When should mileage be a concern for used?

I am interested in everyones opinions on mileage.. I have been doing some looking for a early model 996 99-2001 range, under 40K. Mileage's vary all over the place, and i was curious as to everyones thoughts on it. Thoughts?

After one mile be concerned.... I would PPI the car if you are concerned...... It's a small price to pay for your vehicle.... Condition can vary even with low miles. I know some people who can put a real hurt on their vehicles especially if they don't plan on keeping them long "lease"..... Others can have in excess of 75K and have high compression.... I would say to try to shoot for the later of models if at all possible. As my daugher would say...... 99 - O.K. "non-e-gas" 00 - Good 01 - Better 02-04 - Best -Eli

I think it all depends... Is this to replace your beautiful C4 cab? IMHO, miles is one thing but how a car was serviced/driven during those miles is another. You could be looking at a low mile driven-hard car v.s. a pampered freeway-driven higher mileage car. Try to get as much info as you can on the car, the previous owner(s), the service history, etc, etc. That will provide all the important pieces of the puzzle.

No, not at all. I would like to get a coupe and am looking at all them that are available, and most seem in the 40K range on milage, some much much higher and some a bit lower. I just am not sure where someone might say that is a bit to high. Just want to make an informed decision.... i would get the PPI and try and get it through Porsche as well, but often private is more resonable $$ for the car..

Of course, higher mileage cars are going to be less expensive to buy. If you are going to use the car as a daily driver, and put a bunch of miles on it, it may be best to search for a low mileage car so that your car doesn't become a high mileage car. When I sold my 98 Boxster, it had 61k mi on it and was difficult to sell because of all the lower mileage cars on the market. According to Bruce Anderson, 7-9k miles/year should be normal for 996, and high mileage cars should be worth 10%-20% less. YMMV. If you're only going to drive it occasionally, 4-5k a year, you can save some money and buy a higher mileage car. I think of it as every mile has a cost, and basically, you are going to pay for every mile you put on the car (depreciation). So, the mileage and price of the car should correlate. And select the mileage/price combo which best serves your usage/budget. As a data point, I bought my 99 Cab 12 months ago, and it had 25k miles on it. It now has almost 36k mi. IMHO, YMMV.

Excellence Magazine also subscribes to the 7-9K miles/year criteria.........I'm with Fast40th - it's not so much how many miles as what kind.

I'd rather have a well cared for car with high miles than a neglected low miles car.

I have a '99 with 61k miles on it. It sucks for those of us who drive their cars daily and put miles on them that they are looked upon as "high mileage". If this was a regular car it would be low mileage and I could ask a premium for it.

I agree with everyone on the statement not so many but what kind of miles. I was concerned really with where in the life of a 996 does mechanical issues come up. I have never owned a high mileage Porsche so i am not sure when to expect issues (i know they can pop up any time, but a lot more likely at 90K then 20K). A well maintained car will obviously last longer, so records, maint. work completed and a good PPI will be important for me when i decide. Anyone have any idea when general maintenance issues come up on a 996 in regards to mileage?

Unless you ever plan on selling you car (which I don't) who cares about the miles. These are very dependable cars. Over 3/4 of ALL porsches ever made are still on the road doing what they were built for......pure driving satisfaction

Concur with LVDell on this one. I've had a 240Z that I kept 195K miles and traded in on a new 280ZX Turbo, which I kept for 175K miles. If you like a car, keep it up and hang on to it. We ordered our 2002 Coupe with a bunch of options and never plan to sell her. A friend likens Porsches to light airplanes - engine overhauls when needed, keep up the rest of the airframe and fly 'em for decades......

I haven't seen much written about high-mileage 996's. In Excellence Sept 04, B.A. mentions a reader who had 112k on his 99 with no problems other than an oil leak that cured itself. Coolant reservoirs and washer fluid reservoirs tend to crack with age, but that is not mileage related. RMS failure: doesn't seem to be mileage related. Intermediate Shaft failure: doesn't seem to be mileage related. Porous block failures are certainly not mileage related. Transmission failures: do not seem to be mileage related. Coolant hoses fail, and aren't cheap, but those also seem to be age related and not mileage related. Perhaps a thread requesting high mileage owner's experiences would be helpful.

i never plan on selling either one, the cab or the new coupe we pick out.. they are just to much fun to own!

40-60k is about as old I'd go. Price will reflect mileage, condition, and model year. I'd opt for 02+.

It makes me sad when �enthusiast� are more worried about the resale on their vehicles rather than the pure enjoyment of owning them. If you want appreciation buy land. �They�re not making anymore of that stuff anymore��� J -Eli

Perhaps a thread requesting high mileage owner's experiences would be helpful. my '00 996 had 95k when i sold it this year...no rms problems or leaks (had original clutch!). the car pulled like a frieght train and felt as tight and quick as a much newer car. if it were me, i'd buy the newest car with the most warranty. imo, mileage is less important. rob

That is my opinion as well, though i am unsure of how the warranty works with Porsche. I know that i would have to buy a "certified" car to get the extended, but orginal is usually expired in three correct?