Founder Popular Post Beanoir™ Posted July 3, 2020 Founder Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2020 Ok, so the Lotus didn't last, a year in and I just wasn't enjoying it. Great for the odd quick blast and I'm sure excellent on track, but it didn't fit my requirements. The icing on the cake was realising that (although now postponed until 2021) the Lotus was useless for our trip to Le Mans Classic, not being in any way large enough for 2 people, beer, tent, sleeping bags, food, beer, cloths, beer etc. So, waved goodbye to the Lotus last week and I wasn't sorry to see it go, only a feeling of emptiness from not having something suitable to keep me in the petrolhead camp. So like many, browsing the auto classifieds is something I do in the same way that others read the Sunday papers. I already had a (long) shortlist, and that pull for yet another of Stuttgart's finest export was getting stronger (it has been a full 3 years now!). Did I want another Cayman, well yes and no, would like another Cayman R, but should you go back? A GT4 doesn't do it for me, weirdly and I actually wanted something I would be happy to use as the occasional daily driver. Convertible Cayman...nope, had a few of those, great cars but not doing it for me. 911....hmm...I can't drive 911s...challenge accepted. Hunt began, I've driven the length and breadth of the country in search of my exact spec in well cared for condition. This morning I found what I was looking for, deal sealed and collect this weekend. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andrea Posted July 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2020 Gorgeous car @Beanoir (minus the wheels personally 😛) Show us more when you collect it please. Question: why not a GT4 then? It would have been perfect after your R. Like the same but better....the evolution of the R effectively! Curious tho... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Beanoir™ Posted July 3, 2020 Author Founder Share Posted July 3, 2020 Just now, Andrea said: Gorgeous car @Beanoir (minus the wheels personally 😛) Show us more when you collect it please. Question: why not a GT4 then? It would have been perfect after your R. Like the same but better....the evolution of the R effectively! Curious tho... Do you know, I've had these wheels previously and they are god awful, difficult to keep clean, expensive to have refurbished properly and don't last long when they've been done. It's something that cosmetically I'd quite like to change. I think the GT4 is a fantastic car, incredibly capable and flatters lesser drivers (like me). I wanted something I could 'tinker' with, my last few cars have all been too new or too special to personalise much or for me to get under and get greasy. With a 996 its old enough that I'm happy to personalise it a bit, do a lot of the maintenance and fixing myself and generally...well, tinker with it. It's also cheaper than a GT4 which given we're looking to move house in the the near future is also something I need to consider. I'll also admit, I just wanted to give a 911 a go, I've had so many mid-engined Porsches now, I fancied a taste of that rear engined driving experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 A nice design of wheels would be the 996.2 GT3 one! Fair answer! Makes totally sense and money wise they are so apart as well. I could have gone for a GT4 too but decided to invest more on my house (thanks God!) Although there will be a day when, hopefully, I'll own one! Shame for the Lotus, that's another box I'd love to tick: Exige Cup 430 🤤 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Woodhouse Posted July 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2020 On 03/07/2020 at 15:00, Beanoir said: I wanted something I could 'tinker' with, my last few cars have all been too new or too special to personalise much or for me to get under and get greasy. I absolutely get this bit Nick! I serviced my old 987 last week which is now owned by a friend and it was really nice to get up close and personal with the old girl again. I got my OPC to service my 981 last year and apart from the fact I would have done a better job and saved £500, the lack of fettling is one of the reasons I haven't bonded with it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Nick Nice looking car. What spec is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Craiglm68 Posted July 4, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2020 She's a looker Nick (like the driver....not! 🙂 ) , and with the cash saved, you can have a hoot upgrading/personalising , like a few well know car mag journo's have done over the years. I look forward to seeing a mahoosive whale tail and neon spinners installed in due course.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Beanoir™ Posted July 4, 2020 Author Founder Share Posted July 4, 2020 On 04/07/2020 at 12:53, Daz said: Nick Nice looking car. What spec is it? Cheers Daz, Its a 2001 Carrera 2 Coupe. Ordered originally under the Porsche Exclusive programme so has a build code of 09991 and included; - Full GT3 Aero Kit - M030 Sports Chassis (lowered 10mm) - GT3 Wheels - Hard Backed Sports Seats - Alcantara Headlining - Red Seat Belts - PSM A few other bits but I forget now, fancy handbrake and gear shifter, cd changer etc. Its a really nice spec, you start off thinking there are LOADS of 996 for sale, but when you whittle it down to the spec you want, I had a choice of about 3 cars currently for sale. I was specifically after pre-facelift 3.4 C2 Coupe, with the GT3 Aerokit and M030 chassis. Few bits I want to do to bring it up to scratch, the fun begins! (better start a build thread I guess). