First Porsche Pristine 1999 vs Modified 2002

Hello all... I'm looking to buy my first Porsche and a 996 fits the budget. I found two close to me of interest and I'd like to hear your opinion... I like both cars aesthetically (black/black Coupe) and definitely have a preference for Option No. 2 in terms of style and performance. The mechanics might be another issue, hence me asking here... I'm definitely a led foot and like to drive my cars hard. Option No. 1 is a pristine 1999 with relatively low 42k miles that looks to be well maintained and is 100% original. Apparently a second set of wheels is included - not sure what they are. This Porsche looks absolutely well kept and seems to be a safe bet. IMS done fairly recently. Looks like a perfect car. Option No. 2 is a "driver" 2002, lowered, wing, 18" Champion wheels, Evoms airbox, intake etc. with high 120k miles. Definitely a rad looking car & I 100% want something to have fun with. Now, the mechanics will surely need some maintenance rather sooner than later. Apparently the IMS bearing has been done 2x and a clutch might be in order fairly soon. This car is $5k less than the low mileage 1999 and seems a little clapped out. I'm drawn to the 2002 due to the more powerful engine and sportier optics. Logic tells me to go with the lower mileage 1999 that seems to be better kept, yet perfectly boring and I would make some performance upgrades over time - I'm surely not the first one to dislike the headlights. Both are close to my home and I'll drive either one before making a decision. I have not seen either car in person, I'm just trying to get an idea what to expect. ​ What would you do!?!?

I just went from a 997.2 GTS at 400+ hp to a 99 Carrera and could not be happier. The 3.4 is plenty fast and the 99 is great. Perfect fast, fun daily. you�re going to blow the 5k difference taking care of a clapped out 120k mile car. get the 42k 99. Can�t see the headlights from the drivers seat. if you don�t get the 99 pass me the link and I will

I�m just getting into some of the �problems� with the m96 engine. I think the 99 with a 3.4 that has the ims replaced is a more sturdy engine compared to the 3.6. It has bore score ims and rms.

Tough decision. I found a really good condition 996.2 that made me forget about the 996.1 that needed a bunch of work. Better condition is great, but so is the 3.6l.

The 99 hands down and I haven't even seen them... You will spend $$ on either but spending $$$ on the 99 to make it look more aggressive/stylish to your taste will be a lot more fun than spending $$ to restore a clapped out 02...just MHO...

Listen, you pay the extra 5k and you get the 99 and forget about the clapped out 02, you'll thank me for it later.

Too much BS on RL. The 3.6 is a great engine. I would argue it's better than the 3.4 in just about every way. Why, because the engineers made changes as they always do with the evolution of the engine to correct and enhance from the previous version. If you want the data, analysis and specs on this, get yourself a copy of the 996 Essential Companion. Not too mention drive them both. However, it comes down to how both engines and cars were serviced. The 3.6 may have been better serviced than the 3.4. Or not. You will only know if you get every service record, perform a ppi, test the oil, drop the sump to see what's in there, and scope the bores. In addition, if you want to put all the bells and whistles on the 996.1 car that are on the 996.2 car, you will have to spend alot more than 5k, so pull out a piece of paper and tally it up. At the end of the day, the 996.1 and 996.2 are both awesome cars that all of us would be proud to own. It comes down to what you want in looks, performance, enhancements, etc and what tradeoff makes the most sense given the condition of the engine and car overall. There is a cost to everything. So weigh it carefully. With all this being said, I can't tell you which one is the one to buy unless you tell me more about their service histories, ppi and borescope results, as well as any and all parts replaced, current conditions as well as enhancements made to properly judge the options and costs. But if you have the info please share. Hope you find the perfect one. The 996 is a must have classic.

The 99 is a better bet long term, given the miles and condition. Plus it�s a better blank canvas if you want to do mods. I used to laugh at real estate ads that billed unfinished basements as �unspoiled�. But now I see the logic in not having to spend $$$$$ undoing other people�s poor taste.

99 because it has a fraction of the mileage. No amount of money can turn back miles.

It's a buyers market now, and will become even more attractive over the next 12 months as the macro deteriorates. You got time amd conditions on your side to be selective. 1. Learn all about the 996.1 and 996.2 and Figure out which one you like better. 2. Figure out what you want to do to it. Plenty of info here in RL and ideas. Both items above will help you to make a decision when the right ones appear for sale. I am with Boff and Sam Son. I would rather have a clean slate and build it the way I want it. But every so often you will see the right model, with the right mileage, the right service history, in the right condition, with the right upgrades that is too good to pass up. And it will be cheaper than doing it yourself. Get the right one for you. Its alright to say no until you are ready to say yes.

It all comes down to how they both were serviced. Sounds like the 99 has been well kept - hopefully it's also been driven. These cars fair poorly when they sit for extended periods, so as long as use was constant (if not a ton of use) and maintenance was a priority, has a recent IMS, etc - it's probably a safe-ish bet. The 2002 if it has been religiously maintained might also be fine (but sounds like maybe not?). But I'm aways a little leery of cars where more money is spent on go fast parts and not equalled with maintenance dollars. Either way, you should PPI any car you desire, so start with the 2002 and if it gets a clean bill of health (from a reputable indy), then you can feel safe in that path. If not, get the PPI on the '99 since low miles and good records don't mean it's flawless. The most important thing is that you go into ownership knowing the true condition of the car and have a good idea of the $$ investment you'll need to make in it. These cars have been cheap for a while, so there's more than a few with 10k+ of deferred maintenance.

