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YOUR RESEARCHI'm buing a 996 - would love some advice
Leading reported evidence
Use car search tool
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Read evidence and context
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Leading evidence: 'Use car search tool' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check local pca website)' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Obviously since we're talking used I'm flexible on most things about the car.
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Suggestion
Someone can sure recommend a good Indy in Dallas (or check the local PCA website).
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Suggestion
Sometimes it is useful to have a little chat with the guy inspecting the car.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Especially since the stories I was reading were saying that it didn't matter if you replaced the engine because the replacement one would have the exact same problem.
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Hi to all. I'm about to make the leap into Porsche ownership and I would love some advice. I originally started lurking on this forum doing research into the oft-talked about 996 engine failure issue, but now that I've made my decision about what I'm looking for I'm hoping to get some advice about where to look...
My perfect car is a dark color 2001 C4 convertible with the 6-speed, the 3-spoke steering wheel and heated seats. Obviously since we're talking used I'm flexible on most things about the car.
I have seen a lot of people mention average prices for various models, and how much they personally paid. So my first question is:
Where do you recommend looking for used 996s?
I'm currently keeping a daily eye on Autotrader.com and cars.com, but I'm just not seeing very many listings in the North East. I'm willing to travel pretty much anywhere in the NE USA.
Cheers, and thanks in advance for suggestions.
I used the Porsche used car search tool. CPO was important to me since I was shipping the car overseas - sight unseen. Many dealers have sales on holidays. Always finalize the deal near the end of the month (when quotas need to be met).
Dont limit your search in just the NE... go country wide. Air fare are relatively cheap compared to $30k-$40k. especially if you find a killer deal. You can always have it shipped as well under $1k.
I live in the NE and found my car in Ga and flew down and drove it home. Air fair was $150.00, hotel was $100... plus I had a great drive through the blue ridge mountains...
As everyone said - use Chad's buying guide.
I just bought mine from a P-car dealer and it was a CPO. Even with that - I had a PPI done. I highly recommend it.
Your two sorces is how I found both of mine. It amazing how long it takes to find the right one. When it comes along be ready to act. It also helps to go to a dealer and drive a few, even ones you know you don't want or can't afford.
Heh. I'm trying to do that on an almost daily basis right now - the problem is I can't find a singe *&%$@ 6-speed anywhere in town! It's un-freaking-believable to me, but of the nearly 2 dozen 996s I've found every single last one of them has been Tip. I gave up days ago on trying any convertibles locally but to my amazement so far I can't even find a coupe.
I spoke to one of the local Porsche dealers and he was saying that something like 60% of the 996/997 that came to N America were automatics, and that number jumps to near 90% for Turbo Convertibles (not that I'm looking or can afford a Turbo Convertible
)
Read the thread and found it very informative. Thank you so much for all the work that you and others put into it.
Actually I have to thank everyone here because I was really reconsidering the 996 purchase. I had been reading about the engine failure issue and I just couldn't get a sense of how big the problem was - people complaining about it made it sound like 100% of the 996 blow their engines and that Porsche was covering it up. I assumed this was exaggerated, but was starting to wonder how many cars it does happen to.
Well wouldn't you know - I find a car that is almost exactly what I'm looking for and I start an email conversation with the guy for details about the car. In his second email (in response to my asking "has it had any engine problems?") he mentions that the engine needs to be replaced.
I had two reactions:
"You're asking THAT much (mid-thirties) for a 996 that needs a new engine?! WTF dude."
...and...
"Holy crap - the first guy I call and the engine is blown? How wide spread is this issue?"
The experience made me very uneasy - I'm quite comfortable with running the
risk
of having to replace a blown engine, but obviously only a fool would buy something they
know
is going to break. Especially since the stories I was reading were saying that it didn't matter if you replaced the engine because the replacement one would have the exact same problem.
Extensive reading on this forum has really put my mind at ease that - while the risk is there - it certainly isn't like 996 owners have to budget for a new engine every year.
(Actually my second reaction was "You don't think maybe 'blown engine' would be more appropriate to mention in the actual AD, or at least in the first email reply?")
That is why this site is so great. You are armed with the right knowledge. Move on from this listing as you cannot trust him in the least. Even if he drops the price.
Thanks man.
Actually the numbers fit with what I'm seeing on autotrader. I did a search and got 102 results. Then I modified the search to show only manuals and got 45.
Which is pretty much a 60/40 split...
C4S.....good luck.....
you C4S can search for every CPO'd car in the C4S country in one swoop C4S at
www.pca.com
have fun....C4S
C4S
J
disclaimer...there C4S may be a subliminal message in this post....C4S
I have bought & sold several cars over the internet (sight unseen). Ebay is also a great place to search. You might try Craigslist. Search big cities...LA, New York, etc. Don't be in a hurry. It is a buyers market. Drive a bunch and enjoy shopping. There are several buyers guides available for 996s in the Porsche magazines. Borders carries all of them...Porsche Excellence, Total 911, Gt Purely Porsche, and 911 & Porsche World. Good Luck.
Does anyone here have any experience with Weissach Auto in CT? I have been lurking on their site as a possibility (although I would rather do a Private Party purchase.) I’m also located in the NE.
Good luck with your search!
I’m in the yearlong search for a 99-01 996 black, dark green or white C2 (manual) w/ ether the RMS fix or preferably a factory engine replacement. The only two options I would like are heated seats and HID (if a ’99 LCD). I test drove (unsupervised) a 2000 C2 6-speed at Foley Motorsports a couple months ago. It was a little over priced, although I didn’t start the negotiation (PPI than deduct based on deficiencies and market value.) All things being equal I would rather (when I am ready) purchase from a private party, preferably an enthusiast.
Thank you to everyone for the helpful advice. I have found the first potential 996.
Two new questions:
Should the PPI be done by a Porsche dealership?
Can anyone recommend a place to get a PPI done in Dallas?
Not really. But going to a dealer has the added benefit of being able to check out all the warranty related work. The downside is that you may not be able to talk to the mechanic and you'll only see the final results of the PPI on paper. Sometimes it is useful to have a little chat with the guy inspecting the car. Dealers also tend to charge more money for a PPI. Someone can sure recommend a good Indy in Dallas (or check the local PCA website). The choice is finally yours.
Buy a 2002. That's what I did.
I don't know of any blown engine on a 2002+. I have 56k miles on my 2002 C4S, no engine problems, never RMS, it runs perfect and always has.
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