Portiacraft - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Hi, anyone bought a car recently from Portiacraft, are they okay to deal with? I owned a 996 back in the day until it went pop. I'm looking at a 2007 997 they have for sale. Any advice would be appreciated Thanks

Mate, they’re a Porsche specialist. They sell Porsche. Matt Watson of CARWOW fame bought his 996.1 from them. They’ve been around for years and years. If you want negatives about them, disgruntled customers, wringers or what have you, I’m sure a few will be along shortly. Other than that, if the car is what you want and it all checks out - make up your own mind for yourself.

will do, just new to this kind of thing but the car seems to tick the boxes and it has low ish mileage and the bigger IMS so fingers crossed I have no issues in the next couple of years.

I have enquired and found them helpful. I also like that they offer a discount on engine rebuilds if it goes under your ownership, believe it is £4k you'd have to pay, which is quite a saving on doing it privately yourself. Not sure what the rebuild includes etc.

they bought a 964 off me in the past - found them fair and straight-forward to deal with

I've only heard good things about them, they've been around over 40 years. They don't tend to sell the fancy stuff but what they do sell is generally good quality and backed up by their own in house warranty from what I remember. I'm yet to buy from them, but have discussed cars with them in the past and found their no-BS approach quite refreshing

I bought a 3.2 Carrera from them in circa 2002. No frills, fixed a couple of issues and I'd buy from them again if they had a car I wanted.

Got my first Porsche from Harry. No frills, fair prices and they stand behind their cars. My brother had a couple from them too and no dramas

Thanks for all of the positive comments, really appreciate it. However, I asked if the RAC could do a PPI and was told by someone called Olly that they won't allow a PPI by the RAC or AA as they don't know the cars properly but would permit a firm that has been to them to do PPI called Porsche Inspections UK. Seems a bit odd and if I'm honest has put me off. Anyone's thoughts would be appreciated

To be honest the last people I’d ever consider for a PPI would be the RAC or AA. Guy at Portiacraft is right. They’d have no specialist knowledge.

Sending the RAC or AA to inspect a car at a specialist that’s been around for 42 years, lol. Honestly, if you can’t trust their reputation, preparation, their knowledge and their warranty, you’re better off going elsewhere - an OPC perhaps, or a private sale with an RAC/AA PPI. Which ever way you approach these cars, they’re not cheap to maintain. They’re old now and the big ticket items will be expensive. I've owned mine for 20 months now. It’s been much cheaper to maintain than my dearly departed 2005 SLK 55. Porsche 911 owners tend to be fastidious, OCD, wealthy, so they tend to look after them. Check the service history, buy a warranty, look after it and heed the warnings about the start up and warm up procedures. I was considering an Aston Vantage as my next car. They’re expensive to run. BMW M cars are expensive to run. AMG’s are expensive to run. If you want to play you’ll have to pay. Dems da rules, boss.

Dillon12 said: Thanks for all of the positive comments, really appreciate it. However, I asked if the RAC could do a PPI and was told by someone called Olly that they won't allow a PPI by the RAC or AA as they don't know the cars properly but would permit a firm that has been to them to do PPI called Porsche Inspections UK. Seems a bit odd and if I'm honest has put me off. Anyone's thoughts would be appreciated Sounds like solid advice there, PI UK are well known and respected.

Dillon12 said: Thanks for all of the positive comments, really appreciate it. However, I asked if the RAC could do a PPI and was told by someone called Olly that they won't allow a PPI by the RAC or AA as they don't know the cars properly but would permit a firm that has been to them to do PPI called Porsche Inspections UK. Seems a bit odd and if I'm honest has put me off. Anyone's thoughts would be appreciated I sold a 993 to Portiacraft and two friends have also sold Porsches to Portiacraft as well as bought from them. Straight up guys to deal with. As for the inspection, I would agree that the AA/RAC would be a waste of time as they have no specialist knowledge. I would not be put off by this, in truth they are doing you a favour

Thanks so much, I have spoken with Harry and he has explained things re RAC etc and with the help of your comments and his knowledge I have decided to go ahead and purchase the car and use the other firm to inspect it. Really appreciate all of your comments. Can't wait and I will heed the start up advice. Cheers

Been around donkey years. They had a real strange model back in the day (talking perhaps 25 years ago) - you could buy a porsche in winter and they would buy it back of you for the same price in spring!

