997 Buying Advice

MattyR · 5 Sep 2018

Hi chaps, having sold my 993 earlier on in the year, I am looking to purchase a 997 in the New Year. Budget is about 35k. I'll go with either a standard Carrera or an S model depending on what is available versus condition at the time.

Having owned a less refined model of 911 before (that will ruffle some feathers); I'm hoping the 997 is a slightly more useable beast (it was always an event but decidedly a hands-on affair which did make it less useable for more trivial errands). I'm hoping a 997 is a bit more of an all rounder?

What would be the big items to bear in mind when perusing? Obvs many owners are going to be extolling the virtues of a full Hartech rebuild. I'd be looking for a borescope and IMS upgrade on a pre 2009 car (I realise my budget may not stretch to a gen 2)? The Hartech rebuild I am less bothered about or should I insist on this with a gen 1 car?..

Assuming a sound car initially, whats the annual expenditure with these cars? 3/4K depending on jobs required?

Feel free to persuade or dissuade me from my course!

Alex · 5 Sep 2018

I wouldn't risk a gen 1 without a full 6 pack Hartech rebuild. Even if it is fine you still have an increased risk when coming to sell.

Alex · 5 Sep 2018

Now you've got me looking

c:

c:

Ooooow!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809030113575?atmobcid=soc3

Robert SausageTrousers · 5 Sep 2018

I just bought one with a full rebuild (6 new liners etc) done at JAZ Porsche, perhaps I should sell it imminently as the rebuild wasn't done at Hartech?

Counter Of Beans · 5 Sep 2018

OP, with a budget of £35k you can definitely afford a gen 2. A quick look at Autotrader shows plenty for sale within your budget and with sensible mileage.

And that's just the asking prices; the market is slow at present, and you'll find sellers that are open to offers.

So you can avoid the whole bore scoring debate / Hartech / IMS and all that mularkey. Have fun looking!

MattyR · 5 Sep 2018

Counter Of Beans said:
OP, with a budget of £35k you can definitely afford a gen 2. A quick look at Autotrader shows plenty for sale within your budget and with sensible mileage.

And that's just the asking prices; the market is slow at present, and you'll find sellers that are open to offers.

So you can avoid the whole bore scoring debate / Hartech / IMS and all that mularkey. Have fun looking!

Cheers Beans. I'd love a gen 2 and that's encouraging to know. At present I've just been looking at OPC and specialists such as RSJ (I like their set-up a lot). As you say, if I cast the net wider to include private sellers I could come up trumps :thumb:

drmark · 5 Sep 2018

I am biased but there is something about the Gen 1 that I prefer - hard to put my finger on it but perhaps it is that it feels rawer. Had the option to change for a 997.2 but stuck and decided to spend the money on improving ours (see suspension thread below). 55k miles so far and engine sweet as nut but this is a keeper so will send off to Hartech if the day ever arrives.

Benjs · 5 Sep 2018

Depends what you are after but i have decided to sell my 997 gen2 c2 pdk

Spec is
Aqua Blue
2010
57k miles
Sports Chrono
PASM
Bose
Multifunction steering wheel
PDK
Electric memory seats
FSH (some OPC some indie)
Yellow painted calipers
£35k

I'm based in Worcester

Most recent photo

HSC911 · 5 Sep 2018

What a colour...I think I need yellow calipers now too :sad:

:thumb:

Phil 997 · 5 Sep 2018

Matt, the dilemma you have having come from an air cooled is exactilly what Beans has said v what drmark says . the gen1 is without doubt a rawer more less refined car than the gen2 some will see this as a positive and some a negative and only you know which you fall into. the gen1 retains some of the rawness of the 996 making it a fun car to drive . The more refined gen2 feels more modern in many ways despite looking similar the DFI engine is a much smoother motor but which having a more modern feel to it and losing some of the driver focused feel it is still without doubt a 911 sports car . your 35k budget puts you in the position of being able to afford
1, a hartech rebuilt gen1,
2, a nice condition high spec, high mileage gen1 that can be sent to hartech to be built how you want consider the 3.9 hartech upgrade :grin:
3, a ave mileage 3.6 gen2
4, a higher than ave but still fair mileage or ave mileage but low/mid spec 3.8 gen2

