996 or 911?

I've just started looking at Pcars and have always had a soft spot for the early 911s (my dad is original owner of a '69 912). I've been focusing on the early 80s, knowing that they're pretty reliable and you can get something in descent shape for $15k or less. Then I noticed the prices on the early 996s. $18-20k for one with ~100k miles. How long can I expect a 996 with about 100k miles to last and what am I in store for maintenance wise? I only drive about 6,000 miles a year and this would be my DD. Thanks for the input.

The car will last until you quit repairing it. Either figure new engine or good overhauler if you have a major problem with the engine. Engines costs around the price of the car.

The SC and 3.2 Carrera 911's are fantastic reliable cars but a 1985 model is now 25 years old. Stuff wears out man - that's just the way it is. The oldest 996 is less than half of that, and yes, things will be starting to wear out on them as well, but you're 15 year ahead of the old car. If you want to keep a Porsche that's operating like the world class sports car that it is you will have to spend money, there's no getting around it. It doesn't matter if it's a 911, a 993, or a 996. Of course you can just drive them and do the minimum maintenance to keep them running, but you won't be getting the Porsche experience. Tuned right a good Porsche will change your outlook on life. Tuned average or poorly, you may as well drive a Honda. Anyway - all things equal, if you're going to daily drive it, buy the 996. The 911 is air cooled and the heat never works great and they usually smell inside. Not that that's a bad thing...but the wife probably won't like it. Oh yeah...the 996 will run circles around the 911.

I owned an 84' targa for a number of years & now have an 04' targa. the differance is dramatic. The 84' had a barely functional AC system & a cranky transmission. This was updated with the G50 Transmission later but is something to consider. One of the biggest differances is the torque of the engines with the 996having not just higher torque but a 100 HP advantage making it a lot of fun over a broader range of driving. I really like that about the 996. The 996 is a much more sophisticated car with many more safety & creature comforts installed/optional. But--you won't see as many 911's on the road as there are 996's. Just get a good inspection prior to purchase. Lots of info on this site.

If cost is an issue, don't rule out something like a boxster. You can find a pretty well taken care of one for less than a 911 or 996. But as mentioned, any Porsche is expensive and a headache if not maintained properly. In all seriousness if you want a cheap, easy to maintain fun DD go find a 2000-2005 BMW 3 series. You can get a great one all day long for $15k. I've had my 2004 325Ci for 105k miles since it was new and it requires less maintenance than any *nice* car I've ever seen.

I too went from an '82 to an '02 and the difference is amazing. Yes maintenance, yes engines, yes etc.....but get the newer one. You'll love it!

OK, for starters, the 996 is a 911. The first generation of watercooled ones. They are probably the most affordable and the best Porsche produced up until about '05 or when the 997s appeared, Some early 996s have some potential areas for concern regarding the motors. This can be circumvented by purchasing one that has had an upgraded Genuine Porsche motor installed with the larger IMS bearing, RMS issue addressed, porus case/ sleeve issue addressed. Look for one with the replacement motor and in the best mechanical condition possible. You will pay more, put be much money ahead. Most all the cheap cars for sale I've seen, I would not even consider as the base for a project. These can and will get expensive in a hurry. That being said, a fine example will be a rewarding purchase, and last a long time. No reason why a good motor and trans shouldn't last over 200k -300k miles. And by buying a car in good shape where everything works, will put you way ahead of all the bargains out there.

I thought 996s were also 911s. Anyway, having owned a 68 912 and a 79 SC I wouldn't go back. The newer water-cooled 911s are great to drive and actually have AC and heat that work. They may not have the 'styling' of the older air-cooled 911s, but if you can get over that you might be surprrised at how well the newer Porsches handle.

Very different experiences with both. Yes they both have the rear-engine dynamics and overall 911-ness, but the earlier cars are much more raw and you definitely feel their age. A pre-G50 transmission will make you feel like you're driving a truck compared to a modern one. A 996 doesn't feel it's age at all, especially when it's running right. Best solution is simply to drive both if you can, and imagine which one you could spend day after day in. Really depends on what you are after: if it's primarily comfort, then it's no contest - 996.

If you live in an area where you need either heat or a defroster, get the 996. Seriously, many of the cars on this forum are over 100k miles. That's nothing to worry about, if the maintenance is up to date.

Owned both the SC and Carreras from the late '70s to mid '80s. Fun but not as a daily driver. Makes you feel like Juan Manuel Fangio if you do everything right in the twisty bits, but are not even close performance wise. Creature comfort wise those cars are very similar to a VW bug of the late 60s, meaning, heat, not where you want it in any quantity that is useful, AC? If it functions at all it is akin to an athsmatic blowing threw a straw. I spent a couple grand on my '84 targa doing all the performance aire upgrades etc. and while it blew cold it was barely adequate. The 996 is a modern car and as such, all the stuff a daily driver needs to be comfortable works like any late model sedan, but goes like a stripped assed ape as well. I have a buddy that is bitten by the 911 bug and he had his mind set on a budget of 15K and wanted an '84-'89 Targa. He drove several, put a deposit on one pending a PPI that it failed and got all bummed. I made the mistake of letting him drive my car and he hasn't even looked at anything older than a 996 now. Having said all that, i'm 45 and my tastes and wants have changed significantly since I was a young guy so your mileage may vary. The early cars are raw and involving, sothey are fun, but ride like a tank in comparision. Really do the miss the bottom hinged pedals. Porsche really screwed up when the switched to the top hinged imo. Good luck with the hunt!

If you're looking for a reliable daily driver Porsche, there isn't even a question in my mind that I'd go with the 996 over an aircooled model.

Thanks for all the replys. Yes I'm aware that a 996 is a 911, I was just trying to maintain the same distinction as the split of the forums. So to summarize it sounds like I need to decide whether I want comfort and performance or the raw feeling of a 25-30 year old car. Maintenance is going to be part of the equation with anything I buy. Regarding the Boxster suggestion, I need to fit one of my kids in the back a couple days a week. The only Pcars I've driven are my dad's '69 912 and a 2006 997. They're both great cars. The '69 feels great, as you really feel that you're driving something special, even when going slow. The 997 is just plain amazing, though I felt guilty driving it because you can't often drive it the way it wants (needs) to be driven without risking a speeding ticket. I guess that's what DE is for.

I totally agree with your 996/911 distinction - stick with it. I personally believe the last 911 was built in 1989. The 964 and 993 can be lumped together, and so can the 996 and 997. Early 996 can now be had for less than $20K. Find one with a reman motor installed if you can. They are surprisingly hard to find, or sellers don't advertise the fact, but they are out there. Spend a few dollars up front setting things like suspension and brakes dead straight. Compared to a 911 you will be streets ahead. Don't get me wrong, I loved my 911 and will one day keep another one, but the 996 is a fantastic car. Dollars-wise - you're about equal these days. Ease of maintenance wise I'd nod the 996 though, and you'll be doing less of it because the cars are newer. Your 912-997 comparison will tell you most of what you want to know from a dynamic point of view. Granted it's the extremes at either end, but at the end of the day - that's what you're looking at.

I like my 996 much more than my 911SC....even though I do prefer the styling a bit more. My old 911SC w/ Euro Motor 3.2L

For some reason you might not like the extra power and better handling of the 996.....I don't know what the reason would be but I'm sure there are some odds of it. Oh yah now I remember I've seen a highly modified older 911 whoop some major tail on the 996 running around the track. Back to basics the 996 has more room inside with better stuff to take care of comfort. If you have the money to take care of either car you'll be happy. If you bought a car already you are wrong not posting pictures