Waiting to become an Owner!

Hi All Just thought I would introduce myself. I have finally made the decision to fulfil a 10yr dream of 911 ownership. I have owned fast, mostly turbo'd sports cars over the years and now as I am only a week away from my 30th b'day I have decided that I need to realise the dream. My current toy (Impreza STI Version 5 Type R) is about to go up for sale and to replace it I am looking for a 996 Carerra. I am still looking for experience,knowledge and guidance on my purchase and still havent decided on whether to go for a 2 or 4? The general concensus seems to be that the 2 is a better drive, although the 4 safer etc. I simply must have the factory GT3 Aerokit look and a manual shift. I believe my budget (£40K) will only really get me a 3.4 although my research suggests that the later 3.6 were a much improved package? Although options I already am looking for are PSM, PSE and also BOSE , I am not entirely sure of what other options were available so any help appreciated Anyway , glad to be here..........and looking forward to getting a 911 on the driveway

Welcome [8D]and if 2+2 isnt essential and you don't mind a soft top option your budget would buy you a very good spec and very late Boxster "S" unless of course your first Porsche venture has to be 911 based in which case ignore me

Have set my heart on a 996 with Aerokit Just need to work out what year, what model and what options............

I agree with Robert, do consider a well spec'd Boxster S. Wonderful car and surprisingly practical. IMO the perfect 996 is a 6-spd C2 Coupe. However, we all have our individual preferences and others will cite the merits of the cab, C4, tiptronic etc. I wouldn't consider the C4 to be 'safer' than a C2. The 996 is inherently safe, but it is the PSM that helps prevent driver error. Four wheel drive provides additional traction. Yes the 3.6 does incorporate quite a lot of improvements, but you would have to stretch your budget. Used prices for used C2s and C4s are broadly similar, so it is more important to find the right car. The key considerations are: * Age - newer the better (probably looking at 2000/2001MY) * Mileage - lower the better, ideally around 25k * History - should be OPC supplied and serviced * Owners - ideally one or two * Spec. - higher the better (work out your 'must haves') The more you look at, the more you will understand what's what and what you really want. Finally, make sure you have it thoroughly inspected. Good hunting

Thanks for the info Oliver. I am definately going to take my time searching for the right example. Hopefully £40K will get me a low mileage 996 C2 with some nice options?

After owning a 993 C2, Boxster S and now a 996 C4 there is nothing like a Carrera. I have no criticism whatsoever of the Boxster, just how I feel. Whether to go for 2 or 4 wheel drive ? Ordinarily there is virtually no difference to the driving experience, the only downside is losing some bootspace in the 4. Where I have noticed a significant advantage of the 4 is in poor weather conditions. I used my car through heavy rain, frost and some snow over the winter and no car has felt so secure in those conditions. I am sure the 'trackday experts' will have some comment on the handling of one versus the other although I doubt whether most drivers would be able to determine which is better. As for the toys on it, get those that you want not what others tell you you need. For example some say PSM is unnecessary whilst for me living in the depths of the countryside it is very reassuring on slippery roads. If you are going to choose extras from a re-sale point of view check the OPC adds for the specs of their cars. The less desirable cars often seem to appear at non-official dealers. regards Tim

Thanks for the feedback Tim Am I right in saying that PSM was standard on the C4? I have seen a Jan 99 C4 which looks rather nice? Also , how do I tell if the exhaust is a genuine PSE? Any tell tale signs etc?

Correct, PSM is standard on the C4. I don't know about the exhaust system. good luck with the search Tim

I believe that if its a genuine factory fitted PSE it should have a switch on the dash to close off the baffles - on mine its the second switch down on the right-hand bank and has a wierd graphic which I assume represents a pipe. Dave

Thanks Dave I'll check when I go back

PSE can be retro-fitted by the OPC, in fact many will have been, often without the switch. A pre-purchase inspection would confirm whether it is an original Porsche part (if you ask).

