Budget 10/12k for 911

[zerolag]

i have a friend who spends most of his days sat on the motorways in the works diesel... he is entitled to an allowance for a better car but feels simply running a nicer diesel into the ground and getting nothing for it in 3 years is daft... he's done this before and it's a good way to blow 10k into thin air.

So he wants something a bit special for the garage, he has around 10-12k and wants a 911.

Now, although you can buy 911's for this price, are they going to be money pits with big bills looming, or can you realistically get a perfectly fine but slightly up in miles (probably around 80k) example for this sort of money?

Any experience, thoughts, input would be great, and if anyone knows which model is best for this money and perhaps what to watch out for it would be a great help :)

[tony_danza]

An £11k 996 Carrera manual. Then £1k on the best warranty you can find.

Go too someone like Portiacraft, 911 Virgin, or another specialist dealer. There's an awful lot of lemons with grenades for engines.

[zerolag]

Thanks that's sound advice, he was looking at this

[tony_danza]

The main thing is getting the engine checked out, they leak oil and ruin their bores. This is definitely a car you want a specialist to inspect, rather than go off a buyers guide you found on the 'net.

[MAT ED30]

also check its had the rear main oil seal (rms) done and if not check for oil weeping from that area but as Mike says warranty and a specialist to give it the once over.They do drive fantastic and are just a special place to be in.

[rich83]

As tempting as a 11k 911 sounds...... its not buying the elephant....  

[Hedge]

I get the idea of a 10k 911 but surely something like an Elise is probably more prudent. 

[Poverty]

I wouldn't do it, apparently the non turbo or GT3 engines aren't the strongest. 10k can buy alot of car, just with a different badge on the front.

[MAT ED30]

I get the idea of a 10k 911 but surely something like an Elise is probably more prudent. 

A lotus is a lotus and a Porsche is nothing like one its a more rounded car in terms of everyday driving

[Hedge]

Absolutely I agree the Porsche is way more special than a Lotus.

[Baz300]

Have you seen the top gear £10k supercar challenge?

[sub39h]

^^^ that was Italian supercars tho and even good Italian cars are going to break

Didn't Mike Brewer manage a 70s Targa for that sort of money? Tbh I'd rather get another few k together and get a clean 964. They'll only ever go up in value so may be cheaper in the long run

[tony_danza]

Look in the classifieds, there's a stack of 996s with well over 100,000 miles - you just hear about the bad ones. Get it inspected, cover your arse and enjoy.

Depends what he wants it for, a 993 is unattainable, a 964 will be a massive problem child at £10k and a classic is a Sunday car. The 996/997s were the first generation of daily drivers in all weather. My Dad's '72 911T is frankly frightening in anything but glorious sun.

Personally spending that money, I'd buy a Boxster. '06/'07 987 3.2S - great cars and great value.

[RENNTAG]

An £11k 996 Carrera manual. Then £1k on the best warranty you can find.

Go too someone like Portiacraft, 911 Virgin, or another specialist dealer. There's an awful lot of lemons with grenades for engines.

^^^^^
Can definately get a good 996 for that sort of money. But would only buy from one of the known used porsche specialists as there also some dogs out there.

[zerolag]

Hey chaps, this is all really great info, cheers.

I think it's going to have to be a 996 3.4 as they seem to have lost most of their depreciation and are within reasonable limits of 10-12k.  Better than getting a higher performance model with tonnes of miles and probably lots of wallet busting to come.

As good as the S version cockster boxster / lotus are, it really doesn't have the same kudos as a 911 imho.

Thanks for the supplying the specialist names, the 911 virgin site has a couple of 996's which look quite tidy.
The only thing that lets some of the entry level ones down (visually at least) is the lack of a bodykit; which I'm sure could be remedied at some point :)

Sure these things aren't the last word in 911 performance, but I think most would agree they are more than adequate at around 5secs to 60 and 175mph top end.

Overall, there is lots to consider and read up on - as well as going to test drive a few before making the plunge. Cheers