Buying Advice (again)

[Noize]

Hi all, I know that there have been several "what shall I buy" type posts and I've read them all, but I guess everyone's different in what they think they want/need, so here goes.

I've wanted a 911 ever since I used to stand at the bus stop on the way to school and a red 911 SC Sport came past every day. Now, at last I'm ready to become a 911 owner, but which one?

What do I want?: Either a RHD 964 C2 coupe or RHD 993 C2 coupe. I can go up to £35K budget, but would prefer not to spend more than £30K. It will be used as a second car: weekends, summer evenings and the occasional tour over to a circuit in France/Belgium/Germany - not for track days. Not too keen on RS/Turbo, don't want anything too manic and tetchy.

I like the look of both cars, but wonder how much fettling the 964 will need and how much easier to live with the 993 might be.

I've been watching dealer ads for a while, have read Adrian Crawford's guides, but I'm no car expert and don't fancy doing all this checking myself.

So, 2 questions:

1. Pros and cons of 964 v 993?

2. Should I devote a lot of time to finding the right car and get it PPId or just ask Adrian/Hamilton Cars to source me one?

Thanks.


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[Will Statt]

Went through the same dilemma, with similar budget as you about 2/3 months ago. Finally decided the 993 was the only one to go for, because (after reading mountains of posts on various sites) it is generally considered to be the last and most refined version of the 'true' air cooled 911.

I wouldn't knock the 996, but it just isn't the car that I used to dream of at MY bus stop! Also of course, and not wishing to generalise too much, the 993 being a later (newer) car, is probably less likely to have problems. than an older 964.

It's not really until I actually started looking at them closely that I fully came to this conclusion, but once you've got the shape of the 993 set in your head, it's hard in my opinion, to get the same enthusiasm for a 996, or a 964.

I looked at about 4 cars before finding one that I liked, and I went for the non S coupe, as in my mind that was the car in arguably it's purest form. The Turbo is just too much extra dosh for me, and more headaches than I want.

I bought mine from Hamilton Cars of Bristol, and they gave a very good service.

At the end of the day, buy the one that blows your skirt up... you're unlikely to be disappointed!

Good luck!


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[JamesM]

Totally agree with Will.

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[noony]

I never get tired of answering these sort of questions. Firstly, I live in Reading too! Whereabouts are you?

For £35k you can get a LHD 993 RS! But £30k will buy you a very nice narrowbody 993 C2/C4 RHD, which I would recommend. Hope to wave to you soon!


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[Noize]

Hi Noony, I'm in Wargrave. LHD is slightly tempting, but since most of my driving will be in the UK, I'd rather have RHD.


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[noony]

Hmm Wargrave is a bit far from Lower Earley, so I may not be waving to you! I would recommend a RHD 993 C2 for your uses. £30k may get you a varioram too.

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[noony]

BTW I go past many bus stops on the way to school...perhaps planting the seeds in their minds of wanting a porsche... :wink:

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[James Ball]

Personally, I prefer the shape of the 964 to that of the 993, but I am in a minority and even given this I would still recommend a 993 over a 964 because: it is newer, will probably hold its value better (last of the aircooled etc), more refined, and cheaper to run. That said, the mantra of "buying on condition" still holds true and I would buy a great condition 964 with a file of receipts and full history over a patchy 993. However, no standard 964 should cost more than £25k.


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[adrianc]

964 v 993....


The 964 is a good car, feels like a 911 of old and all the more interesting for it. But part of the considerations of ownership for most people is risk and maintenace. This is where the 993 scores. Its newer , easier to service and easier to find a good, proper example. So if I were betting on your enjoying a 911, the odds would be better if you owned a 993 than a 964 - simply because there is less chance of a drama or dissapointing suprise. £35 is plenty to buy a very good 993.


How much you spend is of course not so important as how well you spend it. You could spend £10k on a beautiful old 911, but i will be a needle in a haystack to find it, you could spend £20 ish on a super 964, but its quite hard to find. £30+ for a 993, you should have a selection and be able to choose some desireable features for you personally.


And any good 911 will bring a smile to your face.


Adrian Crawford. 911secrets.com performance2and4.co.uk


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[manek]

Yes, I too went through this dilemma with a similar budget six months ago - gosh, has it really been six months??

And for all the reasons stated above, the 993 did it for me: cheaper to run, better residuals, more modern car. Of course, it's your call but I'd have thought that, if you have that size of budget, there's no reason not to go for a 993. Unless you hate the looks of course. I bought mine from Autobahn: the first one I fell in love with which is not the right way to do it, or the way I'd advise anyone else to do it!


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[SEE YA]

Hello would just like to say how important a pre purchase inspection is before you buy a porsche just had one done on a 911/930 turbo 87 model found out not such a good car after all crash damage filler panels not right either ok cost me £240 but saved me loads of money by not buying a bad one with all the hidden nightmares.

ABS is the firm they were very good and helpful in the back of 911& porsche world






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[James Ball]

Wow. I totally agree that PPI's are the way forwards, but £240 is a lot of money. What did that include? Compression test, leakdown test?

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[SEE YA]

Hello I think £240 is not to bad, to save you buying a car which has hidden nightmares and to save you spending your good money on a bad car. Which you could be stuck with because, you did not have it checked out by someone like ABS.

As for the compression test etc I do not know but the car was road tested over 190 points checked as well So if there was a fault on the engine it would show up. Now looking for a decent 911/930 turbo between 87-89 black.


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[James Ball]

Simon, don't get me wrong, I think it was £240 well spent, but I wouldn't want others to get put off by the cost. Usually a PPI costs about £130 plus a bit for a leakdown test (well worth the extra IMO).

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