25 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSpecial Ordered 996, how to tell ?
Reported or suspected cause
only top trim level
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
We have window sticker for 2 of 3 vehicles we own but not our 996, one is for a F-150 which you can tell is a special order vehicle because it is probably the only top trim level with a manual transmission V-8.
Leading evidence: 'only top trim level' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'only top trim level' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Inspect carefully upon receipt' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I may call the number that PCNA shares with the order, as they say to inspect carefully upon receipt and to call with any issues.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Car for Porsche executive use, car shows, flaunting exclusive equipment,
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
only top trim level
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
We have window sticker for 2 of 3 vehicles we own but not our 996, one is for a F-150 which you can tell is a special order vehicle because it is probably the only top trim level with a manual transmission V-8.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
25 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
2 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Personally, I only care what options are on the car, not whether or not the customer ordered them specially or the dealer had it worked up that way.
How does a person tell if your 996 was a Customer/Special Ordered car?
Can you special order a Porsche and do a short term lease?
I have VIN analytics, original window sticker and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
But I cannot verify the story that went with the car.
Based on Certificate of Authenticity and Carfax, I do know that only 8 or so weeks separate build date (11/21/2002) and sold/leased at dealership date (01/21/2003).
This aligns with story attached to car.
In addition the Customer traded/lease ended at the same dealership in Cincinnati, Ohio for a new 2004 Carrera in the fall of 2003 with only 3403 miles on it.
Is there any code in the VIN that my indicate special order?
-David
I must have glanced over it.
I wonder if the Porsche Central Office documents might have that bit of missing information I am looking for.
I want to have as much information on car as possible if I do sell it this summer.
I just had durametrics run as well as DME indicating no range 2 over revs, a very small amount of range 1, that were years ago, I was real happy with that.
Thanks for the link.
I don't believe there was a code that indicates "special order" on the frunk sticker. PTS color codes will appear on the frunk sticker list of options as well as on a sticker inside of the maintenance booklet - if you have the original. The paint code on the frunk sticker will be the larger number above the list of codes that indicate options. It will say "Paint No. / Interior" on the left hand margin in bold font next to the large number. For example mine says "M6W AA" to indicate Dark Teal Metallic / Black standard leather. This was one indicator for me that my car was ordered by somebody because the DTM paint had a default pairing with either the gray or beige interior. Owner #1 must have put in a special request to have it built with black instead.
I would say the best way to deduce if a car was a special order would be to pour through the options sheet and look for things that would personalize the car to someone's specific taste. This doesn't necessarily prove anything, because it is still possible a dealer could spec a car for their lot with some upgrades. But if you happen to have a lot of color match codes or aerokit codes that would really strongly reinforce your claim that somebody had ordered the car vs. purchasing off the lot.
Bill,
We know you don't have the time to fully read threads now that you're inundated with requests for visits and offers of DT40, but Joe (post-morning coffee) already shared the same thread above.
Cheers,
Yaz
P.S. what week can you pencil me in?
Seems to me there were three or four types of orders:
1. Car for use at Porsche Driving School
2. Car for Porsche executive use, car shows, flaunting exclusive equipment,
3. Car for dealer inventory - options limited to 18� wheels, Bose, full power seats, litronics, silver/gray/black/white color
4. Customer order with special options selected.
5. Car for new model/technical training with zero options.
So if yours has a high MSRP, it is probably #4, average MSRP, #3.
I recently special ordered an new CGTS 4.0 and when the order locked, it just has my name as the customer and if the dealer had ordered it for inventory it would have had the dealers name on it. There are no codes indicating a customer order versus a dealer inventory unit. I see nothing on the $10 Porsche Central System listing showing that as well.
8 weeks from build completion to customer delivery is the case with my CGTS, so that appears to be routine.
SKM,
That is making lot of sense to me.
The options on my car seem obscure, at least to me, leaving me to believe the #3 scenario to be the case. Which coincides with the verbal history of the car.
The car was ordered with special paint code Orient Red Metallic, but standard Savannah leather seats. But was ordered with Color Match Console. The build also checked boxes of Stainless Quad Exhaust Tips, Stainless Door Sills, Aluminum backed gauges and 18" Carrera II Wheels.
