Left hand drive 996 - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Ha! I remeber that!. Actually you may fine this a bit of a plug but have you considered a 993 Turbo? Much, much faster than the 996 and built much better. Handles very very well and you have the advantage of the AWD when things get slippery , otherwise is RWD? I've had a LHD for a year and have had no problems driving it about at all. SO much cheaper than RHD - saved myself 15 grand just like that. Check the classifieds out, and maybe we could come to an arrangement! Seriously though, if what specifics - ask.

Cheers bosshog - it's going to be feb/march next year I"ll be making the purchase I'm afraid. I like to get up to speed before I make any decisions hence the trawling for info now. Main questions would be speedo conversion cost, and resale - you finding it difficult go sell yours on-or is there a decent market for the LHD cars? Thanks Andrew

I have had a couple of LHD Porsches (944s), and driven LHD 968, 911s etc. I also have access to a LHD 964 shape 911 and drive it now and again. You can pick up 996s in LHD for 34k in this country now. Speedo conversion cost... well, I live (and still live with, in the case of my LHD Lotus Carlton) the kmh face, as you quickly get used to it. It's also nice and original. If you do change, it will be more expensive on the 996 than the '993 and before' cars with the round dials, as tons of people did 'white face' mph kits etc (remember the odometer will still be kmh!) or you could replace just the speedo with a s/h or new replacement. The mileage may not be genuine however! With the 996 I believe the instruments are on a panel together, so you would probably need a new one from Porsche, and then ask them to reprog the digi odometer to your genuine mileage (!). However, Porsche will want a large amount of money for this, no doubt. I'd guess at a grand, but it could be twice that. Remember that a new aftermarket Stack instrument kit costs near a grand, and new Porsche, non-factor, parts are generally twice what is fair and reasonable! How else would those showrooms afford lovely reception areas and acres of hardwood for the floor ;-) Resale is always tricky, but not impossible, even with the less desirable models like the 944. General rule is 20% under the RHD equivalent. As long as you stick to a popular model in a popular colour, you'll be fine. A 996 Carrera 2 in Polar Silver would be a good bet. A Carrera 4 with cloth seats and in White or Yellow may be trickier to move on. The market for LHD Porsches grows by the year. I imported my first 944 S2 cab about 3 years ago, and it was quite a rarity. Now approx 1 in 5 Porsches I see are LHD. Even main dealers will be delighted to service them, and there are lots of LHD parts available s/h from breakers. The problem is that the more popular LHD is (and I love it!), the more LHD cars there are for sale, and the more supply means a lower price second hand. Good for buying one, though. It is a buyer's marlet at the moment. You never used to be able to get a 964C2 below about 15k. Today, you can get one for 10k (although it may be a dog and start barking at you...). If I had 38k to spend I would get bosshog's Polar Silver 993 Turbo - my favourite Porsche barring the 964 RS. If you don't buy it, maybe I'll remortgage the flat next year - so don't rush with the sale, Wayne/bosshog! PS I loved the background scenery to bosshog's car in the for sale photos - is it a holiday destination or does bosshog's house match the car?!! Edited by domster on Friday 14th December 09:54

Hmmm...996 or 994 discuss! Seriously the 994 was the last of the 'old' style 911's - less friendly than the 996 - more expensive to run etc. Not a big 911 tech head...always been a bit confused by the all the 9' s and the similar looks NOTE : I'm checking the other threads for this info so you don't need to duplicate that stuff Edited by hoganscrogan on Friday 14th December 11:02

