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YOUR RESEARCHAdvice on finding rollers?
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Check craigslist in every major city within a days drive
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When I was looking, I checked craigslist in every major city within a days drive from me.
Leading evidence: 'Check craigslist in every major city within a days drive' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check auto trader' (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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The vast majority of the cars you will find on eBay or Craigslist are owned by �typical� used car owners.
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Suggestion
eBay and craigslist are the two most likely places to find one, but also check auto trader.
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Suggestion · Original poster
There's no way to repair the block on a D-chunk is there?
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Suggestion · Original poster
I already experienced some of this when I bought a cheap running 996, that wasn't a way to save money either.
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Hi all... Looking for advice on the best way to find a roller? Just wondering if there are better sources than Ebay or Craigslist?
I've got a good working 2001 996, but I want to practice tearing down an engine. If it works out I rebuild the engine, if not, well, part the car do an LS swap or whatever.
My suggestion is to look for a Boxster.
The engine is pretty much the same, and you can find a running Boxster for less than a 996 roller.
I saw a cheap one on the Austin Craigslist recently.
If it had been closer I would have bought it.
I’m SW of Houston.
I’m waiting for a closer Boxster to pick up and rebuild the engine.
I might go with larger LN Nickies and pistons.
A 3.2 can be built into a 3.8.
eBay and craigslist are the two most likely places to find one, but also check auto trader. When I was looking, I checked craigslist in every major city within a days drive from me. Eventually I found mine on eBay, but I contacted a few on CL also. They are available but not as often as some would have you believe. I looked online daily for more than six months before finding the right car. Patience and waiting for the right deal are key.
I was thinking about $5k but maybe I�m off. I�m basing that off of one of the recent roller thrrrsds here. I�ve already done the high mileage route, my current car runs good now but with 3700 hours/137K miles on the engine I plan to do an overhaul. The problem is everything else that tends to be wrong with those high mile cars. (Speaking from experience with mine.)
$5k is the typical accepted price for a roller, but it is possible to get them for less, depending on the situation of the seller. Most typically see the cars as money pits, and decide to sell after reaching their limit on what they are willing to spend to get them running again. Anyone having to pay an indy to do their rebuild will quickly realize they are in a financially losing situation. Some owners don’t care and love the car so much that money is no object, but most reach the point where they are unwilling to throw any more money into the pit, and just want the problem to go away. I think these are the cars you can get cheapest.
Good advice, thanks. I could be wrong, but I feel like a good portion of the 996 community are people who like to do things themselves. If you are not willing to drop an engine I suspect you will go looking for a newer 997 or 986 if a rebuild becomes necessary.
if you talk about the rennlist community, maybe. The vast majority of the cars you will find on eBay or Craigslist are owned by �typical� used car owners. It�s both a blessing and a curse. These cars have been inexpensive long enough for a used car buyer can afford them, and like the �prestige� of driving a Porsche. They soon find out the maintenance and cost of parts is far from inexpensive, and not at all like the typical Honda or Toyota. So, maintenance gets delayed or is nonexistent until a breakdown occurs. That�s the curse.
The blessing is that these cars (rollers) can be purchased cheaply from owners just willing to get rid of their problem. For those of us willing to do the work ourselves and don�t mind a project, they can be a rewarding experience.
Also, if you go into this as a fun project, you'll probably be happier. I think a lot of people go into it thinking this is a cheap way to buy a Porsche, but from my perspective, it ends up costing about the same in dollar cost and you put a ton of time into it.
My advice, when asked, is to buy a decent running car to start with. There are plenty of good runners out there. Send your wrenching time on deferred and preventative maintenance - there is probably enough to keep most people happy.
If you want an engine to tear apart for fun, drop me a PM. I have one that is a likely D-chunk failure, I'd sell, that may serve your purpose without the cost of a roller.
Just posted on FB Porsche 986/996 buy/sell/trade page. Owner will need some course correction on price...
2001 Porsche 911 - $11,000 (Huntsville, AL)
2001 Porsche 911 coupe roller with matching miles engine. 101000 miles. Engine has upgraded IMS bearing. Car comes with old engine with scratched cylinder wall and new engine with matching miles. The perfect fit for person wanting a 911 that can do the swap.
No affiliation with the seller. Already have my own roller that I'm working on the LS swap on.
One thing is for sure, you will not save a penny buying a roller. Once you consider all the parts that will need to be purchased, the new tools needed, and all the "little things" you didn't know the roller needed and your TIME. The roller will end up costing at least as much as a well maintained, full records, two owner, over 100k miles car.
True. I did that first, bought a decent running car, then focused on learning maintenance plus cosmetic stuff. I did do a transmission swap, IMSB, RMS, clutch job myself. Thanks for the offer, but part of me does want an engine that has a chance at a successful rebuild. There's no way to repair the block on a D-chunk is there? I'll PM you anyway.
Totally agree, not a way to save money. It would be a project and learning experience. I already experienced some of this when I bought a cheap running 996, that wasn't a way to save money either. I've spent more on the car as a project than I would have if I bought a low mile 1 or 2 owner 996. Hell, another $20K and I'm scratching 2009 997 territory. But it's my car now and doesn't look like any other 996 cab. This would be a coupe, less focused on aesthetics and more DE.
OP, Still looking for a roller? Here's one in Atlanta, a bit pricey at $10,500 but it's only an asking price. 2003 MT with 80k miles.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/c...609567175.html
That guy is overly optimistic with his price, though I see he's already down to $8500. I've seen some ugly running cars for $9K. Plus, I already have a cab... I want a coupe for DE.
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