Buying a 996

can anyone share their experience, what approxomate running costs are there, what are the things to pay more attention have heard rumors about weak engines, they brake down often etc, is that true? handling, acceleration characteristics, part awailability etc have some plans on buying it, but as it is a pretty expensive one, I'd like to hear/read opinions on the 996 interested in only mechanical gearbox what can you say about carrera and carrera 4 (1998~2001 without facelift) only a coupe

I have a 2000 C4 with manual. The only items I have had to replace to date are 1 RMS (common but new part seems to fix the issue) and the clutch while the where replacing the RMS. Maintenance is more expensive at the dealer but if car is outside warranty find a good independent and the cost will be about the same as any other car other than some parts you will pay the Porsche premium. The big annual/ mileage maintenance intervals are the 30000/ 60000/ 90000 etc... as to reliability no issues here. You will find people who have had to replace their engine but the percentage is probably no more than the average and compared to past Porsche's like the 993 you can get a completely rebuilt engine for the approximate price of a top end. I would look for the nicest 996 you can find looking at how the owner maintained the car and have a PPI done. Overall one of the best cars I have ever owned.

how about US to European versions? do they differ, have the option to buy it in germany, or take one from the us, the us is usualy a lot cheaper

Buy in US and ship the 996 at a 1 to 1 exchange cost more in Europe then add the exchange and you have a real bargin.

You will have to budget a new engine every 30,000 miles, new clutch every 20-30,000 miles and new rear tires every 10-12,000 miles. Only ONE of these statements is true...guess which one? I have a 99 w/77,000 miles. Replaced passanger window hardware, water pump, rear tires every 12,000 miles, and gas every 300 miles. Other than that...pretty bulletproof, so far.

the tires?

I bought my '00 C2 10 months ago, and have had to do NOTHING to it, other than fill it with gas and change the oil. In that same amount of time, both 944's I had required a ton of work!

I know you did not mention taking it to the track, but I'll give you advise anyway. Do not take it to the track. It's so fun you may become addicted and spend more than you expected. My street car has slowly transformed. Be careful. It is true that you can take it to the track, at the beginning level, as it is, but watch out, that track will suck you in.

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Naah. Tracks not that addicting. No such thing as a slippery slope. I can quit anytime. Let's see. So far, two sets of wheels, 1-2 sets of track tires per year and still have a few sets just sitting in the garage 'cuz they're not quite worn but probably won't last a full DE weekend, several brake pads and rotors, X73 suspension, roll bar, harness, fire extinguisher, garage hydraulic lift, new additional garage, a 987S for the wife 'cuz the C4S scares her, track shoes, track outfit, 3 helmets. See? Not that addicting. I can stop today. Well, maybe after a tow vehicle and a trailer. Or at least after I put in a roll cage. Maybe a supercharger. Then I'll stop.

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Please capitalize Germany and the US, with all due respect............

ok no problem German car would be easier to buy, but it would be more expensive than a US one and what I don't like about America, that to Latvia American vehicles often come crashed or sunk, or both, although in the ad it is perfect and shiny don't want any surprises, what i'd like to know are there any differences in the power etc, cause i know that US BMWs often are less powerful than those for European market

Riddler - search for a thread called 100,000 long term report. I listed all my expenses from 55k-102k miles.

and how is the ride itself? some say that the 993 was the last 911 etc (because of air cooling or whatever) why is the 993 more expensive though it's older?

The 993's more expensive because it's the last air cooled model. I have a 964 and a 996. I LOVE both cars. The 996 is just like every RWD Porsche, it's not very kind to rear tires. The fronts will last forever (I would guess over 30,000 miles to the rear's 12,000 miles) You will love the 996 IMHO. Do proper scheduled maintance and know that Porsche ownership is more expensive that a Toyata Camry, but more fun too!!

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I owned a 993, go to that forum and get the biased view on that model. I love my 996, loved my 993 too; you can enjoy them both for what they are. The 993 is way over valued in my opinion and the 996 is slightly under valued. I think the 996 is a better value for the money. I wonder if the 996 is more economical to maintain; many say yes. Both models have their issues, one is really not better than the other, they are just different...very different...but yet the same in that they are a Porsche 911.