acid_rider Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 greetings everyone. My first post here. I live in Melbourne and thinking of buying my first Porsche 911. All I can afford is an old (about 10 years old?) Porsche 911 "base model". I am sure this question has been asked before so I am really looking for tips and pointers so that things don't need to be repeated. I am after a non-turbo, rear-wheel-drive, hardtop coupe, ideally automatic, built about 2004-2005, guessing the model number '997' (please correct me). I don't want turbo, 4WD, convertible or Targa. Hopefully 2004 Porsche 911 will have power steering, air-con, etc. Please let me know if I am wrong. In addition - where in Melbourne should I trust to buy such a car? I have never bought a used-car, been driving brand new Mercedes/BMW small sedans (C-class, 3-series) for last 25 years so I don't even know how to buy a used car! Many thanks in advance for any tips, pointers, reviews, etc. What can most likely go wrong with a 10yo 911 and worst case how much will it cost to fix? I am thinking engine, clutch, automatic transmission, electrical, etc. Also - what would annual running cost be on such a car? THANKS in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Welcome Acid! Well judging by the 2004 - 2005 you indeed want to buy a 997 by the sounds of it. They are really coming down to be more affordable now and are a cracking nice car. I own the 997 cousin, a 2005 987 Boxster - so it shares similar features like some body panels etc. The best way to go about buying any used car is to look some up on sites like Carsales, and go look at some. I always start with a Dealer as I figure they have a store front and if you are going to waste anyones time - it might as well be someone that sells cars for a living! Drive a few different cars and see how you feel about them. Will also give you the chance to see how the interiors wear etc. Once you know that is what you want, extend your viewing to private cars too and look till you find the on you want. Once you've found a car you think you want to buy, book it in for a Pre Purchase Inspection with a trusted Porsche Mechanic. This can be one of any of the independants out there, and you might pick one that is close to where the seller is, just for convenience. But that will depend on the seller. Once the PPI is done, if you are happy with the car, you can make an offer factoring in any things that might need doing. On a car of this age tho, if its been cared for I'd think you'd only be looking at wear and tear items tyres, break pads etc make an offer based on this. I bought mine interstate and site unseen. I trusted the seller as he was a decent bloke and had Porsche Paramatta do the PPI for me. From there I put down a deposit. Flew up with a Bankers Cheque and drove it home to Melbourne! I'll let someone else come in and talk about maintenance, as my car is different no point leading you up the garden path I will say tho, these cars are Porsches.. nothing is cheap. Also, any car you look at - see if you can find receipts for work done, they really do show you what these cars cost to maintain. There is nothing like a Porsche tho they just 'get into your blood' OH and yes - a 997 will have all the mod cons you are used to A/C Climate Control, Power Steering, Cruise Control etc etc depending on the car, it may have other options too - this is luck of the draw really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 I'd start here: http://chrisstewart.hubpages.com/hub/Purchasing-a-997-Porsche and then Google those individual items/issues to get more information as you need. As you get closer to the car you want, then get an independent PPI to help you separate the wheat from the chaff. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acid_rider Posted 9March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 thanks everyone! lots of homework, it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 This is the fun bit Acid, searching for the car and then finding one. Actually so is buying one! The whole process is fun. Take your time and as Amanda said drive some cars and search through the forums to learn more. You will get to know what to look forward in that particular model. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveT Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Definitely take your time with a brand you don't as yet know much about. There are heaps of options with late model Porsches, like you are talking about looking for. And drive manual and tiptronic (auto). The manuals are a hoot! Good luck with the search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Here you go....2005 997 Carrera, Tiptronic, Non-S, Low kms. http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2005/SSE-AD-544498/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 That in your budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Or and S for a little less... http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2005/SSE-AD-2395285/?Cr=20&sdmvc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Or maybe a slightly older 996 with really nice low kms.... http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2003/SSE-AD-700411/?Cr=17&sdmvc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Bargain.... http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2000/SSE-AD-2640384/?Cr=25&sdmvc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acid_rider Posted 9March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 thanks! My budget is about $80K "drive away" so I was thinking of 2004-2005 model 997 (Gen 1, 997.1). But now I am reading about the IMS bearing failures blowing up the engines of 997.1 and wonder if I should forget about it. Is there a permanent fix for the 997 IMS bearing problems? As I read the replacement IMS bearing only reduces the chances of engine failure, it does not eliminate them. How much does it cost to replace the IMS on 997.1 and how often does it need to be done? thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 Early 997 has the servicable IMS solution, the 2006 