Looking at a nice 996TT that has high mileage (~60k) but has had its transmission rebuilt (due to the 2nd gear pop out) and the engine has had a tear down and reseal. Seems like these would be good things due to the high mileage.

Downside, high number of owners (I would be number 8, and it did have a minor accident that caused the bumper to be replaced)

Would do you guys think? If I can get it for below 39k would it be a decent deal?

 

What year? Sounds like too many possible unknowns.

 

01

I am interested in it, because with those rebuilds seems like the transmission and engine should be solid for the long haul

 

Actually, the 60K miles don't sound that high to me (especially for an 01). But the 7 previous owners would raise some concerns for me. That means the car turned over every year or two (on average). Unless it just happened to be owned by people who changed their minds pretty frequently, I'd be worried that people were selling the car because something was "just not right" about it. Since you mentioned the range of $38K, it seems like there would be other options out there for you with maybe a little cleaner history. Whatever you decide -- best of luck and let us know.

 

What in the heck is a "tear down and reseal'?!?!?!? These engines don't need 'resealing'...

That is a nonsensical statement. WHAT was actually DONE, and WHY.

For you to think that any old 'rebuild' or 'refurbishing'- without any consideration of who is doing the work or precisely what was done- would somehow 'reset' the expected lifetime of a Porsche Factory Built assembly, is kind of scary.

 

60k is not high miles, especially for an 01. Actually anything LESS than 6k-8k miles a year, I would be suspicious. Letting it sit is worse than driving it a lot. You can definitely find a car with less stories for not much more money. probably with some light mods too.

 

There is a 2003 X50 on RL that is around 300,000 miles. Yeah, no typo. It is still on its original clutch, the last that I heard. A 2001 with 60K is not that much, provided it was maintained properly.

 

Hard time believing that ANY car can go 300k on a single clutch disc. The motor going 300k? Possibly.

60k isn't high mileage at all. But with such a high number of owners, I would run. There is probably something not right about this car and the 7 previous owners are letting you know that. There are other cars out there. Remember, there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche.

 

Mine has 82k now and not a problem to speak of. The mileage is nothing to even think about.

The owner history, accident history, and maintenance history is a whole different story. I wouldn't touch it for more than 32, that way you have money to fix the underlying issues that keep scaring everyone else away.

 

Listen to your gut. The deal made you uncomfortable enough to post a query on here. Find a deal that makes you 100% comfortable and happy. I agree with most of these posts, that the mileage is a non-issue, but the 7 owners, tear-down, accident etc add up to "issues." Of course, if the price is low enough, it may be worth the risk and impending headache. Just my 2cents.

 

Thanks guys for all your opinions and quick response. Very helpful indeed.

Just curious would any of you even consider an 03 that you know has an RMS, and a rear spoiler hydraulic system leak? Doing a bit of research, RMS would require dropping the transmission to fix and the rear spoiler system just looks like a pain in the butt (2k just for the parts from dealer). Guy is offering the car to me to right around the edmunds private party at average condition, which seems to be a good deal.

Seems like edmunds is usually the lowest, NADA is in the middle, and KBB is just high

 

I think all these cars have the spoiler actuator leak, at least it seems that way. The engine teardown is much more questionable attribute in my book.

 

So this is an 03 with confirmed RMS leak and hydraulic spoiler leak. For Edmunds private party.

And this is a "good deal"?

First, how do you know it is ONLY a RMS? I don't care who the mechanic is, these are all 'best guesses' until repaired.

Have you priced out the repair, with labor?

Deduct those two costs and see what he says.

Personally I'd not consider this deal, under almost any circumstance

 

^I guess you are right, no way to tell if it is the RMS or the IMS (which would need a replacement asap)

I did get quotes for the RMS/IMS and a complete rear spoiler replacement from a dealer. 3k for RMS and IMS, 3k for rear spoiler. I have not priced it out at any local indy shops yet, but i would assume the cost would be lower.

Reading further into the RMS issue, seems like if the car has the leak a replacement to newer RMS part doesn't necessary "fix" the issue. It appears the issue is mainly due to a mismatch fit between the tranny and engine and the upgraded RMS should just last longer??

 

+100

These engines are generally bulletproof even with pretty major mods (if tuned properly). Unless i knew exactly why the engine had failed in the first place, who had rebuilt it, what was replaced and how much it cost to rebuild I would be running as far and fast as possible. You can easily get a 60K mile, few owners no stories car with all maintenance records for 38K.

The car you are posting about better come at a significant discount in my very opinionated opinion.