In persuit of a 911....
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Been wanting one for quite a while now, and have been lucky enough to be in the position to start seriously looking. Originally I intended to get a 993 c4s as IMO they are beautiful cars to look at and sound superb - just needed to experience it first hand.
Well, I saw a stunning looking C2 in white with split rim wheels and black centres - an absolutely spotlessly kept and beautiful car However, rose tinted as my vision was I just couldnt overlook the fact that it really did feel like an 'old' car and the acceleration and braking weren't comparable to even my wrx. I was sadly underwhelmed, maybe I need to try a couple more?
I then tried a boxster - yes I know what everyone will say - including myself, before I drove one. They really are great little cars - I liked it! But I've seen a 996 C4S - and that really fits the bill! There is also a 996 turbo just about affordable to buy, but 5 years older and I'm a little concerned about any epic bills it may throw up as its almost 9 years old now. Decisions, decisions.....
Sadly, the C4S I really liked has sold now - so I've no idea what to do - better wait for a nice clean C4S i suppose! Any views? I know there are some posters on here with 911's or previous expereince of them. Anyway, strange little tale over, the waiting game begins!
Well, I saw a stunning looking C2 in white with split rim wheels and black centres - an absolutely spotlessly kept and beautiful car However, rose tinted as my vision was I just couldnt overlook the fact that it really did feel like an 'old' car and the acceleration and braking weren't comparable to even my wrx. I was sadly underwhelmed, maybe I need to try a couple more?
I then tried a boxster - yes I know what everyone will say - including myself, before I drove one. They really are great little cars - I liked it! But I've seen a 996 C4S - and that really fits the bill! There is also a 996 turbo just about affordable to buy, but 5 years older and I'm a little concerned about any epic bills it may throw up as its almost 9 years old now. Decisions, decisions.....
Sadly, the C4S I really liked has sold now - so I've no idea what to do - better wait for a nice clean C4S i suppose! Any views? I know there are some posters on here with 911's or previous expereince of them. Anyway, strange little tale over, the waiting game begins!
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There are a few threads on 911s here, not least if you seach my profile last December-ish. Quite a long one about ownership.
For what it's worth, I turned down cars like an eight year old 996 C4 with 70k, which was going for sub-£20k as although most were in very fine fettle, I knew they would need major maintenance spending over the longer term, not to mention potential surprises.
I just couldn't make the sums add up, and TBH the car I drove wasn't that quick compared to my (modded) Scoob at all. But if you can stretch to a clean low-mileage Turbo, now that is a completely different thing altogether. Completely. And completely desirable.
Actually, it's wrong to talk about the 911 as just one car. Each generation is very different, the C4 and C2 cars are different, the Turbos are different, and the GT models are different again. Then the Cabs - it just goes on and on. The 911 is a very wide range of cars under one skin catering for a vast range of tastes and budgets. But it's fun to explore
For what it's worth, I turned down cars like an eight year old 996 C4 with 70k, which was going for sub-£20k as although most were in very fine fettle, I knew they would need major maintenance spending over the longer term, not to mention potential surprises.
I just couldn't make the sums add up, and TBH the car I drove wasn't that quick compared to my (modded) Scoob at all. But if you can stretch to a clean low-mileage Turbo, now that is a completely different thing altogether. Completely. And completely desirable.
Actually, it's wrong to talk about the 911 as just one car. Each generation is very different, the C4 and C2 cars are different, the Turbos are different, and the GT models are different again. Then the Cabs - it just goes on and on. The 911 is a very wide range of cars under one skin catering for a vast range of tastes and budgets. But it's fun to explore
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#4
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TBH I would rather get something like this. Much more of a modern car than a 996C2 C4
Porsche : Porsche Cayman S - New Alloys, New Tyres
£21k!!!
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-2.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-1.jpg)
Porsche : Porsche Cayman S - New Alloys, New Tyres
£21k!!!
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-2.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-1.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-3.jpg)
Last edited by rickya; 11 May 2009 at 10:02 PM.
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The 993 C2 may not feel as quick as your WRX - but unless you WRX is nicely tuned the Pork should be faster.
My 993 C2 Varioram (slightly more power) felt much slower than my STI V when it was standard - however it produced pretty much the same numbers and over a 100mph the Pork accelerated faster than the STi V.
However it did not feel fast, much more of a brilliant GT car than a sports car. I drove from York to Cornwall in a single stint - quick and when I arrived I was just about a fresh as when I set off.
The non-turbo cars are relatively low cost to service and maintain - tyres can be a little pricey. They are not particularly expensive cars to own in my own experience.
I would personally take a normally aspirated, two wheel drive car over a turbo or 4wd - although the 996 C4S is a very quick car.
Handling is also far more stable than (mostly naive) comments about a wayward rear end. Typically they understeer when pushed on unless you are really committed.
Spooky
My 993 C2 Varioram (slightly more power) felt much slower than my STI V when it was standard - however it produced pretty much the same numbers and over a 100mph the Pork accelerated faster than the STi V.
However it did not feel fast, much more of a brilliant GT car than a sports car. I drove from York to Cornwall in a single stint - quick and when I arrived I was just about a fresh as when I set off.
The non-turbo cars are relatively low cost to service and maintain - tyres can be a little pricey. They are not particularly expensive cars to own in my own experience.
I would personally take a normally aspirated, two wheel drive car over a turbo or 4wd - although the 996 C4S is a very quick car.
Handling is also far more stable than (mostly naive) comments about a wayward rear end. Typically they understeer when pushed on unless you are really committed.
Spooky
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But it's not exciting. 300bhp is just not enough fun-power. 450 from the Turbo is
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996 wet-sump engine reliability: enter your statistics here!
996 engine/transmission failures - action time
Not to say they all have above issues, but some do.
