Just turned 40..midlife crisis...(newbie)

Hi All, I have been testdriving 911s for most of the summer and definitely have been bitten. I've had BMWs for the last 12 years or so and am ready to get on the 911 bandwagon for the next 12 years =). My question for you guys is which model(MY2002 plus) to get. I've got about $60k to play with so the Turbo may be out of reach. I'm currently in CO for a job and will be heading back to CA next summer so the C4S may be the way to go...it's got plenty of power with the added bonus of awd plus the sound of that exhaust(intoxicating). I've found a few with less than 20k miles within my price range here in CO. One more concern is the maintenance cost. I've done basic routine maint on my BMWs(i.e. oil, plugs, brakes) and was wondering how difficult it would be to do on the 911s. Also, any recall items that I should be concerned about (RMS leaks and so on). Thanks in advance for your advice/recommendations!!

Why do you want a 911? Seriously? How will you use it? Track *****? Daily Driver? Garage Queen?

60K TT is not out of the question.......

You have a healthy budget so you should not struggle. I just bought an '03 C2 with 10K on the clock for a touch over 60K. To give you an idea; It is still under warranty, is CPO'd until 2009 (came from a Porsche dealer obviously), is pretty heavily loaded and in pristine condition. On that basis, I would imagine you could get what you are looking for if you are looking at higher mileage, less options, not CPO'd etc.

I think you might be able to squeeze into the 997 market.

Have you considered a 993 Turbo?

I also came from BMW, Audi's, Corvettes (I'm 36) and recently bought an 02 C4S. It's an awesome car. The stock exhaust is too quiet. That is my only complaint with the car. I came from an M3 and Z06.

Watch out. I turned 40, bought a M3 convertible The next year, I sold it and bought a Boxster S I decided this year (I'm 42) to add a 996 so I have a coupe and a roadster to play with. Yee-haaa! Happy B-day, Tom

Ditto. Also, are you married/single (need back seats)? A Boxster/Cayman may not have the prestige of a 911, but circa $60K, you can be looking at a new 987 Boxster S/Cayman S which is also a lot of fun and with comparable acceleration to a 996 C4S. Worth checking out at least. A convertible is nice in CA if that floats your boat. A TT is also not out of the question.

60k? I'd suggest what I bought!!

I'm in CA - unless you're always on the track, I highly recommend a cabriolet. The car is surprisingly quiet with the top up and enjoyable for obvious reasons with the top down. Enjoy your search. You won't regret the purchase. Also, this board is the greatest tool available to a buyer and owner. There are great members who know these cars well and will respond quickly to your questions. I did a lot of searches through past posts before buying my car and it was a great help.

If I was in CA or other year-round, top off areas, there is no way that I wouldnt do a cab either. Tracking in one thing, and I have loved it in the past, but there is a lot to be said about driving a 911 cab everyday. It never gets old, every morning when I fire it up I get happy. I would sacrifice some performance for that capability as the performance, to certain degree, can always be made up for with certain upgrades. Either way, enjoy the process, fall in love and you will be a happy camper. With your budget and the cars you are looking at, you just cant be loser.

I cab WOULD be nice. I'm sellin' my POS!

I t depends on what you want to do with it. Being in CA, you don't need 4WD. In fact, all it will do most of the time is slow it down from the extra weight (it actually runs 2WD until the rear tires slip). Prices have come down some on late 996's for $60K, you can probably find an 04' 40th Anniversary Jahre Edition. I have seen several for sale in that range. These cars came with the most desireable options standard: bi-xenon lighting, sport suspension, an LSD, the X51 upgraded engine, full leather and some unique styling changes. Sport seats were standard, but power "comfort" seats were an option. There were few other options: Bose, disc changer, Nav and rear wiper. Most of the cars came either loaded with all options (Nav and comfort seats) or most options (no Nav and sport seats). This is the one I would target considering your budget.

