New here! Am I crazy?

Hey everybody! LONG time lurker, reader, researcher -- I think it is time to get in the game. I am looking for a 996 and am ready to buy when I find the right car. I have been reading about these for months, so long that I think some 997s are dropping into my price range. The following are mandatory criteria: IMS retrofit, MT, Bose, bi-xenons, coupe/targa, full service record (dealers, you are on notice), not yellow., STOCK. Mileage is unimportant, although, <80K would probably help me sleep at night. I am more interested in a C2 and am really drawn to the Targas -- NOT the yellow one on Long Island. All for... < $25k. It would be my DD. I enjoy tinkering with cars and have no problem with doing my own oil, adjustments, etc. I may even be able to handle doing a water pump and timing belt replacement. I still have the following questions: (1) With the IMS retrofit -- am I good for life? (2) Which of the 1999s have the dual row bearing? Is there a VIN range? (3) Does anybody know of a good indie in the Hartford area? (I have heard rumors of there being one in Canton) I have started test driving what I can find and hope to be sharing pictures within the next month or so! Thanks, AK

In answer to "Am I crazy"? YES but you are not on your own. The retrofit. NO.. nothing lasts for ever. If you get a 99 job. It's probably got the double race bearing. I like to think that mine has. So try to think along those lines. And the answer to your last question. Apart from a PPI, WHY do you need to be looking for an Indie? There is nothing going to go wrong with your car that you can't DIY yourself. They are easy enough to work on. Optimistic thinking and you will buy. Pessimistic and you will not. Make sure you get an independent PPI on the vehicle. You don't need 'good luck' you need optimism. ARK just seen your second posting and that's good. Putting the situation in perceptiveness. Your odds against anything major happening to a 996. Line 20 of them up. One of them is bad. I bet you all you want that you pick a good one and NOT the bad one. Pretty good odds I think lol.

The indie would be for the PPI.

Join your local PCA region now. There will be plenty of 996/997 owners in PCA who can advise you about indy's, etc. PCA+rennlist = an informed owner

Can't retrofit the IMSB in a 997 or a 996 with an engine replacement done after about '06 I think without major work. That being said, those rarely go bad. It does not keep me up at night with mine worrying about it. I don't see how the Bose would make a difference, the car is loud enough to not really enjoy any kind of fidelity from a radio anyway. (Not that it needs it, the sound of the car is enough!). Many people have successfully retrofitted aftermarket stuff that is way better than anything from the factory, but if I was to go this route I would probably prefer to buy stock and do it or have it down myself. Other than the above, mine fits all of your criteria and I would be thrilled to get anywhere near your $25k budget for it so I don't think you will have any problems finding one or more examples. Good luck with the search.

I would expand the date range to include the early 2000s. I would also include cars that haven't had the IMS addressed, not because I don't think it is important, but because you can have it done yourself, and budget it into the sale price. And I would consider the IMS Solution (with a capital "S") which, IMHO, will allow you to basically forget about it, once it is done.

Did you see this post: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ite-99-c2.html If this car fits your bill, I would jump on it. I looked at it, and it's super clean, has everything done on it and it could be yours for $21K.

For the comments about Bose, I disagree. I think the Bose system is great, crystal clear just as expected from Bose. I have a fister D modified exhaust and you'd be crazy to think the engine drowns out quality of the audio. It's a good choice if you care about audio quality as you clearly do.

Thanks everybody, great input. I have this pathological obsession with factory cars. I really don't like modifying -- even the stereo. If bose was the "best" that year (no highs, no lows, its Bose) then it is what I will go for. That white one is beautiful but I would rather hold out for one with the equipment I am looking for.

Something to consider about the bearing retrofit... I'd love to think that everyone is honest and would tell you whether the bearing was replaced as preventive maintenance or was replaced after finding crap in the filter, but honesty tends to go out the window when cars are involved. Unless the records show the reason for bearing replacement, or the seller is beyond reproach, a car that hasn't yet been retrofitted would be my preference over a car that has already been modified.

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+1 I went though the same process about 6 months ago and while I was not too concerned with the IMSB retro fit, I shopped for a low millage very clean MK1 knowing that I would have to do the Preventive maintenance when I needed a clutch. If you get a six speed plan on replacing the clutch unless it has recently been done - it may last for years or you might need to do it after 3 months. My clutch started slipping slightly after I only put on 6k miles so I did all of the PM at that time. IMSB, RMS, AOS and the 30K service - I have a very good indy that has done many of these before so I like knowing who did the work and the parts that were used - cost about 4K but I planned on spending that so it was not a surprise. My 2000 c2 had a duel row bearing that was in perfect condition when replaced.

(3) Does anybody know of a good indie in the Hartford area? (I have heard rumors of there being one in Canton) Musante Motorsports - South Windsor

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I want a woman with the following criteria : spinner, blond, like kids, doesn�t want kids, likes dogs, wants a commitment, is just looking for a fling, must be funny, must be smart, Age 27-35 (ideally 28-34) College graduate, doesn�t have to be a great school, but needs to have finished the degree Skinny, fit (i.e. dress size 0-2) Healthy lifestyle defined as no smoking, no drugs, good diet, no hard drinking, 34DDD natural, workout everyday, make more money than me so I can stay at home, loyal, always in mood for sex, do not argue with me, cook better than Emeril, wash, detail and do the maintenance on my cars, let me be with other woman without being jealous and owns a bar. I think you have better luck with the woman than with the Porsche.

PPI go speak with Spenser ***/Zack @ Speedsport Tuning, right next to Danbury Airport. Top notch, knows their stuff.