Hello, new member with questions

First off I'dlike to say, man it feels great to be in a position in you're life where you can entertain the notion of buying a car you have always wanted as a kid. Secondly to be in a forum where that reality is shared and appreciated. Life has been rather prosperous here recently and the idea of buying a 996 has come to fruition, and most importantly I have the wife's approval (thought that would be the hardest part). Now Im absorbing all that I can about the 996 and I have to be honest it's a little daunting. So I have decided on a 02-04 4s I love the wb and since I've never driven a porsche the awd sounds a bit safer. Here are a few questions any help would be appreciated. 1. Would it be wise to get one that's already had IMS, RMS , and engine swap performed already? 2. What mileage would you walk away from? 3. Is the 02-04 c4 a good car for a porsche rookie? 4. $ 35,000 is my limit, is this feasible for what I'm looking for? 5. Closet cars would be 200+ miles away, what's the best method for inspecting via 3rd party? Who will thoroughly check tranny, and engine. 6. I have a 5 year old daughter, will a car sit fit if needed? This car will not be a daily driver and used primarily for weekend trips and zipping around in town on evenings. Thank you in advance for answering these questions.

Yes or you will be doing it anyway. +60K for an MKII. Depends on condition, records. If you know how to DIY. That's now TT area, which is a much better choice. PPI at well known shop. That's just silly. Smartest thing you can do with a 996.

Welcome. Here's my .02... 1. Would it be wise to get one that's already had IMS, RMS , and engine swap performed already? While it's nice to have the IMS bearing already changed out, I wouldn't avoid a car that has not had it done. Just budget for it. Don't worry about the RMS at all. Not sure why you would go for an engine swap? 2. What mileage would you walk away from? 120k miles plus. There are too many cars out there to get a high mileage 996. 3. Is the 02-04 c4 a good car for a porsche rookie? Any 996 is good for a porsche rookie. 4. $ 35,000 is my limit, is this feasible for what I'm looking for? Yes. You should pay less. 5. Closet cars would be 200+ miles away, what's the best method for inspecting via 3rd party? Who will thoroughly check tranny, and engine. Find a local indy shop and get a ppi. 6. I have a 5 year old daughter, will a car sit fit if needed? Yes. There is an extensive thread on the subject.

1) No. If YOU pay for the swap, you know why it was swapped. If previous owner does, you take his word for why it was swapped (failure vs. preventive maintenance). Wouldn't you rather KNOW what shape that bearing was in when it came out, rather than just taking some stranger's word for it? 2) Well under 100K. There are just too many 996's to need to settle for a high-miler. The higher you go, the more you'll need to think about updating suspension, tracking down squeaks and rattles, thinking about wheel bearings, etc. 3) Any 996 will be more than adequate for a Porsche rookie. My first Porsche was a Boxster, and I know I never drove that car to its full potential despite several years of autocross. 4) Expect to have 5-10 grand left over. Put it in the bank - you may wind up needing to spend some of it. If not, use it to fund your daughter's college fund. 5) PPI at the nearest water-cooled-friendly independent Porsche shop. Ideally, drive out to see the car, and test drive it over to the indy for the PPI. You'll have to pay for it if you want to ensure it's impartial. Make sure the indy you choose isn't the one that has serviced the car - we are all less likely to call attention to an issue with our own work. Most shops are now accustomed to working on the water-cooled cars, but it doesn't hurt to find a way to ask...politely... 6) There are car seats that fit in the back, and folks swear that the 911 is adequate for carrying kids. There is also a part available to disable the passenger airbag to make the front seat appropriate for use with a child seat. If you're over 6' tall, the seat behind you is only appropriate for your double amputee friends...there is perhaps an inch or two of legroom when the seat is all the way back. 7) The one you didn't ask - why not daily drive it? Once you get used to it, driving your other car will become a chore.

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I agree. Anything around $35k, I would be looking for a TT. Otherwise, I'd rather spend closer to $20k for a NA 996. If you got $35k, get a TT over the C4S unless you are metrosexual and care more about style above all else including preference to silicone *****.

This isn't brain surgery guys. Perform your due diligence, look at service records, drive the vehicle, confirm that everything on the vehicle works, look closely at the condition inside and out. It's foolish to disregard a vehicle because it has its original IMSB, or to omit a given year because it was the first year in production.

