not being sarcastic but is it bulletproof and easy to maintain because these cars are rarely driven? or even if you crank 100K/yr and still just require plugs and oil change?

majority of the 996TT are fairly low mileage at 45K avg for a 7yr old vehilce...im looking for someone who have atleast did repairs on wear and tear" issues

 

Talk to a Porsche mechanic, Indy or dealer, and find out when things normally wear out. They deal with these cars all the time and will be able to tell you what to expect in terms of wear and tear items. Hope this helps.

 

Your comments are rather critical to people who have responded.

In any event, by bullet proof, I mean this: I drive the car as my daily (when not in my GT-R); I drive my car about 4 to 5 times a year on the track. It has been on 2 car rallies. I can pretty well say that I beat on the car and it has yet to break.

Other than changing the oil and some other fluids, I have had no problems. I have a Stage 3 EVOMs. I changed out the air box, suspension, stereo, and have done other engine mods. I have had no problems.

The brand, and in particular this model, would not have gained the reputation it has if it were a POS or if it required constant maintenance.

Best of luck. Maybe the car is not for you.

 

i agree you're being to critical of the responders.

going to an indie shop and talking to the mechanics is the best advice you can get. i understand you intend to do everything yourself, but you don't have to mention this to the mechanics. just ask a barrage of questions, about what any service entails. also take the time to loiter around the shop looking at these cars opened up.

you'll find that the car has quality in all of it's construction and operation. hence, parts are going to be expensive compared to a jap car. but these cars are built with ease of servicing in mind. this is one of the great things about them. if they were trailer queens, they would not have the fan following they enjoy. if they were lemons, they wouldn't be used as daily drivers either. the more they get used, the better the car will be.

 

Thanks, I thought it was just me.

 

It even comes out quicker...."Swooosh"

 

Agreed. But maybe he needs to get a better idea of the 'vibe' here...

If you think the dealer is the only place where "real" mechanics work, uh oh. And even more importantly if you think they will sHow would you actually plan on h

I wrench myself, yet I wouldn't miss the opportunity to open a conversation with someone who might help me one day- and could certainly help with my due diligence in the buying process...

good luck

A

 

I think you guys are a bit critical to him not wanting to talk to shop mechanics

Anyway, I think I can sort off relate to OT as I have yet not given my car to any mechanic....ever..for anything else than an allignment..I just don't trust them I'm sure it might be different with the porsches, as you are paying top dollar/hr most of the time, and since the parts are pretty steep, maybee they are more carefull and take their time, but on average cars I've seen too many hack jobs.

However, on the other hand I got friends who are mechanics in "hi end" dealerships and when they tell me that they are instructed to fix "whatever might break" under warranty since they are slow on business due to the economy, it scares me to take my car in for anything.

As far as background. My dad is a mechanic. I've been around cars since the day I was born. Althou, it is not my primary profession right now, and probably never will be, it is my hobby.
I come from a Ford/Mustang background, althou on my way to Porsche ownership I've owned several BMW, a Mercedes and some jap econoboxes. On all the cars all the work was done by me exclusively, including engine builds, rebuilds, trans manual/automatic rebuilds, waterpumps, bodywork, pretty much all bells and whistles.

I bought my Porsche in the less then perfect shape a little bit over six months ago. I've done suspension work to it, PS work (for which you can find a DIY on here), some cosmetic bodywork, and overall I have to admit that the car is very well put together and very easy to work on with the proper manuals if you are mechanically inclined. The build quality of my previous BMW 740IL and MB S500 doesn't come close to the 996.

Here's my baby as it stands in the garage right now




So, in a way I'm in the same boat as the OT with the difference being the fact that I already got my 996tt. I'm not loaded with cash by any means, and being 28 years old I'm probably one of the younger guys on here.
One mistake I did was the fact that I jumped at it without asking all the questions here up front and althou I still got a deal for it, I think I could've gotten a car that didn't require any work for a similar price. I did get it to be just the way I want it thou, so the tradeoff and elbowgrease is not that bad.

One thing's for sure. Once the real estate market get's better, I'm getting a house with a lift.

 

what kinda of japanese car requires to pull the engine to perform the above?


if you have the ability to replace a timing chain correct on any car with just the factory servie manual, i would say it would be very easy to do the work yourself. But if you are looking for detailed write-ups with photos on doing the work, you won't find it on the porsche boards......

 

I thought that the only maintenance required by japanese cars is adding gas to the gas tank every 700 miles.

Pulling an engine to change the radiator does sound funny thou...

 

My thread is really not trying to ask the question of the 996TT's reliability BUT rather the ease/difficulty fixing components when issues arise. Most of the comments I have gotten are more answering the question of not worrying about things to break ("all you need are plugs and oil change"). For clarification purposes, Id (im sure some who are reading) would like to get a feel on what mechanical skill set does one have when fixing the components on the 996TT. Obviously, I plan to keep the car for as long as I can and expect the wear and tear items (ive mentioned) come up as time goes by.

About the issue of calling a porsche mechanic: Again, no offense, but its not like I havent thought of that. The mechanics opinion will be biased as they do that for a living. Im interested on the owners perspective of fixing problems on their own car.

And lastly, about "Best of luck. Maybe the car is not for you" thing...my answer to that is maybe your crowd is NOT for me. I may not have all the blessings in life like you do but thanks anyway for your warm New Yr's Welcome. God Bless.

 

Thank you Sir. this is the kind of answer Im looking for. And no Im not looking for DIY stuff on the components Ive mentioned here on this board.

 

He still didn't answer which Japanese cars required him to pull the motor to perform basic "engine out" type of work.

 

It just amazes me that he comes in here for help yet rips on everyone who tries to help

Dude, I have earned every buck that has gone into my pocket. Yes, you are right you are not part of my crowd. Your a pretentious, know it all, who when he gets advice criticizes it.

Suggest you do this: go to cars and coffee in Irvine tomorrow. I will be in the GT Silver Turbo S; or the GTR in Super Silver. I will give you all the answers you want to your questions -- and if I cannot answer them, there are a ton of P-Car gear heads who can.

 

It is called the corolla of supercars. Need I say more. To get an engine that stock can handle 600hp and go 200 mph...and be reliable, is pretty good. It looks nice too.

I am not ripping the guy. The car and its following speak for themselves.