A 911 for Fiesta money!
Drive a German supercar for price of a boring shopping trolley!
I recently wrote a lengthy, multiple article, piece on choosing a Porsche 911:-
After much deliberation I think I came to a conclusion of sorts! Namely, that I should save my money, wait a bit - then get a 991 Carrera 2S Coupe with a Manual box.
The thing is; beggars can't be choosers! Sure, if I walked into a Porsche Dealer (My local one is at Wilmslow) and started throwing carrier bags full of twenty pound notes at them - I could have a sparkling new Carrera 2S in Yellow, with Saddle-brown leather and a manual shift. Sadly I don't have the financial capacity to do this. So what if I wanted a 911, to the point where I had to have one NOW and would take anything? How much would I have to pay and what would I get?
I was talking to my good friend and Colleague Emma Voltaire the other day.
I think she owns an old Renault Clio. She recently told me; the 911 was one of her 'Dream Cars' but that she thought she'd NEVER afford one.
I Beg To Differ!
Seeing as nobody took my recent 'Classic Lamborghini for Dacia Duster Money' piece seriously (Most people on the poll claimed to be happy to use it as their DAILY DRIVE!):-
I thought it was time to do a serious, Poverty Petrolheads post about a vehicle which people genuinely COULD use as their daily drive!
Enter this, SWEET, Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Tiptronic.
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
Original advert:- www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
So What Is It?
This is a 1999 Porsche 911/996 Carrera 2S Tiptronic with 133,000 miles on the clock.
Yes, yes, I know... It's a 996 and we all agreed the 996 was a bit of a turd as far as 911's go, but it's STILL a 911!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
I appreciate it's done the equivalent miles of circumnavigating the globe FIVE times, or driven halfway to the moon, but it's a Porsche! They're built like Tiger Tanks. The second engine is apparently only on 44,000 miles so that's barely run in for one of these babies!
This particular 'choice' example has some nice tasteful extras. Rear wiper? That's a £200+ option!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
Porsche logo embossed head rests? That doesn't come FREE! That's an option!
The Elephant in The Room
Yes, it has the Tiptronic gearbox. I don't have alzheimer's, I remember us agreeing in the Porsche transmission article, that you wanted this gear box about as much as you wanted to contract syphilis!
The thing is, no you wouldn't want an STD. (And I don't mean a diesel Ford ST model!) But maybe you'd accept having that STD if it meant sleeping with a sex god/goddess? No you wouldn't want to move into a flat above a kebab shop in the dodgiest part of Stoke-on-Trent, but if it had 7 bedrooms, 4 reception rooms, 5 bathrooms, a games room and underground parking for 6 cars - you might consider it!
Yes, getting the Tiptronic will make you feel a bit miserable because it's by far the WORST Porsche gearbox, but it's still a Porsche gearbox! Some people say the Ferrari 348 is the worst Ferrari, it's STILL a Ferrari! (I'd have one... Maybe... Well, maybe not - but it's still a Ferrari!)
Maintenance
I accept keeping an ancient 911, that's been halfway to the moon, in good running order might not be cheap. But this one has been well maintained!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
It's well documented!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
Think of it as a Porsche 911 that's 'well run-in'. Any niggles or quirks must have been worked out by now. Surely reliability CANNOT be in question, as it's proven it can do 133,000 miles on only two engines! By my reckoning, that means you should get another 45,000 miles out of this dream before your engine drops out!
You even get a sunroof with this example!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
The magic of owning a rear-engined Porsche IS within your grasp!
Image Source:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806037136158
This component ^ may need replacing soon! It may be expensive. If you buy this Porsche, put some money aside.
So, How Much?
Well this Stuttgart dream is a steal at £14,000 pounds. It could even be an appreciating classic! Possibly... It's certainly a lot cheaper than the £82,000 you'd have to pay for a NEW Porsche 911!
So are you interested?
Personally, I think I'll give this one a miss. I'm going to save and hold out for something better. And not just because I wanted a yellow one!
Martyn Stanley
#Porsche #911 #Porsche911 #PovertyPetrolheads #Story #Humour
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Comments (38)
Should I save and exchange my Mini for one of these? www.webmotors.com.br/comprar/porsche/cayman/2-7-i6-24v-gasolina-2p-manual/2-portas/2008/23234814?idcmpint=t1:c17:m07:webmotors:clique_card_resultado_busca::anuncio-normal-pos-2&utm_medium=calhau&utm_campaign=clique_card_resultado_busca&utm_content=anuncio-normal-pos-2
That is NICE! How much is that English pounds?
27K. :(
I'm afraid, Martyn, I'm not going to take much more of your 996-rubbishing. It was the start of a new design. And a beautiful one too.
Don't shoot the messenger! My learned friend, 'The Internet' seems convinced broadly speaking that the 997 is better. Of course he can be wrong, he's been wrong about many things. I actually think the 996 vs 997 debate is a bit moot now...
Read moreYou definitely need a 911, though. Face it, it's a childhood dream.
Seriously? The 996 is a “bit of a turd”? Why? Because it inherited headlamps from the race dominating GT1 (that no one ever calls ugly) or because of IMS failures that were largely caused by idiots who think 5k-7k mile oil change intervals is normal for race track derived engines like the M96? When will the disrespect stop? It’s bizzare how much bashing is done when it comes to 996s but no one ever complains while piloting one. That said, I’d pass on a tiptronic as well. After all, it’s a 911 and having one with an auto trans is like marrying a bikini model but living at separate addresses.
Haha! I like the analogy for the Tiptronic! I'm only going on what the internet says. I've done a lot of reading and a LOT of people don't like the 996. Some blame the lights, some blame the fact that it was the first mass-produced car. Some cite...
Read moreIt surely is a tempting decision, owning a Porsche is a bit of a dream. However, I’m not sure I could trust it enough to make that choice, and you know it would take some time to sell it afterwards.
I dontknow how they sell on a 3rd engine
ex colleague of mine had a 996, I love 911's but that model just leaves me cold.
I feel similar! Never driven one though so...