Help...it hurts so bad!

My arena red 996 has been sitting quietly in the garage for most of the North East Winter...awaiting spring and its turn to go out after a little spring cleaning. Took it on Wed to a local independent P-car shop (IMA Motorsport anybody else heard of them....came recommended highly I might add from a neighbor w/a 944 Turbo) and low and behold my lil friend has some problems. A slipping clutch and an expansion coolant tank failure are the most expedient for repair. Followed by a rattle in my lft rear muffler which is a cracked/broken baffle and rotors and pads that will need replacing before the year is out. Any thoughts on what to do! What to tackle 1st? I am told a new tank is about $600 parts and labor, a clutch w/out flywheel $1200 with labor included and a muffer exchange $700. How does this sound to folks? Also I was planning a replacement exhaust later this summer any thoughts or recs on that one? Have heard Dansk has a good stainless steel on as well as Borla...any others? Wanna drive my lil friend but didn't expect a $2000 plus "spring cleaning" bill. This is my 1st Porsche and I got it pre-owned from an independant dealer a lil under a year ago w/39k on it. Of course the extended warranty I bought now doesn't cover any of the above...nice huh? Well any thoughts and recs as well as past experiences are greatly welcome for this newbie.

Those costs sound comparable to dealer costs... the expansion tank (cracked?) will need to be fixed. Are you sure you don't have any other leaks in the coolant system? If the clutch is going, then unfortunately you'll have to have that done too. Regarding the stock muffler replacement, for a few hundred bucks more you can get a brand spanking new set of sport muffs with tips from a company such as GHL or Fabspeed. Just choose your flavor.

mdrobc1213 - Can't comment on pricing for these items, but I just had a recent service performed by IMA Motorsports and they seem to be very knowledgeable and straight-shooters. They have a lot of repeat business and do a lot of race prep/mods on all Porsche models.

Really, the only thing you can do is get it fixed. There are instructions, I believe on this site to a DIY coolant tank replacement. It may also be on RennTech you mighty want to do a search there.

Thanks...that was the tip of the iceberg....so to speak. Got the coolant tank out and found out that the body panel had been repaired and some work done on the driver's side door to include a loose fuel line and oil line. Frame seemed to be okay but had likely seen some mild attention in this previously unknown repair. Had purchased the car from a non-Porsche dealer who claims to know nothing about this...and the carfax "guarantee" will ONLY cover the vehicle if it was a total loss/salvage or write off. Isn't the fine print nice when you read it. So I have a 99 996 now with: 1-coolant reservoir tank needs replacing 2-exhaust baffle in lft rear muffler loose (annonying intermitent rattle) 3-clutch that was thoroughly worn thru - need replacing. 4-flywheel that was intact but had seen slight heat damage/sear. 5-an oil line that needs replacing - $20 tube. 6-kinked fuel line behind the coolant reservoir (found after removal) - replaced. 7-ahh that's it. My extended warranty from 1sourceautowarranty covered NONE of this. I can get $1400 of what I paid to jettison that worthless piece of paper...thoughts? Original dealer denies any knowledge and Carfax doesn't apply. NOW what? LOL The guys at IMA say its a good car just has a history that was previously uknown (like an ex-girlfriend sort of I guess...don't tell my wife). Should provide plenty of good driving and be around for a long while...with the proper car as mentioned above. My wife says get a 997 and call it a day! LOL I am like with whose $$$ dear? Thoughts anyone?

Ouch. What was 1source's excuse?

1ource said 1. the muffler baffle is not included as their warranty stops at the manifold. 2. the coolant reservoir tank is plastic attached to the engine compartment and they do not cover anything plastic tanks/wells attached within the compartment. 3. clutch and flywheels are wear and tear items. 4. Oil and fuel line would be covered if metal and not due to normal wear but hell that's a $50-100 cost...ahh I can cover that myself besides the deductible is $500 anyway. So far I am lookin at $2500-4000 which I assume is better than what a dealer service would charge me huh? So much for the new 18" wheels this summer I was planning. This along with the tires and wheels for the other care...my wife WOULD kill me!

Well, the one positive is that you're in good hands. IMA is a good shop in the DC area. Hopefully all is resolved and Ivan will get you and that car out to summit point with the local porsche club! -KJ

Just joined the PCA KJin today. Got the car back and it runs really good. Still needs some minor things done like the exhaust and the wheel upgrade and I will swap out the brakes pads and rotors within the next 12 mos depending on how much I drive it (my other car is an M3 so I get my "fix" for speed no matter what I am driving)...so we'll see. When is the next meeting?

You can get some used stock exhaust for $50 on eBay if you are not going to get aftermarket ones.

Try out GHL mufflers, that's why I drive mine yr round. Sitting around hurts these cars I think.

IMA rocks! Ivan installed my GHL... Great group of guys...

Okay who's the better exhaust system for the 996 then? Who is reasonably priced and who is not for the value? Also what is the value of getting a stainless steel one vs a stock exhaust? Anyone know if there is a DIY for changing out the mufflers? I'd hate to take it to anyone other than the dealer or IMA to get it done if I couldn't do it myself. What tools would be needed? My brother-in-law says I am crazy and should just take it to Jiffy Lube or Midas but I tried to explaint to him that this is not his 1988 Stanza which he just now replaced after it died a $4000 death (Blue book value was under $200 LOL). Some folks just don't understand the 996 huh? But hey suggestions and guidance is welcome....as I am still learning about this beautiful car.

GHL's go for abouit 700$ rennlist discount, all others are ^1000$. Check out renntech for a diy. very easy.

Did I miss the part about "wife says screw it and get a 997"? Anything really wrong with that plan? The dealer may not discount the trade as much as the repairs cost you. My entire philosophy of ownership versus leasing is changing rapidly with rising repair charges (not costs). While I have almost always owned, current yearly repair bills can easily exceed a year's leasing costs. When our 98 Audi A6 needed a $3000 repair, I threw in the towel and leased a new A6. It sounds like the car is already apart, so you have no choice now, but with the next big bill, I'd say, "Honey, I hate to admit it but you were right. I'm gonna have to get that 997." AS

AS...sounds easy to explain so I'll let you explain it to here when I bring home the 997....personally I think she was just kidding! LOL If not then I truly love this woman of mine!

mdrobc, I certainly have empathy. My wife has an uncanny knack of divining how much I spend on cars. She simply assumes she is entitled to an equal amount in bling. That kind of works like a built-in drag chute on slowing the aquisition process. While I'd be happy to coherently discuss the merits of the 997 vs pouring bucks into a 996 with your wife, I would probably be of more benefit by simply keeping my wife away from yours. You could post a picture of your bride and your car, and we could vote on which should be kept happy. AS

AS...am currently out of town on business but will definately post some pics and see what the "Member of the Rennlist Board" have to say on which one should get my remaining time, attention, and funds! LOL

I concur with the surgeon...Gotta drive these cars!!!