Should I buy this 996 Targa for 44k?

Hey all - leaning heavily towards purchasing a 911 this summer. For some reason I've been smitten after driving my 944 around the past few weeks (beautiful weather here in Ohio), I'm 99% sure that I need a 996 Targa. I wasn't stoked at first at giving up a roof-rack as I'd love to be multi-functional but I figure if I love the 911 enough, I can get another, perhaps a 4S, Turbo, or even something actually practical; like a cayenne, or a pick-up truck Anyhow - the 996 Targa I'm looking at is: In Portland Oregon (I am in NE Ohio) Black on black Has Porsche Sport Exhaust Button Brand new engine installed @ 17k due to an IMS explosion - RMS had been done as well. Meticulously maintained and records up to 31k Looks to be super clean inside and out. They are asking 44k. Should I buy this car? I'm really thinking of flying out this or next week and driving her 2500+ back, no PPI, lol. The only other option is a silver 996 targa on fleabay also 44k w/ 37 miles with a new IMS,RMS and clutch. I like the black better though. Am I crazy? It does look *kind of* plain, but they were pretty no-frills with these targas. I don't want to go full teenager at all, but maybe a static spoiler, new rims and a front lip is in my future? Hmm..

Car looks very clean. But the engines are prone to bore scoring and other problems so the maintenance and low mileage doesn't guarantee anything. Read this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...e-failure.html BTW, I wouldn't modify it in any way... I like the original look with these wheels and no spoilers.

Quotes source post: 17464888

Wow! Thanks for giving me a lot to think about. The guys on reddit are really steering me away from the targa and pushing me towards the cab - more of an open air feeling, and I could get a turbo for around the same price - 45-50k they say. I forgot about the bore scoring and I would hate for what happened to that guy - happen to me, as I too would be flying out to Oregon, sight unseen, buying this car and driving it 2500 miles back to Ohio. I think I'm going to go back to the drawing board on this one and set my sights on a turbo Cab. Thank you again!!

Quotes source post: 17464694

Sea Sucker make suction cup style roof attachment systems. I Haven�t done it yet, but a valid opinion for bike transport. PSE is 👍 If you haven�t, Face Time and have them operate the roof. Haven�t seen a black on black Targa, nice. $44k should include a fully documented PPI, including video/pictures full scope of each cylinder. love mine. I�d sell it for $44k 😁😎 Good luck!

�Brand new engine installed @ 17k due to an IMS explosion �(quote)� New �old build� engine had same components as the less than 8 % that did fail. If it was a stock engine at the outside it could have gotten the bigger bearing which requires �cracking� the block to replace(ala 997s) and 17k could have been 10 years ago. Without a PPI ($300-500�which should include the use of a $50 borescope) put the upgraded bearing into the car immediately�($2500-$4000�there is a �Jake Raby� protocol including AOS�CLUTH�etc. that can run high$$)�point is $44K to buy�$3k piece of mind preventive maintenance and you sound as nuts as any of us�dress up (Nice try�� don�t modify it.��$XXX and you�re at $50K for aMKII 996. I think the 996 ha$ arrived folks but you�re into 996T high miles and 997 money. Call a shop close to this car and have it inspected�that is a lovely car. Be prepared to walk away. If you bite�.Buy an extended warranty even�best of luck�

I probably wouldn't bother on a PPI on a 17k mile engine in a 34k mile car if the engine was installed by Porsche within the last five years and the install was documented. That said, I wouldn't pay more than $30k for a non-turbo 996. Once your wallet has more than $40k in it you should start thinking about stretching for a 997.

It does stretch into 997 territory, but those prices are rising as well for well sorted cars. Plus 997.1's to a certain year still have IMSB, getting into 997.2 you're still looking at potential bore scoring. None are perfect and do need to assume some risk with any choice really.

And don't assume that everyone who drives a 996 would prefer a 997 but can't afford it.

Another vote for Sea Sucker. Love mine. Has kept the bike safely on at 80mph. Haven't tested more as I really like my bikes hah

Car looks pristine. Still need a PPI including bore scope. If it passes then the price (in today's market) isn't unreasonable. Year ago it was a low-mid $30s at best but that isn't the market today. Be warned, the purchase price is just the initiation fee!

Thanks so much for the responses guys, loving the feedback so far. Not making it any easier for me either way haha but still loving it! I am now almost leaning towards a turbo cab 996, mostly due to the reliability of the engines. They actually do make a roof transport system for the cab but it's VERY unweildy. Hmmm, LOTS to think about!! Thank you again,!!

