New To the Game...My First 996?

I have been researching 996 and 997 since the begining of the year. Trying to learn all I can so I can get my feet in to my first Porsche. After a terrible year (2011) and things are now finalized, I wanted to go in a completely different direction in more ways that one. I recently found this car and wanted to know what everyone thought of it. I have not seen it in person, however the owner claims the IMS bearing was changed with the new clutch. PPI will be performed, but any other issues come to mind? Thanks in advance.

The link doesn't work for me...

Sorry about that. I'll try it this way: 996 C4

Looks fine to me. 3 spoke steering wheel, good color and nice wheels. IMS and clutch is a plus. The price seems reasonable for a 2004. Get a PPI done and see what the real deal is. If it comes out clean maybe offer 2k less and see what happens.

not sure about the "3rd row seats" listed in the add, buit it looks sweet.

That price for a C4 2004 Cab even though it has 70K plus miles on it is cheap and that gets me wondering. I paid $27500 for a 99 cab last year with 45K on the clock. Mine did not have the IMS or new clutch. It looks the same as yours, silver over black,.. You either got the deal of the century or theres something you dont know about that car. Dont trust the PPI.. Check it out yourself and drive the hell out of it before you clinch the deal. Get it red hot my friend and see that everything is working as the manual says it should. If you are satisfied then snap his hand off. Thats all I can say. 75 K on those cars is eff all. Even if it means missing it, dont jump in with both feet until you are absolutely certain.

be really careful out there!! - there have been several cars linked to scams thru auto trader and other online websites. NEVER send any $ before you have the car looked at by a reputable shop or fly out yourself.

Thanks for the warnings. I decided to pass on that 996. I really want a coupe so the hunt continues. I have to keep my emotions in check so I can get the best P-car for me.

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Good call. You will find it eventually!

That is a C4S cabrio... hard to imagine it going for less than $30-35k unless something is really wrong. And yet, the rear badging seems wrong. IIRC, there was no regular Carrera 4 after 2002. Something is rotten in Agoura Hills.

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Exactly. After research and no email response I have moved on. 2002 996 ...I have to admit, the hunt is kind of fun. Side note, anyone have a recomendations on PPI locations in the Los Angeles or Orance County areas? (Valley too) So far, I was referred to Factory Werks Porsche (Westminster) and Dutch Treat (Lawndale).

Interesting new target. Nice price if it checks out. I had not seen a 996TT rear wing on a regular Carrera before... Interesting. But it would bug me to have the dual HMSLs.

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Just sold...on to the next and yes, I prefer a clean rear end too.

Don't do it. Don't get a 996. It becomes an addiction, an obsession, you'll worry about mechanical breakdowns, and other drivers hitting it. You'll have to dust and clean it daily, worry about what oil to use. and check this forum regularly. Your family and friends will think you have become a bit whacked. I wonder if there is a 12 Step program.

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I think it is too late!! I research daily, dream about driving down the road in "my" 996, look for exhaust/suspension/tires/wheels/coup/cabrio, attempting auto photography, which watch to wear (WIS in me), etc!!! I don't even have a P-car yet!!!

Months after I finally found mine I would still stay up late searching. I even found a bargain 996TT for a friend, just because it was so much fun to search. My bottom line advice: know what you want in terms of options, miles, and condition and then just be patient. Use a Craigslist aggregator like Search Tempest to search across the county. PCA contacts are great to get someone to take a detailed look at a car before you travel any distance to see it in person. I actually bought mine without actually touching it until it came off the truck. A little nerve-wracking, but it turned out great!

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I am there now...first thing and last thing of the day. I log on to RL and do a search for 996's. I read a lot of threads here and tring to learn all I can. It is pretty interesting and fun too. I have even neglected 2 other forums for photography and Rolex's I am on regularly. I have a short list of things I am looking for and some options I can settle for. I might actually purchase a 996 from a co-worker minus the PPI. 2002 black/black 996 cab with 58k, 60k service completed, new shoes, hard top and a few extras. I know the guy and how he takes care of all his cars. (VW Double Cab Truck/Bugs/993) I ws going to use his mechanic for a PPI anyways. He is the third owner (1st- lease/2nd- Owner/3rd- my co-worker) and has all maintenance paperwork from the 1st owner. However, the search continues and I am looking for upgrades to the car I do not own yet! Thanks again to everyone for your photos, DIY tips and info about these great machines!

