Nice to see so many 'new' 996 owners...

Even though everyone knows how unreliable these engines are(3.4,3.6), and that we'll all suffer RMS,IMS issues with our 911s, why are there so many new owners showing up?(I know resale prices are in the dump). Are the prices so cheap that the previously mentioned issues don't matter, or are these Porsches all covered with aftermarket warranties? It's nice to see so many recent converts interested in owning cars that go BOOM!!

Pretty simple with me. I've always wanted a 911, and finally had the opportunity to buy one. I used to own a Land Rover, so I'm not too bothered about possible reliability issues. Just roll the dice, I guess.

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Amen. A lot of these characters don't know what fear really means.

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So true on the Land Rover comment, the 996 is a mid 80s honda accord compared to the Land Rover. I bought my car in July with the majority of the CPO remaining. I also looked at other cars without warrranties and gathered tons of research from many places, including the fine folks here. As many have said countless times, the RMS is an annoyance, the D chunk failures seem rare, and we all just embrace the horror and wait for the IMS to fail.......or not.

I just bought a 1999 cab with 97k miles for only $14,500. In great shape with only slight interior cosmetic issues (needs new seat skins). But it had full service records showing all the stuff that usually needs replacing was replaced already (clutch, water pump, etc). And it runs good... for now. I figure at the price I paid, worse case... I still got a decent deal. I do find myself worrying a bit more than I'd like to though. Basically internet scare tactics. But whatever, if it blows up tomorrow I'll just drive my truck. In the meantime... what a fun car.

If the remainder of the car is in good shape, and if you do experience a catastrophic failure, you can always replace the engine and still have a good car.

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I really wanted a new Toyota Corolla 'S', but found out that the 911 was cheaper! Seriously though, I think the 911 has become more affordable, so a lot of car enthusiasts are satisfying their Porsche lust, rather than settling for some other cars!

Well, for me, I've always wanted a Porsche. I've built plenty of American muslce, but it was time for me. Lower prices played a small part, but I didn't get my car for peanuts; it was still a generous outlay of cash that the bank account felt. I can do much, if not all, of the maintanance myself, so that makes it more affordable. And being the incredibly **** engineer I am, I researched all the issues these cars can potentially have. But you only live once, so take a chance and have fun!! You can't always live in fear.

The pricing made the 996 attractive and affordable as a second toy car, fortunately it won't be my daily driver if the unfortunate bomb should blow. It really fill ins where my M3 leaves off, but I still have my BMW dependability. Schwabische Auto 2001 C4 Coupe, Aerokit, lowering springs, stainless exhaust, Work Brombacher 19"s 2008 E93 M3 Ugly Japanese SUV (wife's ride)

I initially joined Rennlist to research Cayenne's to replace my Merc ML SUV. Then last year I looked at 996's but I couldn't find a MkII that had the color and option combo i wanted. I researched 996's like crazy. The long term review of the car gives it a reliability rating (not initial quality rating - but the long term rating) at the same level of Honda and Toyota. My dealership sells BMW, Mini and Porsches and the service dept intakes all 3 cars at the same place. My BMW SA and I both remarked that it is rare to see a Porsche come in for anything other than routine maintenance - while the BMW and Mini come in a steady stream out the door with all manner of problems. So I stopped looking for a while and was just cruising the Internet and came upon an ad for the exact color combo and option pkg I wanted. I had to have it. i probably paid more money than what some posters here may consider a 'good price' - but i wasn't willing to take a chance on waiting for that combo to come around again...

I'm happy to say that the internet and various magazine articles have not scared eveyone away from 996 ownership. I love driving my 996 and refuse to accept all of the horror stories concerning their reliability issues. By far my current 99' 911 is a much nicer car than my previous 912 and my 911SC. It's faster,handles better and brings a big smile to my face everytime I get in it.

When I sold my 2000 911 with 65,000 miles it was running great. I wanted the MKII horse power and face lift. Just picked up a 2002 C2 Cab for 4k more than I sold the 2000. Nothing out there drives like a PORSCHE, I just love driving the 911 PORSCHE. Chris Chris

I'm in the, "Always wanted a Porsche and bought one" club. Mine was a complete emotional buy, which is typical for me. Only 2 factors went in to researching this particular car. It was love at first sight and I could afford it. When I get like that way I typically take the sellers word on everything and get it done. I've had really good luck, but I don't buy from car dealers, just private sales. This one had 26K miles and all the mods are ones that I would have wanted to do, but would have taken years (and covert installs while the wife was in bed)...and I fell in love with the color combo. I have never liked silver, but this combo really did it for me...white and tan was the combo I was in search of. Two weeks previous to this buy I bought a Range Rover Sport from CarMax and returned it w/in the 5 day limit due to mechanical issues right out of the starting gate. My wife saw that I was at least willing to buy a practical vehicle, but after returning the LR she knew I wouldn't be happy w/ a SUV and gave me the green light on the P-car. After 18 years of marriage she understands. She loves the car and we put the boys in the back and go everywhere. It is easy to tell that I am completely enamored with this car. As far as mechanical reliability goes. I think most P-car owners/potential owners are smart enough to take what they see on the internet with a grain of salt and also are not all that averse to risk.

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Good story, nothing wrong with paying a little more to get exactly what you want.

Always love the engine bashing tales...

I can always afford about a 7-10 year old Porsche. It's just time to move from my 968 to a 996. All Porsches have mechanical 'quirks' and are expensive to fix. With the 968 it was pinion bearings and rear hatch seals that cost big bucks. People who don't understand this should not buy these cars.

For me, it's been the stereotypical childhood dream, finally come true. I was looking more at BMW 3s at first as a year-rounder. However, for the 996 prices now, I just accelerated my first Porsche purchase by about 3-5 years instead. I like everything that Porsche stands for now, from the racing heritage, to the "everyday" usability, to the absolute performance and timeless styling of the 911 in general (really). No regrets at all so far. I've had the coolant reservoir leak on me, and was replaced; front latch needed replacing, done. No other issues at all thus far. The 996 is incredibly solid from a driving standpoint. It makes me feel like there is nothing else out there on a given day that can outperform mine (which is of course NOT true But hey, I really like FEELING that way at least. I look back now at old computer wallpapers I've had YEARS ago, old posters I've had... and I realize I have the exact car that I've always really wanted (color and all). Seeing that thing once the garage opens up as I walk out to drive it... priceless. It's addicting now... looking for little tweaks and minor "jobs" to do/fix on it now. I'm considering an aero upgrade in a few years maybe, but currently I really like the stock look (as "sleeper" as a Porsche can get at least). Now I just have to figure out where the hell to store it this winter A shout out to Rennlisters in general, for lots of guidance along the way. Thanks a million.