Looking to buy my first Porsche

Hi, Let me introduce myself. I am 30 and I live in Sheffield and have been a Porsche fan since I knew what cars were. I currently drive a 2006 Subaru Impreza STI 2.5 that is the dogs nuts to be fair, but recently I was given the chance to have a 24hr test drive of the new Cayman S, all I can say is wow!!!! the car was not as fast as the STI or handle as well to be fair, but that engine! what a sound! plus I pulled a hot girl within 4hours of having it, I could not get over how many people turn there heads to look at you go buy. So I am now looking for a Porsche! o and does anyone want a STI with 8k on the clock! lol I am really a bit to big for the Cayman and too manly for the Boxster, so its got to be a 911, would like the 997 but current commitments mean I am still in used 996 money, not a bad thing as I actuly prefer the teardrop headlights to the round ones, and I get to save 20k! lol, been troling thru autotrader to find a good one but to be fair I do not know too much about them , just about got my head around the model's ie carrera 2 and 4 been 2 or 4 wheel drive, and thats about it would appreciate any pointers on what to look for and if you know any good ones for sale at the moment, I dont mind traveling to find the right car, looking to spend between 18-20k Thanks in advance for any help.

Welcome, you'll certainly fit in - you've already successfully insulted the owners of other models. Ideal 911 owner material [8|] Only problem you might have is actually knowing there is more than one model of 911, not the done thing... "It's a 911" [ ]

18-20k will find you an early 99 996 with plenty of life left in it[ ]

We have a good buyer's guide that you may find useful and lots of technical information, but you do have to be a member to get access to that information............go on you know it makes sense[ ] I don't know why you think a 911 is more manly, but if it was my £18-20k, I would actually rather have a Boxster than any 911. They are amazing cars and much better value than a 996.

Erm, "18-20k" + 20k =/= 997... 18-20k budget? Either 964+change, or Boxster is the one to go for.

Have a look on www.pistonheads.co.uk Usually one or two nice ones on there in the classified section Steve

cant fit in the boxster, too fat! lol,,, i tried one on for size, there is no way i am squeezing my fat ass in one,, the cayman was not much better, knee kept hitting the dash,, so i sat in a 911 (997) and it was like a glove

Possibly just the way the vertical adjustment was set on the steering column? Took me ages to realise that that's why I was knocking my knees.

having owned and driven 996 and cayman and tested 997`s at length i can confirm there is very similar room in each.plenty in all 3 for a 6ft-15stone bloke[ ]

Ok am I being a bit behind the times price wise here!!??!! £18 - £20 K .. getting a "GOOD" ... 911....996??? Surely thats one BIG gamble on it not being a money pit?

i wouldnthave said so!! whilst there ARE 18-20k 996`s they will almost certainly not be pristine or need no money-for that i would have thoiught 25k nearer the mark

Hi, Have to say 18-20K is way too tight for a 996. Would not risk it. You need to be going to 25-30K if you want a tidy 996. Regarding pointers depends on what you want it for. 996 C2S you cannot go wrong with this with rear wheel drive some would say thay should all be!! 996 C4 safer option with the benefits of 4 wheel drive. 996 C4S Personally the best looking of the 996 models, not biased!!! Has the tubo body, suspension and brakes over the standard C4. 996 TT Awesome drive. Depends if you are into turbo or normally aspirated engines. Slightly higher running costs over the other variants. 996 GT3 Probably the car most 911 owners turn to at some point or other. A real handful if you push her to the limits. So if you are just wanting to pull women then all will do the trick. However if you want to have a safe comfortable drive but have the fun on track then C4S. If you want a more pure drive and going to be a track demon then really has to be the GT3. Just my 2 penneth. Alan

Did you have to give the hot girl back at the end of the 24 hours ? IMHO 996s do attract a certain kind of girl.... but for best results and to avoid hedgehog jokes... Buy yourself an Early 911 [ ] It` just a matter of taste !

minor detail maybe,but if you want any decent luggage space(in the boot) go for the carrera 2

DAM IT ! I knew I should have gone to Sheffield before selling the 996 ! [ ]

Did you drive it up and down Ecclesall road?? [ ] Porsche 911's are 10 a penny on there. I will sell you mine for £30K [8D]. It will be at Porsche Sheffield having a major service on Friday if you want to look at it.

lol, yes eccy road was done about 8times! but then i do live about 1000yards from nona's! so I am excused as not crusing but going home! Need to sell the Scooby before I purchase, but going on a few posts here got to up the cash too if i want a good oe so just looking at the finances, see if I can raid the piggy bank a bit harder.

Rodney quoted "We have a good buyer's guide that you may find useful and lots of technical information, but you do have to be a member to get access to that information............go on you know it makes sense[ ] " Where can I obtain the guide from, please? Regards, Christopher

In your very own Technical Section - http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=260109 ...and Frequently Asked Question Section - http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=254973 There is wealth of information in the 2 areas - not just the 2 guides above.

