25k to stay in P car ownership

[23e Heure]

968 brains of the DDK.

I’m off to see a car just after Christmas.

What are the common issues I need to look for?

[yoda]

Often missing 2 cylinders, make sure they are all there. Some don't even have an engine where it should be!

Good luck!

[911hillclimber]

I think the Porsche Club have a buyer's guide on their site?

[hot66]

Loads of buyers guides out there. Gut feel is you might find it slightly underwhelming when you drive one as the engine has no character compared to a 911.

When I was looking at them , drove about 6 different ones but ultimately found if I wanted front engine , rear drive , I actually preferred an e46 M3 and ended up with my CSL

[Sam]

The 4 pot definitely lacks the character of a 911 or M3, it’s just a big, boring lump.

But in terms of being a usable old car they’re flipping awesome. Massive hatchback, great motorway refinement, OK fuel economy, decent poke, very skiddable. In my experience much less goes wrong with them than 911s and when it does it’s much cheaper to fix.

If you fancy a change I always reckon it’s good to get the scratch itched, if you buy sensibly you won’t lose.

A ~£20k 996 or 997 has a way more interesting drivetrain but is more fragile and much more faff to get a bike in the back of.

[matteo68]

Club Sport worth considering? Presumably a lot more?

[one-two]

Are they in the ULEZ dead-zone? Not sure. Maybe compare and contrast with 987 Cayman - more cylinders in the correct format!

[23e Heure]

Honestly?
I’ve been busy looking at 718 GTS, which of course are a totally different proposition to what I’m discussing here!
But I’d only be able to afford to keep a 718 for 2 or 3 years.

Whereas down in the £20k zone I would be securing something long term.
Sport is basically a Club Sport in touring spec.

I miss my 914 and 911 and have an insatiable hankering to keep in Porsche ownership…
But yes. Both of those cars had 6 cylinders.
And the engines were behind me.

[anglophone1]

944 turbo?

[Sam]

Have you had a go in a 3.4 996? £20k put sensibly into one of those will be at least £20k in years to come and they’re fab.

Or a 3.6 997. Or a 2.7 981 manual.

I’ve recently been through the same thought process. I think I will get a [remapped, manual, 2.5] 718 in a few years, they’re brilliant, but I reckon they’ve got a fair bit of depreciation to go and I don’t enjoy spending money.

[yoda]

I've driven a few of the more modern cars recently, often helping friends buy something and I struggle to get very excited about the newer cars. Was recently in the alps in my car, a 997.2 Carrera and a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0. The Cayman was good but everything was too easy and it lacked feel. The 997.2 was the surprise package, really great all rounder and brilliant for road trips etc. Missing the top end fizz we all like but otherwise my pick at £40k. For £20k, how about a decent 987 Cayman or 996 C2? There are some nicely modified 996s and 997s available in the 20s that would be great fun and minimal depreciation.

968s are great on paper but as James said, a bit dull compared to a nice 6.

Something like this (albeit sold in 2024 on CC) https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/200 ... rera-csr-2

[210bhp]

Hi James

I’ve a nice 996 C4 1999 you are welcome to have a look at.

Regards
Mike

[stretch]

I have this very early 3.4 996 with the best spec if of interest. 42k miles from new.

456841349_1051260580040666_8971051733685718062_n by stretch1985, on Flickr

[mjh356@hotmail.com]

James,

About 15 years ago I liquidated the P car fleet. I felt that that they were getting too expensive, the cars I had were too rare and too precious. As a result, I was using them less and less.

I lasted about 3-4 weeks before the hankering for another P car kicked in. I wanted something usable and not rare or precious, so that if damaged for whoever reason, it could be repaired or replaced without having to rob a bank or much hand wringing. I tried the 968. Nice car, but, it did not give me the tingles. It was not much different from my Audi A4 Avant Sport. Nice, but, dull.

I then looked at the 964 and the 996. The 964s were bad at the cheap end and the 996s were affordable and also a lot better at the cheap end. Also, iMHO they are the last of the Analog 911s. I had Chris Turner inspect one for me and to ward against the usual eprocaphal tails of woe. Since then I have owned my 996 C4. It is getting to the longest I have owned any Porsche.

I like the balance of modern and analog, parts are available and often shared with the Boxster. There are quite a few out there, so spares are available without having to sell a kidney. As with any car they have their foibles. Try one. My recommendation would be to have an inspection by someone who knows the cars (Sam @ No 5 Garage) and check for the usual suff.

I bought well and cheaply at the time. I have done all sorts of stuff to improve the car and make it mine. If you keep up with what needs doing, they serve you well. The biggest issues with these cars is that they got to a value point where they were Mondeo money and the people who bought them could n to afford the upkeep. I am shortly due to do the IMS bearing, but, this is planned maintenance and at 130K miles I recon a car will need some remedial works.

I have not regretted my purchase and would source another IF something happened to mine.

good luck

Mark

[Sam]

I have this very early 3.4 996 with the best spec if of interest. 42k miles from new.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2rMZryy]

Now we’re talking! If James doesn’t want it I might.