Melun, DON'T BE SILLY AND BUY A NEW (or very late) BOXSTER S. You will realise it is a move sideways from your Scooby and then become cheesed off when you can't beat an EVO or STi. It has to be the Carrera 2-4. This is the Ultimate 30th Birthday present to yourself as you have earned it. Top Marques is full of £40k Carreras, privately you will save £4-5k if you are a cash buyer but for piece of mind go to a Porsche dealer where you will find a C4-2 with 20-30k miles fully serviced, new tyres, MOT, and more importantly 12 months warranty. I put £8k deposit on a 3 year old C4 and pay £650 per month for 3 years with a balloon at the end. Apparently 80% of Porsche owners finance their cars in this way. Good luck with your purchase

Beware financing schemes that get you into a car you can't really afford. The balloon at the end can be a milestone around your neck. Unless you have elected for a very small final paymeny you may well find that the trade in value of the car will only just cover the ballon leaving you with in the above example having paid £8000 and £650 per month, a total of £31,400, to rent the car for three years. This of course ignores the loss of interest on the £8k. perhaps another £1,000. I don't know what the apr is on this deal but probably in the region 8-9% This is no criticism of Carrera4boy or a question of his financial status, just a general observation on the credit deals offered, their cost and possible pitfalls. Remeber dealers get paid for arranging loans and they can be quite persuasive. Alway check your bank for credit and particularly if you have equity in your home ask about secured loans from your mortgage provider or bank. These are always the cheapest way to borrow. All these comments are made from experience some good and some not so good! Tim

Tim, I agree. Lots of people only look at the monthly repayment and ignore the true cost. OK interest rates are low, but depreciation can be savage. The average Porsche will lose 15% pa. for some people that is £1000 pm!

Don't forget the general rule - if there wasn't a profit to be made then no-one would want to offer the service! So ... Dixons are keen to sell extended warranties, ipso facto it must be more expensive to buy the warranty than repair/replace. Dealerships are incredibly keen to sell finance therefore a cash sale must be a disappointment to them - try buying an expensive car for cash; I have, and they will think of many reasons why you shouldn't. However, none managed to override the fact that finance was, over the term, about £10k more. Sometimes it's useful - I insure my house because although it would (in the long run) be cheaper to rebuild it, (a) I don't have that kind of cash lying around and (b) I don't expect to live long enough to see this particular long run. Dixons' stuff is a different matter....

That's right - you need to make sure you have as much (if not more) equity at the end of the term as you do at the beginning. I made this mistake in the past (with a much cheaper car!) - put a deposit down at the beginning and at the end had nothing.

When I purchased my Porsche I had some on Finance. Whilst the Dealer would not move on cost price of the car, they did on they finance costs, I had done my homework and told them how much I was prepared to pay. The dealer made the phone calls and the new rate/package was arranged. There must be profit because I saved quite a bit of cash/interest. The Balloon is usually for people who would change their car at regular intervals, thus never paying the balloon at the end. continous finance I know, but for some it works.

Ok, after a little advise. Have seen a lovely Jan 99, C4. It has a sports exhaust fitted which seems quite loud even on idle. How loud should it be? And also should it have the dash switch for the PSE? I couldnt find one anywhere? Where would it be located? Also it comes with a 6 month Car Care warranty? Has anyone heard of these? Are they any good? Also who in the bucks area would anyone recommend to inspect it for me? Advice is really appreciated

The Porsche Sports Exhaust system doesn't necessarily have a switch. Factory fitted systems probably do, but on OPC fitted systems it is optional. At idle it shouldn't be loud. The correct PSE is very clever and, although it always sounds quite fruity, it only becomes loud under aggressive throttle openings. Are you sure it isn't another after-market system?

Melun, DON'T BE SILLY AND BUY A NEW (or very late) BOXSTER S. You will realise it is a move sideways from your Scooby and then become cheesed off when you can't beat an EVO or STi. there might be other reasons for going with the Boxster[ ][ ]

Sorry guys, have my heart set on a Aero Kitted 996

What is an Aero kitted 996 ? Can you suggest any wesbites where a picture can be seen ? Steve.

Re my query about what an Aero kitted 996 looks likes. I think I may have answered my own question, since, checking out the site below, I have confirmed that it is an Aero kitted 996 that I collect on Friday. If you'd like to check out this website www.portiacraft.co.uk and then look at their stock page, you can see the Lapis blue 996 Cab Tip at £42,995 that I bought last week. Is that what you mean by an Aero kit ? Cheers, Steve.

Steve - That's most of the aerokit but not the wing on the back. Look at a picture of a GT3 and you'll see the full winged up look.