996 Body progression

Hello all! I suppose my first post can serve as both an introduction as well as answer a question. I have been considering a Porsche for quite some time now. It has been about a year that I have seriously considered replacing my daily driver with a 996. I have set a goal and am now at a point in my life where I can make it happen. I currently drive a Toyota 4Runner and while I know I shouldn't expect the 996 to be in the same vicinity (reliability wise) I found through research that should I remedy the IMS/RMS situation and diligently maintain the vehicle, I can enjoy (read daily drive) it with much success. Now to my question- While looking for a 996, I am in the price range that seems to pull anywhere from 1999-2001... are there any physical changes (besides the amber piece in the headlight) between these 3 model years? Some of the 2001's have a 'fuller' look to them. I am looking to spend 20K. This will allow me to fix the IMS before driving the vehicle, as a precaution. I'm shooting at having the lowest mileage possible so a 1999 may get me less mileage in exchange for a year or two in age. Can one get an aftermarket 'aero' kit? Can one fit the turbo bumper to the regular 996? Forgive me if this doesn't make sense, it's a bit past my bedtime and the older I get, the harder it is to get my point across in an effective manner when tired. Thank you all!

The C4S and the Turbo models share the "wide body" asthetics (this is probably the "fuller" look you mention... I believe the C4 was also fitted with the clear side markers, and directionals on the headlights (they have yellow bulbs inside so they still shine yellow). If you do your homework and shop carefully, you can most likely find a car that's already had the IMSB (it's the bearing that needs to be replaced not the shaft itself) updated/upgraded/replaced. * If the seller claims to have replaced the IMSB, be sure to A) Get/See receipts (B) if it's a LNE IMSB check the serial # (there should be a label or tag affixed to the door jamb area (usually drivers side). Good Luck

Your assumptions are correct for your budget, although there have been some high mileage '02 models around your budget. Here's the breakdown: '99 models- Dual row IMS which is more beefier Most availability for Aero option out of the mk1's Cable throttle Cable trunk/frunk release(not truly direct though) LSD option availability '01 models were known to have more cylinder head issues out of all the mk1 models. Other than that, they are all pretty similiar. Good luck with the search.

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As far as I know you can put the Turbo front bumper on any MkII (02+) 996. You can not, however, put it on a MkI without all the work to swap the headlights as well. You are better off paying the difference for a MkII rather than working from a MkI if that is something you seriously want to do. As far as aerokits go there are lots of options out there from the ludicrous (price and/or looks) to more sedate. Personally I have yet to see any 911 of any vintage that I think has finer lines than a MkI 996 with the factory aerokit (taco wing), but I am slightly biased since I've looked at one for 15 years now If you want a OE/OEM aerokit, however, you're better off waiting until you find a car with one already installed. They are not cheap to install after the fact, but if you are patient you can find good used parts that pop up from time to time and get the parts for a substantially reduced amount.

Dare I say it.....You should also look at Boxsters. You an easily find a 03/04 Boxster S below $20k yes, you do give up some HP and the body style is different, but you do get a newer car, Top down fun and the advantages of a Mid Engine vs a rear engine. as well as saving some $$ I have both a 04 Boxster S and a 04 996 Targa. The Boxster is my DD. They are both a blast to drive with the Boxster edges out as more fun, especially on back roads.

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Fie and a pox. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Here is something to really consider. And I have had a few Porsches over the years. The low mileage cars are NOT necessarily a good thing. A Porsche that's spend most of its life sitting collecting dust in the garage instead of doing what it was meant to do being driven. Can be a problem on its own. Lack of Lubrication, dried out rubber seals and joins/mounts etc. A well driven, well maintained car with decent mileage maybe a better quality diamond if you can find it. $20K maybe a little short of what your looking for. I would plan $23-$25K for all once the dust settles for a really good example of your years.