1. Would it be wise to get one that's already had IMS, RMS , and engine swap performed already? Not necessarily. Not all 996s blow up. Do a thorough search on these issues prior to pulling the trigger. There's a wealth of info here. Take your time. 2. What mileage would you walk away from? I'd walk away from <10k or >100k cars. 3. Is the 02-04 c4 a good car for a porsche rookie? Any Pcar is good for anyone. 4. $ 35,000 is my limit, is this feasible for what I'm looking for? Yes, but don't listen to the guys who want you to get a turbo. Get a well sorted, low miles, well-loved 2004 c4s, maybe with aerokit and sport seats. Tell your wife it's going to cost 35k, then when you get it for 29k, you stash the remainder for mods. You may need wheels, tires, brakes and clutch. 5. Closet cars would be 200+ miles away, what's the best method for inspecting via 3rd party? Who will thoroughly check tranny, and engine. Ask the owner to drive the car for a prepaid PPI at the dealer. Get a leak down and DME. Also ask for pdf of all service records. One of us may be able to do a visual check for you. 6. I have a 5 year old daughter, will a car seat fit if needed? Yes. Get this or similar. The search is the best part. Do your due diligence. 996s will not skyrocket soon. Once you pull the trigger, fix what needs to be fixed, mod sparingly, and most of all, drive. Get a rennlist membership.

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+1 Because there were so many 996s made, there are many to choose from. Focus your attention on the condition of the car no matter the year. The market conditions are such that the price difference between a decent car and a very nice car is minimal in the overall scheme of things. It will probably cost a couple times more $ to put a "decent" car into "very good" condition than the price difference between them in the marketplace. Also look for highly optioned cars (a 4S is already more highly optioned). If you do it right, the search is part of the enjoyment of the whole ownership experience.

First and foremost thank you all for taking the time to respond so quickly and thoroughly. I've checked car gurus, auto trader and here. Am I missing any potential places to look.

Hadn't considered a targa. Are these wide body...found this one https://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/4737699586.html

The other question you didn't ask: Manual or Auto? Manual! Manual sells much faster in my opinion when it's time to upgrade. More importantly, the driving enjoyment is a world of difference.

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Manual

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So the ad you posted for the Targa is out... Good call on manual though.

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Is the targa a wide body like the 4s

Nope. Wide body cars are: C4S, turbo, turbo S and GT2.

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The search is the fun part, take your time. Excellence magazine has a complete Porsche listing, and Ebay. GL

The Targa Is very nice and unique but very expensive to repair when it fails (which it will). The auto v. manual? The auto is total crap and near impossible to sell. Only consider an auto if you have some physical impairment that requires it.

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sweeping generalizations ! All Targa tops will fail??? so will all mechanical things eventually Auto is crap and nearly impossible to sell? Thats a load of BS Tons of P-cars with autos get sold all the time. In fact I have seen lots of TTs with Tips in them Will someone buy one with the intent to track it, of course not, but for a nice DD, the Tip is great. Even see them used for fun AX and lots used all the time for spirited back roads drives as well

I think a lot of your questions have been addressed (but I have not read thru all the responses). Here are my 2 cents: 1. IMS: differing opinions (obviously). I elected to do the LN retro fit at 56k with a clutch for peace of mind. I'd say not a prerequisite, but budget for it if not already done. 2. C4S: I'm biased, so take this for what it's worth. I think it is a great car and great value at these levels. I needed a year around daily driver in the Midwest. I have not been disappointed. The car handles like it is on rails and has plenty of power for me. Turbo is certainly faster and metzger engine is bullet proof. However, if you're just driving around town, you may not have many chances to unwind the turbo. 3. Not sure where you're located, but I have found the members of this board to be some of the best I've come across on any forum. Many have offered to take a look at cars for other members. Half the fun is the search and this allows us to relive a but of the experience again. 4. PPI by Indy (my preference is not dealer) is a must. Don't go cheap here. Will save you money and headaches later. 5. I have 2 boys: 10 and 6. Both fit in back, but 10 yr old now prefers front. 6 year old loves back. Standard booster fits. No issues. 6. Mileage. Pretty strong support that garage queens have more issues. Would not worry about high mileage, with records. Good luck!

