16 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHBuying a 996 C4S
Leading reported evidence
Use car dealer
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I have come across a 2004 C4S at a local used car dealer.
Leading evidence: 'Use car dealer' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'least options ive ever seen' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend on here' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
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.
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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 have been through a list of checks recommended on here and on YouTube.
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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
You will not regret if you go in with eyes wide open and have some $$ set aside for repairs and any deferred maintenance.
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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
For negotiating I'd use the angle that such low mileage is good - although it does introduce some risk that major items at 60 and 90k intervals aren't done despite it being >10yrs old.
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
For negotiating I'd use the angle that such low mileage is good - although it does introduce some risk that major items at 60 and 90k intervals aren't done despite it being >10yrs old.
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.
16 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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T083035Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I have been looking for a 911 for years. Trying to find an affordable aircooled is practically impossible, at least in driving condition. I have come across a 2004 C4S at a local used car dealer. Car has 55k miles, 2 owners, for $33k. It is in mint physical condition. Service history is impeccable at the closest Porsche dealer to me. All majors, oils changes etc. First owner was a lease, less than 2 years. Second had the car for nearly 10 years. I have been through a list of checks recommended on here and on YouTube. I am taking the car to have a PPI done on Wednesday. Am I being foolish? Seem like a reasonable buy? I am sure the 996 will not go up in value, but likely hold true to current value. Am I crazy? Please shed some light or advice It's the best priced car I've seen across the interwebs and PCA listings
Ryan: I bought my 2005 996 C4S with 51k miles 2 previous owners in 2014 and paid a similar price from a private party. I'm in the midwest so selection and price would be different than the east side of the country. There will be those who will tell you that price is too high and maybe it is. I know I paid high end for mine but have never regretted it. History is a great thing. Has the dealer revealed how/where he/she got the car from? Are you crazy? Probably! You will not regret if you go in with eyes wide open and have some $$ set aside for repairs and any deferred maintenance. What options are on the car? List inside frunk lid on piece of paper. List them here so the forum guys will have more info for their opinions. Assume you are familiar with the "modes of failures" on these cars? I.E. water pumps, IMS, RMS, blah-blah-blah...
I love mine even with all it's alleged warts!
I owned a 1999 C2 for 12 years and drove it 60K. The only issue I had in ten years of great driving was a broken window regulator. A two owner car with complete maintenance records is a find. If the PPI goes well buy it.
Cheers,
Tim
you'll have to explain why it's the best priced car you've seen. plenty more to chose from.
is it high priced? yes in my opinion, but I also bought mine on the high end of the scale and don't regret it. It's everything I wanted
Thank you - I already "left" but have the car on a refundable deposit hold Pending PPI on Wednesday.
I have this screen shot from a build sheet I found online.
Nice looking C4S! With that mileage and condition it seems like it could be a good option. I bought a 2-owner car with a 2-year lease followed by an 11-year owner that I was able to contact. Seeing the consistent service records on the carfax was a big reason why I felt comfortable pulling the trigger.
For negotiating I'd use the angle that such low mileage is good - although it does introduce some risk that major items at 60 and 90k intervals aren't done despite it being >10yrs old. If the alphabet soup hasn't seen service in the last 5 years, you could note those things as common preventative items that the 996 typically needs (AOS, WP, RMS, IMS). If they scoff at the preventative stuff, remind them that guidance from reputable mechanics suggests more frequent intervals on major peripheral items than the factory planned.
I bought my c4s for a similar price.. Mine was a bit more had a bit higher mileage and had a lot of options.. My car was a one owner car (car was traded in by original owner to the dealer I bought it from).. Single owner with complete (including tire changes and everything done at our local Porsche dealership..
It was mainly the records that sold me on the car.. I know there's always a chance that the engine will blow but I've accepted that and decided to just keep up with regular maintenance and if the engine decides to go I plan on a hot cam ls3 engine.
They are great cars you will enjoy it..
The. Best.
If you like it, buy it. Paying $1000 'too much' means nothing for a car of this sort, IMO.
I bought my '03 996 nearly two years ago; third C4S, second 996 version. While I'd like an air cooled as well, my narrow, biased opinion is that the C4S is among the very best later 911 variants that those of us not in the market for $250,000 cars can find. Planning to keep mine forever.
Enjoy.
03 C4S was the first Porsche 911 I looked at. Still kinda considering one also, so I don't have to spend twice as much for a Turbo. But, really like the power of a turbo.
I paid $30K for mine last summer. It's an '05 and had 42k miles, in very, very good condition. It has a few more options than the one you are looking at, but only had partial history. I spent quite a bit in preventative maintenance since then, but that was my choice.
The C4S you're considering looks like a superb example, which in my mind is worth it. They are very special cars and the best incarnation of the 996 design imo. A year after purchasing it, I still turn around to take an extra look when I walk away from it in a parking lot.
Oh, and yeah... I was going to forget... there's also the driving thing. It's a 911.
Edit: one more thing regarding value. This isn't scientific and I am not basing this on a large sample size, but I regularly scour the classifieds and C4S prices seem to have gone up $2k-$3K here in Canada since last summer.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
