Replacement for Evo IX maybe? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Hey all, Im Howser from Elgin and having a nightmare trying to decide on my next car? Im running a 540bhp Evo IX at the moment but its just a bit too raw. Im considering a 996 Turbo as I do love torque and bhp and have never driven or even been in one think they must be a bit more refined and quieter than a 2.3L Evo with a full titanium exhaust :-/ Whats the chances of getting a nice 996 for around the £20k mark do you think or is that a bit cheap? Also been considering the M6 or M5 but do like the turbo torque, Also been looking at supercharged Jags and Mercs????? Any help appreciated

"bit more refined and quieter"…….just a bit ! Think I'd try before you buy, totally different cars all of them. I run an Evo MR everyday and are great fun and practical…… if its refinement you want , then you are on the right track with those, good luck.

I've just got one and with the stock exhaust it's very quiet at anything above posing speed :-) Apart from lots of turbo power and 4wd they are totally different cars, the porsche is low and actually quite small. If you transport more than one adult and any significant luggage you'll struggle to live with one. But... they are awesome and I love mine. Servicing and maintenance costs will be similar to the evo but the insurance might surprise you mine was pretty cheap, however a clutch, turbo, radiator failure - all very common could see almost double figures to sort :-o 20k is pretty much the bottom price for these at the moment (I've been watching them for about a year) I paid significantly more but mine is one of the newer ones and has a low milage.

Thanks for the replies lads, Whats it like to get the 996 up to 500+bhp cost wise? How often are servicing?

To get to 500bhp, you probably just need a remap and a pair of better intercoolers if you want to run a high speeds for any length of time. You might want to fit an exhaust, but that's more for noise than for performance reasons - it's also subject to "Porsche tax" with even things like a Milltek around the 2k mark. Servicing is reasonable, as long as nothing has worn out. Something like £7-800 for a major and a bit less for a minor at a specialist. Note that early 996 turbos demand annual servicing, whereas 2003-on (I think) cars switched to a 2 year / 20,000 mile regime. However bear in mind that with a car this complex and getting into middle age, you'll end up with some fairly labour intensive jobs - things like fixing boost leaks, suspension arms, turbo bolts, etc can turn a major service into a £2k bill very easily. But all things considered, the 996 turbo is amazing value for money, and I certainly love mine despite the occasional scary bill. Have a chat to someone like Ken at Nine Excellence and they can run through tuning options, servicing costs, and would be my first port of call for an inspection in the South East. However I guess you're at the other end of the country, so someone can probably suggest a closer specialist for a PPI. Good luck! Pete

Excellent advise Pete cheers, The more I look into these things the more I know its my next big purchase I bought Yoko AD08's for my Evo and promised myself i'd wear them out on the Evo before I sell but im getting itchy feet.......