Going to purchase a 996, What do I need to know?

I sold my 1983 SC and I going to replace it with a p-used 996. Based on my preliminary figures I will be acquiring a 2002-2003 coupe. I thought I wanted a convertible but the Mrs said, No. I am aware of the RMS leaking, main issue, and valve covers leaking minor issue. Any thing else I need to be aware of as I scope for the perfect vehicle? I will be purchasing from a dealership. My trade is part of my down payment (sales tax offset as well). I do wish to purchase a certified vehicle...avoiding hurricane resurrections, rebuilds.... What is bothering me is I cannot tell, based on guide books, excellence magazine...what makes some of these vehicles vary in prices advertised when may things appear equal (outside of mileage, tip/manual trans and general condition). If there are packages, special options, ground effects... can someone tell me the Option Codes to assist as search for my new ride? If you can direct me I would greatly appreciate the help. I am aware of the PPI issues but feel if there is warranty this might save the aggravation of the "things" that keep us up at night. I am aware Rennlist has a busier forum but we need to support our host and pick up the pace here. Thank in advance.

I have my limited experience to contribute here. I went with a 2002 Coupe for the 3.6 engine. They will all be the same until 997s unless you are looking at turbos or GT3s. The variance in price is based on the different packages the car was originally equipped with. These made the stickers really inflate since you could spend $20k in non-performance enhancing options. These include interior materials, special paint, aero kits, etc. Sorry, I can't help here as my car has only three options, the Carrera 5 spoke wheels, colored crests, and floor mats (sticker over $70k and Porsche charged for floormats extra). The cab I looked at had everything...navigation, full leather, turbo wheels, special colors (paint/top), hi end factory audio, heated seats, etc. I don't miss the options, btw. ROW M030 suspension was added to my car after the fact. The track guys in the club prefer PSS9s, but this can always be changed later. I don't think there is anything that is chronic with late 996s. You correctly identified the RMS. It is an issue when you cannot get it to stop leaking. Same with the valve covers. If you are planning to change the audio, 2003+ got a lot harder. But, I don't know much more than that. I have a slightly balky 3rd gear when the gearbox is cold. That's different...I was expecting 2nd gear to be slow like every other car I have driven. Besides that, there is absolutely nothing that sticks out as odd/troublesome in my ownership period. Add gas, go fast. Basically, these cars are new enough that you should be able to find one that is nearly perfect. From there, the asking prices are based on whatever the market will bear (in other words, big asking price differences for fundamentally the same car). Litronic is nice, wheels are personal preference. Everything else is luck of the draw. I considered a cab as well. In the end, I do not regret going coupe. One of the guys I know just sold his 996 cab to get a coupe (a turbo, but also specifically a coupe this time). The knowledge base with these is nowhere near that of the aircooled cars. They are just too new to be seriously modified or tinkered with by DIYers. Not that they need tinkering at this point. The 993 guys will hate you. That has been very consistent. Check out the 911 Marketplace forum to see this. That has been the only downside, that other Pelicans see you as a traitor. So you are right, I now go to Rennlist to find 996 info.

Having the PO's service records would be good, and a PPI is essential. There are so many for sale you should be able to find one with your selected options/color/mileage, and therefore price (especially if you are willing to travel to buy the right one). Good luck! Regards,

I recently purchased an '03 996. I am not sure whether the '03s have slightly fewer problems, or it is just a matter of time for those to surface....but so far, there seem to be fewer reports of RMS, etc., with the '03s. I don't think I would make a buying choice around it, but my car happened to come with the Bose speakers. I don't think it added much to the used price (possibly nothing at all), but means that I'm not motivated to pay for aftermarket speakers. My car also seems to have a balky 3rd gear when the car is cold. I haven't found a way to make it easy to shift when cold (even trying a 1930's double clutch technique for upshifting doesn't help). I am more likely to just take my time before getting on the freeway (it usually disappears after about 6 blocks or so of driving). It was reassuring (during purchase) to have a year of factory warranty + 2 years of extended, limited warranty. My car has "full leather"--so even the dash has a leather covering. This does make cleaning windows a little more of a chore since I work hard not to get the relatively harsh window cleaners on the leather. Not sure if leather might be more inclined to fade/crack than the normal dash covering due to the FL sun. With previous cars I learned where to shift by engine noises and could reliably predict when I was getting close to redline. With the stock muffler, this car is so quiet that I often can't hear what the engine is doing--so I find that I have to look at the tach more often. Annoying--but not enough to drive me to buy an aftermarket exhaust....yet. Good luck. I think they are great cars. As an every-day driver, I enjoy this one more than my 993.