onwards ones have the larger version that is less prone to failure. With your budget I'd get an S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJames Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 A brief guide to the nomenclature...and stuff:Carrera - Used to be reserved for Porsche's more special models, but is now interchangeable with "911" and ironically, the base model 911.Carrera S - The more powerful version of the Carrera. In a 997 (which ran from 2005 - 2012), the Carrera has a 3.6 litre engine and the Carrera S had a 3.8Carrera and Carrera S are both rear wheel drive, Carrera4 and Carrera 4S are four wheel drive.Turbos are also 4WDThree body styles were offered - Coupe, Convertible and Targa. For 993, 996 and 997 series of 911 the Targa models had what other manufacturers would call a panoramic glass roof.GT3 variants are more track-focused and available only with a manual transmission.GT2's are essentially turbocharged GT3's, and are also rear wheel drive.The Turbo, GT3 and GT2 models all use what is known as the Mezger engine, which is a water cooled version of Porsche's air cooled engine, and thus traces its roots to Porsches endurance racing successes in the 1960's. The Carrera models use what is known as the M97 engine up to 2008. From 2009, the engine types are known as the MA101 (3.8 litre) and MA102 (3.6 litre).From 2009, the PDK transmission replaced the Tiptronic. Both can be left in auto mode if desired, but by all accounts, the PDK is a far superior transmission if you want to control the cog swapping.If you've been taking your previous cars to dealerships for servicing, you may find ownership costs less onerous than what you are used to by using an independent Porsche specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acid_rider Posted 9March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 thanks for great advice! does $80K buy a year-2005 997 Carrera hardtop automatic with about 100,000km odometer with full Porsche service history in excellent condition or am I dreaming?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevMcRev Posted 9March, 2014 Report Share Posted 9March, 2014 thanks for great advice! does $80K buy a year-2005 997 Carrera hardtop automatic with about 100,000km odometer with full Porsche service history in excellent condition or am I dreaming?? You should be able to get that car for $80k. 997s are starting at around $75K. Autos are generally cheaper than manuals of the same model. Carsales.com.au is your friend. Use the filters to narrow price range, transmission, body type & go! You will probably find one well under 100,000kms. Take care with imports from the UK, they will be cheaper but can have corrosion issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steiny Posted 13March, 2014 Report Share Posted 13March, 2014 My tip, FWIW, is to make a list of must have options according to your taste. Colour, rim style, sports chrono, PSE, full leather interior, adaptive seats, etc and the list goes on. Prioritise this list on must have vs nice to have vs not important and use this to focus your search on the right car. I found this really worked for me to give direction for what I wanted. My number one item was still under extended warranty in case something went terribly wrong mechanically after purchase (which actually happened) although at 04-05 you're right at the tail end of any extension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion03 Posted 13March, 2014 Report Share Posted 13March, 2014 My tip ... do NOT buy from Trade Prestige ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 13March, 2014 Report Share Posted 13March, 2014 Best advice.....get an S, with PASM. Anything additional is a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acid_rider Posted 14March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 14March, 2014 thanks !! I am wanting to buy from a reputable Melbourne or Geelong dealer with warranty so I guess it must be no older than 9 years i.e. 2005 car. In Melbourne the only two dealers who sell Porsche 911 are Porsche Centre in Victoria Parade (Collingwood?) and one in Brighton. Are these trustworthy dealers to buy from? It sounds like even if I buy from them I need to pay for PPI and to ring the original owners to ask if they car is OK, crashed/repaired etc? Are there any other dealers in Melbourne to buy a 911 from that are trustworthy and reputable ? Alternatively (like "no" to Trade Prestige, THANKS!) can you supply the dealers NOT to deal with? The "name and shame" list is just as good as a "good guys" list! Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 14March, 2014 Report Share Posted 14March, 2014 You can trust PCM, they are a factory owned dealer but you will pay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hounddub Posted 14March, 2014 Report Share Posted 14March, 2014 A really nice private seller car with good history is my suggestion. There are plenty out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acid_rider Posted 15March, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 15March, 2014 I just test drove 997.1 (2004-2005) Carrera-2 automatic non-turbo. Everything felt as I expected except for the brakes...... I was very surprised with the brakes, not in a good way. They required a very heavy force to slow the car down. They also felt not very progressive, not very modulated. It really spoilt the drive. Dealer said the brake rotors and pads are brand new, just replaced. My gut feeling is that something is wrong with the brakes...... I have been driving M-B C-class and BMW 3-series cars for last ~20+ years and they have very light brake pedals in comparison with the 997. Is the 997 brake pedal force reasonable and so much higher than in a BMW 3-series or Mercedes-Benz C-class cars?? Perhaps there is a problem with this particular car brakes and I should try to drive a similar vintage car to see if it feels the same..... Thoughts from 997 owners who also drive others cars to compare? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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