Wanted: Contributors to 996 buyer's guide

Dear members, Richard Hamilton and I thought it would be a good idea to write a 996 'buyer's guide' for the forum. We hope it will be a valuable source of information for potential buyers who may be confused by all the different variants available, and for current owners who may want to know more about the different models. In addition to the guide, we also thought it would be helpful if some forum member's contributed to a 'Member's Cars' section. This will hopefully have 4 to 6 members describing the process by which they arrived at a 996, and the advantages/disadvantages experienced during their upgrade path. 1/2 to 3/4 of a page from each contributor should be plenty. We are really looking to cover as broad a spectrum as possible ie Boxster to 996, 993 to 996, pre-facelift to post-facelift etc. That's not all![ ] We are also looking to include a 'Running Reports' section. We hope to have 6 or so contributors providing running reports on their experiences with their cars, with updates from each about 4 times a year. We hope to have a couple of 'articles' a month. We will also need some more on standby in case any existing contributors can no longer continue. Again we would like to cover as broad a spectrum as possible ie Targa, coupe, Carrera, C4, Tip', cab' etc. At the moment we are not going to include the GT3/turbo/GT2 variants in this guide, but they may be included at a later date. So if anyone is interested in contributing to the 'Running Reports' or to the 'Member's cars' sections (or both!) we would love to hear from you! [ ]

I am happy to provide input on this - both from a buying point of view and running. Now on my second 996 and third Porsche

Happy to provide a duffers guide! Just bought my first Porsche, took delivery 3 weeks ago. Its an 04/04 996 C4S Cab. Work for a used car dealer some 18 years ago primarily selling used Porsches so I've loved them for years, finally got to affording one. Decision on this car was based purely on budget, colour, which model appealed most visually and some other fairly shallow reasons! Anything wrong in that? Very little knowledge or experience therefore and frequently wondering as driving along "wonder if thats normal?" Not sure if I'd be much use but at least other owner 'virgins' might not feel alone!

Yup, I'd be up for this too. Count me in.

You could always plagiarize the 911 & Porsche World buyers guides. 996 - isuues 100 & 127 996T - issue 150 GT3 - issues 112 & 144 You never know, the mag may even grant permission if due credit given.

I can have a try as well. Count me in.

I'm happy to contribute running reports if required. I have a 2002 C4 with 49K under its belt. As this is my first Porsche, I don't feel qualified to contribute to a buyers guide PS I am actually a PCGB member, but the board insists I'm not!?

Thanks all for a great response, really appreciated![ ][ ] Grant, John (Tappers),Berny (Scouser) (I don't want 10 - pages on your RMS failures![ ]) Julian, Nick Ramsay (NXI20) James Fuller, Ian Wallwork, Philippe and Peter Bull. That makes 12 (including Richard Hamilton, myself and John Ware).....we have a great mix of pre and post-facelift cars Tips' and manuals...but what is it with cab drivers...they're all so generous with their time![ ] As of 27th Oct' we have:- Richard Hamilton - 1998 C2 coupe Tip' John Ware - 996 C4 cab Rodney Naghar - 2002 C4 cab Tip' Grant Goulding - 2002 996 C2 Cab John Taplin - 04/04 C4S cab Berny - 2000 996 Carrera cab Julian Young - 2001 C4 996 cab Nick Ramsay - 2002 C4 James Fuller - 2000 Carrera Ian Wallwork - 2002 Carrera Philippe Jeffery - 1999 C4 Peter Bull - 2000 Carrera Cab I am hoping to get the running report ready in 3-4 weeks (Geoff - Thanks for the tip.....I've got that buyer's guide and it's great. I've also got several others for use as well). Member's cars For those that can help with this section, I am looking for the following format:- 1. An introduction to your purchase of the 996, from a previous marque or previous Porsche(s), and your reasons for the move.(1 paragraph or so) 2. Your thoughts on your 996 and the pros and cons compared to your last car/model. (1 paragraph or so) 3. Comparative running costs including MPG and depreciation......and any upgrades made, things u wished u had/rather not had.(1 paragrpah or so) 4.A short conclusion with your final thoughts (1 paragrpah or so) It doesn't have to follow a rigid format, you can add other things of inerest, but it would be helpful to have some basic essentials across the board. (I have a sample of what I am looking for if you are not sure what to include, which I can email to you if you need) Running reports Those that want to do a running report, could u state if you would like to do your first one for Dec 1 (the first one) or Feb 1 (the following one)? We will then rotate the same pairs every three months. I'll try and organise different model sets together to broaden the interest every month. This can include anything to do with the car, region meetings, accidents (hopefully not), repairs, servicing experiences, upgrades, or just talk about the sheer pleasure of driving your cars! On slow news months[ ] you could always write a random report/rant about Porsche or cars in general (a la Jeremy Clarkson).1/2 to 3/4 of a page will do, but this is not rigid. So for those interested could I have:- 1. Your Member's cars contributions in by 20th November (to my email address please) 2. Dates preferred for the running reports in by Saturday 28th Oct (on here) (gives time for more people to sign up). The following week I will hand out the schedule to those involved. Any more contributors would be very welcome indeed, so keep them coming! Thanks very much again for the interest, with your help, this should turn out to be a very useful bit of the forum. Rod

Nick If it says "Non Member" by your name, you need to confirm your Membership Number and Forum Name to Club HQ (email [email removed] ) This should be a one-time fix, and will also allow you access to the member-only areas of the Forum.

