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YOUR RESEARCHSeeking info on 996 purchase
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Recommend over later years
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Suggestion · Original poster
I am surprised that the early 98 & 99 models are recommended over later years.
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Suggestion
If you're "mostly concerned with dependability, reliability and upkeep costs" I would recommend a Subaru BRZ.
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I want to purchase a Porsche to share DD duties with my 06 Corvette coup. I will be selling an 02 Corvette Vert.
I see many 996 cars on Autotrader in my price range of under 20k. Most have between 70 & 120k miles. Are there any major differences in the years I need to be aware of? Most seem to be around 2001 model year. I am mostly concerned with dependability, reliability and upkeep costs. Would a Boxster be a better choice for me in this price range? Any advise will be appreciated.
I have to agree.
Best hive mind (and Raby comments) seem to point to the earliest 996 the better other than Turbo or other Mezger (big $$$) cars.
Buying an 15+ year old Porsche with a concern of dependability and upkeep costs don't really belong in the same sentence though. You're buying an old Porsche. Expect to put money and time into it. Consider it gravy if you don't have to do much. You're probably better off keeping the C5 Vette if cheap parts and reliability are a big driver for you.
Good luck though!
Short version. Early as possible build year 98 of 99 model year 996. Manual trans, as much service history as you can find, spend the money of a PPI but only if the shop doing it has golden references. Put $5k aside as part of your total budget for all sorts of things that a 17 year old car might need...brakes/rotors/brake fluid flush/water pump/aos/motor mounts/clutch/various electrical switches/shocks, bushingings/other suspension parts/tires. Even if you don't have to spend the five grand right away, keep it handy. Don't buy it to baby it, buy it to drive it until your smile won't get any wider. Good hunting.
ps - and if your are told that the IMSB has been done but you are given no documention with the name of the shop that did it and the date, then you should plan on doing it again and right away. If it hasn't been done, relax and enjoy the car.
No, he's just waiting for someone to read the responses to him. Corvette owners are not especially literate, but we can estimate the purity and weight of a gold necklace with +/- .001% accuracy.
Thank you for all of the helpful information. I am surprised that the early 98 & 99 models are recommended over later years. Is that because of the engine change? I do understand that any older car may need some catch up maintenance. I guess I was hoping to get many responses from owners saying that their cars are mostly bulletproof and that I should just look for one that has been well maintained.
I have not been scared away and will look at a couple local cars very soon.
I own one of the above-mentioned early build 99's. I enjoy driving it every day and as a point of reference I've spent a total of $5700 over the last 4 years on maintenance items (less gas, DMV).
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