Sometimes I think it is magic - the right car finds the right driver. In 2007 I was toying with the idea of owning a Porsche again, I let go of my 1968 911 in 1978 and the very next day all I could think was someday I'll own one again. Local dealer had 4 996's (of course I didn't know crap about the model designation, as far as I knew I was looking at 911's. They were all pricey, the one that caught my eye was the highest price. Then one Saturday afternoon, thinking the dealer would be closed, I stopped by. Only 1 911 left on the lot, the one that had caught my eye but now a price drop. Before I could leave a salesperson appeared and somehow, even though I assured him that he did not and would not have a sale, one week later the 2004 C2 was in the driveway. Still have her and had driven her daily year round. And here is where it get's pretty cool, was actually thinking about it today when I took a break from cutting grass. Last fall I started thinking all wheel drive car and had shopped around a bit, was thinking maybe an infiniti G37X. Anyway, one saturday I take my usual coffee break from grass cutting and browse this site. As I am sitting here a new post, an owner of a 2004 C4S is thinking of a GTS. A C4S, the car of my dreams, a car I had been internet shopping for with no luck. End of the story is that the C4S shares the garage with the C2 now. Both cars just feel like they are absolutely right for me. Almost feel guilty about needing to choose which one to drive each day. They are optioned identically (except for the full leather in the C4S and the M030 suspension in the C2) Same year, great cars, can't drive them enough. And I do drive them - 50K on the C2 since I brought her home and 8k on the C4S in the past 6 months. Keep hunting, just know that the predator may very well be the prey, and hope you get caught.

try calling Sam @ The Speed Gallery, bought my 02 996 from him: http://thespeedgallery.com/ Great guy to deal with, tell him Romeo gave you his info. Best of luck.

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Very inspiring story! I have looked at a few P-cars and for some reason, something just didn't feel right. I am entering a new mindset of the driving experience, it is not just for transportation anymore. I have read a ton and spoke to P-car drivers and they all have one thing in common...there is something special once one drives a Porsche. A few people told me, I have to experience owning a Porsche once in my lifetime. Who knows, maybe I will have this car long enough to pass it down to my son. Only problem is I will have to buy 2! Congratulations on finding your second! I'm sure you work hard for it, no guilty feeling necessary. Thanks for the tip, I will have to check them out. Perfect excuse to hang out with a buddy in Murietta on the way back.

Next choice. Any thoughts or opinions? (concerns with low milage?) 996 Targa Thanks all.

The link doesn't work..

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Sold to a fellow Rennlister! Congrats on his new P-car. I'm sure he will post soon. I am back on the hunt. May have found one, but we will see.

I would say if you want a coupe, don't look at cabs! You would be paying a premium for a feature you can live without.

for PPI in LA - you should use Otto's in Venice. He has worked on my '84 since I purchased it in '96 - well respected - honest - bit of a character - active in PCA and local racing scene and knows his cars. If you do a search for him over on the Pelican board you will find a few threads about him. Also - I am looking for a 996 cab right now and live in the same area - Good luck! I will send any really nice coupe's your way! http://www.ottosvenice.com/

Was that targa from autotrader in SoCal with some techart trimmings on it? That just sold? No wonder I can't find it on there anymore. It looked like a steal at the price the seller was asking for it. I believe it was asking just a bit over $30k but the techart stuff can be expensive.. If I recall there were two Targas down there for sale that is no longer there but the other one was mid 30s selling by dealer. I would've swooped on those.. The one thing I've learned is not to show a link of a car your interested in until you've contacted seller and arranged a ppi. There are a lot of people looking on the boards and just reading then they sneak it and buy the car. If your in the middle between coupe and can a targa would be best of both worlds..

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Thanks for the tip on Otto's. I need a good local shop. I am actually going to possibly purchase a Cab. I wasn't going to get a Cab at first, but I started looking at them and really like the topless idea. I have a PPI all set up and hopefully someone wount out bid me. If I get this Cab, I will have a great Cab to send your way. A friend at work maybe selling his 2002 Cab/58K/Black on Black/with a hard top. I found this other one which I like better, however if someone gets it before me I will purchase my friend's. Thats the one. It is a nice car well maintained. It is going to a great home.

I hope I am not bidding against you - have a car I like on ebay right now...

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LOL, nope. I found another in BH 90210. Thats why I didn't even think to offer more for that Targa, I will not raise the price or bid against a fellow Rennlister. Good luck!