Hello from a Newbie with no car

[Hedders]

Hi there, my name is Hedley and I don't have a Porsche yet!
I'm not sure if this is normal protocol, but I thought joining pre-Porsche may be a sensible option considering that joining the club after buying the Porsche could be the wrong way round, as I may end up with a lemon knowing me, particularly as I'm not that handy with a spanner, and any buying advice would be much appreciated!

I do love cars generally - I sold a Mercedes Benz 220CE last year which I now think was a mistake as was a beautifully made piece of engineering from Stuttgart with 180k on the clock.

I live in Bristol and went along to one of your club nights at the Compass Inn in June (thanks Tony and Harriet for welcoming me). Our Renault Laguna has since died (clutch went) and is uneconomical to repair, so we are now getting about in my fiancee's sister's Saxo!

So the plan was to buy a "practical" estate car (eg. A4, 3 Series, maybe another Laguna), to get us transport before I start worrying about the Porsche purchase. However, we are so picky, that it may be easier to get the Porker first.

So we are now thinking of buying one of the following!: a Porsche, 3 Series, A4. We would consider another Merc but modern Mercs seem to have lost it a bit in terms of build and presence, so not that keen on an early 2000's C/E class Estate.

On the Porsche, I've always wanted a 911 since I was a teenager and maybe the time is right now so I feel a 996 would be relatively practical, useable, and can live with it on the street as I don't have off street parking. I'm a bit concerned that 3.2s and 964s are the same sort of money (£10-£15k) and 10+ years older than the first 996's - so I'm a bit concerned that they may suffer from rust in the weather - despite the galvanised bodies. Also just the extra ease of driving of the 996 is an attraction (as an every day and holiday prospect), although if I had a garage and space for lots of cars I'd go for a 3.2 I think since they are my iconic car with that air-cooled engine.

I hope you don't mind me rambling, but thought that gives a good flavour of who I am! I have also posted a very similar looking post on the TIPEC site - in case this is the 2nd time you have seen this...
All the best![]

 

[millisland]

Hello Hedley

It would be very sensible for you to join the club as there is a wealth of information and help for members wishing to buy a Porsche.

If you would like to receive an application form, may I suggest you email membership@porscheclubgb.com for a pack or go to the Club's website and join on line at www.porscheclubgb.com.

We look forward hopefully to seeing you again at our meetings.

Harriet

 

[Gary C]

996's should be a good choice. Often have a small oil leak from the crank rear seal.

Relativley cheap, older 993's can often be more expensive for the same spec (though the 993's are the last of the 'real deal' air cooled 911's)

SC's, 3.2's and to a lesser extent (I suppose) 964's, rust seems to be the worry. After 20 years, the tin worm can eat away at even the toughest of cars and its hard to tell.

Steering can be quite heavy on 3.2's (and SC's ?) at least more modern cars have PAS. I find going from my daily driver with over servo'ed PAS to the 3.2 quite distracting at first as it weights up quite considerably in slow corners.

A Boxter is worth a look ?, lots of choice means prices are reasonable (quite tempted to add one along side the 3.2)

 

[Hedders]

Thanks Gary C for the advice. I did have a test drive a while ago in a 3.2 and you're right the steering was much heavier than I'm used to at slow speeds, but I guess that is part of the charm with those models.

My biggest worry is the tin worm, as you say for the older ones - particularly as it will be kept outside (on the street). I thought a 964 may be a good compromise - being a bit newer for the bodywork, with PAS too and a bit more comfort, but still with the air-cooled engine, and without the price premium of the 993!

In terms of servicing costs and complexities, I guess the newer, the more complex, and expensive - would this be fair to say? How is the 964 in this respect?

Just seen a 996 for sale 2 streets away from me in Bristol (stroke of luck) so I'm going to have a look at it on Sunday.

I appreciate that Boxters are excellent cars and cheaper than a 911, but not sure if I want a drop-top.

All the best

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: Hedders
I thought a 964 may be a good compromise - being a bit newer for the bodywork, with PAS too and a bit more comfort, but still with the air-cooled engine, and without the price premium of the 993!

964's seem a good compromise, their is a 1989 946 near me and it looks great, despite being parked outside all the time.

993's suffer from rust around the windscreen. I think this was the first with a bonded screen ?, and I wonder if this was the cause.

 

[Hedders]

Hi everyone, going to have a look at our emergency wheels - Skoda Fabia Estate (2002) - tomorrow morning. It looks nice, although a few minor bits may need looking at - but it's OK for hopefully less than £2k. []

Anyway, I drove a 996 last night - Carrera 2 Tiptronic 2000 (92k). A local chap is trying to sell it so I thought it would be rude not to have a look. He offered me a drive, so I took it up, and it felt very good, very planted. It seemed to have some sort of knocking from the front end (it sounded like a jingling noise as if there was some loose change in the glove box ). He said it was the ball joints, so sounds significant. []

The bodywork was very nice, with nice alloys and interior all up together. New discs and pads all round - he hardly ever drives it - has had it since Nov 07. Advertised for £15,750 (private).

I'm not going to rush in to anything but it was good for comparison purposes.[8|]