ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 The 964 Turbo has always been my dream car and I WILL own one before I go downstairs in a fireball, upside down in a ditch somewhere! However, my first step on the Porker ladder will be a 996 and it will hopefully be about a year from now (work/tax man/vicious ex-wife permitting). I know a couple on here have/have had a 996 so I'm after views and thoughts on what models to avoid (can't afford the Turbo Daman, sadly, as much as I'd like one) and general ownership thoughts. I'm planning on doing plenty of research to make sure I buy a good one but views from members on here are very welcomed. And yes, the Supra will have to go to fund it so form an orderly queue!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 This FTW. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3561933.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideexitsupra Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 My brother had a 996 Carrera 4 with sports exhaust and aero pack years ago. Was a cracking car and he had no problems with it. He did buy it new though. Have heard horror stories about Porsche dealers and they charge the earth. My advice is to find a good independent and get the car thoroughly checked. I believe early 996 had issues with oil leaks. Crank related iirc. Think Autocar did a buyers guide not too long ago. Might be available on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 This FTW. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3561933.htm Bloody hell, that would be a delightful handful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 My brother had a 996 Carrera 4 with sports exhaust and aero pack years ago. Was a cracking car and he had no problems with it. He did buy it new though. Have heard horror stories about Porsche dealers and they charge the earth. My advice is to find a good independent and get the car thoroughly checked. I believe early 996 had issues with oil leaks. Crank related iirc. Think Autocar did a buyers guide not too long ago. Might be available on line. Have read a couple of old Autocar reviews and early ones are generally to be avoided. Aeropack is a must for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Giz a go! Heard a rumour about the ex wife thing mate, bad times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Giz a go! Heard a rumour about the ex wife thing mate, bad times Not rid of her yet - best part of 2 years divorcing so far! Ruddy nightmare - £1000s to solicitors for no reason. She's got the house FFS!! Still, I've got my car so she can swivel! Welcome to a go anytime bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideexitsupra Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Found the buyers guide. Hope these come out ok. http://img.tapatalk.com/d55168f7-345d-1c21.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d55168f7-3475-2109.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d55168f7-3488-e28b.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d55168f7-3498-618d.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d55168f7-34a6-b02f.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideexitsupra Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can't read it on my phone! Pm me your address and will post you the mag if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_p Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I looked at getting a 996 at one point, my advice is to avoid the pre-facelifts like the plague as they have major crank seal issues which can result in a need for a new engine(which is why they are so cheap). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 I looked at getting a 996 at one point, my advice is to avoid the pre-facelifts like the plague as they have major crank seal issues which can result in a need for a new engine(which is why they are so cheap). Cheers Marc - appreciate that. It matches what I've read so far as well. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can't read it on my phone! Pm me your address and will post you the mag if you want. Thanks mate - PMed you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Orderly queue: 1. Kilps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al02uk Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can you afford a C4S? They look like pretty good value for money if the turbo isn't an option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 C4S is the way I'd be going rather than the C2S plus the Aeropack. Can't afford a turbo! If I could I'd get my dream and get a 964 Turbo instead - that's the longer aim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Orderly queue: 1. Kilps First dibs to you Matt!! Get saving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al02uk Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I've been looking at C4S's, I really wanted one but I was informed (shouted at) by the other half that I had to grow up and get a sensible car instead of another toy, I've just ordered a new A4 S-Line..............Not quite the same though is it If you ever drive past Camberley in yours, let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Can't read it on my phone! Pm me your address and will post you the mag if you want. Total gent, thank you bud. Club spirit all the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kill1308 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I own a 996 Carrera - cracking car on the whole, really nice to drive, comfortable, not too bad on fuel and looks lovely with a few tasteful mods Mine below... Would I buy another one.... well, no. At least not unless it's had weak points in the engine addressed and the paperwork to back it up. I had to shell out £6700 on a rebuild (although I have 2 years warranty on the engine now). I haven't got time to explain the inherent weak points in the engines, but look up the below : -Intermediate Shaft (bearing) -D Chunking -Rear Main Seal I'd advise talking to a specialist before you buy - Hartech are very good and really looked after me... avoid Autofarm. Don't let me put you off by any means, they are great cars and fun to own, but do all your research and be sure of what you're buying Personally I'd steer clear of the Tiptronic and go for a 6-speed manual... I drove quite a few 'Tips' and wasn't overly impressed, they seem to be more common than the manuals too. Feel free to PM me if you want any more info I'm selling mine very shortly to get a Transporter, but I have to say I will miss the old girl. I've enjoyed owning it more than I did my Supra even though it stung me... I can't explain why though, it just feels nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Thank you for that - exactly what I was after. I've set a realistic goal of at least a year from now which, hopefully, will give me a chance to get some real research done, speak to a few people, join the owners club and do as much digging as possible (real first for me!). Thanks for the heads up, real advice like that is like gold dust to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Hartech are very good and really looked after me Just had a browse on their site - some useful buyer guides to download so thanks for that tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kill1308 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 No probs, I hope that you find a good one when the time comes Definitely talk to Hartech though... you might even find one like mine through them that's had all all the weak points addressed, if I were going to by another one, it would be one that's had everything done on purely for peace of mind. Some people never have any issues with the 996, but just be aware that if you do have engine woes, it will cost you a lot of money. Worth driving a few Carrera 2's as well as Carrera 4's... I had my heart set on a C4, but I didn't enjoy driving it as much as the C2, didn't feel anywhere near as nimble, not sure why, just didn't gel with me... you may find different though. Good luck anyway... they are great cars, you'll enjoy it if you find a nice one EDIT - was going to point you in the direction of their buyer guides, but I see you already found them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Cheers mate - will PM you at some point for some hints and tips if that's OK. Just lining up my ducks at this stage. Is yours the facelift model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kill1308 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Yeah feel free to drop me a PM with any questions, no probs at all I did a lot of research (and had a lot of headaches when it went wrong). Mine was an ideal car on the surface, extremely detailed service history, no corners cut by the previous owner and had a lot of money spent maintaining it, I just got unlucky with the engine problems. No it's not a facelift (1999 -V) - but from what Hartech told me, the facelift isn't immune to the engine problems. I believe the main issues in the engine (IMS) were resolved (bar a few examples) in the 997... I could be wrong on this, but that's what I recall Hartech telling me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 When I was after one of these I got a lot of advice and ended up not wanting one. The RMS thing was prevelent in both pre and facelift models. I am not sure if Stevieboy is still a member on here but at JAE 2008 he turned me white with some of the stories. He said from an engine point of view the GT3 and the Turbo were the only ones to have. All others C2 & C4's could be costly if you get a bad one..!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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