What should I look for when buying a used Porsche 911 997?

I am set on buying a used Porsche 911. While I love the classic 993, the price for a good one is approaching that of an early 997. For this reason, I have decided to look for one up to four years old, preferably a Carrera S Coupe with manual gearbox. I would value your opinion and advice on such a purchase and what to look for; the value of paying the premium for low milage (20,000 versus 55,000 miles) and what extras to look for. Also, do you know of any companies offering extended warranties? I will, of course, only purchase one with a full Porsche service history.

Asked on 17 May 2010 by dmooney111

Answered by Dan Harrison
You're not the first person to mention the price of a 993 - there's little chance that they'll be coming down, either. The mileage premium depends on how many miles you plan to cover each year and how long you plan to keep the car. If you're buying a 55,000-mile model and only plan to do a few thousand miles per year, it's not worth paying the premium. If you were to sell after three years, it would be below average mileage. If you're doing 10,000 miles or more, it makes more sense to pay the premium for a lower mileage car. Warranty Direct offers decent aftermarket warranties: www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides_warranty.

993s generally have a good reliability record. Click the link below for the details: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/porsche/911-997-2004/?
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