12 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHThinking about buying a 2003 996
Reported or suspected cause
really the size of the base
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Read evidence and context
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Leading evidence: 'really the size of the base' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'really the size of the base' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean car' (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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Use car, some have low mileage, some have high mileage
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Just like any used car, some have low mileage, some have high mileage.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I have a car in mind that seems to be really serviced and a good clean car.
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Suggestion
Ideally you want to get to the point you can inspect/check out a car to when you come upon a car you want you know the car's ok and provided you believe you can make a deal for the car then have the car PPI'd and barring something really deep/dark the PPI comes back thumbs up and you buy the car.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
Realize that these companies change their models twice a year - at least.
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Suggestion
Ideally you want to get to the point you can inspect/check out a car to when you come upon a car you want you know the car's ok and provided you believe you can make a deal for the car then have the car PPI'd and barring something really deep/dark the PPI comes back thumbs up and you buy the car.
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Suggestion
Remember though the 03 996 is just a used car (8 years old) so a good used car check out will go a long way to id'ing cars you should avoid or ones that with further investigation past muster are worth seriously considering.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
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Generation: 20261026T133652Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Read these get a PPI enjoy the car we all do.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...questions.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...cabriolet.html
Can't help you with the child seat question.
The 996s, all years, all models have some issues, potential issues. Some issues are relatively minor some not so minor. However, I don't have the time to list them all even if I could remember them, or even if I ever knew them all.
A search of past threads, or possibly looking at a sticky thread that deals with this subject (can't for the life of me remember if there's in this section) and reading some past threads would be a start.
Or pick up an issue of Excellence that has a buyers guide on the 996s. Other car mags, Total 911, 911 & Porsche World, GT Purely Porsche (all UK published but available on the major newstands in the USA or by subscription or back issues avaiable (and IIRC Total 911 has the 1st 50 issues on CD for a reasonable price) all run at one time or another 996 buyers guides.
All have good info.
Do not be in a hurry to rush into a car purchase. Instead, be willing to take the time to learn as much as you can about the model you are interested in.
Remember though the 03 996 is just a used car (8 years old) so a good used car check out will go a long way to id'ing cars you should avoid or ones that with further investigation past muster are worth seriously considering.
Ideally you want to get to the point you can inspect/check out a car to when you come upon a car you want you know the car's ok and provided you believe you can make a deal for the car then have the car PPI'd and barring something really deep/dark the PPI comes back thumbs up and you buy the car.
IOWs, you want to PPI only one car. The one car you end up buying.
Happy shopping!
Sincerely,
Macster.
Some with cabs have to remove the rear seatback to get a car seat to fit better. Depends more if front or rear facing too, but I do know the cab rear seat back (even removed) still has a vertical wall behind it compared to the more open coupe.
For child safety seats, there are some that work better than others. The issue is really the size of the base. Do a search on "Kiddie Seats" or "Kiddy Seats" or "child safety seats" to find some relevant threads. Once you do that reading, go to a Toys R Us, and borrow some relevant display models to see how they fit in the back of your car. That's what I did. It's really the only way to assure that your seat will fit. Realize that these companies change their models twice a year - at least. That makes any thread on this forum past history. You will possibly need to do your own research.
Regarding finding a 996 for yourself. Macster had good points. Realize that it is just a used car. There are lots of them out there. Just like any used car, some have low mileage, some have high mileage. Extremely low mileage isn't necessarily a good thing. But, first, look on Craigslist and find some in your locality, 6 speed and Tiptronic, sport seats and normal seats, different options, different colors. DRIVE THEM. You will learn more than you can imagine just taking the car for a couple of mile ride.
And FOREMOST - Don't get emotionally involved in the car. There will always be another one. If your PPI says "Danger Will Robinson" walk quickly in the opposite direction. Trust your mechanic. Don't make excuses for the car. It will save you THOUSANDS down the road.
And stay in touch. We'll want to see pictures as soon as you buy one.
I just took the family for a drive yesterday in our "new" 2002 996 coupe. It has 55 deg and sunny in Michigan! My boys are 7 and almost 4. The toddler seats we have fit nicely. One is a mercedes babysmart seat by britex (or something like that). It has a narrower base. I am not sure about the make of the other seat. I do not think you have too much trouble finding seats that fit. The 996 rear seats seem to be much much wider than the ones in the SC's and 3.2 carreras. The kids were pretty happy and comfortable back there.
I can't help with child seats, but for what it is worth, my kids (6, 8, and 11) like sitting in the back seats. It helps that I like to sit very close to the wheel, giving a decent amount of legroom. I can't imagine it's the most convenient setup for a carseat, but it's better than strapping them to the rear deck of a Miata / Boxster.
I'm a month into my 2003 996 and LOVE IT, go for it, and like all the pros here have said, just hold out for one in great condition. You WILL read things on this board that will scare you, but its good to be informed to what you are getting yourself into. BUT once you buy it, and start to drive it, and realize how much more ownership really is, I think you'll forget the potential issues that can happen to anyone with a used car and rather you'll start to think how you can justify going on more drives than ever.
