Thoughts on this CL find-2003 911 Cab with issues

Hi Guys! I'm new here but a lifelong car nut. Always on the prowl for a bargain cool car. Currently in an 88 325ix that I use in the winter here in Vermont. Found this 996 thats only an hour or two away from me and its piqued my interest. Been for sale for about a month now. I corresponded briefly with the owner but he doesnt know much more than in the ad. I know theres nothing worse than a cheap Porsche, but, I have a lift in my garage and do all the work on my BMW (and Miata for that matter). Not afraid of the mechanicals, but going in blind to a 996 with a broken top and unknown IMS bearing makes me nervous! Price seems steep for the (potential) issues, any thoughts on a fair price? Any input from more experienced Porsche people is appreciated! https://vermont.craigslist.org/for/d...794074593.html

A thorough pre-purchase inspection (PPI) by an independent Porsche specialist would be a good idea. The top not working could be a simple and cheap solution or a complex and expensive issue. The airbag light could mean nothing or it could indicate that the car was in an accident.

I dunno.... tough one. "My Porsche", then 123,000 miles on it "out of long term storage" and then "don't know squat about service history"..... sounds scary to me. Maybe you talked with the seller and got a little more info but doesn't sound like a great deal for the price and no history and broken top as well as 123k on the clock. Think I'd pass and look for a sorted out 996 and pay more or find a fixer upper that you know the history with IMO

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Seems like a really fair price and honest add.......but if a non-working top and an unknown IMS makes you "nervous" you should run far far away...

I agree with Porschetech3 that its a fair price for the car. As far as the IMSB, if there are no records, you will need to replace it, but it will likely need a clutch anyway. As a Cab owner, I found no Indy who would touch the top and even one Porsche dealer who wouldn't. Repair parts for the top are getting very expensive and look as if they have doubled in the last 4 years. The top has to be electronically calibrated, and I don't believe there are any tools you can buy that will assist with that, so back to the dealer. However, considering all of this, it's my view that a well sorted 996 is worth $40K, so if you can buy this one for $15K, you can "budget" up to $25K in repairs and still come out even.

I'll add that the top could just need hydraulic fluid or there could be a problem with the brake switch. Those would be the easy/cheap fixes. The pump can be rebuilt if that's the problem but will be more expensive. You may find that an auto upholstery shop will be more experienced with fixing/calibrating the top than a Porsche specialist.

I think Wyovino is right. Check the simple stuff first. There is a good uhpolstery shop in Richmond VT and check with Jason at Bullfrog Auto in Milton. He's a very qualified indy mechanic well versed in Cab issues.

For reference, I purchased a fully working 2002 cab for $19,500 in March and drove it 1200 miles home. It was not perfect by any means, but everything worked. So far, I've put ~$1800 in new tires. ~$4k in new suspension (everything but the springs) No clue if my IMS has been done, but I'm not worried either. No signs of metal in the oil filters in my last 15k of ownership. When the clutch does, I'll do everything that needs to be done. I did have a convertible top issue and was able to sort it myself. Some of what others say is accurate, some is not. I have not found any shop that would touch my convertible top. So if you do need to take it to a shop, it's going to be expensive. However, I think most convertible top issues can be resolved with a competent DIY mind. Although it will stretch you. Basically, the top is hydraulically operated to move up and down. Whether it goes up and down is largely controlled electronically (not computer). Meaning, electric motors that hit various microswitches. When everything is in sync, the top works. So if the hydraulics work, and the various motors work, it's just a matter of calibrating the clamshell (with a multimeter, not a porsche scanner), then making sure the various pieces are synced in the proper sequence. My story is mid way through this post. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...re-pics-2.html I was able to fix my top at zero cost. However, IF one of the cables is broken, the part is expensive. Myself, I'm glad I purchased a "lower cost" 996 and put the work into it myself. I know the car quite well already and there is pride knowing that it's been saved.

If you have a lift and like turning wrenches go for it. These cars are as much fun to work on as they are to drive.

Thanks guys, all very helpful comments, especially about the broken convertible top. Thats a black box for me! It aint no Miata.... Any thoughts about the missing black rear bumper "cushions" (not sure what they are called)? You can see the lack of them on the photos from the rear of the car. Could that indicate a rear impact? Any other reason they would be missing?

Who knows on the bumperetts.... they dont do much in a rear end hit...u would see issue in the bumper if it was tapped. Did u try to ask the seller? Maybe they r in the frunk?