38 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHigh miler 996
Leading reported evidence
Check engine compression (i'm told by my local indy
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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 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 · Original poster
The seller has someone coming to see the car tomorrow (and do a PPI.) Assuming it is still available when I get there, I'll check it out and have a PPI done specifically to check engine compression (I'm told by my local indy that they want to see similar pressures for all cylinders and if the compression is very low to walk away.) I will get the PPI done at The Stable that comes recommended (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
Leading evidence: 'Check engine compression (i'm told by my local indy' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check engine compression (i'm told by my local indy' (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.
Check intermix, really roughly idle, and similar clear red flags
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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 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
Then, check for intermix, really roughly idle, and similar clear red flags.
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
A PPI isn't really needed to check the oil filter.
Clean (the other important parts have already been
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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 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
if it drives fine and the oil filter is clean (the other important parts have already been replaced), there isn't much to expect from it at this price.
Recommend (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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 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 · Original poster
The seller has someone coming to see the car tomorrow (and do a PPI.) Assuming it is still available when I get there, I'll check it out and have a PPI done specifically to check engine compression (I'm told by my local indy that they want to see similar pressures for all cylinders and if the compression is very low to walk away.) I will get the PPI done at The Stable that comes recommended (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check engine compression (i'm told by my local indy
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
The seller has someone coming to see the car tomorrow (and do a PPI.) Assuming it is still available when I get there, I'll check it out and have a PPI done specifically to check engine compression (I'm told by my local indy that they want to see similar pressures for all cylinders and if the compression is very low to walk away.) I will get the PPI done at The Stable that comes recommended (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
Clean (the other important parts have already been
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
if it drives fine and the oil filter is clean (the other important parts have already been replaced), there isn't much to expect from it at this price.
Recommend (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
The seller has someone coming to see the car tomorrow (and do a PPI.) Assuming it is still available when I get there, I'll check it out and have a PPI done specifically to check engine compression (I'm told by my local indy that they want to see similar pressures for all cylinders and if the compression is very low to walk away.) I will get the PPI done at The Stable that comes recommended (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
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
if it drives fine and the oil filter is clean (the other important parts have already been replaced), there isn't much to expect from it at this price.
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 · Original poster
Sorry, I didn't think it was unreasonable to be asking questions and I would ask the same ones would apply to any used 996 whether purchased from a dealer or an individual.
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.
38 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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T070717Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I suspect that one will not last long at that price. Good colors, 6 speed, new clutch & IMS upgrade. If it passes a PPI, would be tough to go wrong. You can always get your money back out of it if you find another color you'd rather have.
bal, I see you are from PNW area, there is 2002 C4S for sale in Ballard, I'm gonna try to get a hold of seller over the weekend to check it out.
BTW, I would have flew out to get this car checked out, but noticed it's not coupe....
Call me cynical but I can't help to be suspicious. I've seen my share of cases where the seller needed it gone for whatever reason and something always happens. Good luck
I feel the same especially since it looks like he could get a bit more at trade. Then again would a dealer buy it outright at trade or want to do consignment? I have no idea.
Other than Carfax/autocheck, checking title, service history and PPI, what else should I do for such a transaction?
Good to hear that yours is going strong with more miles. How long should these motors last? Up until now I've only been looking at ones with under 80k so am not sure what to look for on something with this many miles. This will not be a daily driver for me but a fun summer car. However, if I did buy it I would be driving it back up to Seattle after purchase.
FYSA I purchased my '03 C2 with 124K for the same price. Differences is that mine does not have a recent clutch, IMS, or brakes. Was a local car, no accidents or issues. Nicer interior with carbon package. Looks like a nice car!
Spoke to owner. He bought it at 118k and has put a bunch of work into it:
IMS, AOS, water pump, fuel pump (gave out on him in Nevada), flywheel, clutch, catalytic converters, starter, battery, brakes and tires.
I bought a C2 with 105k+ less rattles and problems then most cast with 1/4 the price looks better to boot. I wouldn't stress miles as much as condition especially if you plan on keeping the car awhile.
Did he say why he was getting rid of it?
Carfax/autocheck is only good if there is a public record or if insurance/dealership/auto care place reports it.
Some sell it quickly before the records get processed and into the Carfax system.
