P911 what to look for when buying ----

Allan R said:

Im a recent newbie myself,but for what its worth I suggest base 1 is pick your model/combi--Coupe,convertible,targa
Manual,tip
2wd,4wd
Turbo,gt etc
I would personally discount turbo etc as a first 911 as the standard powered is pretty awesome for a first 911,and it gives you something to aspire to later.When these decisions have been made you have the choice of buying private,indy or OPC.
I'll leave the more technical minded on this board to advise you on seals springs and sprockets etc.
Just one thing though on transmission-if using it every day in slow moving traffic I would consider a tip.-otherwise I would go for a manual every time.
Happy hunting!

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4 SURE - 911 Carrera 4

• All wheel drive doesn't just give Porsche's newest 911 extra stability and safety - it also boosts driver involvement. Peter Robinson reports.

Your fingers convey the information the instant you turn the wheel. The steering is heavier, meatier, less sensitive. Not much, but enough of a difference to be immediately discernible to hands acquainted with the rear-drive Carrera.

The distinctions grew the longer we played with the Carrera 4 on the wonderfully demanding roads surrounding Porsche's Weissach proving ground. A bit more steering lock, a sense of mild understeer in a second-gear hairpin. Extra steering effort as increasing lateral forces amplify steering loads through a fourth-gear sweeper. A fraction less self-centring. Finally - and prepare for the ongoing arguments - a perception that this steering is actually more involving than that of the Carrera 2.
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It takes no more than a couple of corners to fall in love with the C4. It's a normal 911, only better. More stable, especially at the high speeds the Carrera so quickly attains, less nervous in strong crosswinds, and even more consistent in its dynamics. At first it seems slightly less agile, because wheel movements are bigger, but experience reveals that its handling is actually more neutral, less oversteery.

Experimentation with the PSM reveals that the C4 responds to a smooth driving style and minimises the need for driver reactions, making it more relaxing to drive than the C2, not least a very high speeds on the autobahn.
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All the driver understands is that the nose is less prone to pushing wide. The engine management system is set up so that if you lift off suddenly in a bend, a degree of torque is maintained to smooth out the weight transfer and reduce the car's reactions. It all makes for a supercar that is as failsafe as any, yet remains fun to drive quickly, the electronics doing their job so unobtrusive that most drivers won't even notice, unless they attack corners with arms flailing. Even then, it's effectively impossible to throw the C4 off balance, though not even the C4 can defy the laws of physics.
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The choice between C2 and C4 remains as complex as ever. The C4 is undoubtedly the more talented car, exuding an invincible air that many will find irresistible.

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doulas bader said:

911... I would summarise as follows:
Budget £10K - £15K will get you a pre face lift 996. These are the lightest, the C2 (2 wheel drive) would be my favourite as 4 wd seems to negate the whole joy of the 911 (think about a wide rear track where all the weight and power lives with a front end that simple points where that fat rear end goes!). However if driving dynamics are not so important then don't exclude the 4WD - slower (as heavier) with a number feel to the steering, consumes a bit more fuel and wears the tyes (front & rear) more evenly. People say they are more sure footed but if you think about your driving (looking at surfaces, reading the road etc., as an experienced motorcyclist might) you won't need or want the 4wd (or for that matter the optional PSM traction control). Manual or tiptronic? The tip is a wonderful auto box; it will adapt to your driving style and loses only a small amount of performance. 0-62mph is 6 sec (compared with 5.2 for the manual C2) but I think most of this is the initial take up of drive. The torque converter locks up very early and remains locked in manual mode - i.e. you can floor the throttle at 1000 rpm with no slip (or kick down for that matter). I bought a manual but would equally have considered a tip if one came along in the right condition. FYI front tyres on a manual C2 last forever, rears about 10,000 miles max with mixed driving. Fuel consumption around 25 - 27mpg.
If you have around £20K you can consider the gen II 996; main differences is a 3.6 litre version of the engine (315hp), extra weight and revamped looks, most obvious are the shaped front lights. The gen II feels a bit more lively in acceleration (0-62mph 5.0sec) but also feels heavier and a little bit duller to steer - not in a way that would put you off the car but less like an Elise erring towards the 4wd genI 996. You also have the same options of 4wd and tip versus manual. Choice is down to taste.
Last to think about (and IMO to disregard) is the dolls house C4S. These overpriced wide bodied version of the gen II 996 are based on the 996 turbo (which delivers 440hp), are 4wd and comparitively heavy. They share the exact same engine/transmissions of the other gen II 996's but are very wide, have the (expensive) brakes of the turbo and, consequently, are slower than a standard bodied 996. So, the C4S looks like a turbo without the rear wheel air intake cheeks but is actually slower than its standard genII version... they also drink a bit more fuel. Think about cladding a perfectly nice brick house in cotswold stone!
As you drove an Alpine I don't think that the convertible or Targa would appeal (heavy, slow, not so nimble).
Things to check/regular issues: corroded radiators (behind lower front bumper), tired suspension (worn dampers, wishbones, ball joints), tired clutch (may last as little as 40K but can last as per normal car), uneven tyre wear (suspension adjustments are easily made), low mileage cars (40K) rarely suffer cylinder lining issues, intermediate shaft can rarely expire, rear main seal can sweat oil - not an issue, change with clutch. Coil packs can crack and cause midfu=ire.
I can recommend 996 ownership - they take a while to learn to drive properly but are intoxicating cars!! Finding the right one is the main task - there are some tired old cars out there whose owners think are worth the same as the carefully looked after version that you need to find. Good luck.

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GT4 said:

996.1 0-62mph = 5.20s (4.6s 0-60mph)
996.2 0-62 = 5.00s

However, get an X51
996.1 0-62mph = 5.00s (4.4s 0-60mph)
996.2 0-62 = 4.80s

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