Purchase decision

Hello, I know these kind of posts don't usually go anywhere... but Pelican has helped me with many ideas in the past. I am looking in the 25-34K range for a 911. I have settled on an example from 2002-2004 and am leaning (if I can find one) toward a 40th AE. There are some 2001-2 Turbos with about the same mileage (~40-60K) that are also calling to me. This will be a nearly daily driver, so it will see lots of use and maybe the occasional autocross with the local PCA. So... should I ignore the 996TT for maintenance reasons? Obviously insurance will be higher. Not that this is an investment, but would the turbo hang onto what's left of it's value better? Obviously, the 40AE is a limited model, but it too will (continue to) lose value with(or without) use. Just looking for thoughts. Thanks!

Current 2000->up GT2, GT3, and Turbo engines are based on the "old" 1964-1998 Mezger air-cooled, dry sump engines. They are more robust then the newer "M" type engines in the 1999- 2008 (996, 997 C2/C4) 911. Especially when used on track. These "M" engines are really wet sump engines that suffer from oiling problems that should be addressed (accusump is one way) when tracked. They also have problematic ball bearings on one end of the IMS. ( Google IMS bearing.) When this bearing goes bad the engine goes with it. That said it is hard to beat performance per $$ that you get with these cars. We have a 2003 996 C2 Cab that we have been enjoying for the last 20K miles with no problems. These cars are truly enjoyable as everyday drivers and , many owners that drive them every day have over 100k trouble free miles. If I were in your situation I would look for GT3 or Turbo because these engines are based on the race bred air-cooled engines that preceeded the "M" types.

I wish the GT3 was an option. I need the "occasional" seats in the rear. I was wondering about the engine difference between the two. Thanks again for the advice.

I should have also mentioned that LN Engineering has developed a robust IMS bearing and the tools to enable replacement without removing the engine, just the transmission, for 1999-2005 years. In late 2005 early 2006 Porsche redesigned/replaced the IMS bearing with a larger diameter one that requires that the cases be split to change them. Pelican is also working on a replacement kit. Do a search on the parts catalog site.

Yes, I had begun to research that. It seems that the failures tend happen sooner rather later. That being said, none of the ones I am considering are under 40K... I was planning on the retrofit if I move forward with the 2004. Is the failure rate in 2005+ much less? Or about the same. Not that I am able to move that far up, but just curious.

They still fail, no one knows the rate. The new 2006> seem to be failing less..but? There is an 05 IMS failure on this page a couple threads above this post. 2009 on porsche designed the IMS out of the 9A1 engines.