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YOUR RESEARCHLooking for 996, am I on a right track?
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Replace ; belts, hoses, fluid
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Any car that is 9 to 10 years old will probably need some parts replaced; belts, hoses, fluid changes, shocks/struts, clutch, etc.
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I use my 996 as a DD in Chicago and a transport for my 5 month old daughter and it performs admirably in that capacity.
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the biggest difference, in my mind, is that when your "average" luxury passenger car's engine goes boom, it costs around $5-8k to replace said engine.
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Any car that is 9 to 10 years old will probably need some parts replaced; belts, hoses, fluid changes, shocks/struts, clutch, etc.
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Ok. My story. I have BMW 540 as DD and I do have RX7 FD as a 2nd car. I do like to drive my FD as much as I can and lately I DD it when weather permits (no snow or hard rain)
At the same time I'm father of 2 (6 years and 6mo) and I find that I need to drop 6yo one at different places. I may have to drive her to school next year and my RX7 DD thing will end right there(trade, anyone?).
So.. I'm looking at 996 especially that I think they getting to the price point at which I can afford one if I sell RX7 and add some $$$. I already did research and it seems that 996 accomodates car seat and that is not a problem while driving sports car
I checked them out and I definitely feel at home in P-car because I like 540 so much. Seat, pedals and steering wheel is just as I like them.
I think about getting cheapest and nicest car that I can find (thats a good one, right?). What I mean by that is I will be looking at 99-00 car with high mileage that is in a good shape. By good shape I mean good interior with more features. I don't care about exterior, I don't look at it when I sit inside.
Cars is my hobby, I have tools, lift, etc. and I enjoy working on cars. If I find car with blown clutch and leaking RWS as long as engine is good - that sounds like my car.
Suspension also seems like an interesting item. It needs to be replaces at 20k or at 80k - doesn't matter because of the way it is..
What other parts mileage-sensitive in this cars? If I get high mileage car and spend 3k-5k in parts to refresh suspension, cooling, etc - would I have better driving car then lower mileage car that cost +10k and depreciates more? I like to drive this thing, not look at it. So, what is the lowest $$ point right now for 996?
I'm looking for pros and cons for buying cheaper high mileage. Please keep in mind that I enjoy working on cars and it's my hobby. $$$ goes into account when I spend them for parts. My time is hobby. I just want to save money overall. Depreciation, etc.
I didn't ask what to look for. I asked opinion on what mileage/price would be good fo me given that I can do work myself. At the same time I introduced myself.
Oh well. Thanks for info.
P.S. I know about RMS/IMS
I read it....
You sound like a you want to buy my car.....
Beautiful inside, mostly beautiful outside, (few rock chips in the front) great DD car, high miles, runs like a champ, in fact nearly perfect running gear, needs suspension work, and I would let her go cheap....
there's my opinion... what do you think of it
-I don't know what's happened to Rennlist as of late, particularly the 996 board is getting less and less useful by the day. Every time I look "my honda accord sucks" and "which body kit looks best" seems to be every third post...
Anyway, I would budget around $22k for a good deal on an example without major problems, though you can certainly find one with a problem for cheaper if you have the time. A leaking RMS wouldn't bother me either, and it's a problem that still lets the car be test driven, so that's a plus. On the other hand, it's not "major" enough to give a sizable discount on purchase price either.
Anyway, the 996 seems to be aging well. There are some things that seem to go out repeatedly as with all cars. Mileage may not have direct correlation with what work the car will need in the immediate future. With the price delta for a nice MK1 996 to a below average example possibly being under $5k, I would personally look for a car that's in fairly good shape overall.
My original plan was to keep this about a year and sell it, buy an older Porsche for the next year, then step up to a new one.
The trouble is I love this car !
My plan is all shot to hell and I cant convince my self let go of it. But seriously, send me your email address and we can talk about some things in detail, hey, it might work out and I can go buy an old bucket of bolts and cry that I let you talk me out of it
BTW I am not trying to convince you that my car is for you, I would only discuss facts and you have to make your own choices... AND in the even that you stick around these board a membership will be your first commitment
You can PM me your email address but not before you have a total of 10 posts on your name
I would not let a high mileage car bother you either. IMO resale value is about the same whether you have a 100k car or a 150k car so buy a 100k, drive it everywhere every day and then sell it without taking much of a loss at all. Since you are looking at 996's the typical depreciation factor does not come into play as much either. It sounds like you are buying one for the right reason... to drive
(instead of sitting it in the garage to admire it's beauty while it collects dust.)
I think you could easily find what you are looking for with a budget less than $20k. If you are willing to spend a little more you could probably find a turbo for a reasonable price too. That's a whole step up in performance from the base 996 but will obviously cost more. If you can swing it go for it!
I did the carseat thing in my 996 and even though you can get your kid(s) in the back don't expect much room. My 4 year old got tired of rides more than 30 mins. If carting the kids around for joy rides plays a part in your decision on which car to get I'd also suggest looking at an M3, Mercedes AMG's, CTS-V, or even an IS-F. Hopefully that remark won't get me banned....
What you think I should expect to pay for turbo? I definitely don't want C4 but I do like idea of turbo. My experience though is that turbo will be much more problematic... I'm at the point where also I like extra power but I'd rather have simpler more robust machine.