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Sounds like you have hours of fun tinkering ahead of you. Stay safe and enjoy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Popular Post Beanoir™ Posted July 9, 2020 Author Founder Popular Post Share Posted July 9, 2020 So as the 996 is a bit of a project car, I have started out doing a few 'jobs'. First was a damn good clean, the seat belts needed a good clean so soaked them with some Bilt Hamber Surfex HD solution and then used the steam cleaner. They have now come up a nice bright red like they should be. Today's job was replacing brake discs and pads all round. The front drivers side was warped and the rears had the usual cracking around the drilled out holes. Got the parts from ECP and cost me £312 in total for all 4 corners. The job was quite easy, no hiccups and a vast improvement. The added bonus of 4 seats means this car is also a bit of a hit for family outings, Oscar approves! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Beanoir™ Posted July 9, 2020 Author Founder Share Posted July 9, 2020 I have also discovered some additional modifications the car has had over it's life including, K&N air filter and the Helmholtz removed, Dansk stainless exhausts, low temp thermostat and a deep baffled sump kit (I think from the X51 kit). Its also got racing brake fluid and millers nanotec oil, the previous owner clearly kept on top of things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmundo2 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Looks superb. I was searching for something similar back in Feb/March. I too had owned an Elise and was looking for the right car. Early 996 seemed the way to go but I ended up at Cayman S but could just as easily been 911 if the right one had cropped up at the time. Love the wheels which look great if running GT3 heights etc..Good luck with it and look forward to hearing updates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Windymiller Posted July 10, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2020 A lovely looking machine Nick, and so glad to see you back in a Stuttgart pony 👍🏻 cant wait to meet her in person, hopefully before the move South Westwards Any thoughts of an informal SS run out in her sometime soon? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TritonII Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Looks really nice, got to admire a purchaser that knows their specs and can hunt down the right car. Slightly embarrassed / envious that you've had yours barely a week and already done so much more with it than I have done to mine in the 3 weeks I've owned it. I've been hoping to drive mine all week but with the weather and work just haven't been able to and I'm away kayaking all weekend 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Now that is gorgeous! Again, new wheels and a bit of stance and will end up being a wonderful car!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlosRich Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Looks lovely and is in great condition. I'd like to end up with a 911 at some stage. It is the daddy, and the back seats will be useful for my kinder! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Popular Post Beanoir™ Posted July 10, 2020 Author Founder Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2020 Well it's a nice car, but not without some bits that need sorting out, but thats the pleasure of an older car...for me anyway! I've got the car booked in for an IMS upgrade, it's unlikely that it'll need one given it's gotten this far but piece of mind and all that. It'll get a new clutch whilst it's in having that done. Wheels, yes the Sport Design wheels are a pain (had them on my first Boxster many moons ago and swore I'd never have them again), but for now I'll keep them on until I decide which route to go with the car. I can't decide whether to stick with the GT3esque look and keep the Aero Kit on, or go for a more retro type of look and stick a ducktail and Fuchs on it...the latter I like but seems everybody is doing it these days. Slight niggle of a noise coming from the rear turned out to be the metal shroud behind the brake disc rubbing, easy fix! I've also decided it probably sounds better than any other car I've owned...I think..? WhatsApp Video 2020-07-10 at 12.45.33.mp4 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tozerman Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Now that does sound good 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andy Posted July 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 11, 2020 The camera work on that clip something else..... whoever filmed that is a genius. Also, car looks alright 😜 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Popular Post Beanoir™ Posted July 13, 2020 Author Founder Popular Post Share Posted July 13, 2020 Minor update: Car drives a LOT better now the brakes have bedded in. I don’t know if anybody has any experience of the Yokohama AD08R but they’re the tyres that are currently fitted to the car. They seem to produce quite a lot of road noise, I think a set of Michelin PS is probably in the near pipeline. Put some new wiper blades on today, went for the frameless type which I quite like and look neat. New number plates went on today, I often go with a smaller front plate despite the legality issues. Tidied it up a bit. I’ve ordered some black metal mesh and will have the bumper off this week to fit the mesh behind. The bumper has not been fitted properly either so I will probably need some new screws and fixings. Still haven’t done the wheels @Andrea 😝 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts