Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 12:32 pm Post subject: What it's like to own a Porsche 911 for six months
Hello everyone,
In January of this year, I bought my (obtainable) dream car: a 2002 Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 4S 3.6 with manual transmission. I had idolised this car for ten years. And yet six months later, I sold it, and have no regrets.
Briefly, I'm going to try and summarise the reality of owning a car like this in the UK - not the most car friendly of countries - earning a good but not outrageous salary. It's a longish post, but I reasoned that there might be a few people out there contemplating Porsche ownership: it's the closest that an average Joe can get to owning a genuine supercar.
First of all, the bad:
There was a thread a while back on "unpopular car opinions" where someone said that, unless you attend track days regularly, there is absolutely no point in getting a car with sporty suspension. Having owned such a car for six months, I have to agree. On all but pristine asphalt, the ride was unbearable. On particularly bad roads, the entire car would bounce around like a jumping bean and become dangerously unstable. This was surprising and a little heartbreaking to me, given that the Porsche 911 was supposed to be the ultimate practical sports car. I think the UK's terrible roads may ultimately have defeated it.
On a decent road, this thing is viciously fast. A lot of people think that a Porsche 911 is basically just a VW Golf that's been sexed up to look like a Ferrari. It's actually the other way around. This thing is a supercar masquerading as a runaround.
Mechanically, it was absolutely fine. Nothing went wrong for the six months and approximately 6,000 miles that it was mine. For a car nearing 100,000 miles on the odometer, that's quite a feat of engineering.
This car made some of the best noises I have ever heard. Early 996s were criticized for their muted, whispery exhaust note. The 3.6 C4S has gone so far in the other direction that Porsche have put a butterfly valve in there so you can avoid deafening your neighbours. All the time, I would see pedestrians looking round to see what in the hell was coming up behind them.
The engine was not quite flawless. It fell asleep below 2,000rpm and then had quite jerky power peaks at 3,500 and 5,500 rpm. I'm interested to see if subsequent 911s smoothed this out or improved bottom end grunt.
Porsche's famously long, tall gearing takes some getting used to. 3rd gear is good for 25mph and also good for 80mph. You can tackle long sections of corners without needing to change, which I guess is probably the intention.
Jealousy is a major problem with this car. People want to race you, regardless of what they driving. I mean, things like Transit vans and ten year old Jeep Cherokees want to race. Not only that, but people are dicks when it comes to being overtaken. On not just one but two separate occasions I had cars move across to try and force me off the road. Basically, try and kill me, whether they thought about it that way or not. Because I had an expensive car, and they didn't.
The possibility that I might kill myself in this thing is ultimately what made me part company with it. I was driving it too fast. I was overtaking in risky places. I was getting into races with fellow idiots. When you pay your own way, as I do, it's sometimes difficult to admit when you've made a mistake. And one day, I realised that I had.
I needed a new car right away, so I bought my dad's old E46 BMW 318i with 130,000 miles on the odo for £750. One twentieth of what I paid for the Porsche. And you know what? It's a great car. Practical, fun, economical and it soaks up the real world much better than the exquisitely highly-strung Porsche.
One day, I might feel the urge to buy another expensive car. But at the moment, it's worth noting that I really don't care for another. I rode that ride. I scratched that itch. I worked out, without losing too much money or face, that it just wasn't for me. And I have no regrets.
The return of Marty Wild Kyalami
Joined: 04 Nov 2016 Posts: 1840
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 12:54 pm Post subject:
Strange first post and in the wrong section.(MOD EDIT: Moved). Everyone is entitled to their option so thanks for sharing yours.
I guess for some context, would be good to know what cars you had previously. _________________ Life's too short for cr4ppy cars, keep it German!
Boxster S 986.1
Cayman S 987.1 (gone but not forgotten)
T8 General
Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 16110 Location: Kent
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 1:30 pm Post subject:
Thanks for posting Joe.
Personal stories are always very welcome on 911uk.