If you get a good independent PPI, it should uncover any accident damage and such. Question is, do you want to spend the time and money on the next step(ppi)?
keep us updated
He's getting rid of it because he likes to go camping/hiking etc and this is not a great car for that. He also said that it is expensive to maintain Since he's had it since April 2013 and has had all this work done, I can see why he would say that. Sounds like the dealer he bought it from was sleazy - the CEL came on while he was driving it home, which is what led to the catalytic converter replacement! To your Carfax/Autocheck point, a kind Rennlister was able to pull insider data (insurance maybe?) and find that it was hit while parked in 7/12.
Still looking for someone reputable to do a PPI.
At $16K, what kind of a PPI results are you looking for? if it drives fine and the oil filter is clean (the other important parts have already been replaced), there isn't much to expect from it at this price. You can look for repaint signs yourself. A PPI isn't really needed to check the oil filter.
I agree with Imo000 here. At $16k for a 996.2 convertible there really isn't much you can ask from the owner.
The price is spot on IMO. If I were to get rid of my 2002 C2, I would list for $15k to account for mileage and NOT have any price adjustments from IMS/RMS cult. $15k cash, AS-IS where is. You sign the paper, car is yours.
Ideally, a local Rennlister could swing over and check it out? I hope the dealer was not the facility that carried out the repairs. Perhaps the owner could fax the records to you? Then, check for intermix, really roughly idle, and similar clear red flags. PPI might be useful to pull the oil filter to verify no metallic particles. If it is several hundred miles since an oil change and no particles in filter or oil plan, and no signs of intermix it seems like a winner.
Were I interested in the car, I'd like to see the invoices for the work claimed that was put into the car. Could be some transferrable warranty too which would help ease my hesitation.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to be down there next week anyway. The seller has someone coming to see the car tomorrow (and do a PPI.) Assuming it is still available when I get there, I'll check it out and have a PPI done specifically to check engine compression (I'm told by my local indy that they want to see similar pressures for all cylinders and if the compression is very low to walk away.) I will get the PPI done at The Stable that comes recommended (even though they specialize in air-cooled.)
@Howaboutthat - the work was done by a local one-man-band Porsche specialist I believe. Yes I would definitely want to see the paperwork.
So you're saying that you have gotten a lot of enjoyment from the car by driving it so much like I have! :thumb up:
I don't even care what mine is actually worth because it won't be sold at all, specially with my high mileage.
There will always be some hidden work to be done or even mis-diagnosis from a PPI. I just recently purchased a good condition 996 with 95k miles. The PPI came back with a coolant tank leak and slight exhaust leak.
After negotiating with the dealer, we came down slightly in price and he would take care if the coolant tank. Fast forward 10 miles later (after having the car delivered from out of state) the low coolant light stays on and a CEL pops up. Turns out the coolant sensor was damaged during the tank replacement and the "exhaust leak" is actually a vacuum leak from the AOS. Not to mention the initial PPI mentioned nothing about the worn out motor mounts.
So what does this mean? An $1800 bill from my local German Indy to get things back in check. So add this to the $16k "deal" I got.
On the bright side, I was also getting an SAI code and the pump was very loud. I replaced this with a $60 "pre-owned" part and those issues resolved.
You gonna miss out on this car by dragging your feet. 800 miles is nothing. Take it for a 30min. test drive and if all seems fine, the car will make that short 800 mile trip no problem. Sounds to me you know very little about cars period and are not mechanically inclide at all therefore, I suggest to increase your budget and get a car that isn't the cheapest on the market. In your case, nothing good will come out of it by buying this car.
Sorry, I didn't think it was unreasonable to be asking questions and I would ask the same ones would apply to any used 996 whether purchased from a dealer or an individual.
If I miss out on this one, there will be others.
^ exactly, as I get older, noticed there aren't many things made me that desperate other than family or friends. I've never approached buying cars desperately, which might be the reason why I haven't yet made a mistake.
There will be others for sure!
I agree. Almost always the best deals are the ones that can pull the trigger the fastest and rarely lasts more than a day, hence the reason why there are so many skeptics thinking you can't get xx car for xx dollars because they themselves never get to see the ads before they are pulled.
