New member, looking for advice

Hey all, I'm excited to join Rennlist, and I've been doing research on the forums about the 996. I've been looking at getting one and found one that I might buy. I was hoping I could get some quick thoughts and advice before I make the leap though. It''s a 2001 and the original motor went due to an IMS, but clutch and IMS was replaced with another 3.4 crate motor at 55k. It is around 65k total miles now on the chassis, with 10k on the new motor. The IMS was upgraded to the ceramic one. There is a small oil leak right around where the rear sway bar is located (around the middle. I guess that would be the back of the engine). I'm not entirely sure what the cause is, but my guess would be the RMS. My question to you all is that location where the RMS leaks oil? The exterior is in fair condition, I would say maybe 6/10(has some rock chips on the hood) and the Interior about an 8.5/10. It has an upgraded exhaust and I think it may be rubbing with something causing a rattling noise in the rear. I've uploaded a short video clip on youtube for you all to take a listen to help come up with any possible explanations? I would just like to see if I can get opinions on buying this. Any help with the concerns I mentioned would greatly be appreciated! Thanks! - Alex

That car sounds horrible.

Sounds like something rattling against the exhaust

Why can't the joker selling this car fix that stupid rattle if he's selling the car? What prospective new buyer wants to hear that? 10k on a ceramic Bering shouldn't be leaking oil, obviously . I would get a pre purchase inspection if I was you

Welcome to RL Yes definitely a exhaust rattle. Could be a broken clamp or loose cat or bracket misaligned. With only 10k on the motor could be a great deal. Most definitely get a local porsche specialist PPI. What about transferable warranty etc ?

Everything dpends upon price. First take a deep breath and do lots of research. Be familiar with everything and ask lots of questions. The crate motor I have questions about. If it was a crate motor from porsche it can't have a ceramic IMS. They put a different bearing in their crate motors. Therefore it was either a used or rebuilt motor. This is not necessarily bad depending upon who did the work. Spend some cash and get a good PPI. If you do your homework you can get a great, reliable, fun car at a great price. If you don't, thousands of dollars can fly out the window.

Yep, get a Pre-purchase inspection by a good independent Porsche specialist. Then scan the PPI and post it up here for us to review and comment on. I am surprised someone would try to sell a car with a racket like that coming from the engine bay. That should make your guard go up on this car.

Thanks guys for the advice and suggestions. I truly appreciate it! The car is 3 hours away from my location, so I don't know of any Porsche specialists in that area. The owner has a guy that he goes to, but is an hour away on the other side of the mountain in Virginia. He was willing to have the car taken to him, but being on Sunday, we couldn't do it. The car is $22k and has a good amount of documentation records. I saw the receipt for the engine replacement and that alone was a $15k valve. It was done by a specialty shop, but not by a Porsche dealer and was told that when they did the swap, the IMS was upgraded to the ceramic one. The car drove nicely, I thought. The only major concern I really had was the oil leak and paint(a lot of rock chips and blemishes) of the car not being up to par. I wasn't too worried about the rattle, as others stated, I was pretty certain it was an just an exhaust rattle. I haven't made any decision yet on whether or not I will be buying it. I might need to do some more research. - Alex

At that price, a 996.1 should be just about perfect. That sounds like a car that is priced far too high. If you spend $22k on a 996.1 you should be getting a no-stories well-maintained car in very good cosmetic condition. Keep looking, they made a lot of 996s so there is zero reason to settle.

An quick check to confirm if it is the exhaust is to put the handle of a screwdriver against your ear and touch various points on the engine and exhaust to find the rough location of the sound. It worked for me. My guess is that it is one of the catalytic converters since my car had a similar sound in the past. They are pretty expensive to replace with OEM though. A single cat was more than $1500 from Porsche when I last looked. Most people install aftermarket cats for $1500-$2K for a pair.

http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...oductID=508961 These guys have new cats with correct pipes and sensor locations for $515 for CA approved and $350 for non CA No affiliation to me.