Various stories demonstrate that for some the first taste of a 911 is just ticking a box, for some it represents the pinnacle of car ownership and for others it's just the start of an epic journey.
Some people, like you, start with a 17 year old (or older) example. A few are lucky enough to start with brand spanking new ones. All have different stories to tell of their ownership experience.
You refer to your 996C4S as being 'viciously fast' so I'm suspecting that your car ownership history is not extensive, especially as you also refer to it being an expensive car so I wouldn't be surprised if after a few years you'll get another one.
ps. January to the first week in May isn't six months. _________________ 2007 Guards Red 997 Turbo Tiptronic
ex 2004 Polar Silver 996T Tiptronic
ex 2002 Seal Grey 996.2 C4 Tiptronic
ex 1978 Silver 924 Manual
Marky911 Magny-Cours
Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 2657
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 2:47 pm Post subject:
I’d started a long reply but can’t be arsed.
Joe I’m sorry your 911 experience didn’t work out but a lot of what you experienced might be and I’m only saying might, be down to you.
They aren’t that out of this world that everyone gets jealous, although some people do so I’ll give you that.
They aren’t a fire breathing monster to be scared of.
A C4S should be no scarier than a Golf and is no quicker than a Golf R.
Scared of killing yourself?? You need some driver training matey. Or some self control. Whatever you do never buy a Superbike.
Jealousy?? In 15 years of 911 ownership I’ve had 2 or 3 experiences with ***** and that’s up here in Newcastle which has its fair share of idiots. Again is it your behaviour?
A C4S should be as easy to drive and own as the BMW you’ve bought. Unless you take kids or luggage every journey.
As I say it’s sad it hasn’t worked out but I honestly think you’re blowing it up into something it really isn’t or you’re young and a bit immature.
Failing that do you think you could be telling yourself all that as there were other factors in getting rid? We all do it to some extent.
We all have our own perspectives and opinions but honestly that’s the strangest take on 911 ownership I think I’ve ever read.
Robertb Dijon
Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 7310 Location: South Oxfordshire
I get the impression the article is a cut and paste, but interesting nonetheless.
The 4S sits on lowered sports suspension compared to a standard car, so is never going to ride like an XJ. To be honest, UK roads can make even an XJ feel leaden footed and crashy. In its defense, my 4S rides better than the A5 Quattro Sport I had before it.
They are also very maintenance sensitive; stuff like wrong suspension geometry, worn suspension components and old tyres, whilst not bad in isolation will conspire to make a car feel out of sorts. A 100k mile £15k 996 is likely to need some attention and you do not detail work done to it.
I've always found the 3.6 engine very tractable at low revs. Don't blame it if you are too lazy to change gear! _________________ "911- the guilt-free supercar"
Current: 2003 C4S Coupe, seal/black
Ex: '02 C4S Coupe, '96 993 Targa, '88 Carrera Sport Coupe
HSC911 Long Beach
Joined: 23 Jul 2014 Posts: 6727 Location: Bedford
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 4:59 pm Post subject:
Reminds me of the bloke who's boss/colleagues hated him for having a Porsche...or was it the one who kept getting pulled by the cops
Hope you are a real person and contribute further
Counter Of Beans Spa-Francorchamps
Joined: 10 May 2018 Posts: 368 Location: Hampshire
Do one, fella.
Cheers, Mike. _________________ I'm Mike and I count beans for a living.
HSC911 Long Beach
Joined: 23 Jul 2014 Posts: 6727 Location: Bedford
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 5:13 pm Post subject:
Windy101 Spa-Francorchamps
Joined: 05 Jun 2015 Posts: 282
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 5:26 pm Post subject:
Short 6 months from January till 8th May.
Funny smell here.
The return of Marty Wild Kyalami
Joined: 04 Nov 2016 Posts: 1840
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 5:37 pm Post subject:
BeanCounter has put this to bed, just some oddball out to Troll or other useless time wasting pursuit.
