My almost 2 years with a 996

I wanted share my positive experience with 996 ownership please excuse my writing/grammer: After we had our first kid I quickly realized that owning a race car/trailer (SpecE30) was not in the cards. Once those were sold I went looking for a sporty car with a back seat for my kids. I wanted to buy an E46 M3 like I had a couple years before but realized that their values had started to creep up and decided to keep looking. A couple racing friends kept telling me that I should look at a 996. A Porsche was not on my radar as owning anything “exotic” scared me along with all the IMS internet fear mongering. But once I actually started looking I found that these cars could be had for less then I originally thought. Even better was daily drivers or higher mileage examples were considered “more reliable” which was ideal as I planned on driving this car every day. I settled on a higher mileage 996.2 from an independent dealer in Florida who had a client that just traded up to a 991. The car was equipped with some of the options I wanted it like factory BBS wheels, sport seats, 6spd, GT3 center counsel delete, etc. The car had front passenger fender work done and the dealer let me call the previous owner to confirm everything. The deal felt right and I pulled the trigger even though the car didn’t have a ton of service records. I bought a round trip ticket and went to see the car. The car was as advertised and I drove it home 10 hours that day. During the 10hr drive home I slowly started to get what makes the 911 so popular. The water cooled 911is a great blend of exotic sports car and GT. The torque curve is low enough that it doesnt leave me having to wind the **** out of the car like my S2000 and E46 M3 did. At 3,100lbs+ the car feels more nibble then my previous M3 but not quite as nibble as the S2000 and Miata I have owned before. The interior is simple and I find that as a plus. No buttons on the steering wheel, no nav screen to stare at, or iDrive ***** to mess with. No modern day fuss just drive it. Porsche brakes and steering feel are as advertised and I get why people rave about them. The suspension really came into its own once I replaced the failed motor mounts. Every time I get to open the car up it puts a grin on my face. I often catch people giving this 100k and 10yr old used car a second look. Even more so it has been a great conversation piece. This past year I took a step back in my career to go a different direction and who knew a 911 would get me in the door of one of the best firms in the city. During an interview the partner in the office mentioned he saw my car and showed me pictures of his Turbo. On the flip side I do have to park the car across the street anytime a contractor (in his $60k truck) comes over to do a quote on work at the house. Another surprise has been how relatively easy they are to work on. So far I have changed engine oil, tranny oil, radiator fluid, drive belt, water pump, expansion tank hose, engine mounts, gear shifter, headlight bulbs, and wipers without any drama or bloody knuckles. Granted none of these items required major surgery. Some parts definitely have the Porsche tax but majority can be found fairly reasonably. Additionally using the recommended Joe Gibbs DT40 oil and doing a couple Blackstone engine analysis I believe this engine could go for another 100k. Worst case drop a LS in it. I am convinced at some point every car guy should own a 911. As I am writing this I am asking myself “why am I about to selling this again”. The very car that got me my job is the same car that makes my job more difficult than it should be. With 2 kids in diapers and a job that requires me to putts around cities, selling this car is the right thing to do. I will own of course own other sports car but for now I need to shift my focus. Would I buy another 911 hell yes! Hell, I would probably buy this one back. P.S. Check here out if interested http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...ats-996-a.html

Great write up! Makes me think I'm making the right decision buying one of these.

I have had mine for two years as well. It came with 15,000 miles and now is up to 26,000. I have replaced the headlight switch and both window regulators but they probably died from lack of use. I had a LS Pro IMS bearing installed for peace of mind but that was probably a waste of money caused by excessive reading of internet postings. The bearing that came out was fine. The car looks and drives great.

I lucked into a Porsche Junior baby seat, couple months after acquiring my 2002 C2 coupe. What's sounds better than the plus part of variocam through PSE? My daughter's delighted cackle in response to that sound. Best family car ever.

('til she crosses the 42" mark)

Nice write up! Sorry you have to sell but you will have another one . I am in the market and it is great to hear a positive write up

Ha! I have to visit a lot of companies for work, and it's funny how many times the guys I'm meeting with make the comment "Gee, I'm in the wrong line of work".... as I look at them in their modded pick-ups that are probably worth three times my 996.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Good to hear that your car helped get you a job. I haven't hit my one year marker but I do plan to keep mine for a while.

I have to admit, I haven't driven mine as much since having a 3rd kid but I know I will eventually want to get this car again so for now, I'm holding on to it. Added a 3rd garage bay as well. GLWS

How much are you selling the child seat for?

Updated "holiday price" $19,200 and new pics on the link.

Great write-up - thanks. I'm closing in on my second year of ownership as well and loving it. I haven't done as much maintenance to the car - just oil changes so far - but more fixin will happen too. Drive-on!