As above, just sold my jdm bugeye and really fancy a 911. Any buyers advice, ideas on servicing costs? (theres a independent specialist about 30 mins from me).

 

I hope you have a deep wallet.

 

Very deep wallet

Unless it's a Turbo or GT2/3 the engines are a big problem, they make the Subaru 2.5 look strong

 

I'd love one of the last air cooled ones (993). But I'd need some spare cash (a lot).

 

Yep, I ran a 997 Carrera S for three years alongside a Hawk Spec D.

I ended up seriously disillusioned due to engine problems with both and ended up running just a Clio RS on its own... lasted six months without an Impreza but I don't miss the Porsche.

I thought I had a bad one but I was not alone with it, forums are full of problems with these cars.

The 911 was a good car for about 18 months. I found it great to drive on the limit of what you'd do on the public roads and very quick too especially on a long and sweeping road. With PSM suspension engaged the car was a riot on the right kind of road but unfortunately it was not as good as I thought it should have been. Any kind of rough surface was not appreciated and it was a handful in the wet if you tried to drive it properly. Down a country lane an STi would have killed it and in a straight line my Cosworth would eat it alive until very silly speeds.

It got through rear tyres at a boring rate, fuel consumption was mid 20s on average driving. But you need deep pockets for servicing, and if you buy out of warranty the costs are ridiculous. One thing that really pissed me off once was after taking it easy for six months I noticed the tyres were looking bald. I took it in and the pads were also looking worn. The mechanic then tells me my discs needed lathing because I hadn't been using them with enough force and the surface had hardened.

On mine the master cylinder on the clutch went, the rear exhaust bits all rusted, the alloys began to flake their coating, it had weird little electrical glitches from time to time and worst of all it had a series of engine faults. One day it started misfiring and the engine light came on. Just out of warranty too. Cue lots to trips to the garage and I eventually got rid of it when it looked like it might need a complete new engine.

If I wanted a Porsche experience I'd go for a 2nd hand Cayman - nicer to drive apparently - and save myself a huge amount of money.

 

The problem is that most Porsche enthusiasts think the same, so 993 prices are going up and up.

 

I have had 2 911's (996) models..

I had a convertible and a coupe....

Antiquated,not particularly quick and if that M96 in the back throws its tata's out then your in for a huge bill (£6k-£8k)...

Just a lot better out there for your money.

 

Yeah way too much money for me realistically. 20k for a money pit at least.

 

Unless a GT2 or 3 (but not a turbo), then I'd put my money into a Boxster or Cayman.

 

^^^^^^^^^

Same engines....

 

Gen 2 DFi engines are fine.

 

I must remember not to get tempted by those £10k 911's I keep seeing on Autotrader.

 

About 6 months ago i thought about a 911 (max budget 20k) no idea what it would get me, it was only when someone mentioned service costs etc that i had 2nd thoughts. If i had the money i would have a 3yr old one all day long. Just love the look & sound.

 

Agreed..

Are they 2008> ?

 

MY 2009
2.9 and 3.4 engines.

Same for the 911.

Launched Nov 2008 at the LA Motorshow :geek:

 

Type R & 996 Carrera 2

Oh by the way. The Type R costs more to run

 

From what I have read these newer ones need testing for over rev or mega bills will be forthcoming

 

I have had a 996 Turbo for about six years. Fantastic machine and i've only ever spent money on tyres, servicing and a few other bit's and pieces. I had a 1998 Scooby, an e39 M5 and the porsche turbo at the same time for a few months. I then sold the Scooby as it was getting a bit old and could not justify three cars. My seven year old son cried when I sold the scooby and still goes on about it now (I still miss it). Totally love the Porsche, mine is a 2002 model I bought it with 3200 and still only has 32,000 miles on the clock.
I now drive the a Range Rover and use the Porsche as a second car. Can't believe you can pick a 996 turbo up for under 20K.

 

I remember having a blast against one of those in my P1 10 years or more back...it left the P1 for dead fairplay

 

Went to my current 996 Carrera 4 (via an Audi S4 Avant and Golf GTi).......

And I was unlucky - 12 months in, had bore-score, resulting in a pricey amount of engine work (and mods )

BUT, contrary to the harbingers of doom, the rates of failure are around 6% for the 3.4 (996.1), and 8% for the 3.6 (996.2)
The engines in the Carreras and Boxsters (996, 986, 997.1 & 987) ALL have potential issues.
But it is a numbers game.