Hi all Only joined this forum yesterday, it's full of great information and some very helpful people so keep up the good work! I read the above and immediately went to the magazines website; they have plenty of back issues but sadly not these two [ ] Could I trouble some kind soul to point me in the right direction as to where these articles might be found on-line please? Failing that, if someone has these magazines could they scan/photocopy and email/post to me? I'll more than happily pay an costs incurred. If the above sounds cheeky then apologies in advance (and for going a little off-topic!) but I'd really love to read them before parting with the money so I can be better informed. Will be keeping an eye on this thread too for input to the buyers guide. Regards ALI

James - Thanks! I'm sure Rodney will be in touch soon. Kismet - There is a copy of one of the 911&PW buyer's guides here: http://www.zen101632.zen.co.uk/richard/996_bg.zip I'm not sure which issue number - it's October 2004 - there are 3 articles in the zip file. I'll leave it there for a few days, but will delete it to free up server space at some point. It is about 4Mb.

Richard I'd be happy to get involved if there's anything I can contribute. I'm one of that breed of Porsche owner that tends to get oily! I always fit my own bits and pieces when I can. Now on my 2nd 996. My first one quite literally fell to bits - it was a truly dreadful Friday-afternoon car so I've a little experience of what can go wrong! (Not to mention a huge hole in my wallet). The second (current) car has been superb - the exact opposite. About to change it after 2 years for a Turbo. Let me know if there's anything I can do. Ian W

Richard You are a star, thanks very much. Downloaded, printed and to be read on the train home! Thanks again, if anyone has other articles such as these then please do let me know, would be much appreciated. Regards ALI

James and Ian, Thank you very much for offering to help out, very much appreciated![ ][ ] We really do have an excellent mix now....just waiting for a Targa owner for a full house, but I know they are rare [8|] So for everyone involved in the running reports, could you please inform me as soon as possible which dates you prefer (Dec 1 or Feb 1) for your first running report. I would like to organise a timetable for all who are involved by Thursday Nov 1st. Thanks again to everyone involved...really looking forward to getting things up and running![ ]

Dear Rodney I am happy to help as well, had my 996 C4, 99MY for 2 years low millage one owner car been serviced throughout by OPC had all the ususal things going wrong that do (mainly wear and tear) I have grown up with Porsches (911) and now have my own which i enjoy it was a choice between 993, boxster and 996. I would like to help in anyway i can if i am not to late. Would be happy to do a running report for Dec 1st or Feb 1st. Regards Phil

Hi Phil, Sounds great! From what you say, your input, especially in the 'Member's Cars' section will be very useful as you have a lot to compare the 996 to. Thank you very much, I've added you to the list above.[ ] Looks like we may have more than 2 reports a month at this rate [ ] Keep them coming!

Hi Rodney Go on then - might as well throw my hat in the ring! I can help out as well but from a different perspective - a low mileage / low usage Sept 200 C2 Cab - with just 6800 miles. This is my 4th Porsche. I'm happy to oblige. Just let me know when, and how long an article you want. This tread has a great feel about it. The 996 is super car and we can now let everyone know!! .

Guys, This thread is a great idea, maybe you want to change the title of the 996 Forum from "outgoing 911 model " as this does not do the model justice. How about "the first modern 911" or .... Can be a little bit tongue in cheek. Just let me know and I will change it for you

Nic I think you'll find the 964 guys would get upset .... that 911 made the first real inroads to the 'modern' version. An excellent car it is. It was me who gave the 996 forum its title - some years ago now! How about " 996 .. at last...perfection !"

I like that one Peter. How about: " 21st Century 911 " or " It's OK to have water in a flat-6 " edit: Please add any suggestions to the new thread I have started on this.

Hey Peter, Excellent stuff! I've added you to the list....that makes 12 and counting![ ] Send in your 'Member's Cars' contributions to me as soon as you have them please. Keep them coming!

Hi all, If you haven't yet noticed, Richard has put up the first of the 'Member's Cars' contributions and his very own running report Member's cars http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=239829 Running report ( http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=239840 ). They are up early so you can get a good idea of what w'ere looking for. The running reports will be in an open thread allowing for further discussion. Whearas the 'Member's cars' are locked for use as a reference. Could everyone send in their text and photos by email to [email removed] Well done Richard! [ ][ ]

Hi all, I'm putting up the rota for the running reports. Hope it suits everyone, if not send me a message and it can easily be changed. We have 3 groups of 4 and 2 holiday months (Jan and Aug). If someone can't make a certain month, if you could inform me as soon as you can and I will reschedule. It would be best if we could have the report sent to Richard ( [email removed] ) by the 20th of the preceding month, to give him time to make any formatting changes he may need to make. If possible, please send the text as a Word document, using the Tahoma font (10pt), single line spacing. Also, please use manual line breaks at the end of each paragraph (shift & Enter, rather than just Enter). Looking forward to reading them all! Send in your 'Member's cars' contributions soon too! [ ] Dec 1 Richard (Done)/Berny/Nick/James Feb 1 John Taplin/John Ware/Ian/Grant March 1 Julian/Phil/Peter/Rodney April 1 Richard/Berny/Nick/James May 1 John Taplin/John Ware/Ian/Grant June 1 Julian/Phil/Peter/Rodney July 1 Richard/Berny/Nick/James September 1 John Taplin/John Ware/Ian/Grant October 1 Julian/Phil/Peter/Rodney November 1 Richard/Berny/Nick/James December 1 John Taplin/John Ware/Ian/Grant p.s I've swapped James in for Ian as James has just sent in his report...hope that's ok[ ]