Ok Poss thinking about a 996 CHEAP

Ok I have seen a 3.4 Auto 996 on an S plate 80k and for £20k Now I am worried.. we have a BMW Convertable and it's reliable ( apart from when the coils played up replaced now. ) So Jo and I where talking and she would like a Boxster.. I said what about 4 seats.. so hence 996 or a 993 So I have noticed that the early 996's are coming right down in price and wounder if this is just dangerous money eg full of problems or can I own a car and not worry to much... as the press have really gone to town on these cars for reliablity, but reading Porsche 911 world they seam to say it's only a small number of cars that where affected.. I am concerned that was a statement ment to be a way to make all the 996 troubles seam a walk in the park.. Anyway your thoughts.. not in a rush as the BMW serves us very well Or should I just let her get a Boxster.. Oh and it has to be Auto be are both VERY lazy..[ ]

This is way to complicated for a short answer, but don't be put of by press knocking of the 996. it is a great car and well maintained examples have much to offer for really sensible money. [ ]

Yes I think we are going to have a look around a few and take it slowly and see what comes up.. It's not just a 996 on the list is a 964 ,993 or even the boxster.. Or a Ford Focus.. ( eg just take the money out the car and be sensible and buy another house in Oz ) so the idea's are being banded about in our heads.. I was thinking 996 18months ownership lose may be £3-4K if bought right and looked after.. on a 20K car. And hope to god no problems

As a 996 Tip owner with almost 76000 on the clock, I'd say go for it. Yes, there have been problems, but I think the small amount of engine failures have been blown out of all proportion by the media and forums. Quite often the failures are with low mileage cars. The RMS has been a perennial problem, but tiptronics seem less susceptible, and the latest new seal seems to be a significant improvement on the earlier re-designs. (Most people just live with the odd drip of oil on the garage floor). The Boxster shares so many components with the 996 that the reliability issue wouldn't be any different. I use mine every day with confidence, and it has been a lot cheaper to run than my previous 993. If it's for everyday use, you'll find the extra space in the 996 very useful compared with the Boxster, and the creature comforts of the 996 will be comparable to the BMW. Just make sure that it has been well maintained, a decent service history, and find yourself a good independent who has other 996's on his books. Just my 2p worth.

I was thinking about this car...... http://www.pcicars.com/car_database/ab-show.php?listid=115989256268341&p=15&s=make%20DESC&page=1 Out of interest I can't see this colour being too popular but we like it.. mind you if you look to the left you will see another one of our cars in a not to different colour, so could be why we like it so much. It's a shame the interior looks so dull... would have looked nicer if it was tan.. or black. I have seen the price go down a few times on this car..

Arena Red (not Rubystone as advertised).....[ ]....stunning....had a Boxster in that colour with 'tan' (Savannah) hide interior....perfect.....but quite unpopular as u said. I noticed Charles Ivey had an Arena Red coloured 996 cab for sale in the summer...must have been advertised for 4 months at least...... Good luck.

We would be using the car daily and it would have be parked out side... due to having 3 classics in the garage.. The main worry is major failer. a repair bill of £8900 from Auto Farm would put the car in the bin..And 90,000 it's no spring chicken.. But with FULL main dealer serivce it seams to have been looked after.. hmmm might go and have a look at it it's only in Surrey.

I can't see what's wrong with Arena Red either. I like it, but Rodney is right - it looks even better with savannah. At that sort of money who cares? If you like it, it isn't a problem - and someone else will too when you come to sell it. The car is well specced, and seems about the right money to me. If it's got a good history it's definitely worth a look.

Do we know on a rough percentage of these cars that had this cyclinder failer..? and I take it ,it seams to be the early 3.4 unit that had the most failiers The RMS does not bother me I can drop the engine and change these.. nothing I have not done before.. Although on a smaller engine..

Agree with Richard, sounds good. Before u go there, ask for where the car was serviced and or contact details of previous owners, u may be able to get some good information that way on previous work done (work carried out under warranty won't necessarily come with an invoice). Also ask the dealer for the list of numbers found on the Vehicle Identification sticker (found in the Service booklet and under the bonnet) it will give u a full list of extras the car comes with...(numbers like C16,226,340 etc)..many dealers don't know the full spec of their cars...u may have a speaker upgrade from the looks of that photo....amongst others that may sweeten the deal.

I think this was quoted as up to 10% by Autofarm (IIRC), but I doubt it's that high.

912UK I've emailed u.

I can never figure that out as a cost-effective option. You can get a good, complete, reasonable mileage, second-hand engine for half that.

That is an excellent price!! Love the colours - inside and out. GO FOR IT!!

It is tempting.. lets see if it's still there 1st and I might look at it at the weekend. Now I have done some home work the spec is a good level.. I think Jo will not go with out AC So this sort of car is what she will want.. But lets she what she says.. afterhall she will be driving it every day. But I will moan at her if she doesn't keep it clean!!! She is not the best at keeping the BMW clean... her idea is calling MArk1 valting round and getting some one else to do it!!!!!! things will have to change..[ ]

I think its lovely, much better than common silver with black interior [ ]

That looks really cheap to me - probably due to colour scheme not being to most people's liking, and tiptronic, but if you like it go for it... Has a great spec - climate control, PCM - with phone handset, full leather with memory seats, clear lights, 18" turbo wheels etc. and appears to be in good nick from the pics. I have a 99V C4 that has done nearly 80k now, and I think they get better with age (bought it at 42k just two years ago!) Mine is also a daily driver and lives outside - no problem. On the autobahn recently it reached 171 on the speedo before I ran out of safe road - not bad for a 75, 000 mile car! PS. I've been told that engine failures are about 3% - only just higher than 993s (which no-one complains about): It's just that loads more 996s were built, so the actual number of failures is much higher. It does seem to be a function of low miles / occasional useage though, by all accounts (he says hopefully!)