5k difference for a low mile 99 with IMSB done? That is the way to go.

Options mean a LOT on any 996 purchase decision -- much more so than any other car in my opinion. What are the options between the two for the following? 1) Coupe or cab, 2) 6-sp or Tiptronic, 3) 2wd or 4, 4) Full leather; 5) 3-spoke steering wheel; 6) Exterior and interior colors (I think the above list covers the main options affecting enjoyment and value) The 3.6 is a "better" engine in the sense that it has more low-end torque and more power overall, but the combination of larger displacement engine with a smaller IMS makes it more prone to issues than the early "dual-row" 996.1 IMS. The 996.1 engine is fun in its own way, with power coming on hard at high RPM like the early 911's. If mileage and maintenance were equal, the 99 would still be a safer bet, but with the high mileage and (presumed) lower maintenance versus a 42k mile '99 with new IMS, it's not anywhere close. A 100% original '99 will hold its value, or increase in value, much more than a modded '02. As the 996's begin to be recognized as highly desirable, originality makes can make a huge difference in valuation (look at the difference in original versus modded on any other generation of 911 -- it can be massive). If you're just going to mod the 99, and won't be happy without the showy stuff, then maybe get the 02, but the 99 should be a much safer investment and a better investment. If your heart lies with the '02 wing et al -- don't ignore that -- but, in that case, I'd wait to find another example that moves you rather than buy one that's "clapped out". There are few things more expensive than a Porsche that is cheap because of neglect. Cosmetic neglect is ok if you like to restore cars, but maintenance neglect should make it a non-starter.

99 all the way for two reasons: 1.) Low mileage 2.) There is no guarantee the 2002 car has any more power than stock So when you compare these two cars on performance alone, they are likely going to be within 3% of each other. The way to get 100% out of a 99 is to use WOT all the way to redline (or 500rpm shy of redline if you want it to last a little longer. Glen is right that the newer car and engine have many small improvements that are all better (with the exception being the IMSB, but don�t let that bother you).

My $.02 as a person who is looking at buying a 996 at some point in the next few months.... I was initially hell-bent on a 996.2 at all costs, mainly because I couldn't get past the 996.1 headlights. However, I think an Aero Kit on a 996.1 completely transforms the car to the point of almost making it look better than a stock 996.2. So if this were me I would buy the 996.1 and add the aero kit which would probably run somewhere in the range of $5k painted and installed. However at that point you have to ask yourself is that car worth more than $10k to you vs the 996.2 which seems to have a lot more question marks. If you wind up wanting to upgrade in a couple of years the 996.1 will probably hold its value better for sell/trade purposes.

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Bear in mind there are no easy bolt-on performance upgrades for either the 996.1 or 996.2. If you absolutely need more power than stock, it's probably better to search for a Turbo or a 4.0 conversion. The stock intake is already a "cold air" intake, and most of the aftermarket "upgrade" intakes take in air from the hot engine compartment, so they can be worse than stock in overall power and/or overall drivability -- but, even in the best of circumstances, they aren't going to provide any significant power increases. There is no guarantee that the mods on the specific 996.2 you are looking at have helped performance or drivability. The '02 should inherently have more low-end torque than the 99 due to the slightly increased displacement and improved Variocam, but it would be best to test drive the modded '02 you are considering, and the '99, to see how they compare in real-world conditions. Only your opinion on which headlights are better matters, but across the broader RL population, it's close to an even split -- 43.4% prefer .1, 47.29% prefer .2, and 9.3% don't have a preference ( https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...r-996-2-a.html ) .

I would agree that successive generations of most products reflect incremental improvements, however, they also include a fair dose of penny pinching on the part of the manufacturers. Cheaper materials, cheaper/less experienced labor, manufacturing process shortcuts, etc. The aforementioned IMS is a prime example of how Porsche tried to cut costs in a further development of the M96. Shareholder ROI is their focus, or maybe I'm too cynical, no? You like the 99, you buy the 99, you keep the 99.

No question buy the 99.

I'm Biased i ended up with a 2000 MY Aerkoit car.. a 99 should have a cable throttle and the earlier headlights with the orange turn signals, if it does believe it or not those fetch real money now..the early cars are where the best money is going to be for resale, that's not to say a well specced 996.2 will be far behind, if you do go with the 99 and mod it keep all the stuff you take off for resale. oh and if you dont buy either and hold out for something else colors matter interior and exterior.. don't get a tiptronic.. get a manual, don't get a cabriolet get a coupe, if the 99 has decent service history, its an early dual row IMS... that's the best car of the two with what we know so far...

From your posts it sounds like you don't like .1s very much and won't be very happy with one. I would consider the .2 or keep searching.

pristine 99

99 but I’m biased purebred of the water cooled gruppe

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what? The switch flipped? Didn�t get that alert I guess.

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What are you talking about

Based on what the author originally shared about the two vehicles, I�d go with the 99 for sure but sad someone unnecessarily messed with the original dual-row IMS bearing. There are pros and cons to each version of the 996 (when comparing the two), but mk1 here appeals to me more (I like OEM, cable controls and no computers influencing what I do).

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I believe he's referencing you saying that it's a buyer's market. So he's asking if the switch flipped from seller's to buyer's market.

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yep.

Looks like the OP is a "one and done" poster. Glad we all spent time providing him info

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Right , that's what we do .......although I don't know why ... ...maybe a labor of love.........

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@Porschetech3 it's worth it, you guys have helped me many times. You are appreciated. Enjoy your Sunday. I'm going driving.