Where to find a pristine 996 C2

Since I let him drive my 2004 996 C2, my brother-in-law has been lusting after a 996. He's recently found what looks like a good one, but IMO clearly overpriced (~$32K). I've told him that's too much (especially for one that needs IMSB, etc.) - but he's tempted. Where should I advise him to go to find a good one (not Tip) for a fair price? (He lives in the Philadelphia area.)

Good luck. I have spent 2 years looking and finally picked up a 45000 mile all original low option example. Solution is being installed in a couple of weeks. I paid in that ballpark.

Mine is pristine. I�ll sell it to ya for $32k

Like others, I kept looking for 19 months. I missed out on two cars along the way. My advice; On a car like the 996, WAIT. Get what you want, the color, int, trim, year, options, etc. I wanted a bright color, aero, sport M030, manual. I found it, I bought it(great deal), and really liked it. After purchase, I realized the hunt was a lot of the fun too. The excitement of the next potential. Hoping this was the 'one'. Just get what you want, and if it takes more than a year, you'll cherish it just as much. Look everywhere. autotempest.com is a good aggregator of ads. CL, here on rennlist, friends, brokers, even dealers. Bargain hard, but get what you want.

I've always found the Pca classifieds good hunting grounds for well cared for Porsches.

My search took 4 years on & off, last two years, pretty steady searching with saved searches on all the major online sites. I said to my wife, " I can't believe I can't find what I want in a Porsche" She goes, &%$#@, " I am sick of hearing you whine about a Porsche, I will find one" Lol, she gets on her tablet, and in 10 minutes, "I found this red one in Tennessee, it looks find, but it costs too much!" After a PPI, a talk with the service mgr at the Porsche dealer who serviced the car since new, it was on a truck headed to my home. It literally fell in my lap. Take your time, colors other than silver, black and white bring a premium. Aero is a big plus, if you like it. But the most valuable characteristic of your future Porsche, is the history, sevice, sevice and then service. Low milage garage queen not good, high milage means wear items and maintenance costs quicker. I paid up, the big dollar, 5 pages of Porsche service documented (even the wipers) on carfax and dealership. If you are inclined to do you own service and major repairs, you can gamble on the service history. But if you pay for your repairs, don't be penny wise and pound foolish. GL with search

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A story so iconic they turned it into a mini movie ... You Tube

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Exactly, ever time I see that commercial I laugh

The fun is in the hunt! Instant gratification will buy you a car with unknown history and a laundry list of TO-DO items a mile long. Of course, that right there is fun for some people too.... ask me how I know

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This is a very good point. I do my own work and while almost all of it was preventive stuff, it still would have been a lot of $$$ at the dealer and would eventually have been needed.

I don't think $32K is overpriced for a truly pristine car. Not many out there are pristine.

Then again, you're in nice C4S or early 997 territory at that money... I agree that PCA classifieds is a good resource for likely well taken care of vehicles, but you probably aren't going to find a "deal" there. If you're able and willing to pay top dollar, that is a really good place to look. Other than that, he's left like the rest of us, scouring the classifieds across the internet.

Attend local pca events find the car you want and solicit the owner to sell it to you

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It has been a few years since I got mine, but I was shocked how many there were for sale in the general Chicago area. Craigslist and all the major used car sites had a ton of cars at that time. If he is willing to travel or ship, I would start in Chicago!

One owner, IMS addressed, low miles under $31k. I dont know this car but saw it in a recent search. Also has some cool options like sport exhaust, red seat belts, and sport seats from what I can tell. It's also in Lancaster, so really close! https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=219982543

My search took about 6 months once I decided to get one and had the funds. One thing that helped me, I was open to looking anywhere in the country and was looking forward to buying it far away and driving home. I ended finding mine in California, but almost pulled the trigger on cars in Arizona, and a couple hours south of me. These cars are neither rare or expensive, so we can be very choosy, which I think is what the general advice is. Wait for one that you've got confidence in the mechanicals and has the options you want. As for searching, the rennlist classifieds are a good place to start. The "Craigslist" thread on this forum was invaluable. I eventually found mine through "all of craigslist" searching. I set a notification to be sent to my email if anything popped up with my criteria from anywhere in the county.