Things that can go wrong - IMS bearing. Can let go due to poor lubrication. No rhyme or reason - but will grenade the engine.
Bore score - down to poor engine cooling: primarily on cylinders 5 & 6. Quite similar to the piston slap experienced in the old MY98 Scoobs.
RMS - leaky oil seal: gets caught up in the paranoia, but isn't a major issue as it gets changed when the clutch is done.

Turbos & GTs also have their issues - rare as rocking horse whatsit, but will empty the wallet too.

Aside from that, AC & radiators can be costly due to accumulations of leaves and crud rotting them. Changed mine myself.
Suspension refresh is important too, and can be a bit pricey.
Tyres are roughly £250 per corner. Turbos' pads/discs aren't cheap.


That said, the car is FANTASTIC. You either "get" the Porsche, or you don't. I was smitten as soon as I drove it.
It's cheaper than a Subaru to run - I get on average 26mpg on SUL.
The steering is very good - sounds like a cliche, but you get a lot of feedback through the wheel.
Mine's 4wd and through last year's winter, in the countryside, it got me to work every day (iirc!).

So, to be honest, whilst it's cost me this year, I'm treating it as an advance purchase on my next car. Which happens to be a Porsche - very similar to what I've got now!
But that's fine, as my next car was probably going to be a Carrera again!

I've now got one that's been fettled with by one of the best in the business (hartech), and as such, I feel that I have made my car more sellable in the future due to this company's work.

And that would be my parting nugget of advice - buy one that's had the engine work done, and you won't go wrong! (or buy one cheap enough that you can chuck £k to fix the engine if need be - DO YOUR HOMEWORK).

Dan

 

If you want to renew a warranty through Porsche then yes, they will check the DME for over revs - anything in rev range 3-6 usually require a boroscope test and investigation. (£'s!)

Even if you're buying one privately its well worth having it done.
It really all depends on how many operating hours have elapsed since the over rev occurred.

All Porsche engines register the rev ranges - not just 987/997.2 ones.
The earlier engines only registered upto RR2.

Anything in RR 1-2 is ok - thats just hitting the limiter on the way up.
RR3 and up is hitting the limiter on the way down the 'box and can do untold future damage to the engine.

That said, Porsche (or their customers) are finding cars with glitches, in that some of the readout s are impossible to achieve (phantom revs).

Bit of a minefield, but do all the checks and you could get a good car.

http://www.911virgin.com/porsche/rev-range-information/

 

I'm sorry but the 996 has to be the sh1ttest Porsche ever.

 

no need to be sorry - you're entitled to your opinion

You're wrong, obviously

 

I like any Porsche.

But I find it amazing that such a marque of German sports cars can have such serious faults!

I love the 968 models and you don't see many about at all.

 

I had an Impreza STI for 9 years - 5 years of Evo 8 - now a 996 C4S.

I think the big question to answer is whether the OP has a 911 itch to scratch. If it was just about speed then a 996 might disappoint. But I would urge ownership if only for a year.

As for costs, you need to look at costs of the time of ownership. If you buy a £25k Subaru then it will be nearly new and likely to be worth £10k in 3 years time. £25k gets you a 7 year old 911 which will be worth £18k in 3 years time. So even if you get £8k of bills you are still quids in. I'd rather drive a 7-10 year old 911 than a newer Subaru.

And now the bit I'll probably get flamed for - the Impreza was all on the back of rally success and from 1995-2003 it was a great car to own. But with the exhausts getting louder, the spoilers getting bigger and the rally blue paint getting blue-er, the rally success dried up and the car is now quite niche. The 911 has been around for 50 years and that says it all. The Boxster and Cayman are great cars too but for me they're not a 911 substitute.

The P.H. Porsche section is a good place to ask more.

 

Depends on budget and what model you're after at the end of the day.

My bro has a 964, it's only going up in value, does all work in it himself and it's probably cheaper to own than my STI, it's not as quick as the impreza but I know which I'd rather be seen in!

996turbo for 20k ftw...

If buying a normal 996 I believe it is better to try and find one with a documented top end rebuild although you'll pay a premium for this.

Mick

 

Ive got one but its a 991S so don't know anything about running costs and repair bills

991 GT3 arrives next year

 

Eye watering sums for old cars to be honest.

One reason I drive a £1300 Clio RS.

It's like a disposable razor.

Does a job and you can chuck it away when it is too worn out lol.

 

I think we've sufficiently scared the OP off buying one - he hasn't been back since his first post