Brilliant, many thanks, Mark! Regards Christopher

I've recently bought my first porsche, 2003 C2 Tip conv. Spent nearly 7 months looking, started at £25k and finished at £35k. Loads of trash out there, even on Pistonheads. I eventually found one with low mileage and in fantastic condition with an OPC warranty. It will take time if you, as I did, have a list of requirements. Get yourself a buyers guide and memorise end to end. Go to an OPC and look at used cars to see what a used Porsche should be. Take atest drive. Ask the seller lots of questions on service history, mileage, MOTs, accidents, etc before you even think about viewing. Get the info and cross check the details when you call back to arrange a viewing. Take tghe buyers guide with you when you go to see it. Take the options code list with you (dowload from the internet). Happy hunting. Shahid

well done shahid[ ] very thorough....only way to do it if you want to be sure........ enjoy!!

or just buy the first one you see without even driving it...[ ] worked for me! the twist is that the car was owned by a member of my local PCGB region and had been known by a number of the more knowledgeable members for a couple of years who assured me it was the one 996 they'd buy without expert inspection. If you are not already a member, join PCGB and go to your local regional meeting, chat with owners and you never know what you'll find/learn. Enjoy the search and hope you find a good 'un.

Good advice Shahid Thats what I did too!! As you say there is so much trash out there when your forking out that much money you really want peace of mind!!!

Great advice but I'm too impatient (though I've mostly been lucky with that in the past). I've seen an ad for a '99 cab around £20k. "Service book missing and dealer records lost when dealership changed hands" but reportedly been looked after by an indie for the last 5 years. Is it worth a 60 mile round trip or would you close the curtains if they brought it round for you to see? Yes, it had a lady owner too (just used for pottering to the shops etc. Head says walk, gut says maybe... This would be my first 'proper' porsche - I occasionally get to take my wife's cayenne to the petrol shop or drive it with both the children in [8|]

If I was in the market for a Porsche, the last thing I'd want to hear is 'one careful lady owner'...all those short trips to the shops are the worst kind of use the car can get! Well I guess if it was Gumballed/donutted to death and never had a service a la Lonmans GT2...that would be worse [ ]

WALKIES.....!

[flamesuit: on] I'm going to throw the cat among the pidgeons and say it's worth a look. If you are going to keep it for a while, and can get the aforementioned indy to verify the history they have on the car you might be able to establish a service record of sorts by getting a replacement service book and having them stamp it up. That's assuming it isn't a mega-miler, it is in very good nick, isn't an insurance Cat C or D, it gets a good report on a pre-purchase inspection, and you can buy it at a VERY attractive price. Buy low, sell low and enjoy driving it for a few years. Who really knows the full history of any second-hand car anyway? [flamesuit: off]

I am a careful lady owner but always take my Honda CRV shopping [ ]- what can you get in a 911???

I got my weeks shopping in mine, no problem you have to put the seats down, loads of room. It never gets used for this but the big advantage of a 911 is that you can use it, for almost everything. Someone i know had a 996 a 1 lady owner and it was a very badly treated car. I would not want to buy a car that does not have a good history you may end up buying it cheap but it could cost a lot from now on. If you can spend as much as you can afford and get a good one, there are loads of cheap 996's but often reasons for this. Phil

Thanks Dyllan - I've a horrible feeling you might be right but I'm going with Richard's suggestion for now as the owner is bringing over for me to see locally (tomorrow). Would 90k+ make it a mega-miler? At that age it doesn't seem bad to me but I've never had a car like this before. I have a mate who's got a similar car and was hoping he might inspect first off and then maybe ask an indy to have a proper look - Can anyone recommend someone in the Lancashire/ Cheshire area? Thanks everyone for the advice - Dyllan, watch this space for a sheepish update!

Not toooo bad. Try Ninemeister in Warrington 01925 242342 or JMH Automotive at Holmes Chapel 01477 534499. The seller seems a bit desperate if he/she is bringing it to you. Try and talk to the indy who was servicing it, to check the story, and definitely get an inspection.

a) I can get £150's worth of Sainsbury's in mine, without using the passenger seat. b) Also, check they have the actual receipts for the 5 years at the indi, compare what's been done / hasn't been done to the recommened service schedule and make a judgement for yourself how well it has been looked after.

But don't you find that all the ice cream has melted by the time you get home? [ ] [ ] It gets quite warm in there from the radiators.

i dont know many lady owners who nip to the shops and do 90k miles unless the shops are a @@@@of a long way away[ ] i know its 8 yrs old but....average mileage at best.... anyway interested to hear how you get on-you may be pleasantly surprised-just be careful and check those receipts[ ]