Am I mad - £45k on a 996 turbo?

RichiRich · 24 Jul 2018

If you're still interested in a 996 Turbo, maybe you should see if this one is worth a look: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1010829 (no affiliation)

Or a really low miles one in red: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C934368 (no affiliation)

Like others have said, you've got to have a lot of tarmac to really enjoy a 996T, just like the 964T. Fortunately, I'm living about 20 mins from the closest autobahn, so I have no issues there :thumbs:

Fastlane · 27 Jul 2018

Thanks again for all the replies. Having now driven a 996 turbo, I am now pretty sure that it's not what I'm looking for in my next car.

Apart from the A30 (which is very busy a lot of the time) Cornwall doesn't have the sort of roads that would make sense for a turbo - in that sense (IMHO) it is more of a GT car than a sports car.

As Dammit said, I would really love a 996.1 GT3, but I simply can't afford one.

So, what I am looking for is:

- Something that is fast accelerating
- Has an open top
- Feels lithe and wieldy
- Is an event to drive and look at
- Sounds great
- Is relatively cheap to run
- Won't depreciate too much if I do 3k miles/year

Now, this being a Porsche forum, the obvious suggestions is a Boxster S. Last year I spent a day with a PDK 718 Boxster S and whilst it was very fast and looked very nice, especially in orange, it didn't sound great. It is also well out of my budget

My budget would stretch to a 981 S, but I am not sure they will be quite enough of an event to drive and as they are pretty common, have some way to depreciate.

So, I have been looking outside of Porsche's range and have started looking at Exige V6s. They seem to fit in with my criteria above, although they are obviously more fragile than a Boxster, but in my eyes look lovely. They start at around £35k.

Anyone any of experience of them, or will I now be labelled a traitor and be ignored for ever more... :?:

msaif996 · 27 Jul 2018

My two cents if it would help. I had a 981 Boxster S 6MT which I ordered new. I now have a 997.1 Turbo Cab 6Mt. The Turbo has a sense of occasion and was a childhood dream realised. BUT Way too powerful for the road and one always worries about mileage if resale value is an issue. The Boxster handled better, was more modern being a newer generation and the power was right for the roads. Turbo will hold its' value better but the boxster is an easier and more enjoyable car day to day. Hope this helps. To add another dimension, I had access to a 996 C4S for a quite a while and it drove beautifully and the rear end is by far the best of any 911 in my opinion. For a 911, it was probably all you'll ever need.

Magic919 · 27 Jul 2018

Give the 981 Boxster S a try. I had one as a loaner and quite enjoyed it. Slightly down on torque after my 997 S, but fun. Buy a bright colour.

T8 · 27 Jul 2018

Fastlane said:
My budget would stretch to a 981 S, but I am not sure they will be quite enough of an event to drive and as they are pretty common, have some way to depreciate.

If you buy an early one with sensible miles I don't think depreciation would be much of an issue. The money you'd save on the purchase price will buy an awful lot of petrol and consumables over the next couple of years.

Dammit · 27 Jul 2018

How about a nice 986? Cheap enough that depreciation is not a concern, open top, nice chassis - and you could keep the 996.

jimmy p · 27 Jul 2018

987 Boxster Spyder, its an event and would be ideal for where you live, will feel much quicker than your 996 too.

plynchy · 27 Jul 2018

E46 M3 convertible.

Z4 M rag top, I know of a very nice example for sale.

Possibly the best n/a engine EVER IMO, surprisingly quick when used properly.

easternjets · 27 Jul 2018

jimmy p said:
987 Boxster Spyder, its an event and would be ideal for where you live, will feel much quicker than your 996 too.

Was never a Boxster fan until I drove an old one at a track day and it was a brilliant handling car, bit of a revelation TBH as I never really liked the look of them, the upgrade makes the car look far more purposeful and with the extra power and the fact you want a reliable cab I think you've answered your own question!
Think your right about the Turbo, for what your wanting I think they're more suited to long stretches of road than tight country roads. A turbo does pick up speed remarkably quickly, you can be doing 140 mph before you know it, so I've been told!

Shurv · 27 Jul 2018

How's about a TVR Griffith 500. Find a nice one and you'll be grinning from ear to ear every time you turn the key and hear it rumble. Perfect for the narrow roads of Cornwall. Go try one, i don't think you'll be disappointed. Oh.........keep the 996 as well. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

JM30 · 27 Jul 2018

Funny while reading the list of 'wants' from the next purchase i was thinking Lotus Exige and then went on to read the last bit and you mention one!

