Absolute Beginner

911 Dreamer · 22 Jan 2006

I need help! I've never driven a porsche..but I have always loved the 911 look and pedigree. I've between 25 and 30k for a weekend car which may become my everyday car in April 2007 (when the tax laws regarding vans change!)...In short I would love a 911, I have questions though: As I have no experience with fast cars should I go for a Carrera 4 with PSM? I don't want to pull out of the showroom and into a ditch! At this price, I am looking at a 50k miles 996 or an older 993 - will the older, less kitted out porsche be less reliable and harder to drive? I luuuurve the look of the 993 from around 1995 with the swept back headlights (and the slightly wider body), but worry about the implications of buying and owning older car. Is there an answer?

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Rodders · 22 Jan 2006

the days of heading into a ditch i think went with the advent of the 993's rear suspension(of course you can still end up in the ditch with any car)...............tho as by your own admission you haven't really "experience"of fast cars i think the 996 is probably your better bet...........but try driving both back-to-back to see which one you are more at ease with...........not sure if the 996's in your budget have the PSM as standard tbh..........as for reliability issues the 993 is thought to be a bit more reliable than the 996(dons flameproof suit)..........and have a bit of a cult following due to the fact they aren't around in as many numbers,last of the air-cooled engines,better build quality and with the 997 going back to the same headlight design they seem to look more contempary than the early 996's "fried egg" headlights

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Seagull · 22 Jan 2006

I agree completely with Roddy. The 996 is a better handling car so you really have to be doing something brave/silly before PSM comes into play. It was quite an expensive option on the 996 (now standard on the 997) IMHO, you don't need the 4WD option, a 2WD Porsche is more than capable (cue the onslaught from the C4S crowd) Like all high performance cars, the 911 handles much better than most other cars on the road but this doesn't mean it won't bite. You just have to be a bit circumspect about using the performance - don't boot it too early coming out of a corner or go into one on a trailing throttle and don't expect the handling characteristics of a Peugeot 205. Buy one and learn the car before trying any heroics. Just enjoy the car for what it is.

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911 Dreamer · 22 Jan 2006

Thanks Guys - exactly what I wanted to know!

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obzi · 22 Jan 2006

I drive my 996 every day of the week, it is a well built, reliable and comfortable car which is fairly practical compared to similar sports cars.

The steering gives you a mass of information about the road and it does take you a few days to get into the groove but it just means you hold on a little tighter.

I went for C4 and decided on the 4s because i prefer the look but it's a personal choice.

I spent months looking for the right car and i would suggest you go round a few dealers and have a few test drives to help you decide. I've had mine for 5months and it is without doubt the best thing i've done in years.

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911 Dreamer · 22 Jan 2006

How many miles until reliability and ownership in general becomes expensive? I'm seeing 996 C2's from 1999 with 90k on the clock for around £25k - any comments?

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David Rose · 23 Jan 2006

Ok heees my 2p worth!

As your new to the cars I'd get a specialist to source a car for you. I bought my 996 from Mark at Specialist cars. Top guy anda top car.

993 or 996. They are going to be just as quick and just as reliable as each other as long as you buy the right car! With your price range your hitting the risky side of 996's as they are just in budget. knida means you might get lucky or might end up with big big bills! I think that puts you in 993 territory. I haven't looked but guess a well sorted 993 would be the best bet.

Reliabilty. This comes down to has the car been looked after well! A car with 90,000 miles on the clock either has had or needs to have work done to it. So the jobs required have been carried out and they show up in reciepts or... YOU have to pay for them to be done! Take your time and pour over the service history and any reciepts is a must!

Ending up ina ditch. I think this was a bit of a mith. My guess iis it came from the eighties when people got rich very quick bought the Pirshe headed for the countryside and it all went wrong! IMHO If you try to brake the laws of gravity (and motion) ie. Try to go around a 90% bend at 100 mph... its going to end in tears. But that applies to any car. The trouble is you get into a "big powerful supercar" and put your foot down and its not till you get into trouble or your glance at the speedo that you realise just how quick your going!!

