Wanna Buy a 2004 996 - Am I crazy??

OK, I've read all about the RMS, IMS and D-Chunk issues. I found a 2004 996 Targa in Houston with a 6 spd manual and 24K miles on it for $31,900. I am scheduling a PPI for Monday with ProTechnik, an independent shop highly recommended by someone on the "P" BBS. Did Porsche get most of it's issues resolved by the time they produced the 2004's? Are most 996's prone to engine failures, especially low mileage ones? This one looks pristine, and I can't wait to drive it. (It's in Houston, I'm in Chicago). It seems that there is no way of telling if there's a potential problem in the engine, so you're buying a pig in a poke from that perspective. Will ALL of these engines fail by the time they hit 100K miles? That would be sad if it were true. It looks like there is little that can be done to prevent such a failure. I am not planning on tracking this car - just enjoying driving it. I've read articles that say that changing the oil every 3K - 5K will help forestall the problem, but doesn't look like there is anything that will PREVENT it!! Looking for sage advice from those who have 996's or are working on them. I appreciate everyone's comments, but I have done some research on this issue on various BBS', and have read much of the chatter. TIA Larry

If people respond, it won't be pretty.

Buy it! Drive it! and have fun!! stop worring, you sound like my wife!

2004 OR 2006?

track it - best way to keep it running there is a high milage role call on 6speed.... many well over 100k miles, some aproaching 200k

Buy it. Drive it. Enjoy it. Somethings are risky in life but the pure fun and enjoyment outway the risk!

Your subject line is incorrect. Porsche's 996s ended in 2005. The 2006 models were exclusively 997s. Where you guys hear that 'most 996s are prone to engine failure' is total BS.

I think that is fantastic... Has far as crazy? I have no idea, see a doc.

All 996's come with a prescription for Valium, go for it

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Of all the Pcars made..6spd, low mile, 2004 Targas were prone to most of the problems you mentioned ..so choose wisely....

OOPS Sorry, a mistype on the lead. This is a 2004 Targa in Teal. Ed, you're killing me. Guys: Honestly, I am looking at buying this car IN SPITE of my wife's protestations. I failed to adhere to the old porschephile motto. "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission." Permission was NOT granted, but I'm doing it anyway. It seems that I can't have both at the same time (wife and Porsche) One has to go - sorry honey. The shop that is doing the PPI is supposedly really good, so I'll hope that they are picky about their PPI. My thoughts are that MOST of the 996's that I have seen for sale have been 3 - 4 or even 5 owner cars. That's pretty bad news on a car that is between 6 and 10 years old!! It seems to me that these owners found things that they didn't like about their car - and dumped it. This car is a one owner car. So, my hope is that he took better care of it than one of the serial owners that are out there. I'll keep you posted. Anyone have experience with the 996 Targa top as an issue? Someone posted a note that I should AVOID a Targa. I loved my 73 Targa, but this ain't no '73. thanks for the comments. (even Ed's.) larry

Look into an aftermarket warranty if you are worried about the problems you mention. RMS is no big deal. $1500 to fix. If you can't afford that you should not buy a Porsche. IMS is catastrophic. Sure they happen, but not as much as the Chicken Littles will tell you. If and when you have a rear main seal or clutch repaired/replaced, consider the LN Engineering IMS upgrade while the engine and trans are apart. Otherwise, drive the hell out of it and sleep soundly.

Larry, great avatar! I'm glad you took our advice over on the other forum and came over here to the MUCH more active RL 996 forum. These guys live and breath 996's and will answer just about any question you may have. I won't bore you with a repeat of the comments I made about my daily driver, 110,000+ mile Guards Red 996, except to say that I love that car! Best of luck to you with the PPI. -Scott

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If the PPI meets your approval I'd buy it and enjoy the ownership. I also make it a point with my wife to never ask for permission, but do end up asking for forgiveness and we're still together after 34 years. Lots of doomsday talk about engine failures with the 996s, but most I believe won't suffer that result. '73 Porsches have certain weaknesses as well, but it appears that didn't worry you either. GL and let us know the outcome.

I say buy and drive it......its the best deal on wheels. The ones who fear the car are afraid of their own shadow.

every porsche ever made is fk'd up 964 leaking head 911 self destructing clutch, pop off valve, chain tensioners 993 carbon build up CEL, squeaky windshiled GT3 RMS, ****ty LSD fear not. if you end up with a bad one, it's YOUR KARMA. suck it up. but i have had 4 996 non GT3's, 3 cayman s, and 3 boxster none of them had RMS or IMS. you can worry all you want or just get one, drive it, and laugh at those who worried so much. i also heard the big earthquake is coming to CA. but i have no plans to move.

