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YOUR RESEARCHWould you buy a '99 996?
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Install with plastic windows, as were the boxsters through my02
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The 98-01 996's were fitted with plastic windows, as were the Boxsters through MY02.
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I always seed/start a savings account for maintenance on any used car that I buy.
Replace but the cracked cylinder head intermix i'll have
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Suggestion · Original poster
Thanks for the feedback, the IMS I'd replace but the cracked cylinder head intermix I'll have to look into
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Suggestion
Knowing then what I know now (I already owned a 986, so I was already familiar with the M96's reputation), I wouldn't change a thing.
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Granted the IMS would have to be addressed as any other 996/997 but the question centers around '99 being the first MY that the water cooled 996 engine etc was produced
I think the 98 will become a collectors car one day as being the first year of the water cooled 911s. TIMHO. I wouldn't mind owning the very first water cooled 911 Porsche.
I wouldn't hesitate on a 99, in fact there are some items that make it more desirable. The first is that you will, without question, have a dual row IMSB. They still fail, but they do so significantly less frequently and take long enough that you have a chance of catching it before the whole motor is catastrophically ruined. The second reason is that it still has a cable throttle rather than the eGas throttle of the later models.
You do get the Boxster's bright orange turn signals though and some people REALLY don't like that...
98 was the first US model year for the Boxster. 99 was the first MY for the 996. In Europe it would be 97 and 98 respectively since they use the calendar year that it was built (damn Europeans being all logical and what not
).
No. Hate the poor quality materials used in the interior... I really do not like the look of the headlights... Engines that you can't trust long term... So no... I would skip that generation unless it is a Turbo...
I've had mine for almost 10 years. Love it for the reasons already listed.
The solution for the "cheap" interior is to get one with full leather. Also, only the early '99s came with the orange turn signals front and back. Mine is a late production '99 and came with clears.
One other thing to think about is the early cars are some of the lightest weight which is always a plus.
Good luck on your search.
99
- have LSD as an option (no other year have this)
- double row IMS
- Cable release (good in case your battery goes dead)
- c2 models have cable throtle (good for the track)
- A lot of aero kit 996's are from this year, it became more rare on later years.
Biggest problems IMO
- Intermix due to a Cracked Cylinder head. There are many cases on this but its a fixable item for around $1500
- IMS failiure (rare)
- d-chunk failiure (rare)
I'd buy it for the right price depending on current condition and service history. I always seed/start a savings account for maintenance on any used car that I buy. I recommend that you do the same.
I first bought an 03 996 w/ manual trans. Loved it and like a fool, traded it for a 997 S w/ tip. The only positive was the tip, so I dumped the 997 and went back to a 996...this time a 2000 MY with tip. The 996 is very much the analog car. Less electrical things to fail, and I find the last of the tiptronic transmissions better than the first of the non-S PDKs. In terms of car for the buck I don't think you can beat a 996. The 996tt is also very popular but it has higher costs of ownership in terms of maintanence costs...and it has its own weak spots as well.
I quite like mine early build 98 MY99 too. To be honest, it is on its 3rd motor. The original went out due to intermix and that one failing at 99k (for me) also due to an intermix that was AOS-inspired. Took the opportunity to go to a 3.4-->3.6.
Todd
99 996
About 4 years later, I have absolutely zero regrets. Knowing then what I know now (I already owned a 986, so I was already familiar with the M96's reputation), I wouldn't change a thing.
Of course you should buy one. Just do your due diligence (PPI, etc.) budget some $$ for maintenance needs, and don't overpay. You'll enjoy the right car once you find it.
Yes, but don't assume dual row just based on year.. My 99 was on a second engine (unknown to me) with single row. They have the best looking aero and are awesome value for the bucks.
When I bought my 996 I was set on a Mk II model. Knowing what I now know about the 996, if I was starting over I would definitely consider a '99. Especially an aerokit car.
Don't get me wrong, I love my 996 and expect to be driving it for a very long time. I may add a few more bits to it like coilovers and the rest of the aerokit (currently just have the flared rockers)
I have a 99 C2. Full leather. 6 speed. Cab. 15000 miles on it Fantastic car, rod better than my 07 C2 Tip with 27000 miles on it. I sold the 07 and kept the 99. The only downside on the 99 is the plastic rear window other wise it rides better, feels more solid. I traded the 07 for a 12 C2S 997.2 coupe with PDK, which is unbelievably solid car. I used to shift the tip or it felt draggy. Not so with the PDK with sport, which is very responsive and always seems to be in the correct gear. I think I will keep the 99 forever. Just a great car and believe it or not I get a lot of comments about it. Ps. Dual row IMS and I don't worry about it
He mentioned he had a cab so I'm assuming he is talking about the cab window
I know it's plastic in the 986 Boxster and I seem to recall it was in the early 996s too, but I don't recall for sure.