Hope you find what you want. If you post the add or link to any car you see the guys on here are pritty good at spotting something to steer well clear of or they may say thats one to go look at.

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David Rose · 23 Jan 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by 911 Dreamer on 22 January 2006

How many miles until reliability and ownership in general becomes expensive? I'm seeing 996 C2's from 1999 with 90k on the clock for around £25k - any comments?

Me thinks you could end up with the proverbial bottomless money ptt here unless very lucky!

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Richard Eff · 23 Jan 2006

I don't think you should get too wound up about the handling issues. Unless it is your intention to drive everywhere and in all road conditions like a complete imbecile, whether you have a 993 or 996 C2 or C4, it should be more capable than you are. Yesterday, having an ex F1 driver in the passenger seating yelling "accelerate hard, accelerate hard" at me into corners where all I wanted to do was stand on the brakes, I could not believe that the car was physically capable of staying on the track, but it did.

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Tiptronic · 23 Jan 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by Richard Eff on 23 January 2006

ex F1 driver in the passenger seating yelling "accelerate hard, accelerate hard" at me into corners where all I wanted to do was stand on the brakes,

I was wondering how he was going to brake my car as well as steer the damn thing, and also no passing on the bends

SOMONE DIDNT TELL THE OTHER DRIVER :evil:

I was more worried about them hitting me than anything else

Daz.

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Elite Detailing · 23 Jan 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by darren james on 23 January 2006

Previous poster said:

Quote: Originally posted by Richard Eff on 23 January 2006

ex F1 driver in the passenger seating yelling "accelerate hard, accelerate hard" at me into corners where all I wanted to do was stand on the brakes,

I was wondering how he was going to brake my car as well as steer the damn thing, and also no passing on the bends

SOMONE DIDNT TELL THE OTHER DRIVER :evil:

I was more worried about them hitting me than anything else

Daz.

Click to expand...

Don't tell me you didn't have any sideways action?

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Tiptronic · 23 Jan 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: Originally posted by G-Unit on 23 January 2006

Previous poster said:

Quote: Originally posted by darren james on 23 January 2006

Previous poster said:

Quote: Originally posted by Richard Eff on 23 January 2006

ex F1 driver in the passenger seating yelling "accelerate hard, accelerate hard" at me into corners where all I wanted to do was stand on the brakes,

I was wondering how he was going to brake my car as well as steer the damn thing, and also no passing on the bends

SOMONE DIDNT TELL THE OTHER DRIVER :evil:

I was more worried about them hitting me than anything else

Daz.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Don't tell me you didn't have any sideways action?

Plenty of sideways action, mostly with Butzi though :wink:

Rob J, was taking it easy, I mean it was a sunday :wink:

As for me, my co driver (AKA PSM) was all I needed :wink:

That rarely used part of a modern Porsche had a bloody good workout yesterday.

Daz.

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Porsche · 23 Jan 2006

911 dreamer.. to help in your decision, what is your motoring history to date ?

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Rob J · 23 Jan 2006

Previous poster said:
Quote: ]
Rob J, was taking it easy, I mean it was a sunday :wink:

As for me, my co driver (AKA PSM) was all I needed :wink:

That rarely used part of a modern Porsche had a bloody good workout yesterday.
Daz.

[/quote:5hBTdt4aLT]

Oi you, that was my 1st ever time on a track & Sundeep said go slowly...I did get a little bit faster & I don't have PSM or 4WD to sort out any mess I could get myself in. I told you I did overtake at least 1 car. And even at 11 I was still feeling the effects of the 2nd bottle of red wine you bought.

PS : Stef the Porsche driver hater sends her love.

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Rob J · 23 Jan 2006

Now for the sensible post....

...the GT3 is my first Porsche...no 4WD, no PSM, lot of power, drive it like an idiot you'll be in a ditch so quick it's untrue especially on a damp road. Drive it sensibly IE just as you would any other car no problems.

As Richard Eff said these cars will do things you think are impossible especially if you've never driven one before. Yesterday at Silverstone has really opened my eyes. Unfortunately it may also have opened my wallet even more.

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