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Wow! That's actually a nicely optioned car! I might have to fly up and scarf it up...but I think they're asking a little too much...

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$32k for a pristine example is nearing a bargain and will soon be a deal.

$32K a deal for a 996? I can only hope that we see that kind of appreciation in the market. I don't see it happening. Plus, once you have a shop do the deferred and preventative maintenance, a $32K 996 quickly becomes a $38K 996. You can buy a heckuva' lot of Porsche for ~$40k.

A pristine example won�t need $6k in deferred maintenance

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Well..a couple of base C2�s have recently SOLD for mid $30�s with ~20-25k miles. Nothing special, no special options, just regular C2�s.

I paid $31K for my C2 Cab, one owner, 42,000 miles, original IMSB, dealer warranty. 2004 Porsche 996 C2 Cab

I am thinking of pristine as an indication of cosmetic condition. Perhaps we are working with different definitions/assumptions? I (perhaps incorrectly) assume that most non-enthusiast owned 996/997 Porsches could use the IMS bearing replaced, and while you're in there take care of the other usual suspects. Most cars I've looked at need a lot of deferred maintenance done, typically including fluid/filters, brakes, rotors, tires. Many of them need suspension parts refreshed. If you're not doing the work yourself, these things add up to significant expense. FYI, Jake Raby has suggested that the low mileage examples are ones to avoid.

I waited 43yrs. to be able to buy my 911/996. Owning a Porsche has been a lifelong obsession. I was raised on VW's but always wanted the "Big Brother".Searched daily for 6 months. I found my 2004 996 with 20,763 miles 10 minutes from my house. Car is in new condition,always garaged and never has been driven in wet weather. IMS/RMS done by previous owner. An amazing car that I treasure. I'm so fortunate that I finally own a 911.

This view never gets old!

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My friend purchased his Boxster S from Chicago, it is a very nice car. Another example of paying up front for a well maintained car.

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Beautiful car, it looks well cared for

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I consider pristine to have a big stack of maintenance records, all mechanical items done (preventatively), regularly driven to keep everything lubed and running and well cared for by a knowledgeable owner.

Given that definition, I agree with your points above.

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Mine is essentially a low optioned factory aero, bought with 23k miles, only saw it online, drove 800 miles and bought it the next day at $27k. Immediately put $4,500 into IMSB, clutch, flywheel, PP, spin on filter adapter. Then additional mods like short throw, exhaust, radio, but none of that was PM driven. Other than that, just driving and enjoying the thing and feel like it's been worth every penny.

Two years ago, I was finding what I considered pristine 996s in the 10,000-20,000 mile range. Zero flaws, no rock chips, like new condition inside and out. They were very high 20�s and low 30�s, which was still a good deal then. Prices for these examples have gone up because most people drive them, resulting in fewer low mileage examples. I bought, in 2008, a 24,000 mile Boxster S that looked new to me. People say - stay away from low mileage examples, but if the maintenance is done well and often, I don�t see an issue.

I guess that's one way to buy them.

Yea hard to find a decent one. Same here looking as well.

Mine was pristine till I got it! More than doubled the mileage (10k to 23K) in 14 months and the car was put away for 5 months. It's not supposed to be my DD, but I can't help it sometimes, it's just what I want to drive. I'd be watching Bring A Trailer and PCA classifieds.

Rather than looking for a pristine in all regards, which all agree is difficult to find, how about getting one that is mechanically pristine and clean overall and then just take it to a body shop and have the details made perfect. Hmmm, where could you find a car like that ==== > https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ally-torn.html <====

That�s a deal right there!

I'm thinking about selling for $23K my pristine 1999, convertible with 75k miles; Private email me if interested. I will post it on the market place

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Any pics you can share by any chance?

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Posted on the marketplace as it is not allowed to post twice the same car This car has no rust and the paint is almost perfect. It runs perfectly. Private email me if interested.

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Marks car is one to take a look at...

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I'm surprised it hasn't already sold.