Considering a 996 - What do I look out for ?

[FONT=arial"] Hi, I'm considering buying a used 996 around R to X reg (2000). I have around a £30-£38K budget in mind. What issues should I look out for and what is a typically minimum or average spec to consider for resale. Other than looking on the OPC website and some specialist dealers (Autobahn), where else should I look ? I will be using the car for the daily commute (around 110 miles round trip) or 18K per year. Will the increased mileage make the car prohibitively expensive to run ? Also I'm a little concerned by the posts I've read regarding 'engine' failures, etc. What fuel economy can I reasonable expect to get ? Not that this is an issue as such [ ] Thanks for any advice..... Simon.

Simon, You'll probably get a wealth of replies however for your budget you'll be looking at a 3.4 pre-facelift which in effect gives you plenty of choice between cab or coupe with either two or four wheel drive. Views differ but if you can find a C2 with PSM (Porsche Stability Management) effectively traction control+, you'll have a cracking car which unless you've got a lead right foot will keep you out of the scenery! - all C4's have it as std. C4's have less luggage space due to the added front diff etc, but there doesn't seem to be much difference in the cost of owninership between a C2/C4 nor do there seem to be any increase in failure rates between the two - C4's cost more in the first place but the differential in price becomes insignificant as the cars get older. If you can find a car which has been maintained in the dealer network then you can take it along to an OPC and they will, following an inspection (can't remember the cost), offer you a Porsche backed warranty for about £750 which covers all the major failures including RMS - of which you'll read a great deal on here. All I can say is that I've had four 996's and none has had the RMS failure but it is an issue to be aware of - look for small drips of oil. My first and second 996s were C4's and were great driving machines - then I had a C2 with PSM and on balance I would say it was more enjoyable. I ran the C2 as an everyday commuter and loved it with about 25mpg average - as to whether it is expensive to run will depend on what your calibration of costs are - however I don't generally find Porsches overly expensive to maintain over say a decent BMW - you can always reduce the cost of oil changes even at the OPCs by supplying your own oil! As to spec all C16 or UK spec cars had leather seats and a reasonable level of equipment, the std seats being supportive and comfortable for 'normal' use - personally I like sunroofs on coupes and but most other bits you can aftermarket fit such as wheels etc. If you find one with PSE - Porsche Sports Exhaust then thats a bonus as it does increase the experience and makes a great soundtrack. PCM - Porsche Communications Management which is a basically mix of radio, satnav and optionally telephone, is a nice to have but non-essential and I understand it is difficult, if not impossible, to source new discs for PCM1 which is what I think a pre-2000 car would have. But remember with a pre-facelift car you have to make-do without those essential cupholders!!! They're all great cars to drive, find a good one and you won't regret it. Dave

Sipajen Icurrently run a c4 tip everyday and commute 20k per year. My mother 74 has driven it and my wife drives it regulary. Every day it starts beautifully and as long as you regularly service it every 15k it should be good for plenty of miles. Like you I had wanted a porsche for years but did not think I could live with one everyday.The 996 porsche tip is so user friendly and also a laugh a minute when you want to boot it that I can't believe I waited this long to buy one. It is easy to get bogged down in specifications.I would buy the one you like in colour inside and outside and just decide whether you want a manual or tip.9I find the tip easier for town /traffic). Edmund 996c4tip artic silver

Hi Mate, You should be able to pick up a 2000 W/X reg Carrera for £35k. Check between the sump and gear box for any oil weeping, and make sure it has full OPC history. You'll have a blast. Try and get warranty too. You should use it everyday, it's a sturdy beast. Just look after it and don't thrash it at every moment. I did 20k last year without any hassle really. Couple of niggles, but for the pain i put it through it beats just about any car on the road for power performance and reliability. Simon 996 C4

simon if I can get a decent price turbo mine might be for sale at a good discount on dealer. It is a 2000v c4tip artic silver black interior 18" turbo alloys part alu pack computer mileage 74k (I drive it everyday)Just had 2 new pirelli p zeros on ,full service history and I would service the car at main dealer for you and have a check if you want. Have a look around and see waht you fancy Edmund

