Sorry - Another newbie needs help with purchase!

Hi all, Apologies for the immediate request for help in my first post. I'm new to 996s but not to Porsches. I previously owned a 1990 964 and a 1978 SC, both coupes. I had to sell my SC when I moved to california because it was not at all set up to pass CA emissions, but I thought I'd be right back in a Porsche soon. Alas, that was 8 years ago. I'm now on the east coast. But I'm now looking for a 996 C2 coupe. The car will garaged and will be street driven about 5K miles a year, or less. I don't need to commute for work, so my driving is mostly for fun. Because I don't drive much, I also don't want to budget all that much. I'd love to spend less than $20K, but I'll go up to $25K if I need to (I have the money). My big question right now is trying to decide between a 99-01 model that I can get for less money (or same money with lower miles) or an 02 or 03 model, that will be the top of my budget (and perhaps higher miles). I've read about the IMS issue extensively, and I know there's no easy answer to that question. If I found a cheap 99 I might just budget to have the clutch and IMS upgrade done and add the $2,500 into the purchase price. In particular, I'm looking at two cars, both recently posted on the pelicanparts site: 1. An 02 with 105K miles on it, asking $19K. 2. A 99 with 55K miles on it, asking $20K. 3. A 99 with 150K miles on it, asking $15K. The first two cars have records and seem to be owned by Porsche enthusiasts; the third I'm not sure. Obviously, I wouldn't buy ANY 996 car without a PPI that checked out. But I'm just wondering which seems like the wiser buy to folks, or which is more car for the money. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated, and I promise: as soon as I get my hands on a 996 I will immediately post pictures here!

FWIW, there's a 99 with high miles in the Renntech classifieds for $12K

Thanks - looks like he just dropped the price to $11K, and the car has had some work on it. Makes it clear that my car #3 (above) has a high asking price. Unfortunately, I just don't see myself in a Cab; I'm a coupe guy all the way...

wow...you would have fit like a glove in my 99 coupe that i sold(have deposit)2 weeks ago. 1999 996 - silver/black 96K miles - california car until brought to seattle at 78K miles - service records - new clutch/flywheel/IMS and RMS done 200 miles ago in december. new tires...sold it for $17,500. *buyer flew to seattle to test drive but we got snow. he gave me a $1K non-refundable deposit and is returning next week. if for some reason he fails to follow thru i can contact you if you'd like. i have 2 others interested if the deal falls thru but they are not RL members. buy a membership and i'll put you at the top of the list. if you search my username the post for sale should come up with photos and complete description.

Yes, yes: I saw your car and it does look like exactly what I want! And I have friends and family in Seattle so I'm out there frequently. It's probably too late, but do put me on your list. I just became a member (again)!

You want an aero? I am thinking about parting with mine. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...th-thread.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...with-pics.html

Wow, gorgeous car! I doubt I'm the right buyer, though. I'm not opposed to the aero kit or any of your mods, but they don't really add much value for me. And I doubt you want to let your car go for Groovzilla's price. It's a beauty though!

I never believed getting all of your money back on mods. I loved doing it and learn about the car. I just have an itch on getting another pcar. That being said I would like to be compensated on part of the $6k overhaul work put into it last Fall. This is a great deal for someone willing to pay low $20s.

my buyer called me today just let me know he is coming up sat feb 4th so i'm fairly certain its a done deal however i don't know him well. also wanted to add to the list of items just done within 300 miles - the AOS and new tires and it has a new OEM windshield installed last year because of 2 rock chips....i'm firm at $17,500....if my current buyer flakes, i'll drop the price $500 to $17K because i keep his $1K deposit. if the deal falls thru i'll let you know...PM me your ph#...at that point i'm not wasting time with looky lou's as i have a few serious buyer ready to pull the trigger. wm

I'd choose door #2 for the price and mileage, if Groovezilla has his deal fall through that might be an option. I have a 99 with 58k miles and would be happy at that price if I were selling. GL

Found a car local to me that looks really good -- maybe too good to be true. The seller says that the car "needs an IMS bearing repair." But unless I'm missing something that either means: A) this is an early 996, so like all of them, the car could benefit from having the IMS upgrade, or B) the bearing failed and took the entire engine with it. I'm following up with him to see which of those he means.;..If it's the former then it could be my car.

Repair sounds bad. Upgrade sounds good. Good luck.

