purchase a 996

hi can any one advise on what i should be looking for when buying a second hand 996

hi other than the obvious general condition I would say get it up on a ramp & look at the underneath, this is what I would be focusing on to start with plus I would pay for an inspection if i wasn’t confident in what i was looking at, it also depends on your budget & which model your considering. regards

There is a buyer guide on the Technical Articles which may help. Worth a wider search on the Internet as I downloaded one when my wife and I looked to buy the car we now have. Also worth paying for a pre purchase inspection.

Here's the link to the buyer's guide on PCGB site. Not sure if you need to be a full member to get to it. https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/modern/996/porsche-911-(996)-buyers-guide Regards John

Unless you have a ramp and a very sound knowledge of the 996 (or any other Porsche for that matter) for me a PPI is essential. An alternative is ask a Porsche Centre or Porsche independent specialist to give the car a once over. It will cost you for an inspection but in the ling term could say you money. Also, if the car is generally OK this will give you a great platform to negotiate a deal in order to get any parts or repairs carried out.

The forum buyer's checklist is here: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=260109

Hello. Along with the PPI, have a borescope inspection done to make sure no pre-existing bore scoring. Happy hunting!

Depending on how much you want to spend, don't discount a cheaper but higher mileage 996, perhaps one that has had an engine rebuild and IMS replacement with a well known expert such as Hartec. The car may then give you many years good service but if something does go wrong, the cost may still be less than you would have paid for a lower mileage car! The other point I'd make is buy something that really gives you a buzz when you see it. Mine is not standard but I fell in love with it back in 2013. 7 years on it still gives me enormous pleasure every time I see and use it, and that's really what it is all about.

think about your budget - not just for buying the car but for insurance and maintenance these cars are ludicrously cheap considering how well they were built but over a 5-10 year horizon your ongoing costs could well exceed the purchase price i have a 2002 targa and intend to drive it into the ground - and then install an electric/hydrogen or flux capacitor depending on the available technology at the time

As everyone else has said, don’t take chances with the IMS and if it hasn’t been done there’s a good negotiating point on the price! Watch the tyres too, are they decent make and tread, and Porsche N rated (some insurers still insist on this). You need to Budget a good £1k a year running costs on one of these. I’ve spent more like £6-7k since getting mine in the summer, and it is a good one!

Do your homework, work out which model you want. Try and understand the 'options label' normally under the hood (Frunk at the front) you want one ideally with lots of numbers on it https://www.stuttcars.com/technical/option-codes/996-98-01/ If your going for a cab, check the carpets in the back - but are dry especially the N/S (Uk Car) (roof drains can back up) Things like the roof drains need to be clear and working its a simple maintainance job in the rear arches. Look for a windbreak and a hard top Rear cab window in good condition A/c Needs to work or it may need new condensors - not massivly expensive but could see a price reduction Good tyres and service history Any recent suspension overhauls or upgrades ( expect to do coffin / tie rods etc) Any extras like coil overs or M030 already fitted Has it had a recent GEo What stereo has it got Standard seats or sports seats Interior colour Lot to think about. Use auto trader to thin down the choices until you find what your looking for Also as well as POC I would suggest the Facebook group 'The Porsche 996 Carrera owners page.' there is a wealth of good people and use the search option to answer a lot of questions The 996 is getting old - Engine mounts - have they been done? Clutch should do 70000 miles + If the clutch is being done - you may like to do the IMS RMS AOS You either do them or you dont - see wheeler dealers 996 episode (I have 120k on original double row, is it a time bomb - who knows) Above all give it a test drive - ignore the power - listen to the car, any knocks, whines or groans. Once you have one - they are great cars but budget for maintainance - tyres, service, mot. Ask any questions Ian

I found this youtube video to be very useful when looking over the car myself: watch After that, then good service records, check the MoT history online and finally, PPI when you're sure its the car you want.