2000 996 reliability?

I recently put a deposit on a 05 M3 with the competition package, but realized that for the same money or less I could buy a 2000 - 2002 C2. Porsche is my favorite car company. Anyways, I was wondering how reliable the 2000 C2 is. I found one with 30k miles, aero package, 18" techart wheels, upgraded suspenion, and aftermarket exhaust for an asking price of $51k. The owner is awesome and seems to have taken very good care of the car. Do you think a 00 C2 can provide many years of spirited driving without problems? It will be my daily driver. Thanks in advance.

a brand new car is always different.....

Depends on your budget, I'd get the latest model you could. Typically mods reduce the value rather then enhancing it, unless the buyer is a true enthusiast. 51K with some mods seems slightly steep for a '00 with 30k.

I am looking right now as well, that price sounds high. You should be at least able to get a C4 for that money. Look around there are more and more deals everyday, now that the 997s have arrived.

The m5 is a quick car but its like a pig around corners and with the new design it is just too much JMO. Get yourself a 996 and thank yourself after the first initial drive. With the money that you are throwing down for the m5, you can definitely get a nice 996, keep looking and grab the best one you can find for the money. -Get PPI/ history check and warranty.

keep in mind it does have the aero kit option, which usually raises the price on used ones by about $5k... and if he really likes those mods, that's $7,000 in mods.. although $51k is a bit overpriced especially for an 00.. it all depends on your financial situation I guess.. if you love the car, go for it, if you don't mind overpaying by a few thousand... but he's obviously charging you for the mods and aero kit in considering the price...

I rather have the Porsche or even a Corvette. YMMV

Drive it and then make a choice.........................you will be a rennlister in NO time

You should be able to get him down to 45-48k range. I paid 53k for my 00 C@ with a lot of mods 1.5 years ago and 11k miles! My brother does not like his M3 to much, its an 04...

Here are some pics. If I bought it I would add the litronic lights. Thoughts on the car? Description of the car: Beautiful Biarritz White 2000 Carrera Coupe with rare full factory aero kit, full leather interior, all the right options. Non Smoker, very clean car. Here is a list of the factory options beyond stock: Biarritz White Black-Full leather Interior Power Seat Package 3-Spoke Steering Wheel Remote CD Changer (6 Disc) Supple Leather Front and Rear Aero Kit Metal Door Sill Model Insignia Aluminum Instrument Dials Brake/Shifter Carbon/Aluminum Champion Motors added: Tech Art 18" wheels exhaust sound package Champion Springs lowered to Euro ride height I added: fitted car cover Speed lingerie color match Bra

Never considered WHITE for my upcoming 996 purchase .. looks really clean - love the kit! Mark Strachan Sold Last Year 1990 C2 Manual Coupe in Midnight Blue Searching for best 996 over the next few months ...

Looks like a pretty car, but $51K for a pre-facelift/engine upgrade 996 is too steep in my opinion, especially with all of the 997s out now as someone else had mentioned. That said, if you love the car, go for it. Good luck!

That car looks good to me, has good options...if you like it buy it! White has ALWAYS been my favorite color for the car, very very hard to get here in Canada.................And car has to have the Litronics... Good Luck.................and remember its a Porsce...there is no subsitute

That's a really nice specimen, try and talk him down then jump on it! kilrgt, mine just got diagnosed with a RMS as well, how did you reconcile this with yourself, I can't seem to, I'm so disappointed with Porsche at the moment. Chris

chris, maybe now you can relate to some frusteration i went through with my multiple engine replacements now <g> it's different when it happens to you isn't it...

Well i have to tell you, i was really upset at the time, then i had a good talk to myself .........I said Self you need to smarten up, you are driving a car that 95% of the people out there would kill to have.......I am in no way saying that this RMS issue is ok, but at least we have the chance to be upset about it. The biggest reason i bought this car is simply life is too short.........If i need to replace the RMS again so be it.This is just one reason i cant wait for my 06 Zo7

Personally I'd prefer Porsche wheels, where are the originals?

Bob, like I said before, I can admit when I'm wrong. I never thought this would happen to me in a million yrs. However, your case was slightly different than mine, although the end result is the same. I still think it is an awsome car overall, now that my immediate anger has abated, I can still clearly see that, thanks Kigrt. I would still and will buy another Porsche, although not a m96/97 engine, my next will be a Turbo. I'd do it now if I wouldn't take a huge bath. However, I would NEVER buy a used car, I'll take my chances with new every time. Peace Bob.

And C4S Surgeon...........your car is still awsome....better now that you have a new seal!

I have a 2000 C2 Cab. I have had 2 RMS replacements - other than that pretty clear sailing. I would inquire about an extended warranty. I drove it everyday last year and now commute to the city by train. Litronics are a good upgrade.

Look, the crankshaft seal issue is a minor one. You have owners that will spend thousands of dollars on their cars to change gauge rings, exhaust tips, tire, wheels, hoods, etc, so an $800 POSSIBLE cost for the seal replacement shouldn't bother them> And this is a small posibility as most 996's do not have a problem.

I think this is true. However my extended warranty has already paid for itself because of the two RMS jobs (and a cab top motor replacement). I paid less than $2K for 4 years (I think) and the total on those 3 repairs alone was well over $3K - in the first year of the warranty. The RMS was $1200, not $800. I had it done at Paul Miller Porsche in NJ.

RMS update, Went to the dealer yesterday for R&R of RMS. They called me saying that the small amount of oil was NOT the RMS, the technician blamed it on leaking filler tube (R&R). I'm happy, but still not sure I believe them, sure looked like it to me. BTW, check out the post on the 997 board, cofirmed 997S RMS

We purchased our new 2000 996 C2 in May 2000. We've put 33,000 miles on it. At least 50% of it was pretty aggressive driving. No problems whatsoever! Personally, I've driven the E46 M3 a few times and would never trade my 911 for one. The driving experience is very different. The 911 sounds better, handles better, and drives better. I would think the only advantage the M3 has over the 911 is long distance driving comfort. I would also inquire about an extended warranty. Our 996 warranty was extended for another 4 years/50K for around $2400. We haven't used it yet, but if I were in the market for a used European car, I would want one with an extended warranty. Still, between a brand new M3 and a 2-4 year old 996, it's a tough call. I've always told myself to buy used because it makes more $$ sense, but I have yet to do it! Good luck!

I bought my '01 new in '02 (good discount) and, other than the fuel door's mechanism screwing up once and now the battery on the verge of dying, there hasn't been any service calls done on it (other than for some persistant rattles early on). Now, it is reaching 15K of mostly fun (though not as spirited as I would like it to be) driving and nary a drop of oil (knock on wood!) or anything else. Get yours thru a PPI, talk to the owner, and take a good hard look at all service records before jumping in. Good luck!

I bought a used 2000 C2 a couple months ago with similar mods to yourself (look at my signature for details). Although I've had it for a short period of time, I have not run into any issues nor had the previous owner. Get a PPI done, Carfax it (obviously) and purchase an aftermarket warranty and you are set!