Some booster seats fit better than others. Graco's suck; they are too wide. Cosco's are a perfect fit. I have 2 for my boys. There are only a few narrow full car seats that would fit.

The more I see the turbo, the more I like it. I know nothing of these cars other than what Ive read on these forums and the idea of owning a turbo seems a little scary. Would it be foolish on my part to get a turbo or should i stick with the 4s? Where I live the closest porsche mechanic is around 200 miles away. So you veterans out there what would you do. Would you recommend a me getting a 4s as opposed to the turbo? Im not financing this car and I have a wife set limit at $35,000.

I bought mine a few months ago, the power on this vehicles is just scary, also I use it as a weekend car, for me the turbo is the upgrade for someone who has Porsches before and decide to hear and drive a Porsche on steroids, just today I took my car with my aunt and uncle for a drive in the highway, I reach 140 miles in a blink of a second the faces of my relatives were completely white as ghost. I'm not a DIY guy I have two teenagers a wife and a 6 days a week job, I would love to spend more time learning how to do things on my car but my wife will cut my ***** More miles on the Porsche, more needs, if I was you, as an insurance look for a $30000, low mileages and save the $5000 for things that may need to be done.

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Which porsche do you have? So a 4s seems to be a better option for me and maybe a turbo, after I have lived with this car for a while.

Turbos are some of the best values in the used car market, IMO. People say Vipers are scary and will kill with with a drop of water...If you know your personal limits and take the car to a DE and learn how the car should be driven, keep things safe (brakes, tires, suspension etc) You will be fine. Every week someone buys a new 991 Turbo, they don't end up on a cliff upside down in a ball of fire. I did 0-135 in a 991 TTS in about the time my 996 hits 75, that was crazy fast, but I'm still typing so it should be ok. I would look for a nicely modded 996TT (mods like suspension, brakes,not necessarily engine/performance mods) The engines and turbos seem to last a long a*s time with the 996TT, but items like the ones listed above do have issues. So buy one that has had that stuff done in the last few years and regular maintenance and info on prior stuff and you should be fine. Can't speak for the car seats thing. I deleted my rear seats though, I can hear my muffler bypass pipes better now It has been asked, but where are you? I would love to check out a car for ya if I'm close.

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I live in San Angelo TX, which is about 3 hours away from the nearest Porsche dealer. I am hoping to find a car in either Dallas or San Antonio but if none are available then Im looking into the option of a third party doing the inspection, and if its a go either flying to get the car and driving it back or using a car hauler. The idea of buying something miles away seems like an option although with my limited knowledge on these cars its a little scary to make that call. Have any of you bought a car miles away and can offer some advice on the best way to go about this. Here is my idea of how im thinking this would go down 1. Find a car via internet, contact dealer and determine what if any service records are available. 2. Find a mechanic in that area that knows these cars that isnt directly involved with dealership or private party. 3. Buy the car and either drive it or have it shipped. Am I naive to think that this is all that is involved when buying sight unseen? Any tips or exp, would be greatly appreciated.

It can be risky buying w/o seeing in person but many here have done it with good results. Reputable dealer and thorough PPI are a must. Buy the TT and forget about IMSB, CEF, or other MOF worries. Learn to DIY to lower ownership costs. As others have said, the TT's are now a bargain just as the NA's were a few years ago due to IMSB fears.

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I have a C2 no mountains, hills or snow, . South Florida has straight flat lines is a Paradise for any muscle car hence so many Corvettes I'm glad to have my C2, you will learn a lot from this forum, make sure your pick has a through inspection and again keep part of the money for any unspected or maintenance that needs to be done. Sent from my iPhone using Rennlist

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I live in Jacksonville...same situation. No hills. Boring straight line roads. My wife and I decided to move to Charlotte and we just bought a house. Moving at end of school year. Can NOT WAIT for the twisties!