I don't think you're going to find a Turbo Cab for $45k unless it's got high miles > 100k or a Tiptronic. Neither are bad things, as long as you're comfortable with them.

I'd look for a high mileage turbo to avoid the M96 engine and it 30 something causes of catastrophic failure. Or get a cheap cab and take a chance. I don't see how liking this car will result in you getting a cayenne, but you are choosing 2 vehicles that have lots of failures worst being bore scoring cylinders.

In your post, you said Brand New Engine. Is it indeed a brand new engine or a rebuilt engine?

Quotes source posts: 17465424, 17465628

I totally hear you. I'm most likely bumping my total purchase price to somewhere around 55k. It said brand new, but I will be clarifying today. Thank you for the insight!

I have clarified that it is indeed a new engine, installed in 2013.

Prospectively looking at these 3 now... https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...paign=atempest 2008, turbo cab, 60k miles, orange puke interior https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...id=autotempest 2004, turbo cab, black on black, 60k miles https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...id=autotempest 2004, turbo cab, silver on black, 60k miles - interior looks slightly ruff What ya think Willis?

I like the triple black '04. Three years ago it was a $38k car. It's not going to get cheaper, either.

Quotes source post: 17466391

I will sell you my 2003 cab 6 speed manual with 30k miles on the clock. I am the original owner. Here are some of the options: 1 Arctic silver 2. leather black interior 3 Aero kit 4. Sports exhaust 5. Short shifter 6. Aluminum interior package center console, center bezel, side pockets/arm rest 7. GT3 wheels 8.Hardtop 9. non smokers package 10. alum a look handbrake and shifter 11. SS rocker panels 12. Dual turbo tailpipes 13. Das shield 14. new car cover I live about 15 miles from Grand Prix motors, so come see them both.

$44k with a stock replacement engine is extremely high (especially considering the plastic dashboard and who knows what else - I would barely consider a 996 without "full leather interior)... I does seem like the prices are creeping up

Quotes source post: 17465122

Been thinking about making the change to SeaSucker for the quick removal when not in use, though can confirm the factory rack works at speeds above 80...

Quotes source posts: 17466511, 17466494

Hey thank you very much for the offer - I really appreciate it. The one I'm looking for now is in Ohio near me, so I'm afraid I'll probably pass. You guys have convinced me however to go w/ the turbo cab rather than the 996 targa. Reliability, speed, and practicality have won me over. Tell me - what would you say is the single coolest thing about owning a 911 convertible? Thanks! Hey thanks for the vote of confidence on that one. I think I'm going to go see it Friday - it's only about 30 minutes from me. Talked to the fellas on the phone today - has a new GT3 transmission due to a grinding noise it had around 30k, and also has had a new clutch installed 3k miles ago. Has 60k miles, 58k is what they want for it. Seems pretty immaculate. Said a millionaire drove it and he swaps out his cars every 6 months. Yes I know this car is nearly 20 years old so I don't really get the 6 months thing..ha. But other than that, she seems super solid. And she comes with a hard top. Thoughts!?

Tell me - what would you say is the single coolest thing about owning a 911 convertible? Thanks! Going topless!

Quotes source post: 17467911

Really only 3 problem areas with the Turbos. #1 spoiler hydraulics are broken or will break in almost all of them, rennkit.com has a solution for less than $2k. #2 MY'01 and MY'02 sometimes have a 2nd gear popout problem that was solved in MY'03 by changing the shim spec for the gear stack in the transmission. #3 all have eight glued in coolant pipes, which over time can loosen up and pop out. Does not happen to all cars and there seems to be no pattern to it. Solutions include either pinning or welding the lines, typically requiring an engine out service which you'll be doing shortly anyway as the clutch is probably about used up. Oh, #4, it may well put your driving license in jeopardy. PS, if it really has a GT3 transmission with the oil cooler that is a really big plus. I doubt that's what it has, it probably has GT3 gears in the Turbo gearbox. Some like the GT3 ratios better than the stock Turbo ratios. With the stock ratio you better be on your toes for the 1-2 shift or you'll be bouncing off the rev limiter.