What I was told was the typical "newest car you can afford." Add to that, "that you really like," of course and pick the right one. You're right not to ask again here; the IMS is hit/miss, so you're best just to budget in the money exactly as you said. With the car that needs a "repair," I would assume it's blown, and that means much more money. I wouldn't buy a car that had its IMS go whose mechanic claimed it didn't take the engine with it when it went, unless by some miracle the driver had Jake's Guardian installed at the time. Garden-variety non-cab, non-C4, non-S 996 cars can certainly be had at the 20K price point, so take your time and look. Add the $2500 for the IMS retrofit on day one, and you're still under the cash you have in hand. I would personally spend the extra dollars on an '03; there were small changes to the models at 2000 and 2002.5 as you've probably read to the engine, etc. So of your cars, for something that wasn't a DD, and was just to have fun, I'd take the 100K '03. I'm not even sure I would do the IMS at that point. If you want to see what top dollar can get you (if you have no idea how to shop for these cars), take a look at the post from yesterday where a local factory paint 15K mile C2 (no bells or whistles) is selling for $45,000, for reasons that are beyond my comprehension. You might ask the seller if it's a "two-for-one" sale...the prices you've come up with are far more realistic.

If you stay in the high teens/low 20s you will find a 99-01 model with miles ranging from 50ks to 100ks+ If you go for $25k range you are in MKII territory (02+ years)

i have another buyer from massachusetts who i've put at the top of the list if my deal falls thru. i have no reason to think my buyer would flake with a good size non-refundable deposit, however i had no reason to think we would have gotten 8 inches of snow in seattle 2 weeks ago when my buyer flew up from LA to do the test drive.

Quotes source posts: 9226060, 9226127

Yes, that's my thinking exactly. The bearing doesn't fail in such a way that all it needs is a new bearing. It either needs a new bearing installed preemptively , or it has serious engine problems. My only worry about going up to an 03 car is that then I don't really have the money for the IMS upgrade, and it seems like there is some reason to believe that the 03 cars are even more likely to fail than a 99 car. But, I think it's always wisest to get the newest/lowest miles you can afford. Thanks for your thoughts. Well, definitely don't forget about me. Your car at $17K is right in my wheelhouse, and I have good friends local in Seattle who could probably pick the car up and deliver the funds. Plus, I'm a reenlist member now!

Not sure about the 03 cars "even more likely to fail;" some say opposite and I will not (not) open the discussion here. No. Flame off. The only warning I would give you then is if by budgeting in $2500 for the IMS, you run out of money, you may find yourself selling vital organs down the road to keep the car moving, or worse, modding it when you fall in love with it. You know that already since you've driven these cars though, and many of us don't put another penny in, other than routine maintenance, for quite some time.

the IMS is only a $1400 repair not $2500... for $2500 you can replace the clutch/IMS and RMS and have $200 left for a nice dinner.

Look what I found Might be a good buy http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/2820414265.html

Quotes source posts: 9226190, 9226537, 9226690

I got the story on the local car out here that "needed" the IMS upgrade. Turns out the bearing did fail. He immediately turned the car off. Got inside to find bits of metal everywhere, but thought they could "save" the engine, so put a ton of work into trying to replace the bearing and the flush out all the metal. Thought he had it fixed when the car suddenly shut off. Says he now doesn't know what's wrong. No way I'll touch this car since it likely needs major engine work (but the price was right at $12,500 for 30K mile car). Totally fair! I've read both and it only confuses me. Yes, definitely. If I buy a high mileage car I'm just going to budget to replace IMS/RMS and clutch, plus probably some other odds and ends. I figure $3K is a smart budget if I buy a 10 to 12 year old 996 with close to 100K miles on it. I'm clearly on the wrong coast! Cars like that just don't show up out here very often...

About 1 1/2 years ago I was in the exact same place as you are now. Looking for the same car in the same price range. I searched for cars on the internet every day for 1 1/2 years. Did tons of research. I looked at and drove a lot of cars until I finally found the right one. A 2001 C4 with 62,000 miles for $22,500.. The right owner and all the right maintenance records etc. All previous work done by a very reputable indy that also knew the cars history. Immaculate condition. After I bought it I immediately did the clutch, IMS, RMS and water pump. Cost $3000. Don't be in a hurry and don't settle. When you find the right one you will know it. Good luck with your search. I just got back from a long spirited drive and have a big smile on my face.

good point...that silver/gray 996 for $16,500 on page1 looks like its been sitting at the beach a lot...the headlights aren't opaque anymore. take your time!