been used as track day cars most people remove the back seats and carpeting completly. Finding a 964RS with Aircon is also differcult (Having said that Park Lane(Skyline,Impreza specialist) have a Silver 964RS with aircon for sale) 993 RS's are slightly more common with Aircon. I currently have a 964RS so feel free to ask any questions IMHO best car I've ever owned unless you plan to use it everyday. Edited by paulc on Thursday 22 November 16:49 Edited by paulc on Thursday 22 November 16:52

air con does not matter so much as the engine is behind and therefore the engine temp is not being pushed in to the car as per a TIV!! Anyway if you need it aftermarket a/c is only £12-1500ish. Northway/northwood Porsche in reading had a VGC 993 C2 in Speed Yellow for £28K when I looked

The 993 at Northway was the one in P & 911 World this month IIRC. Nice car, if you don't mind the yellow paint job. Personally I'd save that colour for a lotus...

Drove a 964 at the weekend (didn't have time to drive a 993). Went to paragon, who were very helpful and friendly, if a rather long way from Surrey! The condition of the car (a 1990 c2 cabrio in midnight blue with cream leather) I saw was fantastic, spotless paint and interior, even the cream carpets were in great condition under the overmats. However once I was sat inside (before turning the key), I couldn't help feeling that this car was a real retrograde step from my mgf! (yes you did read that right...) I know its unfair to compare a 1990 car to a 1998 car, but you figure that a porsche as a top of the line car would have a better standard of interior, rather than loads of bare wires hanging off the dash, a few dials in a row and 2 sliders for a heater. What was there was very solid, I was just dissapointed that porsche seemed to have forgotten a few interior panels. The cabrio roof also seemed to lack the seal quality of the mg roof and whisled like mad, becoming quite distracting at anything over 30mph. As for driving, floor mounted pedals are a bit weird to say the least though I figure I could get used to them. The brakes however, were alarmingly on or off, with very little progression or feel. The gearchange was less than smooth, the clutch very heavy. On the positive side the steering was sharp, but every stone on the tarmac transmitted a jolt straight up through your arms. I figure this car would be an absolute hoot on a track, but as an everyday driver for me, I'm not so sure. The power and grip put a big grin on my face at points, but very harsh ride didn't make for a particularly enjoyable ride. In summary great car, but what you can see here is just how far car manufacture has come in 8 years. I'm not knocking the Porsche, in its day it was undoubtedly top of the heap, and its a great credit to the car that nearly 12 years later it looks and feels almost as good as new. If I had a space (and budget!) for a second car then I'd definately take a second look. However as a main car for me to replace the mgf, the increase in performance isn't great enough to accept the retrograde step in terms of driver comfort. Now I think having sat in a couple of 993's that for me this is the way to go. Better start saving then...

www.camtune.com may be closer to home for you (Surrey).

Interesting report Mr Tony! Shouldn't be any bare wires on the dash, and C2s should have heating system knobs, not sliders. The 911 is a retrograde interior though, up to and including the 993. You will feel at home in a 1973 RS if you drive a 1995 Turbo 4! You get used to the switchgear layout - quite haphazard, and although the door bins, big dials and chunky switches are old fashioned, they give character and are very solid. No interior panels should have been missing! 911 interiors should still be quite neat, even if slightly weird looking. The cabrio roof will be four-layered and good quality, but will be noisy due to the parameters of the 911's roof design. As you say, you'll get used to the floor-mounted pedals, but they are very weird first time out. 993 has them, too! The brakes are awesome when you are familiar with them. More acquaintance needed - the C2s I've driven have great feel, lots of power and no fade. The gearchange isn't so great, but okay, the 993 has a six speeder that is better. Maybe the 993 is a better option - LHD from 22k or so (although these are not a million miles away from a 964), or dare I suggest a Boxster? The modern porsches offer more of what you may be looking for. Cheers Domster

Cheers guys. Not sure what was going on with interior in the one I drove then, all the heater hoses / dash wires were clearly visible heading down into the passenger side footwell... As for the drive, probably need to get used to something like the 911 pedals . brakes. The brakes were very good, just very little pedal travel required to stop the thing dead. Probably new pads or discs that need to bed in or something. Or perhaps it was just me not able to get used to the floor hinged pedals!! Boxster.... hmmm nahhh, everyones got one. As you say LHD 993 is a possibility. Cheers for the address PT, I know they're there, but paragon had the closest thing to the car I thought I'd want, and driving down through sussex on a sunny maorning top down wasn't too much of a hardship!!!

I live about 10 minutes from Paragon, and yes they are very helpful and keen to let one drive the cars on display, and the local roads are perfect for 911's! I think their prices are a little on the high side, but possibly balanced by their large selection and the service they offer, I was given a loan car when my 1974 Carrera was in for an MOT! Domster is right, My car is virtually identical inside to a 993, all the changes were under the skin. Mr Tony, funilly enough I was up in Surrey on Saturday, Bookham to be precise.

Mr Tony Try going along to a Porsche Club GB meeting. The Surrey region meets at The Fairmile, Portsmouth Road, Cobham on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 8.00pm. They won't mind you turning up and asking as many questions as you like. They are a very helpful club, the annual meet at Highclere in Wiltshire is fantastic, and they organise superb track days as well. The monthly magazine, Porsche Post, has loads of cars for sale from specialist dealers and privately. Try Cridfords in Ripley If you go to the Oxford region there are several specialists there: Autofarm, Ballards

highclere is in Berkshire!! is the club worth joining or what?? Edited by bennno on Tuesday 27th November 08:55

My apologies to all those from Berkshire! The Club is certainly worth talking to if you are after information on specific models, and if you are looking to buy a car it's worth it for the magazine. I believe that some cars change hands within the club and never get on the open market. This is especially true of the older models. If you are into maintaning the cars yourself each register (996, 993, 964, Carrera, SC, Boxster etc.) has a technical advisor and there is some reduction at Official Porsche Centre on spares and servicing.

Thanks for all the help guys. I reckon I should be looking at a 964RS or perhaps if funds stretch an early 993. However I will need rear seats for the cubs so might have to increase the weight a little on the RS to fit them. I suppose I could go on a diet to compensate. As soon as I have sold the Taimar, I'll start looking otherwise I'll turn into a tyrekicker! David

Good luck, and tell us what you test / buy!

Currently I have three old TVRs, two of which PetrolTed has sold through this very site, when the 3rd one's gone, I want to swap my Audi A8 3.7 Sport for a 911. The 3 Tivs plus the Audi would give me a budget around 20K-25K (depending whether I trade the Audi or sell privately). Want a 911, cos I now have two young kids (and I don't trust Cerberas). The car will not be an everyday car, but will be used a couple of times a week and for trackdays/sprints/hillclimbs. I want to run in a Standard class, so no 4 wheel drive. What do you guys suggest pre-964 or 964. I don't want running costs to get away from me (though the Audi as a benchmark is not exactly cheap). I want the car to feel reasonably quick (I have had a modified Impreza and a Griff500 in the past) or should I go for a very clean 944/968 and put some money in the bank?? (had a 944 in the past, reasonably impressed)