Help me decide

Hey Everyone, I'm looking to buy a car in September. I've narrowed down my choices to essentially a CPO BMW Z4 or Boxster, and maybe a 911. I'm looking to spend a little less than 30K. My question is, can I get a good 996 for that amount? This will be a daily driver, so I need something semi-reliable at the very least. I'd like to do the occassional autocross/track event as well. What are everyone's thoughts, and what would you guys recommend I do?

I am also a looking around for a P-car. And here are the guidelines I will be going by: 1. buy the newest (most) car I can afford 2. have a PPI (PrePurchase Inspection done) + VIN service history check/CARFAX 3. consider an extended warranty if budget will allow I have narrowed my search to '02-up and have not seen much going for under $30K. Best of luck!

I agree with you that 911s would seem to be going for more than 30K. But a cross country search on Autrotrader revealed around 113 or so 911s for around 30K. It's interesting - the cars on craigslist tend to be priced higher than the cars on Autotrader. I was originally looking at Z4s because I thought a 911 would be out of my price range, but now, I'm not sure.

'99-'01 will be the best price, with a few 'considerations'. The '02 is when they went to 3.6L engine (from the 3.4L), and got a bit more power. Also, the early years had some issues, particularly with RMS and IMS failures, but also some catastrophic engine failures (cylinder walls cracking). As a result of those issues, the prices on '99-'01 models are quite good. Under $30k is possible, even for relatively low miles and in good shape. From my reading, here and other places, the issues on the early years appear to be real, but not necessarily common. And I get the impression that if a car hasn't had the major issues appear by now, those are probably safely behind the car. But don't come to me for the cost of your engine failing if that proves incorrect... I would be stunned to hear of a '02+ for under $30k, unless there were tons of miles, lots of cosmetic damage, or an accident/flood in the history. Good luck with your decision.

Irksome, I'm looking to buy a car with around 50K miles and under. Is it safe to assume that by then, any RMS or cylinder issues would have presented themselves? I don't think I've seen any '02s for under 30K. I saw a lot of the '99-'01 911s though. I should also mention that any car I get serious about will have a PPI done to it.

I am by no means an expert, hopefully Dell or someone else with solid background will chime in... If you buy any 996, try to find out if they have ever done the RMS or IMS replacement. The newer designs appear to hold up, the older ones don't. So, if the car had an RMS replacement done back in 2000, it may be a ticking bomb. But if it got replaced in 2003+, it's probably good to go. Don't be TOO afraid of the RMS, at a reputable independent it will run $1000 or so, and is also a perfect time to consider a new clutch, since almost all of the labor for the clutch is done just getting to the RMS. I had my RMS blow out 13 days after I bought my car ('03 996 C2). The consensus on mine is that the car was not driven enough, and the seal dried out, and when I started driving it often and hard, it just couldn't take it. Horrible timing, 2 weeks after purchase, but $950 later I was back on the road... Don't buy a garage queen. 50k miles or so seems like a good target, especially if you can find a single owner car.

For 30 grand, you can definitely get yourself into a 996. It will definitely have more than 50,000 miles on the clock, but as long as it's VERY well documented,and you get a PPI, then miles is only a number in my book. Just my 2 cents.

+1

RMS issues appear to pop up regardless of mileage. it also appears that RMS is usually a recurring problem, i.e., if it happens once it may happen again. 99's and early 2000 builds seem to suffer more, and for reason, 2002's. of course, pls note this is my quick summary of all the antecdotal accounts from these boards, mags, etc., and is probably not entirely accurate. who knows. that all being said, i would opine that, assuming all else being equal (MY, and esp. proper maintenance), a high-mileage porsche may be a better bet than a lower-mileage one b/c its regular use befits better reliability. for instance, the engine seals remain energized all the time, versus garage queens, who sit and are subject to irregular enginge cycles. i think some people here would actually stay away from low-mileage p-cars who only see 3k miles/year for 7 years. this further all being said, the adage that you should buy the newest car you can afford is probably the most true, and i think should apply across model and perhaps brand ranges, especially if reliability is a concern. for instance, an 03 boxster may a better bet overall than a 99 911, if you don't want to spend more than $30K. that depends on making an informed decision that the particular 99 911 you're looking at is truly reliable and has no issues-- if so, i'd go for the 911. but one never knows. no offense to women around here (byron, i'm assuming you're a dude), but the z4, even though you could prolly pick up an 04 or 05, is pretty much a chick's car. of the hairdresser's variety as our friends across the pond like to say. i'm not really that biased cuz i've owned and still do plenty of bimmers. but unless it's an MZ4, i'd pass on that. imho.

The thing is, I've been seeing lots of 911s in the 50K mile range for around $30K. I will definitely do a PPI - I forced my friend to do one about two years ago and it saved him from buying a very troublesome 968 that looked great on the outside.

I'm not THAT worried about RMS, or IMS, (as you say, worst case scenario is $1K and you're done with it). How many miles did your C2 have when you bought it?

I agree that one should buy the newest car that can be practically afforded. But I'm just caught between two feelings. I've always wanted a 911, but the added security of a CPO on a Boxster or Z4 is hard to pass up. Around here, I see most Z4s driven by guys, who I will admit, are of the hairdresser variety. I presume that 911s are reliable cars, and that should I get a thorough PPI, I wouldn't have much to worry about. I also don't mind traveling a bit to pick up a car (I'm in NYC) so my options are widened considerably.

I paid $26,500 for my 99 C2 w/55k.....It had a known tranny problem (would not stay in 6th, no big deal, drove it that way for 6 months) that was fixed by replacing the trans at a total of ~$2,000 (found a used tranny for $1,000 plus shipping & labor). Been loving it ever since..........

i'm not certain if there's a year limit on cpo's, but i bought a 2000 911 last fall it was cpo'd by dealer. of course, there is a premium, but peace of mind means alot. i would only buy cpo. aftermarket warranties are a pita and you don't get dealer goodwill to bring your car in for any small thing to fix, no questions asked. if i were you, i'd prolly get a cpo boxster. great car and peace of mind. since you're in nyc, go see malachy tracy at danbury porsche. great to work with and supposedly largest cpo inventory in area. good luck!

I assume the premium for a CPO (as opposed to just buying the car at the dealer normally) is ~2K? If I could find a CPO 911 for right around 30K it would make it very appealing. I'd prefer a 911 to a Boxster, but a Boxster is by no means boring or anything like that. I checked Danbury's inventory and they have two 2003 C2s, but both are far more than I want to spend (53K range). I'll keep checking with them though.

$26.5K? That's a great price. I assume this was from a private seller?

Yep, flew to Virginia & drove it back to Houston.....great intro to the car! 18 months later.....still lovin it!!

I have a 996, and my brother has a Boxter. I have driven several z4s and the Boxster is a superior car in every way. I have just as much fun driving the boxster as I do in my 996. My brother had a 97' Boxster, and totaled it. He just bought a 2000 Boxster with 49,000 miles for $17,500. My 99' 996 had 21,000 miles on it when I bought it 8 months ago and it was $31,000