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Great info.. I'll look for a 99. I like that list of options/pros. Thank you for the tips.. This will be helpful. I would love to find one with the IMS already done. Hopefully I can! I appreciate the suggestion! But I am after the iconic 911 and am in love with the body lines. I also rarely like convertibles. I'm sure it's a blast though, super lightweight and handles on rails. That is interesting... almost backwards of what I would be inclined to think but makes perfect sense. I will search for 70-90K. I could possibly stretch the budget to $23K but at that price point I would have to require the IMS already be replaced.

I agree with what's been said above. Not too low mileage. Ideally one with around 80k on it, hopefully the clutch, IMS bearing, and water pump have been done if you're lucky (and assuming regular service intervals have been completed, like the 60k service). Of course, that will be more than $20k, maybe closer to $30k if it has lots of factory options and is pristine. These cars are also incredibly reliable, contrary to popular belief. The scheduled maintenance is a bit more involved, though. Funny story, I'm actually considering selling my "00 for a 4runner. Love the car but would prefer a DD with more cargo space, and a seperate, cheaper car for track days. Yes I took the 996 to the track a few times. You'd be dumb not to. Anyways, it's ocean mettalic, grey interior, 6sp if interested lol. Best of luck!

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30K seems a bit high.. Wouldn't want to pay 30 for a 99 996. That's too funny though. Care to trade+cash for a 2006 4Runner? Another question guys- Any difference in reliability from the regular carerra coupe vs the 4? I know it's awd, but from what I understand it doesn't help winter driving (would be nice) but also could just be one more thing to go awry. Thanks!

The AWD system is awesome on a 4S along with all the other goodies and the widebody look. Most will tell you the 996 4S is one of the most beautiful cars Porsche cars for that time period. For the winter/snow it is a snow plow as most of us have them lowered and running low profile summer performance tires won't help. Still drivable and fun in the winter but it not an Audi or an SUV. The performance of the all wheel grip is a huge plus. I can't say much about the 4 but the 4S is really in a diff class used to have an 03 c2 loved it but getting into 2 4S cars since that it's night and day. IMHO!

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People keep saying that about the C4, but we drive ours in all kinds of weather and the thing is just a monster. It's no 4x4 truck, but until the snow is deep enough that the front lip starts acting like a snowplow, it just keeps going. You obviously have to not drive like an idiot, but it's a damn fine AWD system in my opinion in both good and bad conditions. At 70k ours has needed nothing and the CV joint boots look just as good up front as in back. You have the extra axels, extra diff, front driveshaft/flex disk, and xfer case you have to worry about. Additionally should you need to rebuild the transmission (our 2nd gear synchro is bad) the C4 apparently has a longer shaft which makes it more of a PITA to deal with. Other than the AWD there are 2 other major differences with the RWD that I'm aware of. You have the stiffer chassis of the GT3 and all C4s have PSM. More minor differences are that you have less frunk space (due to the diff) and as such it comes with an inflatable spare rather than the usual doughnut which is hidden under the floor of the frunk.

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It's encouraging to hear your positive experiences with driving this car in the winter. I'll have to keep that in mind. When you list all the extra parts the C4 adds to the grand scheme of things to a buyer new to the p car world- it seems a bit daunting. I may decide to stick with the C2 for my first foray into the performance car realm. I have been searching and have been able to find only one or two clean examples. My criteria is as follows: 1999 996 manual 60-85K miles black / White / Possibly silver Any interior color Aero or non aero are both fine PREFER: IMS replaced already (depending on price this becomes more or less important I am fine with any distance as I am confident I can set up a PPI at a reputable indiie shop and ship the vehicle sight unseen if it gets the proverbial thumbs up from the indie shop. It seems to be a bit difficult to find one in the 20-23K range, and if my budget is too low then it may be a sign that this vehicle is not for me. I don't want to pay more than 23K for a vehicle with those particular stats. I've seen an incredibly well taken care of 04 Turbo with low mileage go for 39K and I just think it would be foolish to spend upwards of 29-30K for a non turbo of that age. Sadly, if this is not it for me, I will go to choice number 2, a 4 Door Jeep JKU Wrangler. Which will be considerably less fun, although it is of some comfort that I can remove the top/doors. I've looked into the Cayman as well, but again, I am drawn to the iconic 911.

