Any Love / Hate For an Early 996?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:18 pm

A friend is dangling a 1998 (?) 3.4 C2 under my substantial nose. Manual, Lapis (I think), light grey non-sport, deleted sunroof, FPSH (annual regardless of miles). Looks to be orginal paint all round.

I drove it at Brands on Sunday, and was surprised at just how '911' it was. Essentially, it was much better than I expected, having read the forums etc.

I've not done a proper inspection on it, but am aware of IMS, cracking bores, cracking heads, cam-chains etc etc etc. It's done around 90k miles at moment. As a (at the time) non-buyer, it appeared to drive spot on.

I've been offered the use of it one weekend, so I can get a much better idea of how I actually like it on the road, not to mention do a proper inspection.

My thinking, now I'm slightly warming to the idea, is that it'll be at least two years before either the C3.0 is done, or my mystery coachbuilding project hits the road. Therefore to have something to use in the meantime (I last had a Porsche on the road in 2008), is rather tempting. Obviously there are Boxters, but I've never loved the looks*. Could be tempted by a Cayman, but a bit more money, and this one is here, can be tried and is an honest sale from someone I know.

Any thoughts on these, good or bad?

* Yes I know the 996 isn't top of the tree for looks, but when I saw this one in the flesh, it was better than I remembered them.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:20 pm

Oh yes, there are lots advertised, but I wonder what prices they achieve compared to the asking?

Half decent early C2 Manuals seem to start around £11k. Sound about right?

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:23 pm

A nice early c2 manual with the 3.4 is becoming in demand. 3.4 is believed to be the 'safer' 996 motor

964RS · Post by **964RS** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:43 pm

hot66 wrote:A nice early c2 manual with the 3.4 is becoming in demand. 3.4 is believed to be the 'safer' 996 motor

You keep saying that every time a 996 is mentioned but I still don't know a single person who wants one or would buy one.

Have you a stash of them away somewhere and are trying to push prices up....??

If you like it Barry then go for it. Lapis and light grey non sport would certainly not be my 1st choice so maybe look around after you have tried it and if still like it take it from there.

Caymans are a lot of fun.

You know the potential pit falls all these early water cooled cars can have so you are not going into it blind....

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 6:35 am

964RS wrote:
hot66 wrote:A nice early c2 manual with the 3.4 is becoming in demand. 3.4 is believed to be the 'safer' 996 motor
You keep saying that every time a 996 is mentioned but I still don't know a single person who wants one or would buy one, except Barry, and he's not normal. Not normal at all.

Have you a stash of them away somewhere and are trying to push prices up....??

If you like it Barry then go for it. Lapis and light grey non sport would certainly not be my 1st choice so maybe look around after you have tried it and if still like it take it from there.

Caymans are a lot of fun.

You know the potential pit falls all these early water cooled cars can have so you are not going into it blind....

Thanks James / Jason,

I should perhaps disclose that the price is likely to be more or less entry level Cayman money.

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 8:08 am

Very early c2 996's , at the money they are now , are future classics. It will be like a lot of 'classics' we have now .... At one point we all remember them everywhere and cheap ... Then suddenly you realise the cars just aren't there any more . Even now , a nice c2 manual 3.4 in a decent colour scheme is a rare thing.

Not driven a Cayman or boxster so can't say wether your better off with one of them or not

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 8:20 am

Barry, do have a good look underneath though .... I was looking at one on a ramp yesterday and the specialist was explaining how surprised he was with the amount of rusty clamps , bolts etc etc . A lot of hoses just hangin on . It is true when they say they don't make um like they used to

Ashley James · Post by **Ashley James** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:08 am

I bought a 987 Boxster from my neighbour who'd owned from a year old and looked after it. It's eleven now has done 58,000 and I've spent £7000 on it having the wheels painted, tyres and shocks replaced, new suspension parts and a few other items they require from time to time. Mine is a model susceptible to IMS failures, but less so bore issues because it's a 2.7. I gather it has much in common with a 996 and more with a 997.

