Considering a 996 purchase that will need some repairs. Help!

I am looking at pretty low mileage (less than 25k), 2002 996 cab. Car is immaculate, but does have a couple of seal issues (probably due to low use). Want to get some quick thoughts if I should move forward, or just pass. #1 PPI stated the crankshaft main bearing seal: main seal intermediate housing needs to be replaced. Porsche quoted a price of $2,200 to do this #2 PPI also noted a cam housing reseal l/s at a cost of $1,250 As I understand it, #1 is simply resealing the IMS seal. Not exactly sure about number two. Other than that, car needs a couple of other minor things, but nothing serious. This thing is at a high-end dealer and I think they are going to wholesale it if I don't buy it, so I think I can get it for a good price. Please give me your thoughts as I will need to move fast!!! Thank you.

Prices quoted seem waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay high! just my initial reaction. Run, run away....................from the dealer. Unless you're a CEO, then just ante up.

Are you say, run away from the car, or just run away from the service and find someone who will do it more reasonably?

I think that depends on the price of the car itself. <$20k, buy it.

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Exactly. Hard to provide an answer without knowing purchase price. Any used Porsche is going to initially cost you money for maintenance and repairs (I always calculate at least $2K). But the issues you describe are not common and so a concern would be what else the car may need now or soon such as tires, etc. Low mileage cars often suffer from old, dry rotted tires - particularly in hot climates like Texas. Did the PPI check the date code on the tires?. With that low of mileage on a 13 year old car you may also need to do some of the elements of a 60K service just to ward off potential problems. Finally, I would not do that much engine work and not replace the IMS bearing as a wise, preventative measure. Bottom line - you are probably looking at $5K in repair and maintenance in the first few months of ownership. So if the price is around or under $20K, this could be a good deal - a low mile 2002 cabrio for around $25,000 all in.

Got it. Thanks for the input. Yes, the tires will likely need to be done. I just think of that is regular maintenance (although I know it is not cheap). I hear folks say $25k for a low mileage '02 cab, but am not really seeing those prices, even after negoitation. Maybe for a 99 or 00. An '02 seems to be closer to $30k based on what I have seen across the country. Thanks again.

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The difference is advertised prices vs. actual transaction prices. $25K would be a good negotiation goal, i.e., a good deal when all is said and done.

my 2 cents: I would not want to start my P-car experience with repair bills. Either keep looking or pay a bit more to get a car iwith no "issues" (if budget allows).

Budget allows either way, however, my thinking is that if I am the one having the work done, I know EXACTLY what is being done. I too am not excited about a ton of repair bills, but I am still considering it. Thanks again to everyone for their input. It helps to get some perspective!

This would be a HUGE mistake and any dealer should know better by now.

Well, I passed on the car (it really was a pretty one). After speaking with a Porsche mechanic that had done the PPI and my local indy mechanic, I just decided there were too many unknowns Plus, I think the price was too high. I think the dealer it going to wholesale it. It was interesting speaking the Porsche guy. He said that they would do the IMS seal, but their shop had never done the bearing. He said they would be willing to do the bearing with the aftermarket part, but I sure wouldn't want to be a guinea pig. In speaking with the indy guy (pretty much all he does is Porsche), he simply recommended I completely steer away from the 996. He said I should try something 2008, or later, since Porsche changed the design of the IMS at that time. I don't he realized how much those 2008/later cars are still going for, plus, I really like the look of the 996. He also said he does not think the upgraded bearing is a guarantee that there still won't be problems, but did think it was much better. Some things to chew on. Would love to hear what everyone thinks...

well that is one indy's opinion about the 996. perhaps chat with another?

And the hits just keep coming.

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If you want the deal of a life time then steer TOWARDS the 996.. get on ebay and you will see 99 (double race bearing) C2 Convertible with 35000 on the clock for $27300..,

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Not seeing that one. Is it a local listing or national sale? What color is it?

I don't see any cause for alarm with this car. If the condition is immaculate and the rest of the PPI checks out, and if the price is right, then why steer clear? Come on now, we have a 12 year old Porsche that is at a DEALER lot on trade in. Are you guys shocked that it might need $5k in repairs to fix the big issues and make it road worthy? You'd be pretty damn lucky to find any 996 on a dealer lot that doesn't need at least $2k - $3k in repairs and maintenance. Negotiate a good price and tell the dealer to split the repair bill with you (including the cost of tires and other small bits that need attention), and then you'll have a well sorted car...... Also those repair prices seem a bit high. I'm sure you can find someone that is more experienced and charges more reasonable rates. Not to mention the fact that I'd walk from any Porsche mechanic that tells you to ignore the 996 and buy something 2x more expensive just because of a $600 part (LN IMS shaft) that he doesn't know how to install. In most parts of the county that's a $1600 upgrade, TOPS, with labor. Name me one high end sports car that doesn't need a mandatory $1k+ repair/upgrade/service every so often; it doesn't exist. On a side note, Even with the "issues," I don't see this as a $20k car. In most parts of the country this same car would be listed for $30k+. For $25k you'd be more likely to find a well sorted 99-01 with double the mileage. I think around $30k with the repairs and maintenance issues addressed would be a decent deal if you really like the color combo and options, and if the car is as immaculate as you say it is.

