Dear future owner of my 996.1 Cabriolet...

In my attempt to sell a 996.1 cabriolet locally, I've come to the realization that it's a difficult time to sell a car (market conditions and weather). I feel like I'm fostering a pet and I'm beginning to grow some serious feels for this new thing demanding my attention. While I wait for conditions to change in my favor, I figure why not make my time with the 996 as enjoyable as possible (without over personalizing it or overspending). If I was going to keep this car, I would like to do the following before the next service (FUN): - Short shift kit (I put this in all my manual sports cars because it's something I just like to do.) - MY02 wheels (996 is currently on twists and I already have a car with similar wheels. I'm also an OEM+ kind of guy.) - Fister exhaust (I'm an FD Motorsports fanboy and their mufflers just sound fantastic to me.) I'd do the following items at the next maintenance interval in the next 5k-10k miles (boring): - replace water pump (it's original and figure it's time) - replace aos (it's original and figure it's time) - replace engine mounts (they're original and figure it's time) - m033 suspension refresh (it's original and figure it's time) Should I start any of this work before the Spring season? Or would you want it now since personalizing this car is part of the fun? Let me know what you would do. I would keep it but I already have cars that rarely get driven and do no want to add another one. I'd like to consider myself a driver, not a collector. Cheers, -- J

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Having 4 convertibles in a 2 car garage,like you, not really a collector, but an enthusiastic driver, I get the mindset of not having the time to drive them all on a regular basis. However, I do try to get them all out at least once every 2 or 3 weeks, just to keep things lubed, and to make sure they play well with each other when I'm not home . It takes the moving of just 1 of them to get the other 3 out with ease, so unless I'm in a rush, they all get rotated. As for modifications, I'm not sure I would add personalized modifications to a car I was even thinking about selling (I'm agonizing over this right now with 1 of mine), as that might limit the buyer pool. Maintenance wise, I've always kept my cars up to date, just in case SWMBO and I want to go out for an extended drive, at a moments notice, so if your car has deferred maintenance, best to get it done while your schedule allows, if for nothing else, it will show a potential buyer that your car stands above the rest due to your attention to detail. Finally, and above all else, after reading your post above, are you sure you really want to sell the car? I get the feeling that maybe you really want to keep it, and want us to talk you into it. Bottom line though, it's your car, your indoor storage space, and your money, so ultimately, it's your decision on how to go forwards from here. Bill S.

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Thanks Bill. While it's in my driveway, I'll take care of it like my other cars. Getting it sorted is a major part of the fun for me. Cheers, -- J

Quotes source post: 18464489

If I were the future buyer of your car I'd be grateful knowing that the water pump, AOS, and engine mounts were fresh because otherwise I'd have to plan to do those post-acquisition. You'd be giving "me" peace of mind. As for the suspension refresh, I'd stick with fixing anything loose or clunky. So long as the bushings are in good shape, I wouldn't care about a factory refresh because I'd be lowering it on coil overs or sport springs anyway. 😉 Best of luck.

Yes. If you the time and the money address a few of the key issues. I did plugs, coils, water pump, Low T, AOS, IMSB with the Solution preventively on a low mile garage queen Of course he Fister Mod and Coilovers just for fun! My 33k mile 2004 996 has all the 51 known failure points addressed, all preventively.. Well, not all Jake Raby 51.... Future buyer will be pleased. But I enjoy the work and the confidence in a well sorted ride Including, under my 8 year ownership annual oil changes with Blackstone reports. Under previous owner receipts of annual oil changes back to year one. I am a nut about keeping my car in tip top condition. While I dont think much about the future owner of this car, I tend to buy my P cars from nuts like me.

Short shift kits can lead to accidental "money" shifts depending on your definition of short shift kit. If you mean the 997 version...ok otherwise caution is recommended. I agree with above freshen suspension, as needed, because not everyone wants the ROW look. Let the new owner make that decision.