996 Noob In Need of Some Guidance

I have been reading various threads throughout Rennlist but I still had a couple of quick questions. I am currently in the market for a 996 Carrera. I actually found a 99 with decent mileage/decent price. The car has 53,000 miles and the owner is asking for around $31K. Car is pretty much stock, has an aero kit. First: Does that seem about right? Actually..(total noob) Would you recommend a 99,00,01 or 02? Also, I would like to know if 996s are fairly easy to work on for a beginner/intermediate home mechanic. I currently own an E36M3 and I've been able to do most of the maintenance myself. I heard a rumor these motors have to be pulled out in order for them to be worked on. Need clarification. Third question I would like help on is someone pointing me in the right direction regarding major items to inspect before making a purchase. (Maybe the top 3) When I bought my 944, the timing belt was the #1 concern. I'll be reading the threads more closely but if the kind members on here can help me get started, I would truly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Cheers

[QUOTE=944CC] First: Does that seem about right? Actually..(total noob) Would you recommend a 99,00,01 or 02? If you can afford it, I would go with the 02. The engine displacement went to 3.6 liters and the peak torque went up about 15 lbft at a lower rpm, presumably making the car feel faster. Here is an AW article about the 2002 C2: [B]Also, I would like to know if 996s are fairly easy to work on for a beginner/intermediate home mechanic. There are quite a few DIY types on the forum. I'm sure they will chime in shortly. I have read the DIY articles for oil change, accessory belt change, air filter, brake flush and even complete exhaust replacement and it all sounds reasonable to me. I plan to do all the routine maintenance on my 4S and BoxsterS. Join Renntech for access to a lot more DIY articles! Third question I would like help on is someone pointing me in the right direction regarding major items to inspect before making a purchase. (Maybe the top 3) When I bought my 944, the timing belt was the #1 concern. Porsche dealers do a pre-purchase inspection. Probably a good idea. Good luck with the purchase and be sure to post lots of pictures when you get it!

I just bought my first Porsche, a 1999. Like you, I've been a long time BMW guy. All 996 prices are falling sharply, I think. Squeezed between the last of the air-cooled cars (993) and the better-looking 997, I don't think the 996 will ever be anything more than "just a used car," which is great news for anyone who loves them - including, now, me. Normally I would say to buy the newest one you can afford, but not here. Here I advise you to buy the best one you can find at a good price point with less depreciation left. When you spend 40 on a 2002 and wake up in April to find it's worth 32, you'll be annoyed. But if you spend 25 or 27 on a 1999 and wake up to find it's worth 23, you'll be glad of your choice. I imagine the floor on a good car is low-20's. Leaving room in the budget for upgrades is also key. Especially if you hang out here, where the Porschephiles can spend two days debating which thread count is best for Bose-equipped rear floor mats on track days, and the answer always involves spending at least $1000.

I agree. Checking prices on 2002s. I don't think I'm ready to shell out that kind of dough. The 99 or 2000 will have to tie me over. Plus, I need to save some $$$ for a kitchen and bathroom remodeland possibly an upcoming wedding /engagement ring.. moving on. Thank you for the feedback so far in helping me decide whether or not the 996 should be my next vehicle. Keep them coming!!

If you can't get an '02, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the earlier cars. They still go like stink and can be very reliable. Good luck!!

I wouldn't be too worried about a '99 or 2000. I wasn't when I bought mine about 3 years ago for $37k with 35k miles. The price was right and the money I saved has come in handy for repairs, consumables and mods. It now has 64k miles. I have beginner level skills with a wrench so some things are fixable while others I'd prefer to take to a shop. I had the standard stuff break like coolant expansion tank, MAF (these are DIY fixes) and leaking rear intermediate seal (beyond my skill level but was replaced by local independent Porsche shop for about $750 13,000 miles ago with no repeats so far). Since the engine was out I went ahead and had the clutch and pressure plate replaced at the same time which added another $700 or so to the bill. Tightened the valve covers when they were weeping oil (DIY). Replaced hood latch (DIY) Replaced window microswitch and motor (probably DIY but not for me since I didn't have time to pull door apart....can't remember how much this cost though). Check for oil leaks/weeping. Check the tires, particularly the VERY innermost tread band. This wears heavily even if the middle of the tire looks brand new. I've done the OBC hack, replaced the steering wheel and horn frame when it broke, did the center console delete (much cleaner look in the cabin and give more room), switched out to full-power seats....I couldn't figure out the wiring so this cost $280 in labor from local shop. I'm planning on replacing the mufflers myself over Christmas so that should be a fun little project. So there's a lot of wrenching and mods you can do to the cars yourself.The worst part is some of the plastics Porsche use are just craptacular....I don't think they've improved them in the last 30 years. The bottom has fallen out of these cars with the new model and all the cars coming off warranty so I'd see if you can't get the guy to drop a couple thousand. Unless it's just EXACTLY what you're looking for you can probably find one cheaper (under $30k lightly optioned).