I am the same age and also decided to buy a Porsche (again, had some when I was younger) , I went for the 996 C4S and do not regret my choice. The car is great to drive and own. I was able to buy a '02 for less then 60K euro with only 10000km's (around 7000mls). You can not go wrong with any 911 I believe. But the C4S is one of the top choices. Yes , you can do a lot yourself, car is fairly easy to work on provided you have a lift, without it also no problem but with a little more effort. When you check out a car ask about its RMS history , put it on a lift and look for signs of sweating. If nothing there don't worry about it , if it happens in the future you can deal with it then. That is my approach anyway. In short , you should not be worried about any recall issues as there are none to speak of. I value a good history and maintenance when looking at a possible purchase.

As an owner of a 40th Anniversary 911 and living in LA LA land. I completely agree with 02 Carrera's suggestion. Look at the background in my avatar... That will be your future playground. Doesn't get better than that! Best of luck in your search. Regards.

I bought a 02 C4s from a dealer for 60K this spring and love it. The big plus was getting a CPO car with two additional years warranty. I would encourage you to think of finding an 03 with the addtional warranty. That peace of mind insurance is very comforting. I'm sure that with 60K, or a tiny bit more you can find one. I got the coupe because I think they look a whole lot better than the cab but I did miss the drop top when weather was right.

Back to the topic at hand. I've yet to drive a 997S, none at the local dealer, but did drive the 996TT here in CO. I think I'd kill myself in the twin turbo so the next best thing would be the 996C4S. It will more than likely be my daily driver and I'm sure a few track days since I live a 1/2hr away from Laguna Seca =). Other models I've driven were the Cayman, CaymanS, base997, a couple flavors of 993s(C2/C4)........none felt as natural, surefooted, thrilling as the 02 C4S or the 04 C4S Cabrio....and that exhaust sound...intoxicating!! Not to mention the looks...prettiest of the 996s!! Probably the only 996 I would consider with the exception of that ONE other model they had =). Will check back later for more questions (i.e. preventive maintenance, extended warranties, aso). Thanks guys!! Can't wait to be part of the gang. Any initiations involved?!? =)

I own a 2004 40th anniv. and highly recommend the car. The turbo front end, rocker panels, polished rims and GT Silver Metallic paint make for an attractive appearance. The interior is first rate with Natural Leather and silver accents. The big deal of course is X51 engine package and is one of few porsches to come with a limited slip differential. cheers, beowulf (from LA)

The C4S is a terrific car and back in Feb when I was in the market, there were several '02 C4S' with about 35K-40K miles at or slightly below $60K in CA. Once you get into the winter months, prices tend to soften a little.

40th Anny Edition is the way I would go! Its done up right, I would rather have a slightly older (2004) car optioned nicely then a newer car without the toys. I just picked up a 2000 996 Aero, and its nicely optioned, runs like a dream, and I am happy. Its lacking a few things I wish it had (litronics, sport seats, and really wish I had speed yellow) but still its a really fun car, great to drive. You will like to switch to 911.

DUDE! CHECK THIS DEAL OUT!!! ToGoodToBeTrue? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...QQcmdZViewItem

Judging only from the pics, that car appears to be in really good shape. If the Carfax and PPI check out, that would be a good buy!

Address that crisis with a GT3, so it's an extra $20k. Not much over your projected future 12 year Porsche ownership.

Thanks again for all the great responses!! 996 C4S it is. This is the FUN part, right?? Sure would like to find one in Cobalt blue with graphite grey interior =). Also, I've noticed the 2 different shifters (long, skinny egg shape vs short, beefier one)...was that part of a package?? I like the feel of the shorter one.

Great choice! I love my C4S. Keep us posted on your search, I'm sure you'll find a great car.