1st post had me nose hairs quivering from the offset, but decided to play nice just in case. _________________ Life's too short for cr4ppy cars, keep it German!
Boxster S 986.1
Cayman S 987.1 (gone but not forgotten)
ragpicker Reims
Joined: 14 Apr 2013 Posts: 4031 Location: North East England
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:03 pm Post subject:
Who the hell has time to find old posts like that, register on a forum and then cut/paste it in. And for what?
Joined: 18 Jan 2015 Posts: 3863 Location: Cheshire
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:11 pm Post subject:
When I read the above, it made me think of the teacher who was never heard of again. _________________ 997.2 Carrera 2S GT Silver/Cocoa.
jonttt Long Beach
Joined: 20 Aug 2012 Posts: 6426 Location: Liverpool
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:15 pm Post subject:
A 12 year old in between vvanks _________________ 1997 Porsche 911 993 C4S My Journal
2011 Porsche 987.2 Boxster Black Edition My Journal
Ex 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS My Journal
2017 BMW 740 Msport
2017 RR Evoque Autobiography
911TEL Albert Park
Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1538 Location: Inverness & Kazakhstan
' manual transmission' had me doubting the veracity from the ' Get go'...….
I thought it was George Eaton...…...
_________________ 997 Gen 2 Turbo S Basalt Black -BBS CHR, Kline inconel exhaust, DSC V1 & Polished Bliss air freshener...
Cayenne S diesel 850 N/ m torque!!!! Jet black
SL 55 AMG Obsidian Black
Brompton S2L Black edition
The return of Marty Wild Kyalami
Joined: 04 Nov 2016 Posts: 1840
Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 7:37 am Post subject:
Anyone dropped him a line, see if he’s coming back? _________________ Life's too short for cr4ppy cars, keep it German!
Boxster S 986.1
Cayman S 987.1 (gone but not forgotten)
Boba fett Indianapolis
Joined: 14 May 2015 Posts: 2358
Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 8:02 am Post subject:
Well I'm on e-Bay looking for a 996 C4S now, I never realized they where a fire breathing, track focused bonified monster of a Supercar.
And can had for as little as 15k
Just for clarity - You should it was not a Carrera GT ?
Robertb Dijon
Joined: 01 Sep 2003 Posts: 7310 Location: South Oxfordshire
Well I'm on e-Bay looking for a 996 C4S now, I never realized they where a fire breathing, track focused bonified monster of a Supercar.
And can had for as little as 15k
Just for clarity - You should it was not a Carrera GT ?
George Eaton will be along shortly to ask advice on selling his Carrera GT which he eventually px'd his 4S for. I believe he is looking for £80,000 if anyone has any thoughts? _________________ "911- the guilt-free supercar"
Current: 2003 C4S Coupe, seal/black
Ex: '02 C4S Coupe, '96 993 Targa, '88 Carrera Sport Coupe
rob_p Österreich
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 987 Location: Leicester
Posted: Fri May 10, 2019 6:25 pm Post subject:
Not sure I understand the point of this...
is it some kind of ego trip for the OP - seeing us all get fired up over defending our P&Js??
I may be tempting fate but I'm not sure I have ever received an adverse response to driving a Porsche. Thinking of it I did once have a van drive shout something at me when I was driving my old boxster but i genuinely couldn't hear him so it was all a bit lost on me. _________________ 997.1 C2 (full Hartech rebuild, Ohlins coilovers, ducktail, plus some other bits)
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2
Ex 991.1 C2
Ex Audi A8 V8 4.2tdi (best all round car I will ever own?)
Ex Porsche Boxster 986
Ex Mazda MX5 mk1
Plus some other stuff that wasn't very interesting....
_________________ 2007 Guards Red 997 Turbo Tiptronic
ex 2004 Polar Silver 996T Tiptronic
ex 2002 Seal Grey 996.2 C4 Tiptronic
ex 1978 Silver 924 Manual
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