All those cars is cool. But I have 540i/6 already and M3 also different won't be much different.. I had M5 yesterday in my garage (E39) and I thought maybe I should sell RX7 and 540 and get one M5
This is how much I liked.. Mercedes is nice but I don't like them just because they automatics
But no. I want something sports car looking. Porsche is Porsche.I don't need to take kids for a ride, mostly I need rear seats so I can transport them if I have to. For example I had 540i serviced 2 weeks ago and there was no way to take my 6yo to school (3 minutes drive) because my FD doesn't have rear seat and got passenger air bag. I may have to take her to school daily and it's going to be 10 minute drive which should be fine. Another reason for buying 996 now so I don't have to do that when I'm old enough and it can be understood as "midlife crisis"
Will do. Right now my first priority will be to sell my RX7. That will be another problem. Also it's a very good lower mileage example, alsmost stock and 94 there is still issues with economy. I wish there was somebody to trade with
My kids like cab as well. I don't. Here is St. Louis not many days to enjoy it and I'm not person that will drive 30mph relahing. I like more soundproofing, more rigidity, less weight and ability to listen music and talk on a phone.
I tried convertibles many times and it's just not what I want.
Katit,
Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. I use my 996 as a DD in Chicago and a transport for my 5 month old daughter and it performs admirably in that capacity.
Whichever model year you decide on be sure to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic who is familiar with these cars. Additionally, if you can afford it Porsche did introduce a number of improvements (engine, chassis, interior) on the 996 in 2002 (althought there is nothing wrong with getting an earlier car).
Good luck.
I'm sorry you can't appreciate a little on-line humor and ribbing, especially if I am poking fun at myself.
All the OP really needs to do is go back an reread his initial post here and he will have his answer. He wants a cheap but operable 996 and is willing to wrench it himself to replace worn parts and update where necessary. He never stated what his comfortable "price range" so it could be anywhere from $20K to $40K. He is looking at cars that are 9 to 10 years old. Any car that is 9 to 10 years old will probably need some parts replaced; belts, hoses, fluid changes, shocks/struts, clutch, etc.
A 996 would be no different, especially if the service records are not available. For a 996, you could add coolant tank, motor mounts, ignition switch, to the list above.
I am looking for something less then 20k. I don't mind cosmetic defects. I was wondering if there is something about those cars/engines that goes caboom at 100k(for example) and then I will need another 15k to get it running. That sort of a problems.
Coolant tank, ignition switch and belts with hoses is something I don't worry about. All my cars had to have that stuff done.
Seems like 996 pretty much regular car. For example RX7 FD after 60-70k is a candidate for engine replacement and it's considerable expense..
Any engine could go KABOOM at any time. Some 996 engines have gone terminal at 4,000 miles, others have 150,000 + on them without any problems. There is no telling.
There have been comments made that cars with 40K + miles have a smaller chance of developing a catastrophic problem. However, there is no data to support that theory.
i would guess that 911 numbers will always be a bit skewed in the miles-per-incident sense. your average honda/bmw/audi is going to have a lot more miles on it than your average 911.
the biggest difference, in my mind, is that when your "average" luxury passenger car's engine goes boom, it costs around $5-8k to replace said engine. a 996 is going to cost from $10-15k. i'm not saying the 996 is more or less reliable, all i'm saying is that it is more traumatic due to the higher replacement cost.
but if you look at the cost of a replacement engine as a percentage of original value of the car, $10-15k of around $90k is certainly similar to $5-8k from an original cost of around $45k.
I'm just glad to see there are others that don't care so much about what the outside of their car looks like.
I'd drive a rusty, dented, smashed up 996 as long as the mechanicals were fine. :shrug:
I think that with $20k you are pretty much looking at high mileage MkI coupes that will probably need some work done. If you can find one with new tires, brakes, rotors, clutch, RMS, coolant tank, and belts, that would be your best bet to avoid expenditure in your first year.
For $7k more, you could drive this car which would hopefully fit the bill:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-300-00-a.html
I think that with $20k you are pretty much looking at high mileage MkI coupes that will probably need some work done. If you can find one with new tires, brakes, rotors, clutch, RMS, coolant tank, and belts, that would be your best bet to avoid expenditure in your first year.
For $7k more, you could drive this car which would hopefully fit the bill:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-300-00-a.html
I also had few other questions. I know that there is no Bentley manuals available yet for 996. Is there any other service/repair manuals?
What about part catalogs? Anything like realoem.com for BMW? There is 996 on eBay that has bad 2nd gear syncro, I wonder if individual tranny parts available or not?
Renntech.org does this if you are a contributing member, and it's well worth the small donation. I highly recommend this site for a lot of good technical information and diy's.
When actually buying parts, Sunset Parts in Oregon is one of the best for prices and service.
Pfff.... $3k for a reman (sans turbo) from Rotary Performance and another 1-2k for installation? That's not as significant as when a german car engine (BMW or Porsche) going kB! One of my M3 buddies up the street from me also has an FD3 that he uses as his track car... great, great car. Lightweight and it hauls ***. Too bad it took me this long to realize their greatness > their reliability concerns, otherwise, I would have bought one a long time ago!
///Michael
not me... but more miles and near me... about 10 minute drive
LINKY
Dont think $20 is too low, but there are still high milers rolling around hoping to get more..
just a data point
Not me. If I'm looking at the outside of it I must be working on one of my cars. If I have time for car stuff, I'd rather be driving, or preferable, using the car in a legal form of motorsports.
I do look at outside of my cars but I don't have very good vision and small things like dents, scrapes not visible
Also, I don't like to keep cars washed. I do keep interior clean and I am **** about mechanical things and leaks.
Same here. I haven't washed my Integra for... 4 years now I think. My tow vehicle for a good 6 months.. my S2000 I use to wash more often though.
Mechanically all are perfect though.
Nope, I'm not. Black is not my color I know that. Silver is more like it. Won't show as much
OTOH Porsche was designer of tanks as well. Black P-car in my hands will look like tank
