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Searching for a C2 coupe...

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I'm beginning to acknowledge it's all about the history with mileage being less relevant given that bits are still going to be worn and need refreshing at 65/70k as 90/100k etc.

I think a PPI for me is now a must whether private or trade. Primarily for my own peace of mind, but as mentioned it forms the basis or at least gives me a view of future maintenance/expenditure requirements.

Cheers for the tip on local specialists, I found the thread. Interesting reading, those chaps are pretty close to me, driven past their place many times. Not stopped but always have a quick glance through the window. Think I'll keep driving...
 
Be prepared for £1500-2000 repairs renewals per year

And dont cry if engine blows and needs 10k.


Having said all that. Just buy one!!
 
I'd nail down what specification you want first - for e.g. "manual 3.4, hard-back seats, three spoke wheel, LSD and cable throttle".

Then once you've found a car get a very thorough PPI done for it.

There is, essentially, no bad car out there (as long as it's not two cars welded together) if you get it for the right price.

i.e. you find the correct spec but it needs £10,000 of work - as long as you buy the car for ~£10k then that's fine.

The problem is when you but a car that needs £10k of work for £18k.

Of course the other challenge is finding out what spec you actually want - and for that I'd surf through the various ownership threads on here and ask for a drive in the cars that appeal to you most/match the spec that you like.

One final thing - I had a very specific list (cable throttle, amber indicator, manual, LSD, hard backed seats, three spoke wheel, coupe) yet went to see a cab because it matched everything else (bar having a fixed roof) and it was a ten minute walk from the office. I'd written of a cab as it's motoring journo dogma that no real man would drive one. I found I didn't care - it was tremendous fun to get the roof down, added hugely to the sense of occasion and I could tell no difference to the coupe i'd driven the day before. I bought the car (after a very detailed PPI).

So! Don't be afraid of cars that need work, or of cars that don't entirely fit your list - but do make sure to pay the right price for the car that you buy.
 
I wouldn't even go that specific with wants. Just the big stuff that is difficult to change like .1 or .2, manual or tip, colour and get the service history / receipts that you want.

I bought hard back sports seats and a 3 spoke wheel for mine. Piece of cake to fit.
 
True, and I've been 'optioning" mine with stuff like the OBC etc, but would have been (much) cheaper to have got the options I wanted.

What the odds are on finding the right options pack of course is very hard to say.
 
My thoughts for what it's worth...I'd wanted a 911 forever, and bought a 996.1 3.4 C4 a little over 3 years ago. I went into it on the basis that, As a second car, I had a certain budget and would be unlikely to upgrade in the future. I wanted it to be a keeper so I did my homework, joined here and read as much as possible and spoke to lots of indy's to get as much advice as I could. After almost a year, and a few test drives later I went for my car, arranged an independent inspection from another porsche specialist, and ended up buying it. I got it with 70k miles for just over £10k. It was in fairly good condition but the previous owner hadn't spent much in the way of maintaining it so I spent another £1200 on a full service and a few other bits that needed doing before I collected it.. As I've every intention on keeping it, I've been able to take my time getting bits done as and when I've been able to. I'm no mechanic but I've been able to do a surprising amount of little bits myself and those I haven't been able to do, I've used my local garage or indy's. Everyone's different of course, but I found it more enjoyable and satisfying doing it this way rather than spending probably £5k more than I could've at the time on an A1 example. Main advice is getting an inspection and working your way through the to do list. Oh and drive it as often as possible! Last things are a Top gear exhaust and manifolds I've had in the garage for a few months to go on followed by an alloy refurb...can't wait! You'll love owning one, and even now I can't help looking back at it as I walk away from it! Good luck 8)
 
So as you can see, there are a range of views on mileage, private versus trade, how spec specific you can be and whether to bother with a PPI. My advice is to go and view as many cars as you can, whether you're interested in them or not. I travelled miles to see cars that were not as described. Peoples expectations (and delusion) differ wildly. Some I could decline without even getting out of my car. But it's still worth going over them with a checklist anyway to get a feel for what's in front of you. Then when you find 'the one" you can be all the more confident.
For what it's worth imho:

Mileage: you can replace what you like, but usage wears cars. All cars are low mileage once so there's nothing wrong with low mileage per se!
Private versus trade: unless the trade has the car I want, I'd rather meet the owner, 'interview" them and not line somebody else's profits (plus vat). Warranties are not usually worth the paper they're written on, have claims limits and exclusions etc. Some specialists excepted.
Spec: do you want the fun of scouring for parts and fitting them? You've got live with it (go and see as many as you can, don't just but what everyone else says they want - considered a C4? Driven one? Go see and drive one...)
PPI: you can spend a lot on multiple PPIs without finding the right car. Get to know what to look for yourself and then make an informed decision.
 
My advice, for what it's worth, would to be open minded on certain things.
I was adamant that I wanted an early C2 aerokit with black sports interior, low miles, low owners, perfect history and lots of recent work done..... oh and red or black as well. Ideally for about £16k.
That particular car appears not to exist, so in the end I compromised and went without the aerokit and had to accept a metropole interior, which is actually really nice in the flesh.
A year or so later and I'm still a happy puppy.
It is plenty fast enough, handles really well and thus far hasn't gone bang.
Get a good one and you won't be disappointed.
 
Would agree with that, I think people spend to long thinking about spec or finding the exact car for them where the car is essentially the same underneath so find a good one and enjoy it. You will have to compromise on something.

I too started with a specific spec but would still be searching now (a year on) if Id stuck to that. However I compromised and have had a fun 5kmiles in the car so far.
 
It took me a while, but the search is over!

Only driven it the 200 miles home on a dark wet motorways, so lots to learn and explore. Looking forward to some time off over Christmas for a proper play.

It's a C2 manual, great history in rainforest green.

Thanks for all the advice and guidance on here, really useful. I foresee asking lots of daft questions over the coming days, weeks, months!
 

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Great choice, the 3.6 look much more modern.. ( this from a fried egg owner)
 
:congrats:

Welcome to 911uk and to 911 ownership. :thumb:
 

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