maz8062 said: Sending the RAC or AA to inspect a car at a specialist that’s been around for 42 years, lol. Honestly, if you can’t trust their reputation, preparation, their knowledge and their warranty, you’re better off going elsewhere - an OPC perhaps, or a private sale with an RAC/AA PPI. Which ever way you approach these cars, they’re not cheap to maintain. They’re old now and the big ticket items will be expensive. I've owned mine for 20 months now. It’s been much cheaper to maintain than my dearly departed 2005 SLK 55. Porsche 911 owners tend to be fastidious, OCD, wealthy, so they tend to look after them. Check the service history, buy a warranty, look after it and heed the warnings about the start up and warm up procedures. I was considering an Aston Vantage as my next car. They’re expensive to run. BMW M cars are expensive to run. AMG’s are expensive to run. If you want to play you’ll have to pay. Dems da rules, boss. That’s naive tbh. Never trust anyone. Let’s not mention the OPC which sold a re-shelled 7RS.

Dillon12 said: Thanks for all of the positive comments, really appreciate it. However, I asked if the RAC could do a PPI and was told by someone called Olly that they won't allow a PPI by the RAC or AA as they don't know the cars properly but would permit a firm that has been to them to do PPI called Porsche Inspections UK. Seems a bit odd and if I'm honest has put me off. Anyone's thoughts would be appreciated I used Porsche Inspections they were great I would definitely recommend them

I bought a 996 off them over the phone in April this year. I work overseas and was looking for a 996 in time for my 50th. They couldn't have been more helpful if they tried. Sent whichever photos were requested. Car was serviced and warranted. Happy to answer any questions whatsoever. Assisted with delivery options- not only not in the country, bit also at the other end of it! Only issue.....day before delivery whilst being serviced, the radio wouldn't work. It arrived with a replacement, same spec fitted, and came with all relevant codes etc. Very easy to deal with. Not regretted a moment of it I do realise that the 996 isn't everyone's favourite bit I bloody adore mine.

^^^ Thats lovely. I also bought a low miles 996 C2 from Harry and his son for a mate. They were fabulous to deal with and the car never missed a beat.

Dusty964 said: I bought a 996 off them over the phone in April this year. I work overseas and was looking for a 996 in time for my 50th. They couldn't have been more helpful if they tried. Sent whichever photos were requested. Car was serviced and warranted. Happy to answer any questions whatsoever. Assisted with delivery options- not only not in the country, bit also at the other end of it! Only issue.....day before delivery whilst being serviced, the radio wouldn't work. It arrived with a replacement, same spec fitted, and came with all relevant codes etc. Very easy to deal with. Not regretted a moment of it I do realise that the 996 isn't everyone's favourite bit I bloody adore mine. Love the colour, looks stunning, enjoy

Dusty964 said: I bought a 996 off them over the phone in April this year. I work overseas and was looking for a 996 in time for my 50th. They couldn't have been more helpful if they tried. Sent whichever photos were requested. Car was serviced and warranted. Happy to answer any questions whatsoever. Assisted with delivery options- not only not in the country, bit also at the other end of it! Only issue.....day before delivery whilst being serviced, the radio wouldn't work. It arrived with a replacement, same spec fitted, and came with all relevant codes etc. Very easy to deal with. Not regretted a moment of it I do realise that the 996 isn't everyone's favourite bit I bloody adore mine. I think the 996 has aged so well, looks lovely.

Is that the rainforest green (which looks lovely imo)? Remember a friend buying a cheap 996 years ago, and the only one he could afford was a cheap one in rainforest green. He had it for a few years, and it took him absolutely ages to get rid of it due to the colour. Funny how the market taste has changed over the years!

chip* said: Is that the rainforest green (which looks lovely imo)? Remember a friend buying a cheap 996 years ago, and the only one he could afford was a cheap one in rainforest green. He had it for a few years, and it took him absolutely ages to get rid of it due to the colour. Funny how the market taste has changed over the years! It is Rainforest, yes. Found more by luck than judgement and pretty much exactly what I wanted- pretty basic spec and all original bar a fruity exhaust. Most important to me was finding a car on 17 inch wheels. The ride and feel is far different to those on 18's- and to me has a far nicer, more old gen feel to it. It moves around a surprising amount more than one on 18's. Got it delivered in April. Was home in June for my 50th and immediately did the NC500 in it. Not quite as cherished as my old 964 was. But it's a fantastic drive.