3 Month Ownership Experience

I purchased a 99 c2 with 75k for $17.5k October 2019. Thought I�d share my ownership experience. I purchased the car, originally, as a three season vehicle (I live in MN). It became a daily driver a few weeks ago after my daughter received an internship and claimed one of our daily drivers as her own. So, I swapped the tires for new Blizzak WS-80. The car has been driven (and started) in sub zero temperatures and several inches of snow along with road ice conditions. I�ve put 3,000 miles on the car in 3 months. Bottom line, I�m glad my daughter forced the issue. I enjoy driving this car in any weather condition and the economics, so far, have been favorable. I have yet to experience a warning lamp. I personally replaced the coil packs and plugs a month ago because they were original. The plugs looked fine, but the original coils packs were cracked. The car idles better now. I also flushed the brakes (forgot the clutch bleed), installed a new rear deck lid strut, replaced air filter and cabin filter. That�s about it. The dual IMSB is original. For comps, I�ve owned a �90 C4 and an �05 c2s (997) cab. Never drove either in the winter. The �99 is a much better car than the 90. The 90 was slow. While the 90 had the old school Porsche smell (still miss that) and a more go-kart driving experience, I don�t miss it. I do miss the 05S because it was quicker. The handling is very similar as the 99. I don�t miss the extra cosmetic worry of the 05 - I paid around $43k back in 2012 with 20k+ miles. I also experienced 2nd gear pop out with the 05 - I read that�s a common issue. things I really like about this 99 996 1. It drives like it should. EVERYTHING is tight, which amazing for a 20yr old car. It feels like a Porsche - you�d expect this. 2. It�s almost entirely mechanical, like the 90. ABS yes. But that�s about it. 3. Has a beautiful *** - like all 911�s. 4. It�s light - less than 3000lbs. 5. It doesn�t draw attention. Accept from other 996 owners who kindly wave. 6. It was cheap. I feel delighted every time I get to drive this car for the price I paid. It�s the least expensive car in the stable and the one I most want to drive every day. 7. It�s reliable. See below... I admit I�ve only owned for 3 months. Eventually, things will need to be addressed - the IMSB, RMS, AOS, bore scoring, blah blah blah. It�s a 20yr old daily driver I paid $17.5k. And when something major needs to be addressed, I�m excited for the DIY challenge. The 996 is still, IMO, a DIY friendly vehicle thanks to the engineering and extremely helpful resources from people, like you, on this forum. day I bought this 6sp cpe... Sorry it�s vertical.

I agree with all of your statements! I DD mine and have put 30k miles on it in three years. So far, basic maintenance. Car now has 86k miles. Really, really enjoy this car for all the same reasons you point out.

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Nice write up Enjoy the heck out of that 996

It sounds like you found the right car! Glad, you're loving it as a DD. I sometimes wish I could drive mine all the time, but at this point it just isn't practical (and my job gives me my other car...). The fact that you can/will maintain it yourself is a big plus both financially and from a "bonding" point of view! Good luck with 'er!

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Thanks for posting this. I'm starting my search for a 996 (and first Porsche). Since it's a dual IMS with 75K miles and no issues, do you think you'll need to replace it? Did it have bore scoring when you bought it?

I've had mine for over a year and other than a coolant line I replaced, (did the expansion tank while I was at it) I couldn't be happier. Car has been extremely reliable, has never thrown a code or had a light come on. Always starts, and drives like a dream. I've put on just over 5K miles. I did do the IMSB, RMS, clutch, coils/plugs, water pump so this car should be good for another 30K to 50K before I need to do anything else major. A good PPI makes for a good car. I walked away from a few before I finally found the one I wanted to purchase.

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Re. The IMS, my plan is to monitor the situation by cutting open the oil filter after each oil change and watch for increase in metal shavings. May also consider doing it when it�s time to replace clutch. I also plan to keep the oil level full at all times - one of the many theories about IMS failure is low oil. Besides that, I�m very comfortable with the low odds of failure. And, it�s a $17k car...how much preventative money do I want to throw at this daily driver? Re. Bore scoring, I can�t say if it had any when I bought it. I have read that a good bore scoring clue is to listen for piston slap. It�s audible enough and some think it�s a lifter issue when in fact the piston skirt liner has worn away. The slap (knock sound) occurs at the bottom of the stroke just before the piston begins it�s upstroke. I do not experience knocking. I�ve also read a good preventative measure is to not drive hard until the car is warm. Keep er below 4K rpm. I personally keep it under 3k when it�s really cold here. it�s a machine. **** breaks occasionally. My thought for ownership enjoyment, on a older vehicle, is plan to DIY to save a LOT of money. And have a second car to drive since projects can take a while. good luck with your search! 911�s are the best. And 996�s are extremely affordable for what you get.