Wow, those prices are almost double of what they should be. Assuming the work is even necessary ... resealing the cam covers is just silly. Weepy cam covers and a leaky RMS are par for the course for these older machines. I'd offer the guy $18k and leave him my number. He'll get less at auction.

He posted IMS not RMS. Huge difference in fixing a leaking IMS.

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That's right Krazy, and unless his mechanic has X-Ray vision then he doesn't really know where the oil was coming from now does he? Either way it's really normal unless there is oil dripping from the bell housing. From the PPI description I get the impression the cam covers were "wet" as well as the bell housing. Big deal. This is NORMAL.

WHAT? Leaking normal? Heaven forbid my car leaves a drip. Leaks should be fixed. These are not the air-cooled engines of ancient.

KK, Very True! These aren't Harleys or Fords where if there's no oil under it, there's no oil in it!

I note that someone thinks that the dealer will get less than $18k for a 2002 with less than 25k miles at auction. I highly doubt that. It seems to me that they should be able to get a bit more than that. Wouldn't you think dealer who specializes in these older cars (and we know there are plenty of these brokers) could come in and spend 24-26k, spend $2-3k on repairs (with an in house shop) and turn this two owner car for $35k? This seems likely to me. I doubt the would take less than $27k from me. Nevertheless, I think it is a moot point as I believe the car is gooooooooone.

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That went but heres another http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2dr-C...orcev4exp=true

That link is for a 1999, Hurdigurdi, and has a starting bid of almost $27K. Personally, I went for a higher mileage car, then had all the necessary PM work (including RMS replacement and IMSB upgrade) done by my local shop. So, now I know exactly what work has been done on the car. I've been closely watching prices for quite some time. An '02 with 25K mileage is easily over $30K. $18,000?? Not a chance.

Yes, I saw that one. I have a few color schemes in mind. I'm odd, but really like yellow. Also like red, but it has to have Savannah beige int. Really, I will consider most cars with a Savannah beige int. Anyway, I am sure I will find one, but just TRYING to be patient.

I'd find someone who goes to the auction and work out a deal to purchase it from him if the price is right. As far as price is concerned I paid $27,500 for my 2002 Targa w/ 62k only a few months ago but it was 100% sorted. 60k service, new rubber etc. Plus they gave me clean NADA trade on my 2005 Corvette(which DID have issues)

The data don't lie (the dealers do though) ... http://clearbook.truecar.com/used-po...2u5d/o/t_curve So in this particular example we are retaining about %30 of the original retail value after 11 years, non-inflation adjusted. That ain't bad! For what it's worth, I think theses numbers represent a relative floor for the 996 going forward. Beyond this it's really just about condition and features.

$25k is good deal for low mileage 02. Ims cost at my indie is about $1200. If car needs clutch perhaps. $2k . So car worth 27k with all that work done IMHO . However while you do all that you might as well do a few other things like aos.

Use these silly-stupid high repair quotes to your advantage then take it somewhere that isn't trying to shove it up your ***. Those repairs... Less then 1000.00

And now for some REAL numbers. I saw some mention of the dealer getting less than $18K at auction. Just ran a report on for Manheim wholesale auctions. Here's the latest pricing for 2002 Cabs (add about $500+ for auction fees): DATE LOCATION SALE TYPE PRICE MILES CONDITON COLOR ENG TRANS IN SAMPLE 04/11/13 PA Regular $31,500 38,410 Above GREY 6G 6 Yes 04/16/13 ORLANDO Regular $29,000 52,672 Avg RED 6G A Yes 04/24/13 SF BAY Regular $20,700 87,011 Below BLACK 6G A Yes 05/23/13 ATLANTA Regular $25,300 58,915 Avg BLACK 6G 6 Yes 05/30/13 RIVRSIDE Regular $26,250 52,345 Avg GRAY 6G 6 Yes 05/30/13 ATLANTA Regular $29,600 37,786 Avg SILVER 6G 6 Yes And note that those leaks will have no affect on pricing if they aren't instantly detectable, which they most likely aren't. Sounds to me like that dealer will do much better with taking it to auction..and you can't arbitrate oil leaks. By the way, this is the exact info that dealer will be looking at when any offers are presented. PLUS, they don't have to deal with PPI's and other retail buyer issues.

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Just FYI, the 997 revision that took IMS out of the equation is 09, not 08.

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Hey! Stop bringing the real world into RL! Everyone on RL knows that no 996 is worth more than 16-17k and thats IF its fully sorted, completely documented, extended warrantied, fully mint and with 3 PPIs and shipping paid by the seller! It's the REST of the world that's nuts! We don't want their kind in here!