This is great stuff. Thank you for taking the time to offer your input. It turns out the car I had my eye on is being sold by an auto broker and he's a total ***. Ran a carfax on it and it's been whored around..(over 5 owners, been through 4 states, etc.) I will keep looking but this thread has certainly provided a lot of useful information. Thanks again and I hope to see more comments.

I've always said, buy the best car that you can afford. I just bought my 996 a few months ago, and I started by looking at the '99 but I decided that the '02 improvements (especially since I was buying a cab) were worth it to me, so I went over budget and got a nice '02. And it had a CPO which gave me a little more comfort level. Like yourself, I'm a former BMW guy. If you can work on your E36, you can work on the 996. It's just a car. Yes, the engine is in the wrong place and you change the plugs from underneath, but everything I've read says that the Porsche will have fewer problems than the Bimmer, overall. You may end up spending the same amount of money in maintenance, since the p-car parts are a bit more dear. And the Porsche is more fun to drive. As long as your future wife understands and "allows" your obsession, you should be fine. Michael

how bout those RMS issues? I had a June 99 build 996 that was supposed to have been built after all of those issues were resolved by the factory and it still started leaking by the time i returned it off lease a year ago. car only had about 33k miles.

Definitely buy the p-car before the wedding/engagement.... I'm also a former BMW guy, used to own a E46 M3 and an E36 328. I decided to go to an 02 C4S and couldn't be happier. Good luck in your search 99-01 are great too. Be picky, find the right car, took be almost 7 months to find mine.

The seal that came out late last year (it has a 997 part number) seems to have finally effectively addressed the problem. Most cars will not have it, but if a car develops a leak, you can tolerate the leak until you need a clutch and then it isn't too much of an extra expense to replace.

Oh no you didn't...

this again?

If you found an aero car for that cheap, there's something wrong with it. You shouldn't even be debating the what if game. Buy it or walk but know a good deal when you see it. A full aero will bring at least $37k wholesale on ebay, and that's ebay.................. Expect to pay about $40k for a full aero car in good shape. Why don't you show us some photos and maybe that will help......................... If we're talking about a car with fiberglass parts and paint work, that's another story. Also, the clutches seem to go around that mileage too.

I respectfully disagree by a few thousand dollars. I have a 2000 Cab that is in very good shape and only has 45,000 miles. I think that if I sold it right now, I would be looking at something around $40,000, and I'm CPO for one more year. While I agree that a premium is paid for an aero, that premium is not likely to be the same or more than the cabriolet option.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/247318740.html There's the link to the car for sale. Thanks again for the input. I will continue to search for my perfect P-car.

The car looks nice - why not have a PPI done and see how it checks out?

It's had five owners.. been an auction car for most of its life... Started in Florida.. then Arizona.. now California.. Clean Carfax, it's just been tossed around.

Nothing wrong with being an auction car... These are expensive cars and some dealers just don't have the traffic to justify something like that in inventory. Or at least, that's my theory. And the typical 911 is traded every two years. Heck, the PO on my car only owned it for 9 months. The only problem I have with that is that he didn't drive it often enough. Michael

I am either the fourth or fifth owner of my car - that's not reason alone to walk away. Other than the plastic casing breaking off of my cabriolet latch, which could obviously happen to any car, I have had zero problems in the past year (knock on wood). I think a lot of people buy a Porsche and then don't drive it, so they sell it (eg the current post about the awesome C4S with low miles). I'm not saying you should buy this car. I'm just saying don't walk away from it for the wrong reasons.

Actually, that car looks very strange and the price is way below market for a full aero. The silver bumpers look to be a different color. I'd check and see if OEM parts. The rear spoiler should be adjustable, if not, it's fake. Also, if the part has really cheap fiberglass parts on it, it'll bring even less money because nobody wants it. It's now listed at $29k. If it's the real deal and not a piece of crap, that's a steal! However, it looks very suspicious to me............................... And what's up with the fading of the carpet interior???

Now those would be reasons to walk away...

Look carefully at the door panel. It doesn't look like the carpet has faded, it looks like it is some kind of major funky color. And I think the door pull also is a little weird. You have a good point though, the front valance does look like it doesn't quite match. Could be a trick of the lighting, but something is up there. But hey, maybe that's why it's priced so well in the first place! It could otherwise be a nice car. Certainly worth at least a look, if for no other reason than to just get familiar with what is normal and not normal. Michael