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Don't let it worry you too much. There are very few complaints about the AWD system and simply removing the front driveshaft gives you a RWD car with the bonus of having the GT3 tub. If you find one where it hasn't been done yet and the clutch has a 5-10k left on it, don't turn your nose up at it. Don't stick your head in the sand about the IMSB, but don't fall for the hysteria about it either. There are many more perfectly good IMSBs that have been replaced than bad ones. General wisdom is to replace it with your clutch, so if you find one getting close to the end of it's first clutch (60-80k typically) then you have some time to enjoy the car before biting off that $2-3k bill. You also can't think you are safe just because the IMSB was replaced. There are unfortunately a few other nasty ways that the M96 can go. There is no magic bullet, but it is also not the POS that a certain member would like everyone to believe that is going to explode the next time you crank it. If your target is $20k and 3-5k will break you, then I would suggest moving on or continuing to save. These are good reliable cars and until our synchro started failing ours has needed very little beyond tires and fluid for 15 years and a few hundred miles shy of 70k. We haven't even been great at maintaining it (the 6yr/60k happened at 12 years and about 63k!), but it just keeps spinning like a top. We, of course, have the benefit of knowing exactly how it was driven and taken care of for those 15 years compared to you picking one up that has changed hands one or more times already. My point is that you can get a fine reliable car, but you need to be prepared for some work that will need to be done sooner rather than later. Unfortunately if you can't do the work yourself, things start adding up quick due to that gold shield on the frunk. Just new tires will hurt.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5099501721.html no affiliation, but it checks off a few boxes

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looks nice

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3-5K won't break me, but there's something to be said for not wanting to spend 30K up front on a 1999. That's different than spending 20K and then over the course of time putting in 10K in maintenance. I'm not, however, willing to spend 30K up front and then potentially another 10K after that. $40K deep in a non turbo 996 sounds like a poor fiscal decision. I hope that makes sense. I'm at a place in my life where I can afford various minimal repairs should I need; but like all of us I'm not trying to get myself into a money pit at a higher cost of entry than I have to. That being said, if it truly takes closer to 30K to get into a 99, I likely will have to hold off until I'm ready to spend on a 997.

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Thanks, fracture! I'm going to holler at the seller and see.

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Looks like a pretty decent car at a reasonable price. As for the color, you'll either love it or hate it. You'll drive many miles before seeing another one. Personally, I really like mine :-).

no problem Haze, I believe that color is Meridian Metallic and it's kind of a cool departure from all the silver and black Carreras

There's a recent thread about what people paid for their cars. It might have some useful info. for you. Some guys lucked into killer deals.

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You shouldn't have to spend close to 30K for a decent unmolested Gen1 996. You could get a lower mileage Gen2 in great condition for that price right now! These cars are great value. Good luck with the search, and don't be impatient - the right one will come along!

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Palladio Pearl Metallic, also known as Mirage. Looks tan, or gold, or champagne, depending on the light. It was offered in '99 and '00. I've seen one 996 other than mine in this paint color, and maybe a half dozen up for sale over the past couple years. Like I said before, you won't see yourself coming and going in a Mirage 996.

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Hush! We're trying to reverse the trend You're correct and my post wasn't meant to suggest such a thing. I was just responding to his post that sounded like he might be at the edge of what he can really afford. Glad to hear he's not and sounds like he has a pretty good grasp of what to expect.

FWIW I just bought a 2001 C4 with 32,000 miles for $24,000 from a dealer I have used before. No real service records so I took it in and had a 40,000 mile service done and replaced the IMSB with the dual row retro kit and replaced all the brakes. (Its a Tiptronic) My car is pretty clean but it is also 14 years old with signs of wear and I can see where the rear bumper was re-sprayed (no internal damage though). Not saying I got a good deal or not, just posting for reference.

I think it might be time to unload mine.

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That color is called Mirage Metallic. And I would get a set of stock wheels.

Fwiw, the gold one listed in Chicago has been listed for some time now. Either something is wrong with it or he's not budging on price.