Quotes source posts: 17467973, 17468047

Baha, thank you! I've always wanted to be a stripper! 1. It already has one installed! I had googled it after seeing it in the picture and found out 2. I heard about that, super glad this is not that year! 3. I heard about that as well. I was doing a ton of research about the turbos before I then got swayed to the targa and now back to the turbos. 4. Not looking forward to it but it's been very clean the past 5+ years so it could take a ding or two Oh and it has a new clutch and will definitely find out the correct details regarding the transmission. Thank you again all for all of the wonderful responses! I'm gonna go see her Friday and see how it goes..! Some hi-res pics also --

While it's a 996 forum and love these but have you considered 2014+ 981 / 718 Cayman or Boxster S ? Alot of positive changes went into the car, it's just right size and weight with tons of power to boot. Similar price range for mileage . https://www.autotempest.com/results?...yman&zip=14304

Quotes source post: 17469103

That hot air intake HAS TO GO. Put a stock intake box back on it immediately. The stock intake box is good for 800+ HP. The one on the car is guaranteed to increase IAT's by 20-30 degrees. When the IAT's hit 150-ish the DME pulls timing and adds fuel to prevent engine damage. Make darn sure the top operates perfectly. The 996 convertible top is very complex and very expensive to have repaired. With a stock tune it should boost up to 0.7 or 0.8 bar depending on how hot the air is. If it does not there could be boost leaks (very common, easy to fix) or vacuum leaks (very common, harder to fix) or wastegate actuator problems (uncommon and expensive to fix). If it boosts over 0.8 bar it's probably tuned, and it's worth finding out which tune.

Quotes source posts: 17469263, 17469439

Hey thank you for the recommendation I really appreciate it. I actually almost fell down a cayman rabbit hole a few weeks ago but I was already chewing on the carrots from the 911 rabbit hole I fell down a few months prior 😉. From what I understand however they are the more pure driving machine and a real drivers car. For some reason I just keep gravitating towards the 911 and the extra bit of practicality that I'll get with it. Much appreciate the cayman love though and that weight distribution is much more similar to my 944 than the 911 will ever be, ha. Thank you so much for your recommendations and suggestions, I really appreciate it! One thing I was too busy driving to notice what the boost gauge was at or even to look at it, but hot damn did the car drive well and he assured me it was not tuned whatsoever. I did ask about the intake and the reasoning behind it, he couldn't give me one. I will make it stock first chance I get 😊. But, I was super impressed all the way around. It did indeed have a new transmission and while I didn't ascertain the exact reason behind this, I shall soon and everything felt as smooth as silk. Top functioned properly, there was one tiny scratch on the back bumper you could barely notice and some peeling on one of the vents. Small scratch on passenger side door handle. That's literally it. But man, the driving. That feeling that KICK you get once the tach goes over 4k which throws your head back - was incredible. I've felt that feeling before but never in a car that was mine and...I put a deposit down lol. I should get a PPI (but I might not..), they're checking out which lender I'm going to go through (34 years old, just now starting to work on my credit - 710 FICO atm , going to put around 10-15k down to offset the lack of a killer credit score) and they should call me tomorrow or Monday. I plan on getting her polished up real nice and letting her sit and appreciate as much as she can. HA, yeah right. I'm driving this beast to NM first chance I get, 2 week mandatory road trip coming up ASAP! Thank you again to all of the helpful forum members here I really appreciate it! Ps. All the guys at the lot liked my 944, incl the maintenance men! Got lots of stares haha

Quotes source post: 17473201

My buddy has a Ford GT-350, the one with 525 HP. He drove my Turbo last year, we started off in traffic, traffic thinned out a bit, he hammered it in 3rd. He started to say "This doesn't feel like 450 HP*", got about as far as "This doesn't" as the turbos spooled up, then changed to saying "oh ^&#&". We laughed about it later. You will find the downside is that if you like to hear the whooshing sound you'll get about 12 MPG. * I have a tune that's good for 450hp.

Quotes source post: 17474302

Nice!

Quotes source post: 17468047

Agreed! Esp. the PS 1-2 shift comment. 1st gear is nothing more than a useless driveway gear that seeks the rev limiter. Gbox �told� me they will be replacing 1st gear with a new ratio when I send mine to them shortly.

Going to pick her up tomorrow, thank you again all! Watching the 996 forums and 996 turbo forums to read about events and what to watch out for, etc thank you again all!!

Quotes source post: 17464898

I have a Cab, but I�m a ragtop guy, I�ve had several. I really really like the 996 Targa, I would suggest you trust your instincts, and the Targa sounds like what you want. The Black one looks gorgeous and reasonably optioned. The driving is priority, 996s are a fantastic driver. Go for what you want, and don�t look back. You�ll have no regrets. Best of luck! Edit: I should�ve read further before commenting�love the turbo cab selection!

Thank you!! Will probably make a post on the 996 turbo forum, re a few questions I have. Thanks again to all!!