If you want a widebody awd car then its unlikely you can go option 4 as these tend to be high 30k to mid 40k mileage and spec dependant. but the other 3 options could be achieved within budget but you may have more leg work to do . genrally the view is the widebody cars attractive but not as much of a drivers car as the RWD narrow body car. but makes a good all year car especially if you live north of Watford :thumb: I really would suggest you spend from now until the new year beg stealling and borrowing chances to drive the gen1 and gen2 wide and narrow body decide which is right for you also decide manual , tip ,PDK and then you will have a less stressful more focussed search criteria when the time comes, otherwise you will put 997 into your search and be overwhelmed by the huge number available in all guises :thumb: :thumb:

Phil 997 · 5 Sep 2018

Benjs said:
Depends what you are after but i have decided to sell my 997 gen2 c2 pdk

Spec is
Aqua Blue
2010
57k miles
Sports Chrono
PASM
Bose
Multifunction steering wheel
PDK
Electric memory seats
FSH (some OPC some indie)
Yellow painted calipers
£35k

I'm based in Worcester

Most recent photo

I have seen Ben's car up close and it is lovely, aqua is a great colour but then I may be biased :grin: :grin: :thumb:

MattyR · 5 Sep 2018

Many thanks with replies thus far. Phil that's a lovely response, thank you.

Ben your car looks fabulous. If I was looking to make the purchase this side of Christmas I'd be popping over to take a gander, but no doubt it will be gone before I get serious. It looks spot on :thumb: gen 2 as well.

Going by my experience with the 993 forum; members cars are more often than not very nicely sorted and no doubt the same with 997 owners here. My preference when purchasing may well be a private sale from someone from this forum (I am a fan of the traditional driveway cup of tea sale method :grin

So, gen 2 looks the way I think I'll go. Wide body would be my preference. Since my old 993 was NB I'd like a change.

Keep 'em coming gents as all opinions are greatly received.

T8 · 5 Sep 2018

MattyR said:
........ Wide body would be my preference. Since my old 993 was NB I'd like a change.

Compared to a 993 any 997 will look WB. :grin:

Looking forward to welcoming you to the dark side. :thumb:

MattyR · 5 Sep 2018

T8 said:
MattyR said:

........ Wide body would be my preference. Since my old 993 was NB I'd like a change.

Click to expand...

Compared to a 993 any 997 will look WB. :grin:

Looking forward to welcoming you to the dark side. :thumb:

Haha too true. The 993 is a tiny car, agreed.

For me the 997 aesthetic is like a modern version of a 993. Because of this I've been a fan for a long time (with my eye always half eying-up the kettles :grin

Monkeynutz · 5 Sep 2018

I think a lot of what has been said already covers what my 2p worth would be.

I think your timing will be to your favour though. In the last few weeks I have noticed the market on 997.2 softening somewhat with sub £40k C4S found on reputable dealer websites. Ultra low mileage and super spec'd cars seem to be holding firm but I wonder how many of these £50k+ cars are actually selling.

Mine is 8 years old & 38k miles now so my last visit to the indie wasn't cheap with a major service, front disks, heat shields, door card seals, front diff seals, sump gasket and front coolant cross over pipes. I would imagine a lot of cars this sort of age will start to get a few bits that need doing, nothing major in isolation but it soon adds up. I think for that reason a well cared for Gen 1 with a rebuild might prove to be excellent value.

Excluding annual oil changes and another service I wouldn't be surprised if I need to replace items such as coffin arms, suspension, air con pipes & engine mounts in the next couple of years but of course I will not be disappointed if I don't have to

As Phil said, try PDK, manual and tip cars while you are waiting and looking that will help to refine the search somewhat, there's a heck of a lot of choice out there. Enjoy!

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