Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi there, my name is Hedley and I don't have a Porsche yet! Sorry for the fairly uninspiring login name...

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 Fox in June (thanks Paul Harrison 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!
All the best!

Welcome to the forum.

I think you are wise to ask first and buy later, I receive several enquiries every week from people who bought first then asked later. Going to the Fox with the Bristol crew is a good way to get a feel for the cars and to understand the quirks and characteristics of the models and learn what good looks like.

There is no reason why a 911,964 or 996 would not serve you well as a daily driver. 996's are great value but are not as engaging to drive by comparison to the other earlier models. What you lose on the roundabouts you gain on the swings and the 996 is a real leap forward in terms of comfort.

All 3 will stand being outside as long as they are regularly washed and well polished. Siggy's 3.2 which is up for sale at the moment lives outside and is in fabulous condition.

Good luck with the search and we are here if you need any help.

Thanks Sean for the welcome, and your comments seem to be consistent with a lot of stuff I have read. Being a daily driver, or if not, at least at weekends with my other half, I think she would prefer the "comfort" option of the 996, whereas I do like those 3.2s. Particularly if they dont mind being outside - maybe a car cover or something would work - but I sometimes think they do more harm than good due to condensation being trapped inside the cover causing even more trouble . Maybe I'll contact Siggy (it looks like a nice car)...

Hi and welcome Absolutely the right thing to do by joining club first and get a feel for the cars at a club meet. Don't forget the 944/968/928 models are very practical. I've just picked up 2 32" tv's and a stand in the back of my '44 for my work. More interesting then taking my van For £10k+ range you'll be looking at the very best models fully loaded and cherished.

Hi AerialAndy

I've had a soft spot for 944s and 968s too - I used to have posters of them in my bedroom when I was a teenager in the 90's (maybe I shouldn't admit to this in public?). I have read that they are pretty bullet proof and very well balanced too. Didn't realise you could get a 32" TV in the back though - they don't tell you that in 911&Porsche World!

You're not that far from me in Somerset - just down the A37 and along a bit!

Cheers
Hedley

Hi and welcome

I absolutely agree with the previous posts - join the club first, the you've much less chance of regretting later. So, so many people buy a Porsche, get it home THEN find out what's wrong, and the cost of correction with little/no budget.

Sean's right about Siggy's car too, and the fact that good washing regime, with plenty of wax keeps the car in pristine condition. Nice car, that.

Don't forget the practicalities of a front-engined Porsche either.

Whatever you get, good luck, keep us posted, and get some pics up as soon as.....

Enjoy the ride (eventually)

996's are still dropping in value, 3.2s values appear to be static.
My 3.2 is worth similar money to what I paid for it 3 years ago, I know 996 owners can not say that.

PS i KNOW WHERE THERE IS A VERY NICE 3.2 FOR SALE.

Hi Dave your 3.2 looks nice, and then I saw that I live in Bristol and you are in Harrogate!

However not a million miles away, and convenient that there is accomodation near by for any viewings over a weekend stay!

I do hear you re the depreciation - I do wonder though how much further 996's can go down in value (I know there are a lot more about) - surely they can't go that much below 3.2 values - as there is at least a 10 year age gap? Maybe they'll meet 3.2 money and hover there? Seems that you can get 3.2, 964 or early 996 for the same sort of money depending on condition of course - 993's seem more still.

Very wise to join the club first. Wish I'd done that. Go out with as many members as you can & experience the different cars. Then you can make an informed choice. Credit crunch means you can get a lot of Pork for your money these days!

I also know where there is a very good 3.2 101000 miles, that is for sale near here.

If you want to come and view these, if you buy one of them I will pay for your stay in Harrogate, as long as you stay at Alexa

If your interested I can send you photos of both cars, but not till Wednesday as we are off a little tripett

hello and welcome, i agree you've gone the right way by joining the club first, glean as much info as you can from the forum and the helpful folks from the bristol region, and you may find that a known car will crop up just when you're not expecting it, good luck in the search

If you want a practical classic then front engined models are right up there in practicality stakes and yes the handling is very good. You'll bottle out way before the car does My car's no garage queen, it gets used to do the weekly shop, school run even taken stuff to the tip (that made a few people turn around ). Parts are very easy to find and cost's are cheaper (except the 928, they're reliable but when they do go wrong it's normally in a big way). Go to a club meet and see if you can have a go in a few models. I'm a turbo man so biased towards them but the smile you'll get even doing monotonous trips is priceless.

Just a thought, come on down to the Southern BBQ/Funday next Sunday to see some Pork on show viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4651

Have fun choosing

Andy

Hi Hedley,

Wise move to join the club first

I was in TIPEC for 10 months before I found my ideal car

During that time the information gleaned and the help given by local TIPEC members was invaluable

Final tip, have an independent inspection done of the final choice before purchase.

I would not expect a TIPEC member to try and fob off a dog of a car, but we aren't all wizards in our knowledge although many are. As for others, no comment

I thought I knew what to look out for on my chosen model and found the faults, but the independent specialist garage found even more and that covered the cost of the inspection in the bargaining price

Hi everyone who has been kind enough to reply and welcome me to TIPEC! Many thanks

I think it would be quite easy to jump in and buy the first one I see (if looks reasonable), so I have taken onboard your comments and think that a considered and unrushed search is the way forward

I may end up with front engined car instead, based on the positivity here they look like jolly good value (maybe not the 928)

On a different note I think we've found wheels for us for the immediate future (we have to give back the Saxo this evening ) - a Fabia estate down one of my local garages looks promising. Nothing to be embarassed about. Maybe I'll cycle there on Tuesday and buy it, then bring it back with my bike in the back!

Hi & Welcome, sounds like you've met some of the others!
Yes I'd recommend a front engined car as well. Lots of info here if you need it.