Nice write up on your car, sounds like you got a good one as there are many out there good and bad. as you have discovered they are a great driving car in all weather even snow. I am on my 2nd 996 now, and like you I looked at many different ones when I bought my first, it’s also 99 c2 I managed to put 80k miles on it in just over 5 years with regular maintenance it has been a great car and it only let me down once, the ignition switch went but other wise no real problems. i did just fix the drivers door last weekend, couldn’t open from outside but fine from inside and anyone that’s had the problem knows what I’m talking about. Stupid little rod that rusted leaving outside handle useless. Keep up on the maintenance and I think you will be happy with how it will treat you, fun reliable exciting and a joy to drive.

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Thanks for the thoughts! I'm still trying to get all the IMS failure stuff straight in my head. I've read the double IMS rarely (ever?) fails. I've read that the IMS bearings that do fail normally do it within the first XXX miles so if you have a 75K car it's probably not gong to fail. On the other hand I've read that you should be replacing it every 50K if it's not the LN replacement. It does seem like the chance of failure in your situation is pretty low. I'm planning on having a bore scope done during the PPI when the time comes.

Nice to see a positive experience! In the 5 yrs and 18k miles I�ve had mine (currently at 95k miles total), the main non-scheduled issues I encountered were a broken coolant connector (flatbed ride ), a fuel pressure sensor, and window regulators. Other than that, it�s been the normal consumables, some little items (I,e., seat belt buckle), and mods.

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Thanks for the good write-up. Great to hear a newish owner loving the 996.

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Some say keeping the oil level full is not a good practice. Makes it too easy to overfill and that can be a very bad thing! Advice I follow is fill it to 1/2 and don't add any until it hits the low line then add only enough to get it back to 1/2. At the low line the engine is still NOT low on oil. The difference between the full and low lines is a surprisingly small amount of oil. I don't have the info available and too lazy to go get it...sorry. Never heard the theory of low oil quantity negatively impacting IMSB. Good job on staying below 3k rpms until warm. I follow the 160f water temp. as warm but honestly I wait until 180f before I lean on it. In addition, even in cold weather don't start the car and let it idle a long time to warm it up. Lets the car stay in cold start fuel enrichment status too long. Start car, buckle seat belt and drive away. Wonder why you were questioned about bore scoring as I didn't see that you mentioned that??? Did I miss something? Drive in good health! Edit: I see you mentioned possible future bore scoring in the first post...so Never-mind!

Have had my .2 C2 for three weeks and agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly. Looking for snows but have strike out every time I look (daily) - where�d you source yours? -Joe

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I got my Blizzaks at discount tire. They were able to match up the tire diameter very close to original spec for snow tires. I couldn�t find original spec tires. Seems tire mfrs have moved on after 20 years.

Agree 100%. I had a 1988 BMW E30 that I engine swapped (S50) and did a bunch of other upgrades to. I miss that car. It was so simple. Gas/clutch/brake/shifter. No computers or electrical guardians. The 1999 C2 is so much like my old E30 as it just is a raw drivers car with only the stuff you need gas/clutch/brake/shifter and none of the BS that all modern cars have (computers, guardians, extra weight, and way too many entertainment distractions). EXCEPT, the 996 is faster, handles better, and is Juuuuusssst new enough where the extra level of refinement is appreciated. It's the perfect compromise.

2003 4s manual coupe, 10 months ownership and already 11k non-dd miles. No warning lights, no codes, just needed to repair both window regulators and horn. 1st high performance car for me after 40 years driving, and without doubt the best purchase of my life!

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love it, i DD a modded e30. I love having the option of the 996 but never get sick of the e30 for all the reasons you mention.

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well said!