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YOUR RESEARCHLooking for Advice
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Suggestion · Original poster
I realize that all of these cars are not going to be cheap to maintain, but I don't want to suck all of the enjoyment out of this proposition by always wondering if a $12k bill is just around the corner to replace an engine, etc.
Leading evidence: 'Replace engine, etc' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace engine, etc' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Replace engine, etc
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
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Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
I realize that all of these cars are not going to be cheap to maintain, but I don't want to suck all of the enjoyment out of this proposition by always wondering if a $12k bill is just around the corner to replace an engine, etc.
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9 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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I am in the market to add a third car to my stable and would really like some advice from the wiser folks on these boards. In sum, I am looking for a pure enjoyment vehicle that would only be driven on weekends and ideal summer days (1-2K miles/year), certainly the car would not be a daily driver. Just something to enjoy with my son as he gets older. The budget is $25k (plus/minus a couple of thousand). On to the choices I am considering:
996 - C2/C4 Open to coupe, targa or cab
Pros: Probably my favorite of the three cars from a styling perspective. Back seat which would be serviceable for kiddies.
Cons: Greatly worried by IMS catastrophic maintenance issues. I once removed the Boxster from consideration due to the IMS issue and a resource that knows that cars well told me that the IMS issues in the 996 are worse or more prevalent.
Boxster - 2003-2005
Pros: Again, love the styling. With my budget I can probably buy the newest model year with this option.
Cons: Worst performance of the three options. Concerns regarding IMS/RMS. No back seat.
BMW E46 M3
Pros: Great performance. Back Seat. I have owned several Bimmers, so there is a baseline level of comfort with maintenance, etc. By some accounts this car appears to be the most reliable.
Cons: Doesn't get me excited from a looks perspective.
I realize that all of these cars are not going to be cheap to maintain, but I don't want to suck all of the enjoyment out of this proposition by always wondering if a $12k bill is just around the corner to replace an engine, etc.
So you're not concerned about the Vanos unit exploding on the M3? More and more reports about that every day. What about Long term effects of going to larger clearance rod bearings that require 60W oil on all the pre '03.5 S54 engines? How about rear sub frame failures? BMW even did a manditory inspection recently due to class action against them pertaining to the sub frames coming apart.
You just need to drive and decide for yourself. Catastropic failures can happen to either car....or your neighbor's Toyota Camery for that matter. Your decision shouldn't be based on which one is statistically less likely to fail as these failures are still a very small percentage for either car. It should be on which one speaks to you more when you're behind the wheel.
Andy
go read the "post your high milage 996" on 6speed and stop reading the IMS scare tactic threads - get a PPI and if you just cant live in fear, call Jake Raby and get the IMS upgrade kit - as for the other car choices, those are not choices, those are settling for 2nd best
The resale market for cars like this works like a bear stock market: the fear of what might happen is already baked into the price. That's why these cars are so cheap. A rational view is that there are many, many cars out there that would objectively be bargains even if you had to add in the cost of a new motor.
If someone said, "Here's a cherry Porsche 911 for $30,000. But you only have to pay $20,000, and there's probably less than a 10% chance you'll ever have to pay the balance," people would be lined up around the block, assuming they could afford the car in the first place.
If the money is going to make you lose sleep, then don't do it. Life is too short. But if you're just worried that you're going to get screwed somehow, and you love the car, then don't let that stop you. These cars are ridiculous deals right now. I'd buy one before they all become so cheap that people start buying them who really can't afford to take care of them. In a few years, these low prices might very well mean that there will be lots of 996s out there, but not many really good ones.
Just another way of looking at it.
Hello,
My recommendation would be a 996 cab. Back in March I bought a 2000 cab in speed yellow and I have not regretted it for 1 second. For $25K you should be able to get a mark II (2002+) model with the nice upgrades (bigger engine, better interior) over the early models.
I can tell you that the rear seats are great for kids. Mine (son, 8 and daughter 12) fit back there and it's nice to be able to take them for a ride. When I am driving the car I get lots of smiles, waves, and thumbs up.
Good luck,
Barry
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