The handling and grip is superb for most roads, it's a bit hard for the rough un maintained tracks of the Cotswolds and a tad soft for flat out driving. It's very comfortable, quieter than a 964, better cornering and has similar power more evenly spread. It is absolutely superb and more than fast enough for road driver. It's the reason I bought the 356, which has suspension better suited to Gloucestershire roads.

There are loads of members of the Boxa forum who've done considerable mileages with 986s and no major replacements, so I'm certain you'll really love a 996, it'll definitely be better than earlier models and they're cheap. You just have to decide whether to junk it or spend if you're unlucky.

keith fellowes · Post by **keith fellowes** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:29 am

I run an '04 996, with the 3.6 engine with 65k on the clock. As said above it may not be the prettiest 911 but I find it great fun to drive. The upside is that my wife with her arthritis is happy to have trips in it and finds it compliant enough on the Cotswold roads around here.
The car will suit your mood, from driving into town to having a blast along the A/B roads.
I just have to aware of the speed I am doing!!

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:42 am

Nothing but love from me for the earliest, amber rear lense version. Whenever - and it's a rare sight these days - I see one on the road I can't help but smile as they now appear so pretty (to my eyes, at least).

When the 996 C4S came out back in the day I use to drool over it's rear end and followed them for hours along the motorway but it's the early C2 I'd take now.

I do know of a one owner, sub 20k mile early car but the owner is very reluctant to let it go at the moment. One day it will be mine!

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 6:02 pm

Thanks for the replies and thoughts.

I'm slightly encouraged by the fact the idea hasn't been completely shot down in flames.

It now appears that it's had a recent OPC service and PPI. All clear, rear tyres aside, which have been done.

Do I need another car in my life? Probably not. Still, I can always sell some others I guess.

I'll see how the weekend goes .... Thanks again

.

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:10 pm

Enjoy your weekend drive, Barry, and please report back?

One of a very few semi-decent early cars here:

http://www.odaviscars.co.uk/stockdetail ... ckID=11976

Although with after market radio and possible paint colour issues between bonnet & spoiler, metal / plastic (most seem to).

But look at the price compared to yours?!

rhd racer · Post by **rhd racer** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:59 pm

Hi Barry

Having gone from 914/6 to Boxster I agree you can still feel the blood line and the late cars drive really well, better also than I expected. Yours sounds like a proper car and all the right due diligence done. You could argue that if the engine has not gone pop now at 18 years old, it is unlikely to as long as leaks from the rear of the engine are monitored.

I agree with Andy's comment about the underneath. Whilst upgrading the brakes on my Boxster (a competition car), I noticed a fragile line so made up a new one. the joint was under a plastic cover on the near side and the prior line was absolutely shot under the cover; the lightest of touches and it burst. Fuel lines are plastic, so ok!

Anyhow, there is lots hidden away that is somewhat vital to preserving life, so worth removing all the covers and going over. It made me question the value of MOTs where so much that is important is hidden and not really available for inspection. My MOT man agreed....

Anyway, all minor stuff just worth attention. I say go for it, I am converted...

Enjoy the blast this weekend

Cheers
Wayne

gridgway · Post by **gridgway** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:05 pm

Surely the early 996 c2 is a superb driving car? I'd love one!

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 5:48 pm

Thank you for all the replies

.

For various reasons I decided to leave it. I did go and have a good root around it, but kept glancing across my chum's workshop at my Carrera 3.0 and concluded that really my time, and more importantly, funds would be better aimed in that direction.

Frankly, the 996 just looked so big, so complicated and most of all, so expensive when the bills come in*. If I didn't have anything else, I'd give one a go I think (or indeed Boxter / Cayman). As it is, with other things to get through, it just didn't feel right. Perhaps another time ....

*Also, there just didn't seem to be that air of quality that the earlier cars have in spades.

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker