I posted on here a few weeks ago about buying my latest motor for 20k. Well i have decided to push to 25K (but i'd rather spend 20K), as the extra 5K opens it up a bit more. So iv'e decided on

1. 993 (911 AIR COOLED) C4S Wide body

2.996 (911 Water cooled) C2-coupe or cab

3. R34 GTR Skyline

4. E46 M3

5. S54 Bread Van


Thats my final list. The 993 and S54 are pretty bullit proof in terms of depreciation and have that back to basics that makes great cars. The others are all very special in terms of all round ability, which today is a real must. I'd love them all but only one can go in the garage. Which is it to be.

 

It has to be down to the 993 or the S54. Couple of points to remember.

The 993 will have to be a private sale with high mileage to get one for £25k. The C4S is the most in-demand model and is priced accordingly. Now, I know they hold their value really well and are famed for their build quality, but you have to remember that you are going to be buying a 10+ yr old £70k supercar with 100k miles under it's belt. And if you drive it as much as you'll want to then that mileage is going to stack up. At some point 993 owners are going to discover that age catches up with even the most well built of cars and then it is going to get VERY expensive.

The S54 has a bit of a cult following. I'd get on the Z3M forums and try and find one that has been owned by an enthusiast because some dealers charge stupid money. I was looking at these (as well as the C4S) a couple of years ago and one dealer in particular was charging up to £30k for the last ones off the production line. Again, the Z3M is no spring chicken and is not built like the 993 so I'd only buy one if it had or I could buy a comprehensive warrenty. I don't even want to think about the cost of a rebuild of that straight six!

HTH and don't forget pics when the deed is done.

 

For that money rather than S54 you'd be better off with a Z4M. S54 are simply not worth the money they go for.

 

Owned the 993 and the S54 engined breadvan and have had a go in a mates 996...

Z3mc
+ great engine, surprisingly practical, turns heads (anyone with petrol in their blood seems to like it)
- iffy suspension/handling, build quality nothing special.

993
+ great sense of occasion, lovely build quality, great porsche smell, good on depreciation
- aware that you're driving an older car, even the independents charge like you're a new car buyer.

996
"meh" - it might be quicker than both the above but (a) it's close, and (b) it's like deciding on a car because it goes 170 as opposed to 155

 

My dad has just sold his 996 C4 cab after 5 years of ownership. It was a fantastic car, even in the c4 cab guise, weighing more than all other 996's [except the TT] it went well with a mere 300ps. Torquey all over the bottom end and a screamer up top - best of both worlds. Reasonable insurance, dealer servicing was reasonable [less than his 4.4 Range Rover], brakes came up once in that time, clutch came up once, it had a header tank, starter motor and one set of tyres. The rest was regualr annual servicing. It even did 25mpg and slightly more on a run.

I had a mate with an MZ3 Roadster. He never really mastered the handling and a tank slapper later resulted in x2 new wheels, new diff and an array of other bent bits. His mate [a bit handy] really clicked with it and they can really hold on in the right hands - but I would be wary. Sounded amazing though and pretty quick.

 

Thanks for the in-put Gents. I've seen a couple of 993 C4S and they have been at dealers asking outrageous money but also more sensible priced private adds with comprehensive history etc.. Had a drive of an S54 earlier, and boy they certainley are jeckle and hyde, but i liked it. Very E30 sport'ish in the handling department, which makes it a confusing car. Never really gave the Z4M any thought TBH, but i may try one out. So at this point the 996 is poss ahead in the stakes.

 

1) Expensive for age & what it is, though lovely car
2)996 engine is troublesome & can be expensive to repair which will happen! Also a bit outdated engine IMO
3)R34 also a bit outdated but huge tuning potential
4)Great all round car but a bit common now
5)Amazing performance but not so good chasis & double VANOS issues with non S54 engine

ps dont bother with 996, I also looked at 996 C4S's before purcjasing my Spec C, too many engine issues with unreliable 996 engine IMO. Only worrth doing with OPC (Porsce Warranty).

 

I got stuck following a Z4m.... he was drifting it in damp conditions, he thought I was racing him, but in reality I couldn't get past because it was blocking most of the road, most of the time....

Looked like he was having fun tho'. Slowly !

