Decision on an '03 996 cabriolet

We just joined this forum, having sold our 993 last year. Getting reading to pull the string on a 996. Here is what we're looking at - and we welcome your comments. Basically, 3 cars. All have clean car faxes. All are '03s. All 6 speeds. Two are C4 Cabs, with 34k and 26k respectively. It looks like they will sell at approx. $32k. The third is a reg. cab (not a C4) with 71k miles on it. Probably will sell for about $22k. Here's our decision matrix: The 71k car has had just about $10k of work done on it over the past 2 years. New IMS bearing, new pads/rotors, new tires, new clutch, full tune up and a bunch of other "little" things (no such thing as "little repair on any 911!). I think the top is original - and is a bit faded. But no sign of water leaks. This car would be garaged most of the time. No matter which car, probably about 5k miles/year. Each of the C4 Cabs have a couple of questions about them. The 26k car had the IMS seal replaced about a year ago. The most recent oil service said: "oil leak near bell housing" - and the indie shop that did all this work said: "we'll have to drop the tranny to see whether it is the IMS or RMS leaking. The other C4 Cab has no service records at the dealer selling it. It was purchased at an out-of-state auction. My best guess is I will have to replace the IMS bearing/seal. Other than price, which would you buy? Thanks

71k car if c4 is not mandatory- i like the records and the amount work done

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+996 GIT R DONE. BTW, welcome and make sure you do not miss the ongoing 993 vs 996 drama here: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...d-elitism.html WARNING: we have cab "haters" here

The Cab with 70k on it, hands down. Unless the other one had a quality IMS replacement and not a stock replacement. For $10k less it's a no brainer though.

Leak is likely RMS -- pretty much a nonissue, but worth investigating. You may wish to verify that the IMS replacement is top-flight (right part, replaced in right way, by the right type of mechanic). The C2 otherwise seems priced well and perhaps would better evoke the driving experience of a 993. Only other reservation -- why would someone pump that much money into it just to sell at that price?

Howaboutthat: The indie shop that did the work is considered one of the best in all Western Washington. They do a ton of race preparation on 911s. (Gerber Motorsport) They did the replacement. So I'm not concerned. Although the shop that serviced my 993 told me that it took Porsche at least three (maybe 4) attempts to get the replacement IMS bearing "correct". And that the 997's suffered from IMS failure and engine destruction - at least through the '07 model. As we all know the new 991 eliminated the IM shaft completely. From the timing of the repairs, my best guess is that the then owner sort of got "sucked in". They started down the slippery slope to bring the car back up to snuff, and kept running into the "next" thing the shop recommended. Then, finally after 18 months or so, they just bailed out. I'm probably going to make an offer on the 71k car. However, if the dealer won't budge on the price (they're asking $25k), I will then switch to the 34k miles C4 Cab. I am positive I can get that car for $31k. But I will have my former indie shop do a PPI on it as there are no maintenance records.

For Kromdom: This 996 will be my first water cooled car. As I've owned 7 air-cooled 911s over the years, I have already made up my mind about the 996,997 and 991. The air-cooled cars are "sports cars". The water cooled ones are "grand touring" cars. They are so much more refined. I have sold an '84 Mercedes 500sl (the European version). The 500sl (this is the second SL I've owned) simply "does not do it for me". It is also a GT car - lacking the "knife edged" feeling of any 911. I'll update this thread as soon as a decision is reached. Thank you all for your thoughts/opinions.

I will take the 36K, and replace the IMS under the shop I trust if that gives you piece of mind!

Put a Fister D exhaust on it, and walla, it's a sports car! If the C2 checks out, that seems like a winner. Getting either of the other two in shape would push the price over $10,000 higher -- a hefty price to pay for the mileage differences and the AWD (even further removed from a sports car feel). Is the C2 optioned up a bit? Full leather helps to make the car, and I believe the C4's might have that stock. New water pump seems wise for any of them.

$32K is a healthy budget for a 996... You can afford to be picky. Also, I think cab's are in lower demand than coupes, so my advice is don't be in a rush. I think the most driver-centric of the non-Mezger 996's is the MkII C2 coupe six speed. Minor tweaks can make it a great drivers car... The AWD versions, wether it be a C4, C4S, or even a turbo don't have the throttle-steer feeling of the RWD versions and push. Easier to drive in many situations, just not as satisfying... And the Cab's will just never have the feel of a coupe. Obviously the 996 GT3 is really the drivers version, but no deals to be had on them.

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I gotta ask, are we talking to Mike or Nancy? Oh wait, I see you're shopping for cabs, so . . . Welcome Nancy!

Nope, Nancy does not drive a stick shift. It's for me (Mike).

Just having a little fun with you (at kromdom's expense). Welcome to the irreverence of the 996 forum. Best to develop thick skin and a good sense of humor.

those are seattle area prices for cabs??? yikes.... they are at a deep discount here in california. you should expand your search to at least include bay area.

Assuming you are going to do it with one of these three cars, I'd feel safest with the 71k mile C2. It has the most complete service history, and the thousands you will save give you a nice cushion to make any unexpect repairs or mods as you get used to the car. The $32k (for the highest priced car) sounds high compared to most of the prices we see here...but dealers will charge more because their costs are higher than a private party. I bought a car from a dealer that I knew...not a Porsche dealer...and they were originally asking $35k...and after a couple of months it was down to $32...and I got for four thousand less. An 03 C2 coupe with a clean carfax, 39000 miles and in very very clean condition. I could have kept shopping and eventually found something just as nice for less. But I decided that I wanted the car and that I also wanted to be home for dinner by 7 pm. It all worked out well.

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+ 996 Weirdest forum experience thus far (have to put my flame suit on for this one): I also own a Vespa SCOOTER and the guys in a Vespa forum bash/hate on P-car /Hayabusa (sportbike)/Harley owners. And I happen to own all three. And here, no love for cabs/tips.....which I also have. C'est la vie

Kromdom: One of my earlier 911s had the dreaded "sportomatic" transmission. It was basically the 5 speed with 1st gear removed, a torque converter and a full standard clutch - but with a microswitch in the gearshift lever which when moved would declutch the car - then you'd just shift the gear, release the gear lever (which would then re-engage the clutch). Problem was with an earlier 911 (and its notoriously tail-wagging handling), if you went into a sharp turn (left ones only), if your right leg accidentally brushed against the lever, the car would declutch - and at the worst time possible. Also, any front seat passenger could hit the lever when doing a sharp right turn. Today, the dual clutch transmission available on many cars is actually faster than a manual. Why do you think F1 drivers have used this technology for 10 years (or more)? It is faster. Shift times a couple of milliseconds. The new '15 C7 Z06 Corvette is documented faster with its automatic than with the manual. Here in greater Seattle, the Tip. makes driving much more pleasurable. My 993 Cab. was a Tip. But by happenstance, all 3 '03's I'm looking at are 6 speeds.