Hi Simon, I'm not making out that I'm any kind of expert because I have only just bought my first 996, but I have spent about 4 months looking at rubbish ones and a few things became evident on many cars. They were all R or S reg with about 50000 miles FPSH, Artic silver. I saw 3 which had both bottom corners of the front screen de-laminating (this is a where the plastic interlayer between the 2 panes of glass has absorbed moisture and turned a milky colour) usually this indicates that the front screen has been badly installed or it is the original screen and the car has spent most of its life outdoors in the weather. Corrosion on the sills. Corrosion behind the door catch plate (apparently this quite common around this age, but should have had some plastic back plates installed during a service as manufacturers recommendations). Loose trim around the front screen. Tyres nearing the end of their usuable life - easily rectified but cost about a grand at best. Kerbed alloys - my pet hate!! People should go to the effort of a recon prior to sale, if they are kerbed, knock another £ 100 per wheel off the price. Traces of oil in the water - if so run away! Check the air con, I saw 2 which didn't blow cold air - it should come through freezing cold! Apart from that - haggle like hell, especially on private sales. Cars like these are not selling very well at the moment, so be confident and stick to your guns, obviously, if you find an absolute corker, then it worth paying a little bit more for what you want. Oh - get a inspection before you buy, I would recommend having an extended warranty certainly for the first year that you have the car, after the first 12 months has passed you will know how well the car feels. Good luck. Simon.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've been trawling my way through the OPC dealerships and think that I'm settling for something along the lines of an X/Y/51 reg 996 C2 for my money, although they seem to be few and far between. I have recently been offered by an OPC a Y reg C2 Tip Coupe with c39K miles, reasonably spec'd with full OPC warranty for just under £40K. Does this sound reasonable? Is it true that the OPC's don't negotiate on price to help residuals? I've ordered Oct '04's back issue of 911 & Porsche World for the 996 buyers guide, so am hoping to pick up some more pointers.. What's your best experiences of insurance companies, I've tried confused.com (aptly named [ ]) and Admiral seemed to come out cheapest @ £1100 I live in Essex/Cambs border, 32yo, No convictions, No claims and 8+ years no claims bonus. Car used part business and commuting, around 15K-18K miles per year. Cheers for any other feedback. Simon.

Regarding pricing you will get lots of mixed reports on this all i can say is that you will pay more from OPC but you will also get the peice of mind. It always depends on the cars history and I woild say from OPC this is going to pretty good. Don't foget there will be lots of Private cars that should be good and you can ask them to have it taken to an OPC for the 111 inspection this will show any faults etc then the warranty can be obtained the same as buying it from and OPC. I bought my MY99 996 i wanted certain colour etc and to have 1 or 2 owners was a must to me instead of having a fat stereo. Also FPSH. But we are all diffrent and have diffrent requirments as you will see from looking through this Forum which is very informative. Regarding insurnace i used Privillage they came out the best i did it on-line and it varied day by day so i kept putting my details in everyday till the best price came up. I am 32, 3 points car is garaged in Cambridgeshire with 1 additional driver and i pay £650. I do have a £500 access. I have it on 8000 miles a year and do not claim business miles. I hope this helps, keep looking and you will find what you want. Phil P.S Excuse my terrible spelling. ( I wish this Forum had spell check)

IT DOES - see ABC(tick)

Good call.

Check out http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=136782 The poor guy has been offered £37k through an OPC for his '02 cab with 18k miles.

I was in a similar situation to yourself first 911 (996 C4), decided to go with ocp in the end for peace of mind and also conflicting information. The running cost's was the biggest shock for me around 35% cheaper to run than a S4 convertible on a monthly basis - need i say more. Good Luck