Everyone's input is appreciated.

Well there are issues with the engines, esp 3.4, which would make me seriously doubt buying one ever. Do a search.

Yes. Do a search and don't believe all the internet negativity and hype you read. Talk to people that own shops that repair these cars and get the real, educated opinion from them. The chance of a catastrophic engine failure is extremely remote when you consider the number of engines out there (996's and Boxsters combined). The engines that did have some problems were of the early build group up through about 2001. The later engines (all the 3.6's) had those potentially disastrous problems eliminated. Additionally, many of the early 3.4 liter engines have been replaced by Porsche early on and have been replaced by re-engineered engines which incorporate the relevant fixes needed.

I did do search and called every expert I new and their friends. The issue of the RMS leaking appears to be more prominent in 1999 and 2000 vehicles (3.4L motors). Even with this information the RMS problem appears to be more hype (the proverbial I know a guy who has...) vs actual cars with the problem. You make the call. I did take the plunge and purchased a 2003 triple black convertible (6 speed). I will be acquiring the vehicle shortly. The PPI found some small issues and the dealer is going to make good on the findings (new battery and repair the rear hood release button). I am going to miss the raw driving appeal of the older air cooled cars. That being said I am ready for a new chapter in my Porsche ownership. I sure the 911 board with disagree with may new acquisition. After owning two 911s (1972 T and 1983 SC over the span of 10+ years) I can safely say I m not a wine tasting-Starbucks drinking Porsche poser. Do your homework and use this board if you are looking into one of the vehicles. Hang onto your hat, these car are fast!

Oh yea! Welcome to the world of the 996. These are fast cars (and they handle great, are comfy, etc.) Let's see it when you get it.

On a dutch internetboard there was a lot of discussion, not so much on the rms issue but more on the issue of motor-failure mostly due to ruptured cylinder, usually on 3.4's. over 30% of the engines has been replaced; but porsche is no longer backing its customers with cheap replacement engines. http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled

Yes, I think I heard somewhere that a high percentage of early engines were replaced by Porsche. As I understand it, the consensus seems to be that the majority of engines that were produced early on, the ones that had the casting errors which lead to the catastrophic engine failures, have been replaced by Porsche. Porsche identified the casting problem early on and rectified it, along with a sleeve-slip issue on the little Boxster engines too, which if I understand right, was actually sleeved in order to create the smaller displacement compared to the 3.4 liter engine in the 996. From what I can gather from a lot of reading on this subject, the opinion seems to be that the early engines that had this problem have mostly been replaced and the ones that are left out there most likely do not suffer from these problems (due to the fact that they've been on the road now for up to nine years). Again, these issues affected mostly the very early engines. The later engines had all of the issues addressed and are considered very reliable. Mookster said he's getting a 2003, so his engine is one of the later-generation 3.6 versions. He should have absolutely no issues with it at all. Personally, I have a 2000 with a 3.4. My car has 51,000 miles on it and has never had any engine issues in the seven years since it was built.

What's PPI?

PPI = Pre-purchase inspection

Thx. Then mine's undergoing PPI right now ...

Doesn't the aero-kit create more downforce at speed? They don't put them on GT3s just for looks do they? I think I would consider that a performance enhancing option. Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, that's just the idea I had.

You are right, my friend. Reduction in lift front and back and better high speed stability.