Cool, beefy shifter, as you say, is part of the Design Pak. Did you look into the C4S that I posted? Someone get a CarFax on that bitsh!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002...1QQcmdZViewItem

C4S cab would be ideal. Where in CO are you? I'd be happy to take youfor a spin. Also I know a good mechanic to look over your car before you buy it (the dealeers in CO are not that great IMO).

I'm up in Fort Collins. I've looked at a couple in Denver...Rocky Mountain Autosport and Rocky Mountain Eurosport...they sure do use that 'Rocky Mountain' name a lot around here =). Anyways, they were asking way too much for the C4S's that they had...upper $60ks...at least 10% higher than comparable cars they had in CA. I noticed you're in Boulder...that's not too far from Ft Collins...any C4S's in your neck of the woods?? Also, thanks for the offer to go for a spin with ya. I might have to take you up on that =). Funny thing happened when I was testdriving a C4S in Denver (Colorado St). I saw 2 porsche owners and they both waved, smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I thought only Corvette owners did that =). That seldom happened with about 15yrs of BMW ownership. Nice ride by the way =).

Does it swim? Looks nice though.

Hey, mtv65, I'm the guy that sent you over from Roadfly. Told you this group was fantastic! Good luck with the purchase. I don't think I've been so thrilled with a car since I was 16.

Thanks Bruce!! Haven't checked back over there in couple of days...probably not missing much =). Are you the one with 00 996? Post some pics...I'd love to see them =). Will never tire of looking at porsches. Check out this site, they've got some nice ones..... www.supercars.net

oreganet and arr0gant - concerning the Florida car...what's the catch? flood car? title tainted? Otherwise a nice 02 C4S optioned nicely with low miles. I'll shoot Vladimir an email and get details. Rocky Mtn Eurosport is run by Russians as well....what gives?!? (nothing against Russians...just curious)

Sorry, I was just ragging on Gant. I should have explained. As gant said, it looks like a real steal and in great shape. if I hadn't bought earlier in the year I'd be tempted.... although, you hit on a great point. FL is in Hurricane Alley - check it's history very carefully to make sure that it hasn't been damaged.

Make sure they're not Slaviks! JK Looks like it's too good to be true. Proceed w/caution. They should be asking 60k for that car, and negotiating from there. I think the price is too good.

I owe these guys pics... yes, mine is a '00 C2. Ocean Blue over grey. It's a very clean, straight 996 (not like some of the dream machines on this board). Main options were power seats, the upgraded stereo, turbo style wheels with color caps... no PSM, no full leather, no Bose, no nav, etc, etc. I put fresh exhaust tips on it (old ones were discolored), clear side markers, the Litronic kit and the non-smoker package, all Porsche parts. Bought it from a dealer with 48,000 miles, up to date service, new brakes and fresh SO-3s for about $46,000 and change in US dollars. (Really wanted to buy from the dealer first time out). For Canada, this is quite a good price, and I got top Black Book dollar for my trade. Got all the records, and noted that the RMS was done at around 20,000 miles. The dealer was wonderful. When I picked the car up, they'd put fresh mats in it, detailed it, found a miniature of a 996 in Ocean Blue for my desk, and invited me to the next owners' get together. They treated me as if I'd bought a brand new one, which I guess they figured I eventually will. I can see the attraction of the more aggressive 996 trim, but as a first Porsche, I like how plain mine is. It really makes you appreciate the curves, and it probably doesn't hurt relations with the local constabulary. Happy guy here.

Glad to hear you're happy!! Porsches tend to do that...no matter how bad a day you're having...just go for a drive in the mountains or the coast...very therapeutic. Which part of Canada are you at? My wife and I were up in Vancouver a couple of months ago....beautiful up there. Lots of development/construction going on....something I should know about (real estate investment)??

I'm in Toronto. Sadly, you missed the boat on Vancouver real estate, by a few years (Asian money). And Calgary by about two years (oil money). But if you want to get rich, just watch what I do. Then do whatever the opposite of that is.

What's left? Winnipeg?

Take your pick of any place in Newfoundland.