Back in 2002, nearly $1000.00 Exhaust Tips and $1600.00+ Bose High End Sound Package, yet single CD instead of 6.
Also, a C2 built 11/21/02 would more than likely would have had PSM, but my car does not. I know it was standard equipment on C4 & C4S, but very common on C2.
Also, the Carrera Aero, different from Aerokit II could be ordered on a Coupe, not just Cabriolet. It would have been ordered as three individual components, Carrera Wing (Instead if Taco), Aero Skirts & Aero (GT3) Bumper.
But mine was ordered with Carrera Wing and Aero Skirts, but no front bumper. To complete the Carrera Aero, I added the factory Aero (GT3) Bumper cover as soon as I located and made arrangements for it to be shipped to NY from PCNA in Georgia.
Extremely cool you have the original window sticker. We have window sticker for 2 of 3 vehicles we own but not our 996, one is for a F-150 which you can tell is a special order vehicle because it is probably the only top trim level with a manual transmission V-8.
I ordered a Certificate of Authenticity, but it only listed some basic options. I may call the number that PCNA shares with the order, as they say to inspect carefully upon receipt and to call with any issues.
Edit: As someone noted in another thread, these are no longer called Certificates of Authenticity, but instead Porsche Production Specifications.
Options sticker:
PCNA cert:
No
There is a pretty good chance of me selling it later this summer.
The first owner and if it was special ordered is the only information that I am not 100% about.
The information I have, is car was special ordered through a dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fall of 2002. I have build date of 11/21/2002 and short term lease starting 01/21/2003.
The car was then turned back in August of 2003 with 3400 miles on it and a new 2004 ordered.
The second owner I have spoke with when I purchased it. I know his 10 years of use, as well as all documented services at Harper Porsche in Knoxville. I spoke to the service manager there and the tech assigned to the car for the entire 10 years he owned it. Owner number 2 even had a full service done before he traded it in on a Turbo Cabriolet.
I am third owner, January 2014, 47,000 miles.
I have ever receipt for parts and service since my ownership.
As we all know in this forum, being able to prove history/service is what adds to value of our cars, especially on BAT.
I wouldn't think special order means anything in terms of value. What seems to matter is the actual options installed, not whether or not the dealer ordered them or if an end customer ordered them. That being said, I would be very surprised if a dealer put that combination of exclusive options together. It would be interesting to know the percentage of 911s that are special ordered vs. bought off the lot. I imagine it's dependent on a lot of things, but I expect the number to be pretty high, particularly in 2002 after the front end face lift. When I bought a Boxster S in 2000 I ordered mine, not for anything special, but just because it was hard to find inventory.
I've been wondering why you would be focused on this. I don't see anyone asking you for a deep origin story on a 20 year old mass market car. If you were talking about a car owned by someone famous, a particularly unique car, a historic car, a race winner, something like that, the story and provenance of the car would be important. This car, though, isn't that. Personally, I only care what options are on the car, not whether or not the customer ordered them specially or the dealer had it worked up that way. I don't care that the first guy turned it in and bought took an '04 (actually, that seems kind of odd to me unless he went for a C4 or Turbo or something). Makes no difference. What I do think is really valuable is the proven maintenance history that you have amassed (assuming you actually have documented proof of owner #2's service, not just word of mouth from Owner #2 or the servicing dealer)....that's great for value and the buyers peace of mind. GLWS, lovely car.
The Suncoast VIN decode will provide the most accurate data for your 996 for just $10. Someone posted an example on the other thread. Far more detail than the CoA.
I called PCNA, and a very helpful person there said that my car's options were somehow all collapsed into the "standard" equipment, and thus not listed as options. They're correcting the PPS, and sending me out a new one. Great service, in my opinion. I was even given a choice for how I'd like the sport package to be listed - as a single option, or broken out into its individual options (I chose the latter).
I wonder if that is the same reasoning that some Aero II cars listed all three individual components instead of the option code for complete Aero II.
Thanks for sharing
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
