Looking to purchase a 996 Carrera 2

Hi there, im new here! Im looking to buy myself a 996 Carrera 2 early next year (I know its a while off yet but need to start the research somewhere)Anyway, I have chosen the '2' as I want RWD and I've always seen 4WD as something extra to go wrong.. I need the car as a daily driver. With my budget (Approx 24k) it seems as though it will be an early one (?). I would appreciate any buying information, what I need to look for and so on. Im also quite temoted by a 993 but I really can't seem to get on with the dashboard and the 'skinny' looks of it. It would have to have some kind of kit and wheels to defeat this.. Many thanks and look forward to the information

You should be able to pick up a 97 or 98 996C2 for that money, especially a private sale. With the money you save compared with a dealer, you can buy a decent warranty. It is likely to be higher mileage (60-80k perhaps) and don't expect mega-spec, but you should get a few options. PCM (sat-nav) will be a total waste of time anyway, as you can't get an up-to-date map for early PCM1. All important is a decent service history by OPC or a known independent. And don't forget Rule No. 1 - Make sure you get an independent inspection. Personally, I love my C2 and use it as my daily drive. I've added a few toys along the way (OBC, 3-spoke wheel, Rain Sensors, Cruise, half-decent stereo, HID's, etc) so the spec is building up slowly!

Good stuff, thanks for that! I do plan on a few upgrades of things which are a must for me, HID's and coilover suspension are for starters! Have prices come down more since the releae of the 997?

Yes, prices seem pretty low. Have been looking myself for 3 months. For 19K you can get 100K+ mile, tiptronic in rubbish colour. For 22K, high mile (80-90k), manual nice colour and 24-25K low mileage (for its year - e.g. 60K), nice colour with 18" wheels, clear lenses etc. The only reason I haven't bought one yet is there is a (small) chance the engine cylinder liners may crack, which is a 7K to 9K repair job (see several other threads on here and other forums about that) - also some good articles on AutoFarms web site. RMS - the rear main seal issue, in comparison doesn't seem such a big deal. Total repair cost is only the price of 4 tyres. Porsche warrantee sounds a good idea - but is expensive (>700 per annum) and only lasts to the car's 9th birthday. So, if you're looking at a 1998 model, you'll only get a year's warrantee (if that). Good luck!

Diesel - I thought you had settled on a 993?

Thanks! Don't like the sound of that, is there no way of checking on this (bad patch of engines?) or do Porsche not cover the charges or anything? One of my current cars is a BMW 328i Sport and the earlier versions to mine suffered from the 'nikasil' issue which sounds like the same thing as the above mentioned issue, BMW thankfully cover this and swap the block to the revamped engine.. Or you avoid the issue and buy the later cars, same case with the 996? Is there a revamped version out there to avoid the problem?

You can apply a warranty up to and including its 9th birthday so until its 10. £700 is not expensive-its worth its weight in gold. Dont worry about the liner issue. Its more rare than it seems. How many people only join a forum when they have a problem thereby making it sound more common. Buy one and enjoy. Oh and another option is the Hartech lifetime maintenance plan. Go to their website and check it out.

Yes, pretty much have. Had been looking at 996's, but as I don't want to risk the engine rebuild or pay for a 3.6 version, looks like it'll be a 993 for now. Still to drive one though, hopefully this week. Cheers!

Make sure you hunt down one with PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust) - once you've heard one you'll realise that it's more imporant than wheels and windows....

I agree with this PSE is great, going through a tunnel is un-real and this sound is very diffrent from any other car, all saxo boys with exhausts the size of a small bin are very jealous. Also to buy a good early 996 you should have no problem with as long as it is a well looked after car that has a very good history, engine failure can happen and does even to 3.6 engines, but this can be the same for any other cars my friend had a 4 year old golf 150Bhp diesel a very solid engine it blew after 60.000miles VW did not want to know and they wanted £7000 for a new engine. Get a good one and enjoy. Phil

From personal experience, the ONLY warranty that is worth having is the official Porsche one - it will cost you ~ £200 for the inspection (one off cost) and a further ~ £ 700 for the each year. That includes premier breakdown cover (Porsche branded RAC). With Porsche being a specialist car to many 3rd Party warranty companies, they shy away from paying for anything 'technical' as it's not explicitly listed in their 'wording' - nor do they pay anywhere near the hourly labour charge for a Porsche Indy mechanic, yet alone OPC rates. To date I have used the warranty 3 times and it's paid for itself + I have the confort that if something goes wrong big time, it is covered. If you buy a 98 car then you can keep cover on it until 2008 then you'll need to switch to a specialist Porsche Warranty such as Hartech as previously posted.

Great info, thanks for the reassurance on the warrenty.. Im hoping the prices will come down a bit more on a later version, I'll prob be able to push a few more £'s by the time Im ready to go for one... Definately want to keep it covered by a warrenty. I know about blowing engines, I've blown my past two cars, one of which I still have. I had a Corrado VR6 which blew a piston through the block at over 3 figures on the M20, not fun! I do intend on getting an exhaust, not sure which brand as of yet (Tubi?) PSE sounds like the prefereance here! I need something to rival the noise of my toy Supercharged 3.0 VR6.. Many thanks for the great info

How did you blow up a VR6 i thought that was pretty hard job to do had one myself great car, i also worked for VW never came across a blown one, if you have not driven a 996 try one and you shall see and hear the diffrence even if does not have the PSE. Cheers Phil

To really appreciate the engine sound you need to let the engine oil get up to full working temperature (normal water temp + 10 minutes or so) and then take the revs all the way up to near max in 2nd, 3rd and 4th (if possible!). In between 4-4.5K the engine noise/note change to what I can't really describe in words - it's a rasp, whine, roar and powerful reverberating sound that I guarantee will get the hairs on your neck standing up - magical. That is the noise of a N/A flat-6 at full chat ....[ ] IMO Turbo's and GT2's sound 'pants' in comparison to the n/a engine (GT3 being the sweetest of course)...

I am advertising my carrera 2 in the next couple of weeks. December 1998 car, Zenith Blue , black ruffled interior, 3 spoke steering wheel, small alloy pack, embossed headrests, CDR 22 with 6 cd changer, clear lights, stainless door entry sills, Porsche service history with current porsche extended warranty until dec 06. Recent 12K service at porsche tonbridge - also had new clutch fitted and RMS. 68K miles. good tyres on 17" turbo look rims. very good condition inside and out. looking around the 25K mark. Car is in Kent. Plus - Tracker fitted, Climate control, Rear wiper. This is the only one small enough at present - will post some more in a couple of days

Pics?

PCM1 - These guys should be able to sort it out:- http://www.satnavshop.com/ Speak with Gerard Mahoney

When I say early PCM1, I mean the 8-bit system, and I believe I'm right in saying that you can't get later maps for them. I'd be happy to stand corrected if someone has any experience........

Overlooked the 8-bit version. You're right; I should have thought that the Satnavshop will be unlikely to be able to help with the 8-bit version, but it's worth a call.