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YOUR RESEARCHPurchase questions
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Check coolant expansion tank
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Leading evidence: 'Check coolant expansion tank' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check coolant expansion tank' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Check for rattles when driving on freeway and local roads.
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Suggestion
Replacing the seal is fairly expensive, so CPO would be nice if it is part of your dealer purchase.
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13 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T003124Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I am looking at my first water cooled 911, a Silver/Black 2002 C4S, and wanted to ask if there were any specific items I should look out for in the 996 model. I have a strong background with teh air cooled 911's and currently have a 993TT but wanted to get a P car for a daily driver. The 996 seemed like the perfect candidate and after driving a couple I could easily see driving one most days as it is so comfortable and is a huge step forward from the 993. I drive the TT as much as I can but I cant see using it every day for plenty of reasons.
The car is at a local Porsche dealer, has new brakes, tires are next to new, shows no oil leaks and exterior/interior are in great shape. Mileage is 55K and I would think I could get into it for low 50's. Looking aroudn there are a handful of other similar mileage cars for 49-50 but I am not sure I want to deal with traveling all over to look at cars again.
Were there any issues in the 02' year I should have checked out? When is the next major service, 60k? Any help is useful here and if I end up with it there will be pictures of course.
The only real significant problem of which I am aware is the engine rear main seal. Do a search on RMS at your peril because it will seem like the worst thing in the world. The good news is that a new version of the seal (with a 997 part number) seems to be doing its job as there seems to be very little chatter about failures with the latest version of the seal. Replacing the seal is fairly expensive, so CPO would be nice if it is part of your dealer purchase.
Other than RMS, there are not too many problems which seems common in the 2002+ models.
Personally, I count the sound system as a design defect, but that is just me.
check coolant expansion tank for crack and leak.
check rms and any other oil leak
check transmission for synchro failure
2002 has C4 but not C4S. next major is at 60k which runs about $800 w plug changed.
55k mi should be under $50k by now. See if you can get it with CPO.
Thanks for the replies. I am hoping to get the price down or have a CPO warranty included in the purchase. I dont really want to have to travel for the car if possible but if the price is right I will of course.
The car's underside looked very clean and there didnt appear to be any oil leaks. I was very surprised at how comfortable the car was and how easily it could be driven as a daily driver. Not to mention my son really like the car and told me he 'would be OK going to school in it'.
The '02 MY was the first year for the C4S -- such a beautiful car. I would ask the dealer to download the DME to look for overrevs as a potential sign of "abuse". Good luck with your purchase.
The car should be tight, should be no major squeaks or rattles, should take off like a rocket at about 4500RPM, should take 30mph turns at 70, should inspire envy at gas stations, should get about 16MPG, should have Pirelli P-Zeros, should have crackers in Mustangs cutting you off, should make you park far FAR away from others, should make you want to wash twice weekly, should brake so hard that your sunglasses fly off your face, should make you think a tiny sports car is a perfectly justifiable and rational decision.
Oh yeah, get a PPI too.
I think I can try and achieve all these requirements in one test drive. I might have to seek out the 'Mustangs' though.
I am trying to get the warranty in the price of the car but with the mileage over the 50K mark they say they cannot CPO the car. What aftermarket warranty companies do people recommend? I have never thought any of them were any good but I am sure there are some out there that are worthy of the cost.
I bought an 02 C4S this summer with 49k miles from the orginal owner for $50k. The price included two brand new rear tires. I have all the services records and the car is mint and runs great.
I wish I had more time to drive it. I have about 51k miles now.
Good luck with the car, the C4S is a great car and would be a great daily driver.
Make sure to do a ppi
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