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Hopefully 911 Newbie - Advice on purchase

bennyboy77

New member
Joined
16 Apr 2023
Messages
3
All, I'm in the exciting position to finally have the resources to get into a 911 and tick off a bucket list item smile

Neither my wife nor I are petrolheads, but both 'like' cars. In the past I'd have always gone Turbo S, but as I've aged, even though I can now finally afford it, I'm thinking this would be more than my talent to handle and enjoy.

It's also a massively confusing market at the moment for a newbie, with really long lead times, over list price deals and used prices really quite odd (some 4 yr old cars seeming keeping +80% of what they would have cost - Porsche Sheffield have a very well spec'd 22K mile 4yr old 992 C4S at £99.5k, even with £20k+ of options, this surely couldn't have been much more than £115k when it was bought??

The 992 will be a regular car for me and the family (we have an X5 for long journeys) albeit I don't do many miles (~6k). I went to a dealer to check things out and my daughter (12) can fit in the rear with my wife in the front (both ~5'3"). Coupe yes, Targa yes, Cab no. Whilst my daughter's feedback is largely from enthusiasm for the car, my wife's feedback is that any non-cab car would be 'fine' for short journeys but we wouldn't be going out for the day as a three in it.

The area I live is full of b-roads and I got rid of the X3M due to a rock hard suspension and in my wife's words being very bouncy and uncomfortable. My wife will drive it as often as me and would be on the B-roads taking my daughter to school so I need to ensure I don't get my ears chewed off that the ride is too hard. The weather where I am is also often windy and wet. Also, my wife loves the creature comforts, camera's on the car (360 if poss), heated wheel, apple car play etc.., more options the better for her.

Lastly, I am also unfortunately useless with cars... I came into company cars as my first car and have pretty much just put fuel in them. Any issues, squeaks etc.. I just took them to the garage without any concerns about cost etc... I am now out of company cars, but only had new cars with main dealers and warranties etc.. Hence, am thinking I will need to deal with an OPC to get a much comfort as I can. (Read some great posts on OPC warranty and recognise they aren't infallible but for a 1-2 yr old £100k plus purchase, gives me more comfort than an indy).

Hence, based on all the above, my gut tells me a well spec'd Carrera 4 would be the best fit for my purpose. A C4S 'could' also work but would be interested for feedback on how different the suspension would be? A GTS I am expecting may be too harsh a ride and could create severe earache from the wife, albeit she and I really like the looks of them, including the GTS Interior pack in one that we looked at last week.

So having got my wife's head around the fact that we WILL be spending £100k+ on a car I am after some feedback based on my situation above and to help navigate the market.

From what the OPC told me last week it's ~2yr's in the queue for a car and that would likely be a 992.2, though he did say 992.1's would likely come up earlier as customers want to defer to the latest model so may be able to sort me sooner. (At this stage we didn't discuss non-GTS models).

It looks like I could pick up a used GTS4 in Targa or Coupe, or even new (one is coming into the OPC this week) but might be paying a premium based on the market at the moment and will definitely be making a concession on options vs. my ideal spec. However, as per above I think this ride could be too hard, though also thinking this would put me in a 992 quickly and I could then put a deposit down for a 992.2 C4?

Nobody has a crystal ball, but my thoughts are with the long lead times on 992.1 GTS's that maybe there will be some early base C4's or C4S's coming into the market when people finally get their GT3 or GTS models.

Alternatively, I could 'try' (again need help here as it looks like you need to be in the 'club' or already have a a dealer relationship) to get my name down for a 992.2 C4 which would seem to be a sensible approach but will just be 2yr+ to get the car...

Again no crystal balls, but am concerned about buying now and immediately taking a big hit when the 992.2 is announced. I guess on a GTS there is some level of protection due to how long the cycle takes for them to arrive, but for a C4, they could even start arriving Q4 this year... That's why I can't really understand the price on that 4yr C4S at Sheffield Porsche as it looks like the 'steep' depreciation curve is going to be on the next owner?

Lastly, despite my must purchase from an OPC, if my assumption is correct that there could be more older 992.1's hitting the market as people pick up their GTS's/GT3 etc.. and knowing that an OPC warranty is transferable privately, is this an option I shouldn't rule out and that a private sale (or brokered sale) could provide good value for both the seller and myself, assuming it's been OPC serviced, maintained and has a warranty and is capable of extending it? Also, I am sure it makes a difference to the OPC, likely negatively but I don't need finance to purchase and would be choosing not to given other monthly outgoings etc... hence would be cash.