My '99 is at approx. 75K miles on an original 17-year-old dual-row engine...Not exactly record mileage, but it continues to enjoy good health *knock* *knock*.
When I first looked at the 996 I thought like most that the 04, 05 models were the way to go. My principle goals were catastrophic failure avoidance, and then looks, and then ease of use. The 99/00 became my focus after hearing some of the IMS and 'I'm locked out and battery died!' threads.
So, all other things being equal - I prefer the 99 over the later cars. Not sure how much leather my car has, but it has a bunch of it all over, including a wrapped wheel and airbag cover. I also got LSD and traction control, and boy, is that a sweet pair of options.
I have 99 C2 original everything (engine wise and maybe clutch) almost 80000 miles. Wish it was an all leather interior. 18 inch classic sport wheels, 3 spoke steering wheel, metal foot pedals. Not mad on the plastic window of the cab top. Other than those couple of things, I love it. My last DIY was linking the orange pumpkins to flash with my orange turn signals. No mistaking the pumpkins for anything but a turn signal. I think they look very cool.
I have a 2001 car like yours, and although I don't want the leather interior I really can't complain about the rest of the car. It's also nice as I like the 3.4 better than other engines, mine doesn't have PSM, and somehow it has a LSD.
Fun little car, wasn't expensive, and without the leather I don't feel bad if I don't get the top up in time and it gets a little damp.
Indifferent on the plastic window, but it is interesting to see how Porsche does convertable tops as compared to other sports cars.
one of the main reasons I looked at 2002-up only, because I wanted to avoid this:
IMAGE BELOW COPIED FROM THIS LINK:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...epair-diy.html
I bought a '99 on purpose for all the MkI reasons listed. Found one with heated sport seats, full leather, lsd and hollow spoke turbo wheels. I waited to buy until the depreciation curve hit rock bottom, and it's been great at 124k miles. Like it better than the 993 or the '87 930 because I drive mine all the time, it's useful, fun and I don't worry about it. Possibly my best car buy ever.
[QUOTE=Neto;13106436]Here is my 1999 with aero = best looking 996 ever!
If you like Yellow and cars with a roof otherwise you could have a very early 98 Cab 3.4 rocket in extra HP lightweight silver paint. Clearly the best looking 996 EVER O_Sr
Those of you intentionally avoiding the plastic roof - I'm with you. That's why I wouldn't consider any Boxsters prior to the '03 model year. That cloudy and/or torn rear window takes any car from sweet to ghetto in an instant. And then there are the people who tape that sh*t up with duct tape. Really? You'll spend $300 on a pair of plastic sunglasses but you won't get a new piece of plastic stitched in?
In another year or two, I think it would be a nice gesture to the rest of the motoring public for you to leave those flashers on whenever you are driving.
For what it's worth, swapping that ugly-*** 4-spoke wheel out for a 3-spoke is a piece of cake. Since I was able to resell my 4-spoke to someone else whose driver airbag popped, I think my net outlay for the wheel swap was fifty bucks. The hardest part of the swap is not being stupid; manhandling the clockspring will require the purchase of a new one.
If you don't want to shell out the coin for new aluminum pedals, head over to the local wrecking yard and find yourself a totaled Boxster. The blood will come off after a few trips through the dishwasher.
My top has never been replaced... It's OEM from the factory... as is the rear window heating.
Just checked my option sheet and it has the glass rear window listed. Perhaps not standard equipment but it was the way Porsche made this 01' 996 cabriolet, however it did cost nearly $4000 for the option.
My hand sewing and silicone is still fine after about 6 months. Wasn't the worst thing to do, vise grips and a few canvas needles, and took maybe a hour and a few beers.
as embarrassing as it is to ask this, I have no choice.
If I were to make the purchase from an individual in a different state, do I drive back to my state with his tags and send the tags back to him, or how does the whole registration, sale, and tag stuff work.
I only know he signs the title but not the whole rest of it :-o
