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Which 996 model?

elan

Well-known member
Joined
27 Nov 2014
Messages
243
I am considering a 996 that I can use more regularly to go with the 997Turbo. The mention of IMS, RMS and bore scoring pushes me towards the 996 Turbo but that would be too much like my 997 Turbo?

I would prefer to spend something around the £17k mark and ideally something that will not lose too much value over the next few years. I have so far been to see a couple of C4 but I am drawn to the C4S. I would prefer to stick to a manual coupe but will also consider an auto. Which model should I go for? Are some models generally more reliable and will hold value better?

Thanks in advance.
 
I will start the replies with the suggestion of an early C2. It is regarded as being a pretty pure drivers car without the electronic trickery of the later cars, I think the 3.4 manual is less prone to bore scoring than the 3.6 but I could be wrong. I have one alongside my 996 turbo and they are very different.

MC
 
Lucky Gentlemen to have a 'choice' :eek:

I love my C4S, but think it might be a bit 'same looking' as your Turbo's?

Originally was looking for a standard C2 in blue/grey, but ended up with a C4S Silver/Black.

Still like the C2's and if I had the opportunity, would add one of those to the stable.

(Oh, and a Turbo, of course!)
 
3.4 doesn't score bores (not in the way the 3.6 does).

3.4 is less likely to have the IMS bearing fail.

RMS is just a seal that can potentially weep, just like any other seal but won't cause any problem to the engine. Preferably buy a car that doesn't have oil hanging off the bell housing, but by no means a deal breaker.

If you're thinking of a 3.6, look for a Hartech rebuilt one. Also worth noting, the 3.6 auto is more prone to bore scoring than the manual.

£17k could potentially get you the anniversary edition with the power kit on, so faster than the standard 3.6 and not much slower to 60 than the 996 turbo tip.

3.4 is most reliable.

C4S and anniversary edition are the ones that'll make most money.
 
Thanks for your advice guys. I am still learning a lot about these cars. I am keeping an open mind about which model to go for. I will also have to look out for the Anniversary model.

Silver colour seems to be quite popular. I went to see a C4 at Porticraft yesterday which has had the engine rebuilt by Parr but for £20k. I didn't get to look at it properly, maybe I should arrange a test drive.

What do you guys think of these two:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262822858512

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272545784249
 
Bargains!!
 
They both look nice, but to my mind they are as close as you can get to being a turbo without being a turbo. 4WD and wide body makes the cars heavier, and with the 4wd the handling will feel much more like that of the turbo. If what you really want is a 996 turbo but don't want to commit the funds then great, but if you want something to complement your existing turbo and give you a different driving experience then I would suggest a narrow bodied 2wd car.

MC
 
MC and 4b4, you are both right in that the C4S will have similar characteristic to the Turbo. It would be nice to have a bit of variety so will test drive a C2. One thing I do miss on the Turbo is the noise so hoping to put a decent exhaust (making plans even before buying the car :what:).
 
elan said:
I am considering a 996 that I can use more regularly to go with the 997Turbo. The mention of IMS, RMS and bore scoring pushes me towards the 996 Turbo but that would be too much like my 997 Turbo?

I would prefer to spend something around the £17k mark and ideally something that will not lose too much value over the next few years. I have so far been to see a couple of C4 but I am drawn to the C4S. I would prefer to stick to a manual coupe but will also consider an auto. Which model should I go for? Are some models generally more reliable and will hold value better?

Thanks in advance.

Use your 997 more

Get it tuned, enjoy it. You are a long time dead! Buying a 996 with anything other than a mezger engine is a gamble not worth taking imho...
 
So is doing the lottery :wink:
 
alex yates said:
So is doing the lottery :wink:

Don't get me wrong, I would love an N/A 996 to keep my Turbo company, but the risk profile just isn't worth it for me....

Buy a 15-20k car, if the engine goes pop, which is not uncommon unfortunately, you are looking at a 10k fix that puts you into the 30k bracket for car that's only ever going to be worth 15-20k.....

Surely it makes more sense to:
a) find a car with an already replaced engine rebuilt by a specialist such as 9e, Hartech etc, but good luck finding one.
b) buy a Turbo/GT3, even with a bit of finance, the long term residuals stack up, plus that worrying 10k bill is a lot less likely.
c) put the money into tuning the 997 Turbo, it will transform the car & add value if done correctly, and save on the expense of running two cars..

Just my 2p
 
I suspect that buying one of these cars which were what, mid 60k new, then expecting to pay buttons to maintain them is a course that will end in disappointment.

10k to repair a 15k car sounds expensive for sure, but you are not repairing a 15k car- that may be what depreciation has made the purchase price but the car was engineered and built to a 60k price point.

I've spent more on my car than I paid for it, in under six months of ownership. Would I have rather not? Absolutely. Do I begrudge the spend whenever I drive the car? No.

Will I replace the engine with a 3.7 litre Harlech unit if it goes pop? Yes, I bought the car with my eyes open. I hope I don't have too, of course.

That said I'm planning on a rebuild at 100k miles anyway- what's the point in owning one of these if it performs like a Maestro because you won't give it the care it needs?
 
I had a carrera 2 manual before my turbo tip. Completely different cars. One is lightning quick in a straight line, feels heavy through corners and has an okay soundtrack. The other is not so quick, an absolute hoot through the twisties, even with just a PSE hack the exhaust sounds superb! My point is they are very different animals to drive. I would definitely try a C2 and I think you will notice the same differences between them and you turbo.

Also consider a cayman or even a boxster. I hear they are just superb being mid engined. You could pick up a 986 S for £5 - 6k and I bet it would be a lot of fun for the cash.
 
I understand both sides but would rather not have the hassle of having a major engine build, not because of funds but more the time. I have spent fair amount on the Turbo and have a few other ongoing projects. This does push me towards the 996 Turbo but that would be too similar to the current 997 Turbo, as some of you have mentioned. I am also lured by the V8 in the E92 M3 :?. I do however like the idea of having something different to contrast. I guess I will have to keep searching and testing a few model.

I went to see this one, which is a safer bet but didn't quite do it for me. http://www.portiacraft.com/cardetail.asp?make=04_Porsche_996&id=2443
 
My 2p

Having owned both I would say you will find the 996 & 997 Turbos very very similar.

I would go 3.4 C2 Manual, hunt hard enough and you will find a decent one for circa 12, IF, and it is an IF, the engine lets go you will be into it for circa 20. - I believe in 5 years they will be fetching more than 20. (Provided of course your looking at keeping it for that duration)
 

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