Apologies for the long post, I hope there is some good feedback. Obviously will be arranging some test drives to qualify the suspension situation and have at least 5 OPC's within 30 miles of me.

Really excited and my ideal scenario would be to get in a 992 for the summer, but would be happy to defer until next spring if it meant there being more choice on the market.

Cheers all, thank you in advice for the help.
 
Sorry for the short reply to a part of your post.

Your comment re retrained values on late models, isn't this the same on nearly all luxury cars these days due to high demand. I recently sold my nearly 2 year old Land Rover after 35k miles of driving it, for what I paid for it. Then the buyer sold it on and made another few k so that's where prices at atm

Re the turbo s handling comment , in my limited experience as a driver, I have a turbo s and I find it simpler to control that my previous gts car. They seem to be made to feel like 2 cars in one, when in gentle mode around town, no different from any other 4wd Porsche.
It's only when you put your foot down that you get to lose your license.😀

Happy hunting though, nicer problems to have 👍
 
Just take a look at the base 992, its got the comfiest ride and loads of shove, and will easily see off an M4 in most situations.
I bought a C4 last Summer as a stop gap and it's been really good, get a drive if you can!
 
bennyboy77 said:
I went to a dealer to check things out and my daughter (12) can fit in the rear with my wife in the front (both ~5'3"). Coupe yes, Targa yes, Cab no. Whilst my daughter's feedback is largely from enthusiasm for the car, my wife's feedback is that any non-cab car would be 'fine' for short journeys but we wouldn't be going out for the day as a three in it.

The 992 is a decent sized car and I would expect that you might be surprised how comfortable it could be for longer days out.

There are some great videos on this same sort of topic on YouTube for you have a watch of.

A good review of the 'base' 992 over the course of 2000 miles of a driving trip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8XrPLrt4IE

A day to day review of living with a 992 GTS as a 'family' car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdMsbCLwcY8

Enjoy!
 
s2000db said:
Just take a look at the base 992"

I think this is where my head is at, but will get behind the wheel of a few. Spoke to OPC today and had a good long chat about what I am after, where my head is at etc.. Told him that it's his job to now get me into a car as I am good to go, just need some help to find one.

Also don't forget if I am still looking and your stop gap is ready for release, that 'your' C4 might be a good option for me :lol:

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.
 
bennyboy77 said:
s2000db said:
Just take a look at the base 992"

I think this is where my head is at, but will get behind the wheel of a few. Spoke to OPC today and had a good long chat about what I am after, where my head is at etc.. Told him that it's his job to now get me into a car as I am good to go, just need some help to find one.

Also don't forget if I am still looking and your stop gap is ready for release, that 'your' C4 might be a good option for me :lol:

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

Pleasure, I'll let you know, depends what I can get by twisting my dealers arm lol..
 
Not sure if it would be of interest but we are about to sell our 2019 992 Carrera S. It is Aventurine Green and mileage is 18000. £20k of extras plus full front end and rear wheel arch PPF. Porsche warranty to April 2025. Car is scheduled for its 4 year service in 2 weeks after which I would be looking to sell for £92k.
Happy to share further information/photos should it be of interest.

I am certain you will enjoy whatever 992 you end up with.
 
Got one!

So I have bought one. Needs to go through it's 111 and service so will get it in a couple of weeks but have an MY21 (June 21) C4S in Jet Black metallic with under 6,000 miles. Has most of the options I wanted but is a little plain as it's Black on Black (Crayon Stitching) and has Satin Black Carrera S wheels. Looks tidy and suspension wise after doing some proper B roads feels like a quality ride, much more compliant than I was expecting.

Can't wait to get in it. Previous owner didn't ceramic coat anything or add any extra PPF, so will get that done locally and then I'm good for a couple of years.

Assuming I get on with it over the next few months, I might then get on the queue for a new one.

Still have some concerns over a depreciation bump coming with the 992.2 particularly given it's not a GTS, but happy with the ride and means we can use the car this summer before my daughter gets too big.

Thanks for the advice, really looking forward to it!
 
Congratulations
I hope you enjoy it
I'm due to pick up my new turbo s next week
I too am worried about depreciation with the dot2
Model coming next year.
 

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