Looking for the perfect 996, or How I fell in love with Cobalt Blue

Hi all, I have been loitering around your forum for about 2 months collecting information. What a great info source. I allready own a 94 968 cab, but changes in work are going to require more highway driving, so I am planning on joining the 996 club. I think I am close to pulling the trigger on a 996. I have a clear idea of 'my' perfect 996: MY02 or greater, Cobalt Blue with factory aero kit, standard or natural grey interior with deviated blue stiching, rear console and seat backs exterior color, blue seat belts, sport seats, +/- alu/carbon shifter/e-brake. Now there is an 03 Cobalt Blue with aerokit for sale nearby, but it has standard black interior. The car is in excellent condition, well cared for, and has complete records. Now, I know I can add the blue seat belts, painted rear console and seat backs, but not the deviated stiching. And living in Florida, a black interior does not excite me. So, here comes the million dollar question. Given the exploding used market for 996's should I hold my guns for 'my' perfect 996? How likely will I find one? How hard might it be to find a Cobalt blue with devited stiching? Or, am I just being too picky? Thanks for any input, Matt

Wait it out, or you'll be sorry. I got too excited and bought a car without heated seats, and now I'm kicking myself.

Check around. There are plenty of guys who install aftermarket heated seats for less than what it would cost as an option on your Porsche. Check with any car dealer and they'll recommend an aftermarket dealer near you.

Are you talking about converting my seats to heated seats, or replacing the seats altogether?

Rich, I can't imagine my car without heated seats, that is almost impossible to retrofit BTW.

Just buy the car that is closest to your ideal configuration and add the stuff you want later. With the number of options you can get, there are a couple of hundred million possible configurations. It is highly unlikely that a rare option like deviated blue stitching, together with a cobalt blue interior will come on the market.

You might find Cobalt with grey interior, but Cobalt is a relatively rare color (but its beautiful!). Deviated stitching - probably an impossible wait. Painted rear center console and seat backs - easy to paint (call Eric at bumperplugs.com). Aerokit - can be added, but obviously a lot cheaper to buy already on a car. If you will be unhappy with black interior, I'd wait and at least try to find a car that comes closer to what you want, but realize you will probably never find one exactly like you want.

I agree that Cobalt Blue, although rare, is very beautiful. There was a Cobalt BlueTurbo S Cab at the Toronto Auto Show this spring that was stunning. Also agree, heated seats are a MUST! Especially in a cab. Nothing like top down on a cool morning or evening with the seat on high. Good luck with your search. Cheers.

Check out the link below. It is an 04 996 Cobalt Blue with Grey interior, with sport exhaust. I saw it when I was looking for Blue P-car. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...lue&start_year

Buy the car. You will; if you are like the rest of us that cannot leave well enough alone, change out the things you dont like. If you buy the car and you have buyers remorse, change your outlook from one of regret to opportunity. You can look for another car to fill the need for the things that the first one did not have i.e. exhaust, stereo, full leather, turbo, 4 wd, etc. I thought I had to have full power seats, but I am the only one to drive my car so I never have to move the seat. You will find that even if you got exactly the car you listed, there are things you would change. Hey look at Brad Pitt, he got rid of Jenifer Aniston and Tommy Lee got rid of Pamela Anderson. I know Pam Anderson has deviated stiching somewhere. I am trying to say that as perfect as you think it will be; it won't be. As for the heated seats; I am trying to figure out a mod for my riding lawnmower.

You've waited this long...wait a bit more until you find the one that is exactly what you want. Its out there someplace. Start expanding your search further to areas maybe up to a 100 miles or 200 miles away...you'll find it. Thx... Jim

I got a great deal on the Bimmer. Didn't have heated seats, but a local upholstery shop retrofitted the existing seats for $500.

The aftermarket dealer can convert your seat into a heated seat, and they can convert either one or both seats. The price for the conversion in my area for both seats was $475. As I said check with a dealer in your area for a recommendation of someone who does the conversion, and then visit the guy and check out his work.