996 engine/transmission failures - action time
Not to say they all have above issues, but some do.
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Last edited by rickya; 12 May 2009 at 12:41 PM.
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C4S
0-100 km/h 5.1 seconds
0-160 km/h 11.6 seconds
0-200 km/h 19.2 seconds
Turbo
0-100 km/h 4.2 seconds
0-160 km/h 9.4 seconds
0-200 km/h 14.6 seconds
No it's not a turbo, but is a lot cheaper to buy/run and still pretty potent?
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The 996 I drove was a pre-face-lift with 310bhp I think. And yes it was reasonably cheap to buy and run, but not as cheap as my Scoob and that is a lot quicker. There was a guy in a 996 C2 I used to come across now and then. First time down a long slip road to the motoroway, running from 2nd to top, I nailed his *** in the Scoob. Next time he saw me coming and nicked a head start; it took a few seconds longer, but I still nailed his ***
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If I was that guy in my posh Porsche, I would seriously hate me
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Last edited by Hoppy; 12 May 2009 at 02:41 PM.
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The 996 C4S vs turbo is potentially quite an interesting one - My budget only just allows cheaper 996 turbo's, but for the same money much newer and cleaner C4S's - the only reason I hesitate is I need to research the potential for unsustainable running costs on the turbo, not fuel and insurance (which would actually be LESS than my scooby) more repairs. As spooky (and others) have said - running an NA is reliable and not all that expensive
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TBH I would rather get something like this. Much more of a modern car than a 996C2 C4
Porsche : Porsche Cayman S - New Alloys, New Tyres
£21k!!!
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-2.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-1.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-3.jpg)
Porsche : Porsche Cayman S - New Alloys, New Tyres
£21k!!!
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-2.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-1.jpg)
![](http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1002/1002181-3.jpg)
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0-100km/h 4.2 seconds
0-160km/h 9.3 seconds
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You need to look into the in gear times and see the real difference.
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Does anyone really buy a porsche to stand traffic light grand-prix with every blitzzed up rice-rocket ![Ponder2](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/ponder2.gif)
obviously they do , judging from the above
i assumed the idea was to go road corners better
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obviously they do , judging from the above
i assumed the idea was to go road corners better
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Personally, I think they look absolutely beautiful and although I've never driven one I fancy the mid-engined layout makes them an even better drive than a 911. They just have 150bhp missing, which kind of ruins the whole game and makes them more of an upmarket MR2.
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I don't think there is a catch with the Cayman, but it's not an iconic 911 which has a lot to do with residuals, and it's tainted with the Boxster image of being a bit of a girl's Porsche.
Personally, I think they look absolutely beautiful and although I've never driven one I fancy the mid-engined layout makes them an even better drive than a 911. They just have 150bhp missing, which kind of ruins the whole game and makes them more of an upmarket MR2.
Personally, I think they look absolutely beautiful and although I've never driven one I fancy the mid-engined layout makes them an even better drive than a 911. They just have 150bhp missing, which kind of ruins the whole game and makes them more of an upmarket MR2.
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Maybe it's the new alloys and tyres bit that has me suspicious. Why were they replaced? Stolen / recovered minus the wheels or crashed with wheel damage?
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C4s is slow and heavy. Looks nice, but is not the drivers choice. Depends whats most important to you. When I buy a car for 2/3/4 x the price of a rice rocket I don't want my **** spanked at the lights, I need to know I've got the muscle to back up the looks.
I'm far too mature to sprint race at the lights though, so I'm talking hypothetically........
I'm far too mature to sprint race at the lights though, so I'm talking hypothetically........
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C4s is slow and heavy. Looks nice, but is not the drivers choice. Depends whats most important to you. When I buy a car for 2/3/4 x the price of a rice rocket I don't want my **** spanked at the lights, I need to know I've got the muscle to back up the looks.
I'm far too mature to sprint race at the lights though, so I'm talking hypothetically........
I'm far too mature to sprint race at the lights though, so I'm talking hypothetically........
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An interesting dilemma Mike, and a similar one that I'd hope to be in at some time.
My theoretical choice would be a 993 C4S, however I too would be concerned about the drive, and that it would be at least 11 years old. However, when I start to consider the alternatives, Cayman, 996, I always come back to the 993. I’m not bothered about outright speed, or getting beaten at the lights, it’s the lure of owing a motoring masterpiece.
When I start seriously looking, I'm really hoping the 993 doesn't disappoint. Having said all that Vantage prices are coming down nicely...................
My theoretical choice would be a 993 C4S, however I too would be concerned about the drive, and that it would be at least 11 years old. However, when I start to consider the alternatives, Cayman, 996, I always come back to the 993. I’m not bothered about outright speed, or getting beaten at the lights, it’s the lure of owing a motoring masterpiece.
When I start seriously looking, I'm really hoping the 993 doesn't disappoint. Having said all that Vantage prices are coming down nicely...................
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Having owned a 993 C2 I have to say it was brilliant - but it did not turn out to be my dream 911. After an Sti V it was just too dull. It was a fabulous GT car. The GT3 on the other hand absolutely is my dream 911 - responsive, fast, edgy, revs like a maniac, grips like a two dollar *****, fabulous ![Smile](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think a 911 C4S would be an even duller version of the C2, looks good with the widebody, but even more grip per bhp, duller handling, more weight and even more understeer for no advantage. 996 C4S is a pretty quick car. But again has all the disadvantages. A 996 C2 facelift is probably cheaper and much quicker.
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I think a 911 C4S would be an even duller version of the C2, looks good with the widebody, but even more grip per bhp, duller handling, more weight and even more understeer for no advantage. 996 C4S is a pretty quick car. But again has all the disadvantages. A 996 C2 facelift is probably cheaper and much quicker.
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