What Porsche for sub 30k?

[rad1cal]

I think that the 996 Turbo is good value just now.

The X50 has all the real world road performance needed for 99% of the time and the engine does not have many of the problems inherent in the wet (ish) sump normally aspirated models.

I had the 996TT v 997s debate with myself .......and then bought an M5*

However there are some who maintain that it's not a real Porsche if it's got water going round the engine

......but I couldn't possibly comment


.
.

*big, expensive mistake

[woody]

To be fair Dave, I think this is more up your street:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3968775.htm

[campbell]

In that colour, that Cayenne is a flippin' rip off !

[smitstui]

I think that the 996 Turbo is good value just now.

I had the 996TT v 997s debate with myself .......and then bought an M5*



*big, expensive mistake

What was wrong / went wrong with the M5?

[rossybee]

I think that the 996 Turbo is good value just now.

I had the 996TT v 997s debate with myself .......and then bought an M5*



*big, expensive mistake

What was wrong / went wrong with the M5?

Interest to hear also, and was it a V8 or V10?

[rad1cal]

The M5 was a v10.

Nothing went seriously wrong with it ( though I had my doubts about the clutch and rear diff) but that may be because only kept it for about 3 months. I just didn't like it.

I have to agree with J Clarkson's summary below (in 2 parts). In town the gearbox is jerky no matter which of the 11 modes you use, the "auto" mode just isn't , and in 400bhp mode the performance is unspecial

However push the "M"button and the thing was a different car, the performance is stunning and the v10 sounds great.

Downside was that it was returning 11/12 mpg and it was really only any fun if you drove it like it was stolen (in which case bye bye licence).

The BMW all-singing/all-dancing warranty was £100 pcm and I could never get a straight answer as to whether the clutch was covered or not.

So like smitstui above, I spent most of my time in it worrying about things that were going to cost loads to fix.

I'm not saying they're not great cars (in full ///M mode) - just not for me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRwR1WH0rR8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0ky9PinI8

[Jeremy]

It just didn't give the kind of feedback an elise or exige would. It felt wallowy and soft. I just didn't feel in control like i did when driving a lotus fast.

Sounds like new coffin arms required or maybe even just a plain simple geo.

I've owned a lot of Porsche variants (944, 968, 964, 996, a few Boxster and a Cayman) over the years and a few Lotus (Elan, Elise S2 and S1) variants and in general a Porsche is a far more planted road car. If it felt wallowy and soft then something was definitely amiss with that particular vehicle.

The whole IMS/RMS thing is blown way out of proportion by the power of the internet. Yes, it happens on a tiny minority of cars and every time it does it gets well reported but then you could dig up dirt like this on any vehicle. Don't let it put you off buying one.

As per the previous comments on the Boxster, I can't think of another used car on sale which offers better value, £ for £. Sensational car which seems to be sneered at by the general 'enthusiast' but loved by those who have owned one. At least 50% cheaper than a same age 911 and in many respects a better car IMO if you don't need the back seats. If you do, buy a £5k Mondeo to go along with it and you're still quids in

Regards,

Jeremy.

[tut]

I have never driven one, but with fully loaded 07 3.4S going for £18K, if I was in the market for a two seater sports all rounder, it would probably be at the top of my list.

tut

[C7Steve]

This one Tut?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3896601.htm

Steve.

[C7Steve]

What about stretching the budget for this 996 GT3?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3189155.

I like this one myself

Steve.

[smitstui]

It just didn't give the kind of feedback an elise or exige would. It felt wallowy and soft. I just didn't feel in control like i did when driving a lotus fast.

Sounds like new coffin arms required or maybe even just a plain simple geo.

I've owned a lot of Porsche variants (944, 968, 964, 996, a few Boxster and a Cayman) over the years and a few Lotus (Elan, Elise S2 and S1) variants and in general a Porsche is a far more planted road car. If it felt wallowy and soft then something was definitely amiss with that particular vehicle.

I did wonder if something was wrong but porsche didn't find anything. I figured if they can't find something then either there is nothing wrong or it's going to cost a lot finding out as they will just start changing parts.

Maybe I should test drive another one out of curiosity to see how it compares. I definitely want to try a Cayman at some point too.

[campbell]

What about stretching the budget for this 996 GT3?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3189155.

I like this one myself

Steve.

Fixed the link for you Steve!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3189155.htm

Nice find. GT3 is probably closest to what I'd call a dream car. Although mine may have to be yellow or red for authentic midlifecrisisspec.

[C7Steve]

Thanks Campbell.

What happened to my link? I clicked on it after it was posted to check that it worked.

[C7Steve]

Gotta be a Boxster Spyder if you can get one for under £30k?

Sorry for being pedantic but depends which one you are talking about:

The RS60 Spyder can be had for under £30k http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3908210.htm but the newer version with the Elise type roof is closer to £40k http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3919485.htm.

George

What's the difference with the roof on each car?

[rossybee]

One has a standard boxster roof, the other has an Elise-type roof.

The latter is more popular. Go figure