I have a 993 and just got back from Porsche Escape in Sun Peaks B.C., Canada. There were lots of 996's at the event and although I didn't talk to all the owners, almost everyone was extremely happy with their cars. None mentioned any serious problems with RMS-IMS issues. One guy had a 996, not sure of the year, that he tracks twice a month on average (Warm Springs Raceway in Pahrump Nevada). He has a daily driver with 125 K on the clock and wants to be the first to get to 250 K. He did need a RMS replacement recently because of a leak and while the job was being done the mechanic inspected the IMS and said it was in perfect shape (I believe the mechanic did an upgrade on the IMS while he was in there). I will only quote what he told me his mechanic said to him. "Your IMS is just fine because you drive the car hard. The way it should be driven". I am not on the 996 forum very often. I just thought I would relate to you what I heard and saw at the Escape. Mostly just happy 996 owners. Hope this helps.

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I've wondered this awhile ago when I was looking too but realized that some of these owners merely jump from car to car often and "upgrade" while others sell it because they don't drive it enough or think the maintenance costs are high. So I wouldn't assume a car is bad because of multiple owners.

Mooty, that's kind of how the world works. Some worry about things, others just enjoy them. I am just trying to get past all of the panic BS that floats around these cars. Actually, there is this kind of stuff that floats around ANY car. We had a Volvo wagon that went through a full set of brakes and rotors every year, to the tune of $1,100 a set. OUCH. But when there were more of them on the road, they got it straight, ran 2 - 2 1/2 years between brakes, at a cost of <$500. Go figure. I am having the PPI today. We'll see how that works out. Then I'll hop a plane down to Houston, and drive it back. Thanks to everyone for your comments. I am feeling a LOT more comfortable now. larry

Larry, good luck with the PPI!

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That's good. You should. good luck with the PPI. changing the oil often and having the IMS upgrade done should give you a nice solid ride for many years to come. All that D chunk/slipped sleeve/porous block was early production stuff associated mainly with the Boxster. With a well maintained 2004 996, your only concerns should be around the IMS. Happy Hunting!

I'm on my third 996, two MK1s and the current MK2. I hesitated before I bought my first one reading all the stuff online also, but they've been some of the best cars I've ever owned and quite reliable also. Buy and enjoy.

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i know. and of all ppl, i have OCD, no, not a punchline, i HAVE OCD and i take medication for it. I WORRY A LOT. but i try very hard to stop worrying. have fun with 996. they are great machines.

Tried the no permission approach and it worked out.

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After 6 years of ownership (2nd owner) no issues and still love the Targa. As a side note, my bride perfers it over a cab, but that's all personal preference.

If it blows up...It blows up....worrying wont make it NOT blow up. Enjoy the car, drive it hard and change the oil and do the scheduled maintainance. My 2 cents... On another note almost sold the car the other day....but was told by the wife I can have the porsche and the subaru I want...but I have to be patient.

Which Subi do you want?

So, there was a mix-up at the shop, and they are still waiting for "my" 996 Targa to arrive. Spoke to the owner. He said that the IMS issues were primarily with early cars - though they have seen it with a later car or two. He said that by 2004 they had started using the double race bearing in the IMS. This was a dramatic improvement in longevity. When I replace the clutch, he said that I might want to consider changing the bearing to the LN Engineering one, but until that happens - just change the oil regularly, and drive the hell out of it. He commented that the major cause of IMS problems is when the car sits for a long time, that acid builds up in the oil. That acid eats away at the grease in the bearing, and the grease gets replaced by the engine oil. The engine oil doesn't have the properties sufficient to keep the bearing healthy, so it starts to degrade. Then, bingo, IMS self-destruction. He felt that 24,000 miles on a 2004 was sufficient miles to prevent the buildup of the acid in the oil, as long as the oil was changed regularly. On this -- I'm not sure, and don't know how I can confirm it. But, they talked about doing the PPI today. Then I'll see what the next step is. BTW, there is one noticeable flaw in the car. The piece of trim around the console looks like someone took a ball peen hammer to it. It is totally smashed across the top. The dealer said that it was a simple repair. I dunno, maybe or maybe not. But I expect that I'll find out. Maybe I'll call a body shop that I know to see how big an issue it is. More later, guys. larry

Good luck and enjoy! The MkII 996's are phenomenal rides. ...and I really love the Targas.

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The early cars had double race bearings, and the later cars had single race bearings, FYI.