DunxC

 

Spoke to mate earlier, he does all the dent repairs for porsche/sytners BMW and Auidi plus lesser manufacturers (lol) in Brum, he currently has an 02 996 C2 tip and loves it. He's had nigh on twenty 911's in all and rates them all highly...............but and it is a but, he has told me of the 996 engine issues mostly around 70K and an expensive fix, mainly crank oil seal (similair to the V7 STI leaks) but most worringly head gaskets and that usually means new engine . So if bought privatley can you purchase a comprehensive warranty etc... and if dealer are there warrantys any good. Obviously a Main agents would be but are the specialists warrantys any good. ZM4 Coupe looks a bit, well soft if you know what i mean, but the build would be excellent as would the drivetrain. Oh SH*T i'm even more confused now. Whatever car it is, it will only be a weekender and very little mileage.

 

Try a few out for yourself is the only answer

IMHO Z3M is overrated and old 996s are dogs in the trade.

 

Do a search on pistonheads Porsche forum section & others & 996 is a problematic engine which was rushed through development when Porsche was in a bit of financial bother. Nothing like the development that went intp the air cooled 993 or even the 997. Only the 996 GT3 & Turbo are bullet proof, built on a seperate production line. IMO a Porsche warranty is essential & approx over £600 IIRC, they will allow warranty on one which has expired but will go through rigorous check & may need things doing first before starting warranty, which could work out v. expensive. Better to buy one already under warranty, easier to renew etc.

Z4M looks soft but is a great drivers car that can be easily improved in terms of stiffening up suspension, especially front end to get rid of built in understeer . Though it does look a bit akward & soft from certain angles!!

 

Nissan 350z GT Nismo for under £20k
Hawkeye Spec C for under £20k

 

The 3.6 996 engine is fine, the 3.4 is hit and miss, but if you head over to the 911uk.com - The Porsche Enthusiast Site :: Index forum you will find many satisfied 3.4 owners. My dad had the 3.4 and had no issues at all.

 

Cheers again. Funnily i was looking at the Spec C's on PH last night.

 

If you can do without the wider body and four wheel drive (which in my opinion detract rather than add to what the 993 is all about) then I think you can buy an excellent car within budget that won't lose much if any money and is in top condition.
I'd also only consider any Porsche in the format they were designed in rather than the second best RHD cars many people opt for.
Someone like Roock sportsystem are a good bet and is where I sourced my immaculate 996 from.

 

R34


R34


R34


R34

 

They don't have much class though do they?

 

Awesome road prescence though and pretty rare...

 

Agreed about 'road presence' but I wouldn't fancy rolling up at a halfway decent hotel or social event in one.

 

What social events do you go to were you have to worry about what car you're driving? To be honest if they are the kind of issues that you worry about I would suggest changing your social circle.

As nice as Porsche's are they are ten a penny. I wouldn't give one a second glance in the street. An R34 gets the proverbial juices going in my opinion.

 

You can draw your own conclusions as to what social events it would be appropriate not to turn up in a car with severe image problems.

The 911's ubiquity is one of the reasons it's suitable for any occasion.

Agreed an R34 gets the juices going, it's a fine car but it's undeniably gaudy and tacky.

 

I really dont buy a car, with the focus being mainly on how i look. I buy a car fully on its credentials, not it's pose-ability, thats just daft.

 

Shouldn't worry what other people think. Would be kind of eccentric to turn up in something very different from the norm in your 'social circles'.... I've turned up to some very nice hotels in my old nutty MX-5 that I had and most don't even notice. I've never understood the fascination with Porsches, I know they are good cars but they fail to get me going! So my choice would be the GTR or maybe there's some others that you could look at instead?

 

R34 nice but you have done the jap turbo thing, and its

S54 nice but paying over the odds for the rarity.

Porkers nice, but old and really not that quick, and a bit protentious

E46 M3 and a few quid in the bank for repairs/servicing would get my vote. Its a good middle ground car, thats bullet proof, goes very well, good value for money, good day to day car, and has a reasonable image.

 

I've had the Z3M Coupe for 8 years now and would never sell it - think it will be a classic..

The only handling mods needed are shocks and springs and a strut brace. This transforms the car and makes it a joy to drive.

The vanos / shell issues are over hyped in my opinion. If you are serious about one, get it checked by a dealer / specialist.

I have access to other cars including a CSL, but for driver fun I rate the Z3M as the best.

 

everything he said.

 

I think it may well be the E46 in Estoril or the Bread van in the same. For the very little mileage i do it gives me a good choice, the only down side to the Bread van is that occasionally i may need rear seats, but thats only a may.