Atrox, I bought mine from Pa, I live in Michigan, talked for about a week with the seller. Got some additional details, he had some records and carfax had quite a bit. The carfax states a LOT of owners, but I assume it was a corp car or something, the same dealer serviced it for the first 6 years or so, at this time carfax says something crazy like 10 owners lol. Anyways I flew to Pa, drove an hour and a half to the car, test drove it, hung out with the seller for a bit to gauge his actions and such, said I'll take it. Then signed the title and handed over the certified check. He had the bypass pipes installed just a few weeks before, it was super loud, I'm not sure if it was the elevation being different than Michigan or it was breaking in, but either way it was the best 10 hour drive I could ask for. Knock on wood, but the car hasn't steered me wrong in any way, it has been very reliable and tons of fun. Since I got it in May I've put about 14,000 miles on it. Changed the oil 4 times, looking to do 5 soon, did the pulleys and belts and a few odds and ends, total maintenance cost, including Porsche dealer labor rate when applicable is about $3k (including new rears, rear sway bar, etc). Most stuff I did myself, the dealer did the oil boot and front track arms.

By the best car you can find, and that will be a car by car search, not year by year and keep five thousand off the table and in your pocket just because used cars always have issues sooner or later. Don't spend extra on a wide body...it is a styling gimick that offers zero performance advantage. If it was a turbo there would be a reason for the wider body, but not with just C4 or C2. Agree with all who said not to trust a prior owners fixes to RMS and IMSB. If/when you need to do it you will have recourse if the job isn't done properly. If you were going to put everything in your budget in a purchase price I'd start looking at 997s and the later the better. Unless you live in really harsh weather the C4 isn't really necessary. And do consider driving the car alot. Under used cars suffer from lack of use more than daily drivers suffer from over use.

Couple of points... 1. A 996TT avoids IMS problems and has crazy power. A rocket ship even stock. But maintenance over time can be much more than a standard 996. Even simple things like an oil change are more complex. 2. Cabrios are great if you are serious about taking kids along. Easier to fit seats and get them in and out, and they are not back in a cave during the drive. 3. Why AWD in Texas? 4. Look for cars with lots of options, like PSM, full leather, and heated seats. The 996 and Boxster were built to a price point by a company in financial trouble. Options can really jazz up the somewhat low-rent 996 interior and add great performance adds like traction and sport exhaust. Every Porsche is different, which is cool. 5. Find your local PCA region and hang out. A wealth of knowledge. Good luck!

This is just nonsense. The 996 TT market is well within your budget you posted. You would be nuts to buy an 996 NA at that price. Purchase right the first time and you wont be on this forum crying about your IMSB, CEF, or MOF woes. I learned a lot buying a C4S but it was really dumb not to buy the car I originally wanted. If the forum would have been more open and honest about the M96 NA's problems, I would have ran to the nearest TT car and never looked back. The TT cars are described as "bullet proof" in every review ever written while the NA cars are described as "prone to CEF" (until corrected). You do the math. Frankly, Imre was exactly right when he predicted the 996's (NA) future as being the next DIY mechanics car because it will pretty much be a prerequisite of owning one.

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I appreciate you're honesty, and in the short amount of time of searching threads here I've come to a couple of conclusions: Talking about owning a porsche makes you want one even more. I like the 996 headlights the 997 just dosnt do it for me in terms of styling. I can easily see myself once I have one in the garage just going out there and saying holy &)@" that's a Porsche in my garage. There is so much info on these cars that to really understand one you have to own one. I could search and ask a million questions but I'm a visual/tangible person. The 996 turbo seems to be a smarter move. Wife approved me to 47k instead of 35k, but she said please try to find one cheaper. The idea of having this car has always been a dream, and between that and my reef aquarium I'm gonna have to find some time for the wife. I guess the biggest fear for me is buying a porsche when I know nothing about the particulars of these cars and I won't have the common sense to foresee a problem before it happens. I know I could play a bit safer and buy a newer less exsclusive auto, but the kid in me says get the porsche. When I first seriously started considering this I figured from face value that the turbo was to much car for me and mechanically out of my league, but it seems that this is in fact the opposite and although the turbo is a more powerful car, it appears to be well received and praised for its engineering and durability. So let the search continue.

Hell with $47k to play with, you can buy 2, one for you and one for her, or one as spare

$47 k will get you a VERY nice TT...there are some gt3's close to that range...cough cough.

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This... I would hold out for GT3 personally. It will also have a higher resale if you decide to sell later. I saw a red one recently for mid 40's.

I know this is a little out of your price range... but for a little more coin you could bump up to a Turbo! http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...t-exhaust.html