I have owned VX220 and x2 Lotus Exiges S2's one was N/A and the other Supercharged one, aware you are talking about the S3 V6 but it's blood is very much the same as the s2 Exige, i love the way they feel and look, its a much smaller cabin but it's an event to drive, feedback is amazing as you would expect more focused, not sure what Lotus specialists are near you but a few dotted about so something to think about for maintaining it and any issues, main dealers are not too common, my local closed down few years ago! lots of specialists that have main dealer facilities though, I have said to myself i will try the new V6 to tick the box, nice strong engine in these made by Toyota and all aluminium block so lighter than you would think for a big V6, i almost purchased an Evora last year but prefer the Exiges looks and feel,

Would you be looking for the Roadster version? the Coupe is still removable but for ease the roadster will suit you better for open top driving

Or wrap the 996 up and buy an nice S2 Exige for £25k do the Elise soft top modification and have best of both worlds!

8)

Fastlane · 28 Jul 2018

Thanks for the replies again chaps. The problem with being in Cornwall (apart from all the holidaymakers at this time of the year clogging up my favourite driving roads!) is that there are very few "nice" cars available that aren't at least 3 hours away, making test driving potential examples of any marque rather challenging!

In terms of your suggestions:

996C4S - I am not a fan of the 996.2 generally (IMS/borecope/front lights), and the C4S is no faster than mine.

Boxster Spyder - One would certainly be a "sensible" buy, probably more so than a 981 but I want something that can be used (occasionally) in the winter.

Boxster 986 - I have thought about buying one and keeping the 996, but I don't really want the cost of running two "second" cars.

Griff 500 - they are lovely, but a bit too old tech for me I'm afraid, and there are no TVR specialists near me.

Z4M/M3 - for me I don't think they are quite special enough or fast enough.

JM30 - I had a Vx220 and then a VX220 turbo that I used as my daily drivers for 2 years back in the mid noughties. I loved both of them, but they were not ideal for a 40 mile commute each day or when driving to Heathrow on a very cold January morning (so I bought a Clio V6 phase 2 instead, before I bought my 964 turbo). I have looked at VX220 turbos, and that then led me to looking at Lotus's. I like the S2 Elise/Exige, but I think the S3 looks fantastic and the performance has been likened to a GT3/GT4 which is exactly what I am looking for, but with the option of a convertible roof. I prefer the looks of the Coupe, but I think the roadster, as you say, would probably suit my usage more. Not surprisingly, the nearest Lotus dealer is 150 miles from me (although there is a specialist only 50 miles way who could look after it) and the nearest Exige S is also 150 miles from me. Needless to say I have never seen an Exige S in Cornwall, which is part of the appeal!

Anyway, today I leave for a 17 day holiday with the family in Cyprus, so will have time to think further on this while sitting around the pool looking at this view.

To be continued... :bye:

bakerboy4s · 28 Jul 2018

Re the turbo n/a , I've not driven a turbo but the previous owner of my car has asked if I will sell it back to him, he replaced it with a 991 turbo s, which he said was to large, to fast, to quiet and depreciating to fast :dont know: :dont know:

JM30 · 29 Jul 2018

Sounds like we have similar taste in cars! very nearly swapped my 182 Trophy for a Phase 2 V6 I still fancy one but the boat has sailed on them now, I agree with the daily and odd commute in the VX/Exige type of car was a mare most of the time, when I got the Vx220 it was my daily! I laugh when I think about it, and once did a xmas shop in the Exige s with R888 tyres, was good fun but deafening with full 2bular exhaust on every drive unless out alone one a sprint with no worries of hurting my partners ears!,

I did think that might be the case at your neck of the woods but a bonus you have a specialist nearby, I'm yet to try the S3 Exige s but i have read they are that bit more refined and being slightly larger and sound proofing has been improved, performance is also on another level with the massive power hike, a rare sight down here in Kent also not seen one i don't think? I attend the Lotus festival every year at Brands Hatch and Brooklands with a friend in his Lotus Esprit and i still get the itch to get another, like Porsche its a great Brand and has a great following as you know of course, I'm a member of SELOC forum and thelotusforums have a look and see if you can get some owners reviews and information regarding actual ownership, never know might find a Local to you for a drive out,

Enjoy your holiday, not envious at all at that view!

:thumb:

Am I mad - £45k on a 996 turbo?

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