Hello all, wasn't sure if this should go in the wanted area but thought it more discussion based for now and a little introduction.
A brief bit of background story... owning a 911 has been my dream for a long time, specifically the 997.1 as it was current when I passed my test back in 2005 and blends a modern interior with the classic round headlights, naturally aspirated engine and compact size.
I've posted a little more about this on Pistonheads here for those interested.
MOD EDIT, this is not Pistonheads
In short i've been pondering this seriously for the last 3 years but needed to get a few other important things in place (a. buy a house b. get married c. make sure I can afford it) and in that time I've managed to get together 50% of a proposed £20k budget.
Now I appreciate this isn't a fortune in Porsche circles but I'm realistic in expecting a higher mileage car that needs a little refresh, clean but not perfect and ideal to use and enjoy.
I'm comfortable with buying and maintaining one myself, don't need to rely on it every day (though will use it regularly) and aim never to sell it.
What I can't afford is to pay for an engine rebuild, it would push me over the edge financially at the moment and probably negatively affect how I felt about the car, so I am only looking for examples that have had a full closed deck conversion to both banks to negate the big risk with these.... my other thoughts are as below:
997.1 Carrera 2S
Manual Gearbox
Silver or Grey Paintwork
Black Leather Interior
Not Written Off, No Major Body Damage
Standard Body (no GT3 Replica's) And No Real Modifications
Full Hartech Rebuild As Above
Ideally with Lobster Claw's, Sports Wheel, Heated Seats & No Sports Chrono... but I can work around these minor points
_________
I've been looking casually for a while but they don't seem to appear all that regularly with engine work disclosed... but i've noticed that a lot of the have been sitting on the market and asking prices are getting lower overall.
I'm working on it taking 12 months for me to find something right... what I don't really know is the best place to find a good one?
I can't afford to pay a dealer margin, much as I understand the benefits of buying that way (plus I'd rather meet the previous owner and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection).
It's been mentioned elsewhere that Hartech are usually working on a number of these M97 engines at any one time but I guess the owners of the cars they go into hang onto them?
_______
I've been down the route of looking at the below on the basis of lower cost and discounted them all in turn.
996 - Interior too dated for me, plus I don't fit all that well as I'm long legged and struggle with the lack of rake adjustment in the steering wheel / high driving position / lower centre console
997.1 Carrera 2 - Probably fine for what I need, but the 3.8 is more common and also has the brakes / xenons / quad exhaust tips / lower suspension that really makes the difference
987 Cayman - Probably a better car for my needs, but not a 911, would only see me looking to upgrade in a few years
986/7 Boxster - see above, plus I have sold the 911 as a 2+2 which will come in handy in the future when we have kids.
997.2 - Too expensive for me to buy / finance
_______
Any thoughts / suggestions / leads welcome
Thanks
Matt
A brief bit of background story... owning a 911 has been my dream for a long time, specifically the 997.1 as it was current when I passed my test back in 2005 and blends a modern interior with the classic round headlights, naturally aspirated engine and compact size.
I've posted a little more about this on Pistonheads here for those interested.
MOD EDIT, this is not Pistonheads
In short i've been pondering this seriously for the last 3 years but needed to get a few other important things in place (a. buy a house b. get married c. make sure I can afford it) and in that time I've managed to get together 50% of a proposed £20k budget.
Now I appreciate this isn't a fortune in Porsche circles but I'm realistic in expecting a higher mileage car that needs a little refresh, clean but not perfect and ideal to use and enjoy.
I'm comfortable with buying and maintaining one myself, don't need to rely on it every day (though will use it regularly) and aim never to sell it.
What I can't afford is to pay for an engine rebuild, it would push me over the edge financially at the moment and probably negatively affect how I felt about the car, so I am only looking for examples that have had a full closed deck conversion to both banks to negate the big risk with these.... my other thoughts are as below:
997.1 Carrera 2S
Manual Gearbox
Silver or Grey Paintwork
Black Leather Interior
Not Written Off, No Major Body Damage
Standard Body (no GT3 Replica's) And No Real Modifications
Full Hartech Rebuild As Above
Ideally with Lobster Claw's, Sports Wheel, Heated Seats & No Sports Chrono... but I can work around these minor points
_________
I've been looking casually for a while but they don't seem to appear all that regularly with engine work disclosed... but i've noticed that a lot of the have been sitting on the market and asking prices are getting lower overall.
I'm working on it taking 12 months for me to find something right... what I don't really know is the best place to find a good one?
I can't afford to pay a dealer margin, much as I understand the benefits of buying that way (plus I'd rather meet the previous owner and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection).
It's been mentioned elsewhere that Hartech are usually working on a number of these M97 engines at any one time but I guess the owners of the cars they go into hang onto them?
_______
I've been down the route of looking at the below on the basis of lower cost and discounted them all in turn.
996 - Interior too dated for me, plus I don't fit all that well as I'm long legged and struggle with the lack of rake adjustment in the steering wheel / high driving position / lower centre console
997.1 Carrera 2 - Probably fine for what I need, but the 3.8 is more common and also has the brakes / xenons / quad exhaust tips / lower suspension that really makes the difference
987 Cayman - Probably a better car for my needs, but not a 911, would only see me looking to upgrade in a few years
986/7 Boxster - see above, plus I have sold the 911 as a 2+2 which will come in handy in the future when we have kids.
997.2 - Too expensive for me to buy / finance
_______
Any thoughts / suggestions / leads welcome
Thanks
Matt