Errr, a bit of 911 confusion going on. Commonly these are the terms used: 911 - from the seventies 2.7 and 3.0 SC, to the eighties 3.2 Carrera which had the 'bellows' bumpers. 'Classic' 911. 930 - The first 911 Turbo 'Turbo 1', commonly 300 bhp and 4 speeds. 964 - from 1989 through to 1994. This is often referred to as the 'big bumpers' model, as it is classic shape with upright headlights but with GRP bumpers not metal bumper with plastic bellows. 965 - the 'Turbo 2'. Up to 360 bhp, based on the 964 shape. 5 speed box. 993 - the last of the air cooled cars. This has the more jellymould looks and the sloping lights. It had revised rear suspension, up to 285 bhp and 6 speeds. Want one. 993 bi-turbo - 'Turbo 4', as it had 4 wheel drive. 996 - new boxster nosed water cooled car. Revolution not evolution with different bodyshell and water cooled engine. So do you go 993 or 996? The consensus seems to be that the 996 is a better car, but not a better 911. The character that made the original 911 so classic has been partially robbed to make way for packaging improvements. The cognascenti say that the 1973 2.7 RS and 1991 964 RS are more fun to drive than the modern GT3 and Turbo. If you want a luxury GT car, and hanker after something in between an Aston DB7 or a new BMW M5, get the 996 if you can afford it. If you want a classic, reliable sports car with a bag of character, that you can use everyday but still take out for a blast, it's the 993. It would appeal to someone who has perhaps had an earlier 911, a Lotus, TVR or Ferrari. Maybe even a BMW M3 or Audi S series. Both 993 and 996 are cheaper to run than earlier cars, because of certain technical improvements. As always, main dealer servicing and parts are both pricey, but there are ways around them. The 993 is a better car to run in a low budget scenario, as if a major bit goes, like the box or engine, you can get it rebuilt or replaced much cheaper... there are more air cooled 911 specialists, and more air cooled 911s being broken for parts. Hope this helps Domster Edited by domster on Friday 14th December 17:09

Andrew, I've only (yesterday) started to advertise, and it won't be in the magazine's until Jan/Feb so won't know till then. I can't imagin I'll have much trouble though, its a good price (which I'm negotiable about)I've spent money on bringing everything up to date, (brakes,clutch,tyres) so these won't need changing for a long time, so whoever buys it won't need to spend any money on it. At the end of the day its a very good car, and I think there's people out there who'll want it. Even if I get impatient the local Porsche dealer say's they have it for a few grand less than I'm advertising - they know the car and (as stated in the ad) they asked me if its standard power - the engine's that strong.

Thanks fellas

guys, the 996 has a digital speedo display in the centre of the rev counter. all you do is twist the knob and hey presto mileage becomes km's and speed display is kmh. i guess with a LHD car the reverse is true meaning no changes required!! Some RHD 996's are now 38K from a main dealer with a warranty, therefore i would look to pay no more than 30-32 for a LHD car! Ben

Nice one benno. But it always amazes me on continental cars how they only have a kmh face on analogue speedos, whereas we're always stuck with dual kmh/mph speedos... look at an older 911 RHD vs LHD and you'll see what I mean! Digital is the way to go.

if anybody is planning to buy a LHD 996 then i have a set of RHD headlights available to do the conversion. I also have a front bumper and an engine lid with motorised spoiler (both in guards red) if interested send me a mail Ben

Eh? thats a bit strange. On my 993TT, if I want to drive on the right or left I simply open the bonnet, pop the lights out (Flick switch and light unit slides out). Then there's a switch at the back - flick it over and bob's your uncle lights are converted. Surprised the 996 not the same?

thats what i thought, especially so with the kmh / mph speedo conversion thingy! not the case though!! ben

God, this really makes my blood boil. What the effing hell is that useless EU for?!? Convertible headlights should be LAW!!!!! I drive to and fro from the continent twice a month and then have to piss about with black tape. My latest car has plastic lens covers - now I can't even use the tape any more!!! the glue doesn't agree with the plastic ... Rghds, WalterU

Walter U That effing useless Eu is to ensure all bananas are of the correct curvature, and to make sure no small english fruit and veg shop dares to sell in imperial units

although brought up on metric, I actually think that imperial measurements have some really good sides to them. Why not be more tolerant? Vive la différence!! Soon they'll try to standardise our meat and 2 veg ... Rgds, WalterU

la what? I wish you all the Best for 2002! Just make sure you don't need to take the wheel after New Year's Eve...

My brothers 911 interest has rekindled my desire for a Porsche (which was born as a kid after watching all those evil black 911's chase Condorman!). NOw one thing I've been tempted by is a new or used LHD 996 - cheaper than the RHD versions and in it's designers intended format (Smart ownership has got me into LHD). Anyone had any experience of buying/running a LHD 911. I'm wondering if the initial savings are outweighed by residuals when selling on? Sorry to seem like a leech! I am researching on the web but have yet to find any decent advice. Thanks for any response. Andrew